Issue Date
1948-10-15
Volume
10
Issue Number
42
Plaintext
Official OrgaUt Atlantic & Gulf District, Seafarers International Union of NA
VOL. X •NEW YORK. N. Y., FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15. 1948 No. 42
Nominothns Bud;
Voting Begins
On November 1
Credentials and technical qual
ifications of meqibers who have
been placed in nomination for
offices in the Atlantic and Gulf
District elections next month are
now being checked at Headquar
ters. The nominating period,
which ran for a month, ended
last Friday, Oct. 8.
As soon as the checking pro
cess is completed, the names and
photographs of all candidates
who will appear on the ballot,
will be published in the SEA
FARERS LOG, along' with the
offices they are seeking. In ad
dition, a brief autobiographical
sketch will accompany each can
didate's photo to help acquaint
the members with the men who
wish to represent them in 1949.
Balloting will begin on Nov. *1,
and will continue for two
months, ending December 31.
TALLY CbMMlTTEE MEMBERS
Membership OKs
$10 Assessment
By 88 Percent
NEW YORK—Overwhelming approval of a ten-
dollar assessment to build the Atlantic and Gulf
District's General Fund was registered by the SIU
membership in the referendum which ended on Oct.
8. With completion of the ballot count on Wednes
day, the Headquarters Tally Committee announced
that a landslide of "Yes" votes—88 percent of the
votes cast—pointed up the fact that the member
ship heartily endorsed the move"?
t o bolster t h e organization ^ $10.00^assess-
strength of the Seafarers.
Four of fhe Seafarers elected at last Wednesday night's
membership meeting to count referendum ballots on the
General Fund assessment, which carried by almost 90 percent.
Left to right are J.' Pacheco, Sam LuttrelL J. Murphy and
Frank Smith. The other two men on the committee were not
available when photo was taken.
Elected at the New York regu
lar membership meeting Oct. 6,
the six-ii;an •tally committee be
gan the careful process of vote
counting Monday morning, Oct.
11.
Record majorities in favor of
the assessment were chalked up
in all A&G ports, with the ex
ception of Boston and San Juan.
In all other ports the assessment
was favored by percentages
ranging from 81.1 in Savannah
to 95.5 in San Francisco.
HEAVY TURNOUT
Balloting preferences by the
membership were expressed in
the form of "Yes" or "No" votes
in answer to the question: "Are
DA Buries Racket Prebe—Turns On Unions
NEW YORK — The District
Attorney's office, which two
weeks ago promised the AFL In
ternational Ladies Garment
Workers Union it would press
vigorously to root out racketeers
px-eying on the industry, pulled
a sharp about face this week by
rounding up union pickets, all of
whom are members of the Sea
farers International Union aiding
the ILGWU's curreill organizing
drive against racketeer-protected
non-union jobbers.
All but nine of the Seafarers
' were released after questioning
by the DA's office. Those held
were later freed in $1,000 bail,
and are to be questioned further
by a grand jury.
In alert trade union circles, the
sudden turn in developments was
viewed as one packed with great
danger for all organized labor.
It appeared quite obvious that
the men were being hauled up
to serve as goats. With absolutely
nothing against them tha^ would
hold water under democratically-
.administered justice, the men are
clearly victims of a local witch
hunt.
In the opinion of many trade
unionists, who recall the infam
ous Palmer raids of the 1920's,
conviction of any one of the
Seafarers could touch off a large
scale series of anti-union moves
throughout the nation on the
fliinsiest pretexts, sole purpose of
which would be to wreck the or
ganized labor movement.
The sudden change in attitude
by the District Attorney's office
came as a complete surprise to
those forces interested in seeing
the garment industry swept clean
of hoodlum elements that have
been freely reaping a harvest
through terroristic tactics.
The round-up came as a result
of complaints made by two large
non-union operators, who have
been trying to get out of the un-
I comfortable spotlight thi'own on
them by the ILGWU's dx'ive
against shops opex-ating under
protection of union-busting
goons.
Terror in the garment district
came to a halt with the appear
ance of Seafarers on the picket-
lines. Because the majority of
its members are women and
eldexly men, the gax-ment union
called oil the Seafarers fox Ixelp
in conducting the ox-ganizing
Work on some 30 non-union out
fits, most of which are in West
35th Street. Up to the time Sea
farers appeared on the scene,
sti-ong arm men had been ter
rorizing the garment workers at
will.
The District Attorney's raid
took place Thui'sday, Oct. 8 in
the 35th Street area, between
Eighth and Ninth Avenues. At
10:30 a.m., 20 detectives, acting
on orders from District Attorney
Frank Hogan, began rounding up
the Seafarers, who were serving
as paid organizers for the
ILGWU's Dress Joint Board.
In their organizing, the men
worked jointly with committees
of ILGWU people. None of the
men was picketing at the time.
They were standing in small
groups in the street. They were
taken in vans to the DA's office
for questioning.
Later, five members of the
Di-ess Joint Board were also
also questioned.
At the offices of the ILGWU,
officials were shocked at the
DA's turn-about attitude. Shoi-tly
after the raid, Julius Hochman,
general manager of the Dress
Joint Board, issued the following
statement to the press:
"We are surprised by the
'round-up' of our pickets by the
District Attorney's office. We
informed the District Attorney,
when we last saw him with re
gard to our charges against
racketeering in the industry, that
if he wanted to see or question
any of our officers or any of our
pickets, to notify us to that effect
Attention^ Draft Registrants!
According to the law, all draft registrants, when leaving
the country, must notify their Selective Service Boards, tmd
give the following information: (1) the name of the ship they
are on; (2) the name of the company operating the ship; (3)
the port from which they are departing; and (4) the approxi
mate length of the trip.
This is important, for the Union cannot supply this in
formation and, without it, the Draft Board may feel you are
attempting to evade them, and issue induction papers.
The dates set aside for draft registration have passed, but
18 through 25 year-old seamen who have been out on ships
have five days in which to register after reaching a U.S. port.
If the seaman lives in the port reached, he should register
at the board nearest his home; if not, he can get the address
of the nearest board from the Dispatcher in the SIU Hall.
For men hitting New York, the following are the ad
dresses of draft boards easily accessible from the Union Hall:
80 Lafayette Street, Manhattan (near City Hall), and 44
Court Street, Brooklyn (near Boro Hall).
and they would immediately be
made available.
'•'We shall seek any early ap
pointment with the District At
torney to discuss with him the
incidents today."
Hochman said further that the
ILGWU would continue asking
the Seafarers for aid as pickets.
"We consider them good union
men," the ILGWU official said.
The currexit situation ixi the
garment industry is the second
time that gangster elements have
been the object of attack by the
garment wox'ker's union. The
ILGWU won considex'able px'aise
and prestige in all quarters in
the late Thirties when it was
responsible for the clean-up of
"Murder, Inc.," an organization
of ruthles parsasites headed by
the notorious Lepke and Gurrah,
pi-eying on industx-y and labor
alike.
SIMILARITY
Incidents of terror in the past
few months markedly similar to
those perpetrated by the "Mur
der" gang touched off the
ILGWU's drive on the hood
lum-protected anti-union gar
ment shops.
The particular mystery to ob
servers who have been watching
the garment industry situation is
the DA's failure to take any
steps against the racketeering
element, despite his previous
loud proclamations that he would
not tolerate terrorism.
Although indictments were re
turned against two of four goons
who invaded the Dress Joint
Board offices and beat up several
union officials sevex-al weeks ago,
the District Attorney still has
not arrested either of them. Re
ports from the DA's office say
they are not in New York.
In fact, after the DA^s initial
promises to bear down on the
racketeers, his policy has shifted
(Continued on ?»ge 3)
ment to build the General
Fund?"
A heavy turnout of voters was
recorded in the early days of
the balloting period, which
started Sept. 8. Voting was
brisk in aU ports throughout the
30 days alloted to the referen
dum in accordance with provi
sions of the Union Constitution.
The referendum stemmed from
a resolution introduced by 37
New Orleans Seafarers calling
for a balloting of the member
ship on the question of a ten-dol
lar assessment. The resolution,
strongly recommended the build
ing of the General Fund as
necessary to implement the SIU
policy of being prepared for all
future problems affecting the
general welfare.
Seafarers in all ports ac
claimed the forward-looking
move of their New Oxdeans
Brothers and adopted the resolu
tion by lax-ge majorities. As
recommended in .the resolution,
the Secretary-Treasurer then set
machinery in motion that led to
the start of balloting on the
question Sept. 8.
MOVE HAILED
Membership opinion of the
New Orleans resolution hailed
the fund-building as foresighted
and essential. In the SEA
FARERS LOG of Sept. 3, old-
timer Carl Cowl was among
(Continued on Page 3)
'Grandfather Rights'
May Influence MC's
Policy On Suhsldles
Shipping circles buzzed last
week when a Maritime Commis
sion examiner recommended that
the "gi-andfather rights" of any
shipping line in an established
trade be given top consideration
if the line applies for a govern
ment subsidy.
The recommendation was made
in the case of the application of
the Pacific Argentine Brazil line,
a Pope & Talbot subsidiaxy op
erating from West Coast ports to
Brazil and the River Plate. If
the Maritime Commission ac-
c e p t e d the recommendation,
which it might or might not do,
a precedent would be established
to be followed, should such un-
subsidized lines as Alcoa, Water
man and Isthmian ask for gov
ernment. hacking, shipping men
were saying.
Naturally, other lines wei-e
fighting PAB's application, and
there was no indication as to
what the Commission would do.
Apparently, "grandfather
rights" are not an issue in the
Bernstein case whose status is
still undetermined.
' .fft -V a » u g ^ ij J a 'I » a » • » B » « J a f f •» 'I it ^ ,7 It It tt .7 :( I) f! •/ ;( 't 't .( t M a f I" i ' ' ' ' ! M r f M J C * 1/
Page Two THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, October 15, 1948
SEAFARERS LOG
Published Weekly by the
SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION
OF NORTH AMERICA
Atlantifc and Gnlf District
Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor
At 51 Beaver Street, New York 4, N. Y.
HAnover 2-2784
Entered as second class matter June 15, 1945, at the Post Office
in New York, N. Y., under the Act of August 24, 1912.
/
267
lii-''
Battened Down
The SIU is setting out on a two-year voyage as a
well-stored ship fully secured for sea.
For one thing, there is the new contract. Its two-
year life establishes the length of the voyage. Its wage
clauses, its manning scale guarantee and other provisions
•establish the conditions under which the Union will sail.
And it looks like smooth sailing.
For another thing, there is the new assessment for
the General Fund. If nothing else points to smooth sail
ing, the assessment does. The new dollars in the Union's
account mean stable operations in all ports at all times.
Never will there be any difficulty in accomplishing the
Union's daily routine which is financed by the General
Fund. To carry out the figure, the assessment will act
as a gyro-stabilizer if we encounter heavy seas.
The SIU thus goes into what may be another period
of painful readjustment for the entire American Mer
chant Marine better equipped than any other maritime
union. The membership can be proud of their foresight.
If the storm, comes, they are ready for it.
Who Blew The Whistle?
Last week, the police and the District Attorney of
New York suddenly took the heat off the racketeers who
have been infesting the city's garment industry, and
turned on the unions—the International Ladies Garment
^Workers and the Seafarers, who have been battling the
return of "Murder, Inc." to power.
In a move that had no legal or moral justification,
a score or more of detectives swooped into West 3 5 th
Street and arrested 42 Seafarers employed as organizers
by the ILGWU.
The 42 seamen were picked up for
Nine of them were released under bail for grand jury
"investigation," and the remaining 33 were let go.
The point is that the 42 SIU seamen were grabbed
not because they were doing anything illegal, but because
they were seamen, and members of a militant union
which was aiding another union in a struggle with gang
sters. They were organizing the unorganized. Not even
the Taft-Hartley Act forbids that.
Apparently the 42 Seafarers, particularly the nine
bound over for further questioning, are the first victims
of a new local witch hunt. If so, it looks good for the.
uniofi-busters not only in New York but elsewhere.
So iar as the seamen involved are concerned, none of
them is a "first-tripper," All of them have been around.
They, like all SIU oldtimers and many younger Seafarers,
have met up with union-busters and their legal guardians
before, and broken cops' clubs with their heads—in
creasing local taxes. They ask no favors.
So far as the labor movement in New York and
across the country is concerned, the arrest of the seamen
must be viewed as the forerunner of things to come.
If union organizers are to be picked up by cops for
organizing, not a union in the nation is safe.
Meanwhile, the union-busters played into the hands
of the commies as usual. The commies are always ready
to take advantage of anything they can twist for their
own use.
This week, one of the commies' leading hatchetmen
3vas pounding away on his typewriter as hard as he could.
STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP
"questioning "
STATEMENT OF THE OWNERSHIP.
MANAGEMENT. CIRCULATION, ETC..
REQUIRED BY THE ACTS OF CON
GRESS OF AUGUST 24, 1912. AND
MARCH 3. 1933 of THE SEAFARERS
LOG published weekly at General Post
Office, New York 1. N. Y.. for October
I. 1948.
State of New York.
County of New York, as
Before me. a Notary Public In and for
the State and county aforesaid, per
sonally appeared George Novlck. who.
having been duly sworn according to
law. deposes and says that he is the
Editor of the SEAFARERS LOG and that
the following is. to the best of his know
ledge and belief, a true statement of the
ownership, management (and if a daily
paper, the circulation), etc.. of the afore
said publication for the date shown in
the above caption, required by the Act
of August 24, 1912. as amended by the
Act of March 3. 1933. embodied in sec
tion 537. Postal Laws and Regiilatinns.
printed on the reverse of this form, to
•wit:
1. That the names and addresses of
the publisher, editor, managing editor,
and business managers are: Publisher
Seafarers International Union of North
America. Atlantic & Gulf District, 51
Beaver St.. New York 4. N. Y. Editor,
George Novick. 51 Beaver St.. Now York.
N. Y. Managing Editor (none) Business
Managers (none).
2. That the owner is: (If owned by a
corporation, its name and address must
be stated and also immediately there
under the names and addresses of stock
holders owning or holding one per cent
of more of total amount of stock.. If not
owned by a corportion. the names and
addresses of the individual owners must
be given. If owned by a firm, company,
or other unincorporated concern, its
name and address, as well as these of
each individual member, must be given.)
Seafarers International Union of North
America. Atlantic & Gulf District. 51
Beaver St.. New York 4. N. Y.. Paul
Hall. Secretary-Treasurer. 51 Beaver
St.. New York 4. N. Y.
3. That the known bondholders, mort
gagees, and other sceurity holders own
ing or holding I per cent of more ol
total amount of bonds, mortgages, or
other securities are: (If there are none,
so state.) None,
4. That the two paragraphs next
above giving the names of the owners,
stockholders, and security holders, ii
any. .contain not only the list of stock
holders and security holders as they
appear upon the books of the company
but also, in cases where the stockholder
or security holder appears upon the
books of the company as trustee or in
any other fiduciary relatluit. the imiite
of the person or corporation for whom
such trustee is acting, is given; also
aphs contain
statements embraci'ng "affiant's full
that the said two paragrar
knowledge and belief as to the circum
stances and conditions under which
stockholders and security holders who
do not appear upon the books of the
company as trustees, hold stock a'nd se
curities in a capacity other than that of
a bona fide owner; and this affiant has
no reason to believe that any other
person, assosiation, or corporation has
any interest direct or indirect in the said
stock, bonds, or other securities than
as so stated by him.
5. That the average number of copies
each issue of this publication sold or
distributed, through the mails or other
wise. to paid subscribers during the
twelve months preceding the date shown
above is 32.340.
(Signed) GEORGE NOVlCK. Editor
Sworn to and subscribed before me
this 1st day of October. 1948. ROSE
S. ELDRICE, Notary Public. (My com
mission expires March 30. 1950.
saying, in effect, that the Seafarers might as well turn
commie—because look what happens to such non-commie
unions as the ILGWU and the SIU.
Of course, this commie hack was writing nonsense.
Seafarers know too much about commies. They have
spent 10 long years fighting the commies on the water
front, while a lot of people who would like to forget
their pasts played footsie with the commies.
But the situation demonstrates how the police and
the bosses by their blundering tactics feed grist into the
commie mill.
The main fact is that the SIU will not be beaten
by any such hard-timing. As usual, the SIU will fight to
improve the wages and conditions of seamen, and will
lend a hand when other honest, non-communist unions
need help.
Personals
JACK MAURIER or
MIKET TOINER
Please send me your address,
as I would ̂ like to send you the
money I owe you. John Crews,
260 South Conception Street,
Mobile, Alabama.
4) ib $
FRANCISCO MIGUE
Your father wishes to hear
from you.
^ 4. it, 4.
ANGELO MORENO
Call Junior She! ton at Circle
7 2005, New York City.
4- 4" 4"
MANUEL PASOS
S. E. Sampliner wants you to
communicate with him. You
can reach him through Aba
Rapaport, Room 1711, 42 Broad
way, New York City.
' 4- 4- 4-
ROBERT CARRASGO
Get in touch with your father,.
4 4-4.
WILLIAM T. PRESLEY
Write to your mother in care
of Fred Diggers, Route 1, Box I,
Dyersburg, Tenn. Very impor
tant.
4. 4 4.
MICKEY
Mrs. David Melendy, your sis
ter, wants you to know that she
is living at South Londonderry,
Vermont—Box 428.
4 4 4
LAWRENCE EDWARDS
Contact your mother, Mrs, L.
Edwards, 9406 Edwards Avenue,
Cleveland 6, Ohio, regarding
your tax.
4 4 4
WILFORD "DICK" TRACY
Thomas "Dixie" Mason would
like for you to get in touch witlli
him; His address is 332 Union-
street, Jackson, Michigan.
8h.
Friday, October 15. 1948 THE SEAFARERS LOG
DA Takes Heat
Off Racketeers,
Tarns On Unions
(Contimicd from Page I)
and -bears a striking parallel to
the policy laid down by the
Hearst papers in New York
which have taken up the cudgels
for the anti-union elements in
the garment industry, with com
plete disregard for their gang
ster taint.
A very clear answer to the
District Attorney's action came
from the SIU, which issued a
statement shortly after the
shocking "round-up" occurred.
Reaffirming its intention of sup
porting the ILGWU "in its at
tempt to rid the dress industry
of open shop racketeers and
gangsters," the Seafarers said it
would not be frightened away by
the District Attorney.
"If the city administration is
really interested in promoting
industrial peace in the garment
area, it should crack down on
the hired thugs employed by the
open shop operators who have
terrorized the garment workers
for years," the SIU statement
said.
VICTIMS OF DA'8 SWITCH IN GARMENT RACKET PROBE
A sudden switch in tactics of the New York District Attorney's office has resulted in
nine Seafarers being booked pending further questioning by Grand Jury. They were employed as
organizers by International Ladies Garment Workers Union, which is trying to sign up non
union jobbers operating with strong arm support of union-busting- racketeers.
The nine were the only ones held of 42 Seafarers who were hustled to DA's office for
"questioning." Five ILGWU officials were also interrogated. Targets of the DA's witch hunt,
all of whom were released on bail, are: Joseph Carroll, Carl Carlson, Louis Holliday, Ervin
Moyd, Herman Whistmant, Gene Daniels, William Armstrong, Jack Turner and Thomas Gower.
Union Actions Pulled Seamen Out Of Slavery
By JOSEPH VOLPIAN
Special Service Representative
The union-busters are fond o:
saying that seamen don't need
unions because they are amply
protected by federal laws.
Of course, the people who
voice such statements never
sailed an unorganized ship. They
never went out East on an Isth
mian ship under the "Isthmian
bible" a couple of years ago.
Nor are they riding Cities
Service tankers these days for
an invigorating breath of salt
air.
They've never gone up against
a bucko Mate or Chief Engi
neer.
It is true that there are Fed
eral laws "protecting" seamen.
Measured by 19th century stand
ards, they do afford a fair bit of
protection by guaranteeing at
least a three-watch system un
der most circumstances, a couple
of holidays and Sundays off in
poit, and one or two other
things.
However, the Federal protec
tion sets the very minimum
standards under which life at
sea would be barely tolerable. It
is the unions, with the SIU set
ting the pace, which have made
seafaring a dignified profession.
OS, FOR INSTANCE
If anybody doubts this, let him
take a trip on a Cities Service
tanker, as hundreds of Seafarers
have in the campaign to bring
that company under the SIU
banner. On a Cities Service ship
he will have all the protection
the Federal statutes will give
him—and nothing else.
That is why Cities Service will
be under SIU contract one of
these days. When that day
comes, all credit will be due the
Organizers who sailed these ships
under non-union conditions.
Let's see just how much "pro
tection" a seaman does get from
Federal law. If you will look
at Title 46, Section 673 of the
United States Code Annotated,
you will find out. It's not much.
Everything else has been added
by the unions. The law can be
read in about 10 minutes, so you
can see for yourself.
Let's run through the law
briefly. It says that on any
American flag vessel of 100 tons
or more, with some exception,
seamen in each department must
be divided into three watches,
except that on a tug or barge
making a voyage*of less than 600
miles they may be divided into
two watches.
In an emergency, as any sea
man knows, everybody works as
long as is necessary, a point pro
vided for both in the law and
in union contracts.
The law specifically authorizes
the Master of a ship to call life
boat drill any time he wants to
—which, of course, is just what
those Isthmian skippers used to
do. /
It says that no seaman shall be
required to do any unnecessary
work on Sundays, or on New
Year's Day, the Fourth of July,
Labor Day and Christmas, wh'ile
the vessel is safe in port.
80-HOUR WEEK
In other words, the law allows
56-hour work week at sea.
In practice, the company-minded
officers of non-union ships some
times work men 70 to 80 hours
a week without overtime, claim
ing that the safety of the ship
is af stake.
For violations of the law, the
owner may be fined 500 dollars
and the seamen may be paid off.
That's your Federal protection.
Of course there are other laws,
but they are highly technical and
per^in more to procedures than
to protection.
Now look at the SlU's new
two-year dry-cargo agreement.
That's where the real protection
is to be found.
For instance. Federal law does
not guarantee a full rhanning
scale. All the government says
is that the men aboard must be
those "essential" to sail the ship.
Very few men are "essential"
to move a ship. Captain ratings
might be unnecessary, by a nar
row interpretation. That is why
the Negotiating Committee in
sisted on a guaranteed , manning
scale for each type of vessel
when they were getting the new
contract.
Look at some of the other
things that the Union has won.
First there is overtime. Then
there is penalty wprk, not to
mention penalty cargo. You'll
find no mention of these matters
in the law. They are Union
victories.
SHORT WEEK
The law allows a 56-hour week
at sea, a 48-hour week in port.
In contrast, the SIU contract says
44 hours at sea, 40 hours in
port.
The law says nothing about
officers doing the crew's work.
The Union contract bars this
practice. And there are dozens
of other points which illustrate
the advantage of the union con
tract over the law.
Above all, the Union contract
calls for the orderly settlement
of beefs. On a non-union ship,
a beef seldom is even heard,
much less lettled. In fact, the
chances are that a man who
voices a complaint will be fired
in the first port and blackballed.
We could go on about the dif
ferences between a seaman's
rights under Federal statute and
his rights under union contract,
but most of the oldtimers know
them already. They struggled
hard to win the union wages and
conditions which Seafarers now
enjoy, and knew what they were
doing.
If any of the younger members
have any doubts about the value
of their SIU contract, they can
learn it by taking a trip or two
on an un-organized vessel.
The difference between Federal
protection and SIU protection
will be driven home—and hard.
Page Three
Referendum
Passes By
88 Penent
(Continued from Page I)
several Brothers voicing their
support of the measure.
In the past two years," Cowl
said, "the organization—by prac
ticing operating economies and
by developing more efficient
machinery—has been able to pull
the General Fund out of the
red."
If the assessment were to be
adopted, he pointed out at the
time, "it would double our op
erating and organizational fund
immediately.' The economies and
efficiencies which have success
fully brought us out of the hole
can be maintained while the
Fund itself is doubled for more
intensive organizational work."
SIU SECURITY
A considerable measure of
support for the assessment pro
posal came from Union oldtimera
who vigorously stressed the
urgency of making the Union
more secure at every point.
In strengthening the General
Fund the assessment will enable
the Union to increase organizing
activity and bring in more jobs
for all hands. The Union wiU
be in a favorable position to seek
that objective because of the
"breathing period" afforded by
the new two-year contracts.
Serving on the Tally Commit
tee were Sam Luttrell, Deck De
partment; Frank Smith, Engine;
J. Murphy, Deck; J. Pachecc
Stewards; D. Mease, Stewards,
and Lars Hillertz, Engine.
RETIRING ROOKS
Members who forward
their membership books to
the New York Hall for retire
ment are urged to mark the
envelope with the notation
"Atieniiea: 6ih floor," in ©ri
der to insure quicker hand
ling of the matter.
Marking of the envelope in
the manner advised above
will save time and will result
in prompt return of the book
to the sender.
Voting In Genera! Fund Referendum
PORT YES NO VOID TOTAL
PERCENTAGE
YES NO
• .
Boston 54 55 44 153 49.5 50.5
New York 1300 136 12 1448 90.5 . 9.5
Savannah • 43 10 2 55 81.1 18.9
Mobile 188 41 3 232 82.0 18.0
Tampa 99 15 \ 1 115 86.8 13.2
New Orleans ,389 38 8 435 91.1 8.9
Galveston 48 6 1 55 88.9 11.1
Norfolk 181 12 2 195 93.8 6.2
Baltimore 540 31 9 580 94.6 5.4
San Francisco 170 8 178 95.5 4.5
Puerto Rico 47 53 100 47.0 53.0
Philadelphia 134 22 1 157 85.9 14.1
Grand Total 3193 427 83 3703 88.2 11.8
Page Four -T Is E S E A F A R E R S L .O G . Friday* October 15* 1948
WHAT
ttmiiK.,
QUESTION: What personal qualifications do you think a man elected to Union office should
•
have in order to successfully perform his duties?
LESLIE WILSON. Messman; RAY GRIFFITH. FWT:
1 think that any man holding
Union office must have some
thing on the ball, besides meet
ing the qualifications necessary
under the Constitution. A Union
official has to have a personality
that will help him mix with the
men. He should know that there
is more to settling beefs than
just laying down the law. By
this I mean that he must have
some tact, and bo able to make
the guys understand why a cer
tain rule is to be followed. That's
the way. we get harmony. He
should realize, too. that he's in
office to serve the membership's
interests—not his own.
Anybody running for a Union
office should have the seameifs
slant of things. In other words
he should understand the ship
board problems, the needs of the
men and how they can be solved.
It's pretty clear that you can't
just have anybody in a Union
position of responsibility. A
Union official must be able to
command the respect of the men
he represents, and he must also
have their complete confidence.
Also, he should be a determined
person, sure of what he is doing.
He must know the score other
wise. no matter how hard he
works, it'll come to nothing.
DANIEL CLIFFORD, Cookr
It's not possible to always
know the personality make-up of
the men for whom one is voting,
but from reading the LOG and
getting an idea of the men's
Union records.^ it is somewhat
easier to decide on the men one
wishes to serve. I believe the
men we elect should be able to
get along with others, this can be.
determined from his previous
Union activity. We definitely
don't want gashounds or anyone
else in that category. In addi
tion, a man holding down a
Union position should be capable
of handling both Union men and
company officials.
A. (Red) CAMPBELL. Bosun: E. LEINONEN, OUer:
First of all. I'd say that a can
didate for any Union office
should be sufficiently interested
in the Union to acquaint himself
fully with the requirements of
his rating. Also he should know
completely the Union constitu
tion, the Shipping Rules and the
contracts. A man who wants to
serve his Union ought to be alert
and on his toes, and always on
the lookout for improvements in
shipping conditions. He certainly
ought to ask lots of questions so
he will know all about foreign
ports, and thus be able to warn
the men of conditions there.
Well, one of the most impor
tant personal qualifications, to
my mind, is that he must be
honest. And. almost as impor
tant. is that he be the kind of a
fellow who isn't afraid to work.
I certainly wouldn't want to see
a lazy man in office. Some of
the duties of Union office some
times require long hours of hard
work. The duties of a Union of
ficial also make it necessary for
a man to be cool and level
headed. These qualities make it
much easier for beefs to be
settled in a sound way and leave
everybody feeling satisfied.
• ~ '
J ^ —
' A
V
iiiJ ' iilll
E. F. LAMB. 3rd Cook:
He should be a guy with an
easy disposition who can get
along with all the men. He
should also be able to under
stand the men and their prob
lems so that when they have a
beef, he'll know what it's all
about. Of course, you can't ex
pect a man to understand every
guy or be able to get along with
everybody, but a Union official
must at least be patient with all
the men and remember that he is
frying to give them service. A
guy with Union responsibility
should be honest. That's the
least we can expect of any man.
especially one who has the trust
of his Brothers.
TOM HONG. Deck Engineer: MARTIN BLUM. MM;
If we need a Patrolman to
come down to the ships to settle
beefs, he should be an oldtimer
with ten years at sea. anyway.
He must know the contract of
course, but he must know the
ships and the problems of the
men who sail them, before he
can really understand any sea
going contract, no matter how
plainly it is written. Then he
must have the kind of person
ality that is not awed by brass,
but can stand up to all the offi
cers and company representa
tives when the crew is right.
And. for that matter, he has got
to be able to tell the crew off
when they are wrong, too.
The men holding down the
elective positions in the Atlantic
& Gulf District should be men
of good character with strong
personalities. They .should be
able to handle men and make
order out of the confusion that
so often surrounds a payoff. They
should be a clean-cut men. hon
est and reliable. No performers
should be entrusted with the
guarding of our contracts and
conditions. At the same time,
the officials should be men who
are well liked by the crews and
not give the impression of lord
ing over them. I don't expect
supermen. I only-want men who
will do their best.
ABE GOLDFARB; AB:
Of course an SIU official
should ihave firm knowledge of
the Union and its agreements and
possess level-headedness. so as to
be able to handle men and get
along with them. He also should
have a reputation from his sail
ing days of being one of the
boys. At the same time he must
be allowed the normal failings of
everyone (he wouldn't be human,
otherwise) but have a steady
character. Many men have some
of the qualifications, but the men
best suited for positions of re
sponsibility in the SIU should. I
believe, possess all of them. We
want the best men possible at
the helm.
JOHN HIGGINS. AB:
Besides having zdl the qualifi
cations required by the Constitu
tion. a man running for Union
office must be the right kind of
a guy for the job he is seeking.
He should be a good fellow, the
kind that is able to work with
the membership and who is able
to win their respect and confi
dence. Any man' in. Union office
should understand that all hands
must be treated alike; therefore,
he must be impartial in his deal
ings with the men. This doesn't
mean he has to be an easy guy.
because a Union officieil has to
,be firm. He should be firmF—but
he should be fair.
Frid«r' Odebtt is; 1948 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Hve
Rated Men Find
Good Shipping
In Galveston
By KEITH ALSOP
GALVESTON — The increase
in grain cargoes in this Texas
port continued through last
week and shipping, therefore, is
good. Although there are plenty
of non-rated men on the beach,
it appears that we will be in
need of rated men in the com
ing week.
Two ships, one tanker and one
freighter, paid off in this area
last week. The SS Michael, a
T-2 tanker belonging to J. B.
Carras, Inc., paid off in Port Ar
thur on Wednesday and the SS
George Prentice, a Waterman
job, held a payoff in Houston
the following day. All beefs
were minor ones and were set
tled at the payoffs.
TWO SIGN-ONS
Likewise, there were two
sign-ons during the period, with
the SS Michael signing on at
the point of payoff, and the SS
Thomas Cresap crewing up in
Galveston. Here, too, the beefs
were of a minor nature and
were handled at the sign-ons.
An unorganized vessel, the
Winter Hill of the Cities Service
fleet, called in this area during
the past week.
At the last regular member
ship meeting in this port the
membership discussed a timely
topic and one of importance to
the Union—the comifig elections
in which- officials will be nam
ed for the year 1949.
WEEKLY SESSIONS
In line with the recommenda
tions of the recent Emergency
Agents Conference, this port is
holding education meetings
every Tuesday. The sessions are
mighty interesting, and there is
broad participation on the part
of the membership. Aside from
the value of this program to all
hands, it seems to us that some
pretty constructive ideas ought
to come out of the proceedings.
Another phase of the Union's
program that is being pressed to
the greatest extent here is the
Organizing drive. Everything
possible to make it successful is
being done in this port.
Among the several Seafarers
on the Texas beach at this writ
ing are R. L. Wilson, Mai Col
lins, C. Lynn and L. E. Jarvis.
Mobile Sees Shipping Lift After Bad Time
By CAL TANNER
MOBILE — Shipping in the
port of Mobile continues at a
very slow pace with only three
payoffs and two sign-ons for the
week, one sign-on, the 'Monarch
of The Sea, being on continuous
articles. The other sign-
on was the Maiden Creek. Pay
offs were the Steel Ranger, Isth
mian; Monarch of The Seas and
Maiden Creek, Waterman.
For the week we shipped a
total of fifty-four bookmen and
eleven permits. We also had
around fifteen or twenty relief
jobs on the harbor tugs in port,
all of which helped out quite a
bit.
Two ships in transit here this
week were the Daniel Lowndale
of Waterman and the Nathaniel
B. Palmer of Mar-Trade, one of
the new tanker companies signed
up a short time ago.
The shipping picture for the
coming week looks a little bet
ter, however, with both Alcoa
and Waterman due to have ships
in for payoffs and sign-ons. One
of the reasons for the slow ship
ping is the fact that Alcoa hasn't
had a ship in here recently and
that hurts—as they are one of
the biggest operators out of this
port.
This week's payoffs weren't as
smooth as they have_ been for the
past couple of months but, all in
all, they weren't too bad. On
the Steel Ranger were the usual
run of Isthmian beefs, all of
which were settled to the satis-
faction of the crew. She had
been out since April and and the
beefs had accumulated.
MATE CURBED
The Monarch of The Seas did
not have any overtime beefs, but
the Mate had attempted to fire
two ABs who had signed on in
Puerto Rico. After the Patrol
men had squared the bef away j
and left the ship, the Mate again \
decided to fire the men. He gave
them_ fifteen minutes to get their ^
gear together and be off the,
ship, if not, they would be'
worked over. The men came to
the Hall and reported to the
Patrolmen. The three of them
returned and the men were re
hired, plus the payment of sub
sistence for the meals lost and a
night's lodging. The ship then
sailed with the men aboard.
The Maiden Creek, skippered
by our "old Pal" Morgan Hiles,
came in from the coast on what
was supposed to be a run job,
but when she arrived here orders
came to send her to Hamburg
with a load of nitrate, so the
crew paid off with transportation
and we shipped aboard a new
crew.
Voting on the Referendum for
the $10 General Fund Assess
ment ended on the eighth, with
a large majority of the bookmen
in Mobile doing their duty at
the polls. The talk around here
points to a very large "yes" vote.
On the labor scene here, every
thing seems to be quiet with the
exception of the Marine Cooks
and Stewards strike against the
shipyards. The strike ended yes
terday when an injunction was
granted the yai'ds against the
CIO Cooks.
I Some of the SIU salts on the
beach here at the moment in
clude Homer Starling, Eddie Pat
terson, Otis Davenport, J. W.
Oberry, L. Holbrook, R. Bunch,
Mike "Hynes, J. W. Demouy, J.
H. Jones, J. P. Morton, Malcolm
Cieutat, W. E. Morse, Claude
Hollings, A. W. Gowder, E.
Bowers, Charlie Kimball, G. W.
Pederson and J. T. Tighe.
One thir\g we'd like to pass
along before closing:
The hospitals will not take
you in unless you have a dis
charge of less than ninety days,
emergencies excepted. During
the past week we had several
Brothers turned down at the
hospital, because their discharges
were too old. We managed to
have them admitted by explain
ing to the surgeon in charge that
shipping was exceptionally poor
and some of the men had not
been able to ship in sixty or
seventy days.
If you go to a hospital and
are turned down because your
discharge is too old, contact your
Agent and he will see if some
thing can to worked out for you.
From The Sixth Deck
By EDDIE BENDER
A man who is four months
in arrears in dues and assess
ments, and who was not properly
registered for shipping before go
ing into arrears, is—according to
the membership ruling—subject
to a $25 fine, in addition to the
fact that he must pay up all
such arrears before shipping, or
registering for shipping or before
retiring his book.
The only time a man may be
excused from paying these ar
rears plus the fine before ship
ping, is when he can show proof
of having been confined in a
hospital or other institution dur
ing the time of his bad standing.
There is also a membership
Slow Shipping Still Holds Grip On Philly
By LLOYD (Blackie) GARDNER
PHILADELPHIA — The sta-^
tus of shipping underwent no
change in this port last week.
Things are still rather slow, des-'
pite three payoffs, because re
placements were few.
The Bull line ships Monroe
and Rosario came in from Puer
to Rico and both paid off fast
and clean. As usual, most of
the boys didn't want to leave
the Island run and only a small
number of replacements went to
these vessels.
Our other payoff was the SS
Coral Sea, of the Coral Steam
ship Company. There were a
few disputes on this one, but
the Patrolman squared ' every
thing away to everyone's satis
faction. Quite a few replace
ments wgnt to the Coral Sea,
and all hands are now looking
forward to a good trip to
Greece.
Several men were taken off
the beach by the following ves
sels, which called in transit:
Topa Topa and A. K. Smiley,
both of Waterman; S S Steel
Flyer, of Isthmian, and SS Rob
in Kirk-of Robin.
As in other ports up and down
the coast, voting on the referen
dum for a ten dollar assessment
for the General Fund came to
an end here on Friday. Possibly
by the time this is being read
the results will be known.
HAVE IT COMING
Before I forget, I want to of
fer a few words of advice in
the interest of our Brothers'
welfare. If and when you are in
jured, or suffer an illness aboard
ship, be sure you get a Mas
ter's certificate attesting to the
fact before you leave the ves
sel. This should be done no
matter how slight your injury or
illness.
You are entitled to this certi
ficate, so insist on it. Don't let
:y
a Skipper or a Mate put you off
with the story that the certifi
cate wouldn't be necessary, be
cause your discharge will get
you into the hospital.
I repeat, for your own protec
tion insist on a Master's certifi
cate.
And while on the subject of
shipboard illness and injury,
here's another bit of advice. If
one of your shipmates should be
injured on board a vessel, do
not sign any statements. It is
not necessary that you do so.
Such a statement, no matter
how innocent-looking it may ap
pear at the moment, may be
used by a company lawyer to
ease your shipmate out of his
just compensation.
Play safe! Make no statements
—and sign nothing!
I guess I better sign off now
before I start sounding like a
sea-lawyer. Until next week,
good sailing to everyone, every
where.
ruling on men who have gone
more than 12 months in arrears
in their dues and assessments.
Such men are automatically sus
pended, and they may not be
reinstated. Such men have no
one to blame but themselves.
The only excuse in these cases
that are acceptable to the Head
quarters Reinstatement Com
mittee (again upon the direction
of the' membership), is where a
man can prove that he was • in
jail, actually hospitalized, or in
the armed forces.
The same fine and required
payment of arrears, stated above
for book members who are four
months in arrears, also apply to
permitmen.
The membership has further
ruled that permitmen six
months in arrears, or bookmen
12 months in arrears, can only
be reinstated through the Head
quarters Reinstatement Commit
tee in New York. Men who are
not that far in arrears may, how
ever, be reinstated in any of the
Branches. In any event, the ar-
rear fine is not to be waived
under any circumstances, other
than upon presenting proof of
one of the acceptable excuses
listed above.
In the event that a bookman
pays off a ship and intends to re
main ashore indefinitely, it is
wise for him to retire his book.
Remember, it can always be
taken out again when he is
ready to ship.
Retirement is a bookmember's
privilege, as set forth in our
Constitution. Anyone in good
standing is entitled to do so, and
there is no charge. There is
much more to gain than lose by
doing so, if you are going to re
main ashore awhile.
Phony Jokesters
Mar Good Trips
For Shipmates
By WM. (Curly) RENTZ
BALTIMORE — Shipping has
been a little better in this port.
•While we had only four actual
sign-ons last week, a lot of the
ships in transit took replace
ments which helped a good bit.
One thing that has held us
down has been the West Coast
beef. We have four Calmar ships
and a number of Isthmians wait
ing to get back on their inter-
coastal runs.
There was plenty of trouble on
the six ships we paid off. Most
of it was provided by a couple
of practical jokers on the Robin
Trent and the Felix Grundy.
The wiseacre on the Trent just.
made things inconvenient for
everybody.. The character on
the Grundy endangered the
health if not the very lives of
everyone aboard by his caper.
WHAT JOKES?
On the Trent, the Purser put
out a customs paper for every
crewman to sign. He left it in
the messhall where some very
smart lad proceeded to sit down
and sign a series of silly names.
Oh what a smart chap! But this
trick was childish compared to
what the funnyman on the
Grundy pulled.
Let's get back to that customs
paper with the phony names.
When somebody did the same
thing about a year ago here in
Baltimore, the ship involved was
held up three weeks. Three
whole weeks!
The ship just lay in the stream
with nobody going ashore. The
joke was over long before the
end of the third week, you can
be sure. We'll see how this one
works out.
One wise guy certainly can
foul up an otherwise good ship.
What is more, this is the kind of
beef the Union can do' very little
about. So was the business on
the Grundy.
Just why anybody would think
it funny to put lye in the sugar
beats us. Yet that is just what
somebody on the Grundy did.
Of course, a couple of men got
their lips burned before the
"joke" was discovered. The
Steward got his burned too, be
cause he tasted the sugar when
the Captain asked him too.
It was plain luck that nothing
worse happened. The Patrolman
drank his coffee without sugar;
when he was aboard.
GOOD SKIPPER
We have to hand it to the
Captain of the Grundy. At first
he was going to call in the FBI
and the Coast Guard and every
body else. Then he realized that
the SIU was as anxious to reach
the bottom of the matter as he
was, and turned it over to us.
Well, we will get to' the bot
tom of it. We know when it was
done and some day we'll find out
who did it. Whoever it was will
be in for a very hard time.
If he was trying to square a
personal grudge, he sure picked
the wrong way to do it. If you
have a grudge, call the man out
on the dock and give him a
beating or be beaten like a man.
Don't burn out the mouths and
stomachs of the whole crew witl;i
chemicals.
It's a thing like this, that gives
the Coast Guard a chance to
pounce. Don't forget, the Coast
Guard is always ready to take •
over, or thinks it is anyway.
Here's hoping that the assess
ment passed with a bang!
• 'vL.
Page Six THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday. October 15. 1948
New York Has Jobs For Deck Men
But Other Departments Go Slow
By JOE ALGINA
all are expected to be inside at
7:30. After that, registration
cards will not be stamped by the
Dispatcher at the door.
If an emergency arises where a
man is later than one-half hour,
he can present his excuse to the
Dispatcher and, if valid, will be
credited with attendance.
Just plain stragglers and slow
pokes will not receive credit for
the meeting. It's up to them to
see to it that they get to the
meetings on time. Most of the
members get there on time, and
there is no reason why everyone
can't do the same.
Just in case you're a little hazy
as to the meeting place, it's the
Roosevelt Auditorium, ICQ East
17th Street, just off Fourth Ave
nue. Any East Side subway to
14th Street will put you in the
neighborhood.
Shipping (h Upgrade In Tampa;
Surge In Miami Expected Soon
NEW YORK — Rated men,
especially those in the Deck De
partment, will find shipping
somewhat to" their liking in this
port, but the men of the other
Departments aren't faring too
well. Black gang men in some
ratings are finding offerings on
the board, while Stewards De
partment members have small
pickings.
Cause for the sad state of af
fairs in the Stewards Department
is partially due to the lay-up of
the Evangeline. * She has an
chored down here for awhile,
and the Stewards Department
men put on the beach are hard
to absorb in other jobs.
The regular business of the
week for this port centered
aroimd the paying off of the
Kathryn, Elizabeth, both Bulls;
the Evangeline, Eastern; Steel
Recorder, Isthmian; Raphael
Semmes, Caleb Strong, Water
man. All ships paid off in good
shape with the usual number of
beefs disposed of by the Patrol
men.
Sign-ons weren't too many but,
with a good number of ships in
transit calling for men, the week's
tally wasn't too bad. We signed
on the Topa Topa, Waterman;
Robin Kirk, Robin; Steel Re
corder, Isthmian; and Chrysanthy
Star, Intercontinental Steamship
Company. The ships in transit
were visited by the Patrolmen
and what beefs had come up
were squared away.
SHAKEDOWN TRIP
The Chrysanthy Star had been
in lay-up for quite awhile, and
is now tankering in the coast
wise trade. We expect her in
port in two weeks with the usual
number, of beefs that come up
in a shakedown run after a long
iay-up.
The port'of New York now
has the new registration rules in
effect, with the suggested
changes which were adopted at
the last membership meeting in
corporated in them. They've
been posted conspicuously
around the Hall, so everyone can
see how to register. It's a good
idea to become thoroughly fam
iliar with them, so there will be
no misunderstandings later on.
Misunderstandings bring to
mind another matter, which often
causes much confusion. When a
man enters the marine hospital
after a payoff, he should firpt
come to the Hall and register.
That is, if he wants a back-dated
registration card when he is dis
charged.
The only exception to this is
when a man is removed from the
ship and taken directly to the
hospital. In such' a situation it
is, of course, impossible for the
man to register at the Hall.
HIT THE HALL
Sometimes men hang around
the beach a couple of days, turn
into the hospital and then a
couple of weeks later show up at
the Hall for their back-dated
card. Not having registered be
fore going to the hospital, they
are out of luck. So, brothers, hit
the Hall fust and register if
you're going into drydock.
One more matter before clos
ing:
The biweekly membership
meetings in the port of New Line ships in particular. We
York start at 7 P.M. A half- hope we won't see any more of
TAMPA HALL HAS ALL THE COMFORTS OF HOME
'Seafarers in the Tampa Hall listened to the radio broadcast of the classic baseball contest
as a bunch of landlubbers known ashore as the Cleveland Indians and Boston Braves tried
for each other's scalps in 1948 World Series. Indians routed the Braves, four games to two.
TAMPA—For the time being,
shipping is really booming, and
for the first time in many
months- we have shipped more
men than we registered. Of
course, all hands are keeping
their fingers crossed.
Business in the port has also
picked up, due mainly to the
payoff of the Bertram Goodhue,
South Atlantic, and the usual
number of Waterman vessels
which hit here. In addition, we
have one Alcoa ship per week
calling here and last week we
had two tankers in Fort Lauder
dale calling for replacements.
The good ship Florida goes
into drydock the first of next
month, but she will resume op
eration on the fifteenth. The
Eastern passenger ships are due
to start running into Miami
soon and this will necessitate
making more trips to Miami.
This garden state of Florida is
The Patrolman Says
On Overtime
NEW YORK — Trading your
overtime claims for time off is
definitely against SIU policy, and
always has been.
However, it's something that
turns up every now and again.
The other day, it was October 11
to be precise, we paid off the
Bull Line SS Elizabeth over at
Pier 22 in Brooklyn. To our
surprise, there was only one man
who claimed any overtime for
docking in San Juan. The ship
docked at 8:30 a.m., and this man
was on the watch below, namely
the 12-to-4.
After a while, everything be
came clear. The Mate disputed
this man's' overtime. He said
that the man had agreed to let
the overtime ride so that after
the ship had docked all hands
could go home.
Well, Brothers, you know that
the SIU has been against .this
sort of thing since our beginning
in 1938. You know that a man
who trades his overtime for time
off would be smart to have his
gear all packed before the
Patrolman comes aboard.
This stuff used to crop on Bull
just recovering from another
storm. During the early part of
the week the southern section
had a bad blow, but now the
storm is headed out to sea and
no further damage is expected.
Very few oldtimers are on
the beach due to the spurt in
shipping. Brother Jimmie Jones
is around. He was just released
from the hospital and is in good
shape and raring to go. Alfred
Ortega, Johnnie Williams, Harry
Simmons, Pop Williams, and J.
C. Duncan are all relaxing down
here.
Before the Goodhue signed
back on there was the annual
inspection and the Inspector
really noticed everything. Noth
ing was omitted and vjjien the
boys signed on they were cer
tain that the vessel was ship
shape from stem to stern.
Voting on the General Fund
assessment went nicely. We cast
more votes here than ever be
fore and, when the ballots are
counted, we expect that the as
sessment will be carried by a
large majority. No one seems to
mind an assessment aimed at
bettering the Union, and that's
as it should be.
Coffee time is something all Seafarers are accustomed to,
aboard ship and ashore. Here Ralph Seckinger, Tampa Dis
patcher. keeps tradition going as he brews some fresh java
for the boys relaxing in the Union Hall.
Probationary Books Await 20 Permitmen
The following named trip
carders and permitmen who filed
their applications for probation
ary membei'ship and whose ap
plications were approved by the
Committee for Probationary
Membership in November, 1947,
may apply for their books in
person at Headquarters or may
apply through the mail if in an
outport:
1. GENE T. BRYAN, TO No.
A-972
2. JOSEPH I. BOOKER, P-3-
10957
3. GEORGE CLARKE, P-3-
241
4. FRANCIS T. DICARLO,
P-3-482
5. JAMES K. DUBOSE, -TC
No. 11019
6. JESUS GARCIA, P-3-117
7. MARVIN E. GORDON,
P-3.1488
a. WILLIAM
P-3-226
9. HANSFORD T. HOOVER,
P-3-6938
JOINES, TC
P-3-
10. JAMES F.
No. 8577
11. JOSEPH KITCAS,
1424
12. IRVINE B. LEDDON, P-3-
4007
13. RICHARD L. MARKLEY,
P-3-5175
14. LOUIS C.
P-3-6948
17. PIETRO PAULIN, P-3-5030
18. GEORGE A. SIMON, TC
No. A-5457
19. MURRAY WM. SMITH,
P-3-4019
20. BLAS R. VEGAS, P-3-663
21. GIDLOW WOOD, P-3-1615
In order to facilitate the work
MUSSOLINI, of issuing the books, tripcard
holders and permitmen are ad-
15. GAETANO PAGANO, P- vised not to apply for books if
3-1238 their names do not appear on
16. WESLEY A. PALMER, TC the above list. Remember-
No. 5082 books are still closed!
They're Here —- 1948 Beund Logs
Just arrived! Bound volumes of the SEAFARERS
LOG for January through June, 1948. Description:
Complete and unabridged, bound in sturdy tan buckram
with dates lettered in gold. Price:* $2.50 per copy, ^the
cost of binding. Copies are excellent for reference, home-
use or just plain browsing.
How to order: Call in person or write to the Head
quarters baggage' room, 4th Floor, 51 Beaver Street,
New York 4, N. Y.
f riday/ Octobwr 15, 1848 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Seven
Minutes Of A&G Branch Meetings In Brief
NEW YORK — Chairman. Earl
"Bull" Sheppard, 203; Recording
Secretary, Eddie Parr, 96; Read
ing Clerk, Lindsey Williams,
21550.
Philadelphia minutes were
read. Motion made to non-con
cur with that part of the minutes
pertaining to a Patrolman being
placed on the coming ballot for
election of officials. Under dis
cussion it was pointed out that
the membership of this Union
is on record to cut expenses
wherever possible, and it was felt
that by not putting this office on
the ballot it was in line with the
membership's recommendation.
Motion to accept the rest of
Philadelphia minutes. Motion
carried to non-concur with that
pai-t of the New Business in the
Mobile minutes regarding key
men on the shipping list for 90
days or more and unable to ship
being kept on the shipping list.
Under discussion it was brought
out that this is not in line with
our Shipping Rules. The rest of
Mobile minutes were accepted.
Motion carried to non-concur
with that part of the minutes
from Puerto RiQO pertaining to a
Patrolman being placed on the
coming ballot for election of
officials, and to accept the rest
of the minutes. Discussion
brought out the same reasons as
applied to Philadelphia. Com-
mimication from Sal Colls, San
Juan Agent, regarding additional
personnel in that port. It was
moved to refer this communica
tion to the Secretary-Treasurer.
Under New Business there was a
motion by Shuler that a Tallying
Committee be elected for the
purpose of tallying the ballots on
the $10 General Assessment Ref
erendum, with instructions to
commence work Monday at the
Union Hall. Amended by Algina,
that any man elected that does
not report for Committee work
Monday, be replaced by a man to
be selected at a Special Meeting
Monday morning at the Union
Hall. Carried. Motion by Wil
liams that this Committee be
used to check the credentials for
candidates for the 1949 General
Election of Officers. Passed. The
Agent's verbal report was ac
cepted. The Financial report was
accepted. The Dispatcher re-
A&G Shipping From Sept 21 To Oct. 5
PORT
Boston
New York
Philadelphia
Baltimore
Norfolk
Savannah
Tampa
Mobile
New Orleans
Galveston
San Juan
San Francisco
GRAND TOTAL.
REG. REG. REG. TOTAL SHIPPED SHIPPED SHIPPED lOTAL
DECK ENG. STWDS. REG. DECK ENG. STWDS. SHIPPED
25 21 44 90 30 22 36 88
215 190 190 595 166 148 152 466
37 33 40 110 49 37 32 118
183 174 112 469 127 99 79 305
82 68 55 205 30 32 35 97
11 8 10 29 6 5 10 21
13 11 11 35 33 26 •23 82
127 131 126 384 70 .63 56 189
126 113 166 405 137 103 167 407
S3 ^ • 36 14 83 61 48 33 142
w
(No Figures Available)
(No Shipping Due to West Coast Strike)
852 785 768 2,405 709 583 623 1,915
ported a total of 595 men regis
tered, and 466 shipped. There
was general discussion under
Good and Welfare. One minute
of silence was observed for de
parted Brothers. The meeting
adjourned at 8:00 P.M. with
1,555 members present.
»
BOSTON BRANCH — Chair
man, J. Greenbaum, 281; Reading
Clerk, E. B. Tillcy, 75; Recording
Secretary, L. N. Johnson, 108.
New Business of Branch min
utes was read and concurred in,
with the exception of Philadel
phia, where the part dealing
with the adding of a Patrolman
to the ballot was non-concurred
with: and the Puerto Rico New
Business, which was non-con
curred with. The Agent reported
that there have been no payoffs
in the Port of Boston during the
last tw6 weeks; but that he had
covered the payoff of the SS
Yarmouth in Yarmouth, N. S.,
and signed her on for two
cruises, after which time she will
pay off in Boston on October 24.
Further, he reported that he had
covered the SS Yankee Dawn in
Portland, Maine last week. Two
Waterman ships are due in to
load grain and one may payoff.
The educational meeting last
Tuesday could not be held, but
it is expected that regular meet
ings will be held hereafter as
there is so much of general in
terest to cover in them. Report
accepted. The Patrolman re
ported that the SS New London
had been paid off in Portland,
Maine, today with all beefs set
tled before hand. The Dispatcher
reported 90 registered, and 88
shipped. The report from Head
quarters to the membership and
the Secretary-Treasurer's finan
cial report for week ending Sep
tember 18 and 25 were accepted.
The wire from Robert Matthews,
Assistant Secretary-Treasurer, re
garding the Balloting Committee
was accepted. A Balloting Com
mittee was elected to count bal
lots on Saturday, October 9. A. J.
Melanson, W. J. Prince, W. W.
Whitford, William McKenna, F.
P. Failla were chosen to serve.
There was no New Business. Un
der Good and Welfare various
members hit the deck on the
subject of the Shipping Rules.
One minute's silence for departed
Brothers. Meeting adjourned at
7:50 P.M. with 105 members
present.
% if %
TAMPA — Meeting called to
Order at 7:00 P. M. A quorum
was not present so no regular
meeting could be held. A volun
teer Balloting Conunittee was
called for, to . be on hand Satur
day morning, and J. L. Jones, A.
Ortega, and E. G. Ohman, volun
teered. The Dispatcher reported
35 registered, and 182 shipped.
Financial reports for September
24, and October 1 were made.
The Agent reported that ship
ping has been good for this Port,
with a full crew being shipped
to the Bertram Goodhue. Busi
ness has picked up for the past
week, and the Branch is ih good
shape with several ships due in—
none, however is scheduled to
payoff. Most ships call for a few
replacements. The board now
has several jobs on it, and there
are no takers. Lake men are be
ginning to flock in as though
they had heard that all that was
necessary was for them to make
a trip to Tampa and they would
be shanghaied. This is far from
true, as these men haven't a
chance to make a ship since full
book and permitmen are taking
the jobs. The shipping list in
Tampa is all non-rated men—
ABs and rated men in the En
gine Department can always
make a job in a few days.
PHILADELPHIA — Chairman.
D. C. HaU. 43372; Reading Clerk,
Ray Oats, 25128; Recording Sec
retary. W. C. Luth, 896.
The minutes of all Branches
having New Business were read
and accepted. All special min
utes of Branches were also ac
cepted. The Agent's verbal re
port was made and accepted. All
communications were accepted.
Under New Business a motion
was made by R. Muntinga that
direct and drastic action be taken
against all men who miss their
ships after taking the job from
the Hall. Carried. The Secre
tary-Treasurer's financial reports,
and the Secretary-Treasurer's re
port to the membership were ac
cepted. The Patrolmafi's report
was accepted. The Dispatcher
reported 110 registered, and 73
shipped. Various nominations
for union offices were made at
this meeting. One minute's sil
ence for our departed Brothers.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 P. M.
with 128 members present.
» » »
GALVESTON—Chairman, Jeff
Morrison, 34213; Recording Sec
retary, L. E. Jarvis, 46976; Read
ing Clerk, G. Brightwell.
The Galveston Branch minutes
for September 22, the Galveston
financial reports for September
24, and October 1, and the educa
tional minutes for September 2$,
and October 5, were read and ac-
man's report was made and ac
cepted. The Dispatcher reported
83 registered, and 142 shipped.
The Balloting Committee's re
port was accepted. The tele
gram from Assistant Secretary-
Treasurer Robert Matthews in
regard to having a Committee
elected to count ballots on Sat
urday, October 9, accepted.
Brothers Red Scales, Fred Heth-
coat, A. H. Criss, Monast, Dail,
Harris, and Jarvis were elected
to serve on the Committee, with
Brother Red Scales acting as
alternate. One minute of silence
for departed Brothers. Meeting
adjourned at 8:00 P. M. with 90
members- present.
X if %
GALVESTON EDUCATIONAL
MEETING, Sept. 28 — Chairman
Keith Alsop, 7311; Recording
Secretary, R. Wilburn, 37739;
Reading Clerk, Jeff Morrison,
34213.
The minutes of the educational
meeting for September 21 was
read and accepted. Motion was
made and accepted to open dis
cussion on the new two-year con
tract, as was recommended at the
last meeting. Question by S.
Pearson as to the rider now in
effect on the majority of our
ships. Brother Alsop explained
that, according to this rider, a
man is only entitled to transpor
tation when he gets off the ship.
The rider was read, and all were
of the opinion that this was of
benefit to the Union, as it would
speed up shipping, and in some
cases break up the homesteading
of a ship. Question as to why
the Bosun received a $25 raise
while the rest of the crew only
cepted. The Secretary-Treasurer's $i2.50. Brother Morrison
financial report for September 25, pointed out that this extra $12.50
and the Headquarter's report to
the membership of September 22
were read and accepted. Minutes
of Branches having New Busi
ness were read and accepted. The
Agent reported on the shipping
picture in the Texas area, and
pointed out that there were four
Isthmian ships due to hit these
ports between now and the next
meeting,, with some of them pay
ing off. Water-man has two or
three ships that are known to be
coming in, and there may pos
sibly be more. Therefore, con
tinued good shipping is expected
for this area. The Agent ex
plained that the MFOW and the
MCS have a picketline around
the SS Weaver, which is due to
transfer to another company
soon, which would put her un
der the SIU Contract. However,
the policy that was outlined in
the Agent's conferences would be
carried out. Agent Alsop con
cluded his report with thanks to
the membership for their coop
eration in helping keep the Hall
clean. Accepted. The Patrol-
for the Bosun was to compensate
him for the loss of high-man
overtime on Saturdays, Sundays,
and Holidays, which he got un
der the old contract, and which
the Union wished to change in
order to prevent the Bosun be
ing used as a handy-man. There
was general discussion of the
duties of each man in the three
Departments. Brother Alsop
pointed out that every man has
a job to do and that, if he fails
to do it, he throws the work over
onto his shipmates. Such a man
gives the Union a blackeye.
Brother Alsop recommended that
the next meeting deal with the
policies of the Union throughout
accepted. Motion carried to open
discussion on the policies of the
Union as recommended at the
last meeting. There was discus
sion of the issuing of books to
permitmen. It was pointed out
that it was the policy not to is
sue more books than we have
contracted jobs. It was the
opinion of the members present
that this was a good policy. In
the discussion of our policy of
helping AFL and other bona fide
Unions in their beefs the meeting
was of the opinion that we
should at all times extend such
aid. Discussion included the re
lationship of the Union with the
companies. Here it was pointed
out that every member should do
his job and live up to the con
tract, in order that the Union
would be in a strong position
when bargaining for further con
tracts. Meeting adjourned at
12:20 P. M.
MOBILE—Chairman, L. Neria,
26393; Recording Secretary, J. L.
Carroll, 14-G; Reading Clerk, H.
J. Fischer, 59.
Minutes of Branches having
New Business were read and ac
cepted. Puerto Rico minutes
were referred to New Business.
Cal Tanner, Agent, reported that
Mobile is the lay-up port, with
the result that many men come
in on run jobs and register in
this Branch,_^thus increasing the-
percentage of men registered to
those shipped. He reported that
many West Coast ships are com
ing into this Port for lay-up, and
that the MCS, and the. MFOW
have picketlines around the Ala
bama Dry Docks. However, SIU
men are given clearance to go
aboard their ships as usual. He
further reported that the Secre
tary-Treasurer has been asked to
come to Mobile at his earliest
convenience to help plan renova
tion of the building, as he has
had a great deal of experience in
this line in other Halls. He con
cluded by warning the members
about loitering on the streets be
low the Hall. He pointed out
that if this continued the SIU
might get undue discredit by the
actions of one or tv/o of its mem
bers. He asked the membership
as a whole to take action on this
matter. Motion carried to accept
the Agent's Report. Patrolmen
Jordan and Morris made their re
ports and were accepted. Under
New Business it was moved and
carried to non-concur with that
part of the San Juan Minutes
about putting a Dispatcher-
Patrolman on the ballot. Motion
carried to elect the Balloting
Committee. C. Kimball, John
Morris, J. Porter, C. Spencer, C.
McNorton, Louis Neria, and Orlie
Price were elected. Charges
were referred to the Trial Com
mittee. The Communication
from Headquarters was accepted.
The Balloting Committee's report
was accepted. One minute of
silence was observed for de-
its histoiy in its relations with parted Brothers. Under Good and
other Unions. Meeting ad
journed at 12:31 P. M.
G AL VESTON\DUC ATIONAL
MEETING, Oct. 5 — Chairman,
Keith Alsop, 7311; Recording
Secretary, R. Wilburn, 37739.
Minutes of the previous edu
cational meeting were read and
Welfare, it was brought out that
Charles A vera, who was injured
on the SS Alcoa Pioneer on
November 17, 1947, has been un
able to contact all of the wit
nesses of the accident. It would
be appreciated if any of the men
aboard this vessel at that time
{Continued on Page 15) •
Page Eight THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, October IS, 1948
X
SHIPS' MINUTES AND NEWS
'Atom Bomb Carrying' St^l Flyer
Battles Eight-Day Blaze In Bombay
Isthmian's Steel Flyer headed into anchorage at Bombay, India, expecting to
drop off a general cargo of goods, but before it reached its berth it was struck by a
fire which burned for eight days and caus:d the crew aboard to be accused by a loca
newspaper of manning a'
ship carrying atom bombs
and bacteria-warfare weap
ons.
The strange turn of events
•which befell the Flyer were re
lated to the LOG this week by
William Mcllveen, Messman, who
paid off the Steel Flyer October
1 when the ship arrived in New
York.
According to Mcllveen, the
Steel Flyer arrived in Bombay
harbor on June 21 and anchored
in the stream. Early ihe next
morning the air was suddenly
rent with the sound of a terrific
explosion from No. 5 hatch. The
crew rushed to the scene and
found flames shooting to the
mast tops. The alarm was sound
ed and fire fighting gear was
broken out and put to work.
For almost an hour the crew
fought the flames in gearing heat
that buckled the plates of the
deck. Finally the flames were
brought under control — almost
simultaneous with the arrival of
the Bombay Harbor fire fighting
brigade.
The fire was far from being
out, however. For eight days
the Bombay smoke eaters play
ed their hoses on the hold as
the blaze smoldered on and off
and occasionally broke into
flames.
SCARE STORY
It was because of the reluct
ance of the flames to die that
the ship was accused of carry
ing atom bombs and bacteria-
warfare weapons. The Bombay
communist newspaper "Blitz," in
After a brisk bit of fire fighting the. Bombay smoke eaters
take time out for some of the Steel Flyer's coffee.
commenting on the fire, raised
the question as to what was this
mysterious fire which proved so
difficult for the firemen to cope
with and when seeming out
would suddenly burst into flames.
The newspaper then suggested
to its readers that there was a
strong possibility that something
sinister was afoot on the Flyer
"as it is common knowledge that
American ships carry atom
bombs, bacteria warfare weapons
and other means of death and
destruction which pose dangers
to Indian people and property."
Actually, relates, Mcllveen, the
ship was carrying general cargo
of sulphur, lampblack, automo
biles and such items in No. 5
hatch and were total losses.
The" other newspapers, report
ed Mcllveen, showed more re
straint and covered it as a
straight news story. In fact, Mc
llveen managed to pick himself
up a few bucks from the local
newspapers by selling them pic
tures he had taken, two of
which appear here.
In spite of the difficulty met
in Bombay, the Steel Flyer dis
charged what cargo remained,
pumped out the water which had
caused a 14-degree list and con
tinued its trip on schedule, ar
riving in New York on October
4. Commenting on the trip, Mc
llveen said, "It was a good trip
in spite of the trouble met in
Bornbay. Some of the men were
unnerved by the experience, but
we had a good bunch aboard and
the affair was taken in good
stride. It did look for awhile
though as if the Bombay firemen
were going to stay aboard per
manently."
Master Insults Chileans —
OremarMen Turn Diplomats
The Master of the Ore ship Oremar missed a good
chance to cement American-Chilean relations a few weeks
ago, but the SIU crew came to the rescue, according to
Seafarer Edmond L. Eriksen*"; "j ~ " 77: ^ '
(Apparently the friendship of na-
who.sent an account of the tions was not his dish.
incident to the LOG.
The Oremar was in Cruz
Grande. She had passed quaran
tine and was on port time. There
was to be no work done by any
of the crew except watch stand-
ers. Moreover, the weekend was
coming up, and Saturday anc
Sunday were to be holidays for
the celebration of the anniver
sary of Chile's independence.
Now, shore leaye in Cruz
Grande has beefi forbidden by
the Chilean Government for
many years. But on this occa
sion, the company agent, the
company loader, the quarantine
doctor and the American Con
sul came aboard and pleaded
with the Master, Captain R.
Redding, to allow the crew
ashore to participate in the fes
tival, presumably as unofficial
representatives of a friendly
United States.
The Captain, however, refused.
Six days after the first blaze broke out -water was still being played into No. 5 hatch
through a hole in the deck. Brother William Mcllveen's camera caught the firemen hard at work
on what looked for awhile like a permanent job. -
Allegheny Crew
Asks Revision
Of Foc'sle Card
The crew of the SS Allegheny
Victory, whose resolution pro
testing Army-like regulations of
the Aramco Seaman's Club in
Ras Tanura was published in
the October 8 LOG, has submit
ted a resolution asking that the
standard foc'sle card placed on
the ships by the shipping com
missioners be revised and
brought up to date with present
day conditions.
The resolution which follows
was signed by all hands:
"Whereas, the present articles
(foc'sle cards) is not up to the
standard of present day condi
tions,
"Therefore, be it resolved that
the present card be abolished en
tirely, and a new one conforming
to present day conditions be is
sued in the immediate future,
and that the Union take such
action as is necessary to bring
this to the attention of proper
authorities in Washington, D. C."
ASK QUICK PAYOFF
The crew further suggests that
the Articles should read: "The
ship must payoff in the final port
of discharge in the continental
United States, or (when return
ing in ballast from a foreign
voyage) the ship must payoff at
the first port of loading in the
continental United States."
No doubt the crew is av/are
that the present foc'sle card is
based upon federal statutes now
in effect, and their intention is
that efforts be made to have
these statutes revised in order to
have minimum conditions, imder
the law, boosted up toward the
standards now obtained by the
Union.
GRACEFUL REPLY
The crew, sensing . that this
was a matter of diplomatic pro
tocol as well as a question of
shore leave, decided to soften
the slap-in-the-face which the
Master had given the Chilean
nation. Aft*!r a couple of boat
loads of Chileans finally visited
the ship as part of the independ
ence day celebrating, the Sea
farers sat down to compose a
gi-aceful reply to the invitation
they had received from the ci
tizens of Cruz Grande. The text
of their note follows:
"To the citizens of Cruz
Grande: We the undersigned
members of the crew of the SS
EDMUND ERIKSEN
Oremar wish to congratulate the
citizens of Cruz Grande and
their great country on the day
of observance of their independ
ence.
"We were unable to join you
at your generous request to be
present at your celebration
ashore, but you brought the
celebration to us.
"Such pride in one's country
is to be greatly admired. We
salute you.
"If such a feeling of neighbor-
liness and benevolence were pre
valent throughout the world to
day, we would not continue to
live under this cloud of war
which is forever present. Again
we thank you, the citizens of
Cruz Grande, from the bottom
of our hearts."
The entire crew of the Ore
mar signed the letter.
Check It—But Good
Check the slop chest be
fore your boat sails. Make
sure that the slop chest con
tains an adequate supply of
all the things you are liable
to need. If it doesn't, call the
Union Hall immediately.
Frid&y. October IS. 1948 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Nine
Digested Minutes Of SlU Ship Meetings
jii
CITY OF ALMA. Aug. 29—
Chairman C. Moore: Recording
Secretary J. Pursell. The Deck
Delegate reported some disputed
overtime. There was some dis
putcd in the Engine Department
A Wiper had been called for in
Honolulu, but none was avail
able. Under Good and Welfare
there was discussion of a fight
in the messroom in which
crewmember had been Injured
It was decided to make up
complete repair list before ar
rival in New York. One minute
of silence for Brothers lost at
aea.
X X
SEATRADER. Aug. 28—Chair
man Frank Boyne; Recording
Secretary W. R. Gogerty. All
permits and Books were collected
by the Delegates. The Deck De
partment voted that OS Steel be
given another chance to ship
The Ship's Delegate was asked
to see the Captain about wiring
in for a draw upon arrival
Fumigation of the ship was
asked. The Patrolman would be
asked to see about changing the
Oiler's and Maintenance men's
foc'sles so that the Oilers could
be in one foc'sle. The Ship's
Delegate was asked to s^e the
Captain about sougeeing and
painting the rooms. One minute
of silence for departed Brothers.
4. 4.
ROBIN HOOD. Aug. 29—
Chairman Gustav Thebe; Re
cording Secretary Paul Bislline.
The Deck Delegate reported that
a repair list had been given to the
Chief Mate. The Engine Depart
ment Delegate reported 65 hours
disputed overtime and stated
that the* Patrolman would be
consulted about the number of
Wipers that this ship should
carry. He asked that the ship
be fumigated. Under Good and
Welfare it was pointed out that
the innerspring mattresses were
coming apart. Vote of thanks to
the Stewards Department. It
was decided to have the library
changed in the first port. One
minute of silence for lost
Brothers.
if ii
FAIRLAND, Aug. 29 —Chair
man R. French; Recording Secre
tary J. Boyles. Motion carried
to accept the minutes of previous
meeting. Delegates reported 32
books and 3 permits. No beefs.
W. Paschal nominated for Ship's
Delegate by J. Boyles. Second by
C. Turner. Carried. Motion car
ried to see the Chief about the
dirty wash water, and steam
leaks in galley. Under Good and
Welfare the Steward asked that
cots be taken care of and linen
not-be left on deck. He warned
that linen would only be issued
for pieces returned. One minute
of silence for departed Brothers.
4. t 4.
JOHN W. BURGESS, Aug. 29
—Chairman Jahies Lee; Record
ing Secretary S. Lagayada. De
partments squared away with no
beefs, reported Delegates. Under
Good and Welfare there was 'dis
cussion on the ringing of the
breakfast bell, as some members
complained it woke them up un
necessarily, but it was decided
to continue ringing it. The
Steward was asked to see to it
that perishables were put out
before they rotted in ice box. A
vote of thanks was given the
Stewards Department for clean
liness and good food and cold
drinks. The crew went on rec
ord as stating that it was a good
ship with good officers and crew,
and a satisfactory trip all around.
One minute of silence for de
parted Brothers.
t X X
AZALEA CITY. Aug. 30—
Chairman John Lane; Recording
Secretary Charles Scofield. There
was a motion under New Busi
ness to have the Ship's Delegate,
John Lane, see the Captain about
painting the crew's quarters and
showers. Carried. Motion to
remove the potato peeler fi-om
galley and install shelves for the
benefit of the Baker. Motion
to have the slopchost checked by
the Patrolman ])etoro signing ar
ticles. Vote of thanks to Stew
ards Department. One minute of
silence for departed Brothers.
XXX
MEREDITH VICTORY. Aug.
29—Chairman Gordon Marbury;
Recording Secretary Edward
Yancey. Deck Delegate James
Saliba. Engine Delegate Edward
Yancey, and Michael Eschenko.
Stewards Delegate, made their
reports. Minor beefs and some
disputed overtime. Motion car
ried to have the Patrolman take
care of the water situation. Un
der discussion it was pointed out
that the water was so hot that a
man could not take a bath=ap-
parenlly because the Engineers
wanted to save water. Motion
carried that the Department
Delegates make up a repair list.
One minute of silence for de
parted Brothers.
Port Engineer in New York told
him that a room was going to be
prepared for the Night Cook and
Baker, so that members of the
Stewards Department would not
have to be quartered with the
Deck Department.
X X \
STEEL AGE. Aug. 29—Chair
man P. P. McGrath; Recording
Secretary J. T. Vallelunga. The
Ship's Delegate reported" that the
grievance committee had had
three meetings since the last
ships meeting and had a full re
port to hand to the Patrolman.
He reminded all hands to have
their foc'sles thoroughly clean
before payoff, and instructed the
membership that no one was to
pay off until getting an okay
from their Departmental Dele
gates. Under Education the
Brothers were told by the Deck
Delegate Karrman to study the
Union Contract. Motion carried
to have the grievance committee
and the Patrolman check with
the Steward on his requisitions.
Motion carried to make up a list
of donations to the Merchant
Marine Library Association. One
minute of silence for Brothers
lost at sea.
XXX
SEATRAIN TEXAS—Aug. 22
—Chairman Windborn; Record
ing Secretary Pepper. The Dele
gates reported the standing of
the members, and stated that
there were no beefs. Under Old
Business, foc'sle keys and new
mattresses were discussed, and
the Steward reported on what
had been done on them since
ast meeting. Brother Zarkus
reported that the Cook who
ouled up in New York had been
given a new shipping card. Mo
tion carried imder New Business
to assess each member ten cents
to defray costs of Delegates at
tending to ship's business in port.
The fund is to be in the care
of the Ship's Delegate, and is
never to exceed ten dollars.
Brother Phelps suggested under
Good, and Welfare that a ten
minute meeting be held before
the payoff to discuss various
beefs with the Patrolman. The
Steward told the crew that the
XXX
COLABEE. Aug. 21—Chsiirman
Matthew Sams; Recording Secre
tary Francisco Armstrong. The
Ship's Delegate asked that beefs
be brought to the meeting and
not discussed around the ship.
No beefs reported by Department
Delegates. Motion by Brother
Mahan under New Business that
the Patrolman investigate the
launch service in Bale Cameau
and take the matter up with the
Master. A petition was signed
by many members to have a
Brother removed from the ship
for being a disrupter and
trouble-maker. One minute of
silence for departed Brothers.
XXX
NATHANIEL B. PALMER.
Aug. 21—Chairman Terrance M.
Jones; Recording Secretary
Joseph M. Aimee Jr. Terrance
M. Jones was elected Ship's
Delegate. Under Good and Wel
fare it was suggested that extra
fan parts be procured as soon as
possible. The Steward stated
that when the night lunch ran
out in the ice box, another plate
could be obtained from the dairy
box. The Stewards Department
was given a vote of thanks for
the excellent food. It was de
cided to make up a repair list.
One minute of silence for de
parted Brothers.
F YOU ARE GOINGTOEWTERA
MARINE HOSPITAt, TRV10SD
TD THE NEAREST HALL FIRST
AMP REGISTER ... SO THAT
YOU CAN SET A BACK-PATED
CARP WHEN YOU SET OUT.
yOVRVHlOti /
i
CUT and RUN
By HANK
For the good and welfare of the Brothers we would like to
illustrate the importance of the medicine chest aboard ship with
this news item:. "Six hundred miles from Southampton, England,
in answer to a radio request, a doctor was transferred by lifeboat
from a passenger liner to a freighter, to treat a seaman seriously
ill from an infection. The American freighter lacked penicillin
necessary to prevent further spread of the seaman's infection."
We would like to know definitely how .much of various medicine
is stored on all ships. Is the amount greater for longer voyages
than the short ones? For example, penicillin can cure and prevent
illnesses and it can, like a snap of a finger, save a life at sea,
too. The ship's delegates should check medicine supplies, especial
ly before the ship leaves American ports. He should continue to
check on them while the ship is out in foreign waters. Some
unexpected day out at sea or in a foreign port your shipboard
medicine may save yours or your shipmate's life.
XXX
Brother Henry Clemens from Chicago, who says he'll be
grabbing any ship he can gel. tells us his parents really enj.oy
reading the LOG every week. Furthermore, if he ever hits
Jedda. Arabia, again he'll buy those odd Arabiaii stamps for
his railroad-working, stamp-collecting father... Bob "Standby"
High says his shipmate. Arnold "Tommy" Thompson, the Q^-
timer. is in town right now.
XXX
Harold Farrington was asking where his shipmate Henry
Beckmann, could be nowadays. Another shipmate, Frank Bose,
met Harold and laughed, telling Harold, "1 still have your poem==
the one called '1 Learned About Women From Her'"... One
Brother bought a lot of dates in Persia. However, he couldn't
bring them ashore here. The Department of Dates, Vegetables
and Tea-balls (as we'll call the agency) confiscated these Persian
dates. So, Brothers, save your money and don't buy Persian
dates to bring home.
4. 4- 4.
Here are a few oldtimers who may be slill in town:
W. Walsh. C, J. Biscup, George Simpson. R. Garcia. F. Brugg-
ner. M. Dorfman, A, S. Thorne, D. E. Bragg... As requested,
the LOG will be going free of cost every week to the homes
of the following Brothers; Carroll Kenny .of Minnesota. Fred
erick Swanson of Massachusetts, O. L. Ragland of Texas, Leo
Dulle of California, Norman Hyde of Louisiana, E. G. Kelley
of Alabama. Antonio Lipari of Maryland. J.oseph Pehm of
Ohio. W. W. Bunker of Florida, Ted Daly of Louisiana. Neil
Boyle of New York. Wilbur Coutant of Kansas, William Ay-
cock of North Carolina, John Mina of Louisiana, John Zhimeck
of Pennsylvania. B. F. Pace of Kentucky. Robert White of
Louisiana. Clyde Parker of California.
4. 4. 4.
Brothers, we hope the day never comes when the New York
police will arrest some Seafarer just bcause he's wearing a white
cap, while, he's buying a cigar or a hamburger... Well, the
Brothers on the beach sure read everything they can. One Brother
with an Irish name was reading a newspaper—it's called the
Irish Echo. And recently we heard of one Brother who faithfully
reads True Story. This magazine is full of hot, cold, and tepid
stories of marriages, romances and divorces. We'll still take the
comic magazines... Ever hear this joke before? It might make you
laugh. After a thorough examination the dentist scratched his
scalp, tilted his head, gave the patient a professional smile and
said—"Well, your teeth are okay, fella, but your gums will have
to come out." Yak! Yak!
• •;•• . • '. ' .••• ir,'-.' • ' '•• •'
Page Ten THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, October IS. 1948 '
THE MEMBERSHIP SPEAKS
Big Fish, Tall Stories, No Logs
Made Voyage Of Leacock Pleasant
To the Editor:
The last trip was different
from the one before. There was
a Skipper aboard the Stephen
Leacock by the name of Captain
(Cutie) Kuda, plus a couple of
performers. The Skipper and the
performers were pulled in Bal
timore. The Mate was warned to
stay off the deck or we would
take the necessary action.
Next to Philadelphia, and a
word about ^ the "paddy wagon."
In the Quaker City, while load-
ifig coal a couple of miles from
the end of the bus line, three of
us started back for the ship.
No, we didn't make the jail.
They merely gave us a lift back
to the ship to save us a long
hike. Thank you again!
We made a good trip to the
city of Cherbourg, and thence
to Rouen, France. The battle o
Rouen was interesting, but the
casualties were minor. The Arab
guard, on being ordered out o!'
the messroom by the Bosun,
went into action and bit the end
of the Bosun's thumb off. It's a
cinch he won't be back on a
South Atlantic ship for a long
time to come! Rouen, though, is
a good town—the prices are bet
ter, and there is more for your
money.
PLENTY OF WORK
Back to Dingwall, Nova Scotia.
The Deck Department worked
better than 37 hours straight
through. I have pictures of them
as we were going out. More
about the Chief Mate: After
working day and night, he in
sisted on three tarps for the
hatches, instead of one that was
necessary. In the meeting he was
voted off the ship to teach him
that he wasn't running a crew
on a sailing ship or a non
union tanker. The vote was not
to take his livelihood away from
him, but to educate him. He
was warned again in New York
at the payoff, but action wasn't
taken since the ship was going
to the boneyard in Mobile. In
Mobile he was told in very
plain words that it was his last
warning. We ha^ a good gang
from New York to Mobile, and
a Bosun that was hard to beat,
by the name of Forjatin.
The refrigerator broke down
in New York,' and the standby
crew had to eat ham and corned
Willi for the last couple of days.
After working on the boxes for
five days, they worked for ex
actly one day.
More trouble and headaches
for the "stupid" Department! We
used the best food first to keep
from losing it. We stopped at
Wilmington, N.C., and picked up
three tons of ice to bring her
on in. When we tied up, the
box smelled like a well-used
sewer.
The shipping in Mobile didn't
look too bad, except that there
were seven boneyard jobs in five
days. However, the stack wasn't
painted out on all of them—if
that means anything to our
cause.
I almost forgot to mentioji,
that in Dingwall the sword fish
ing was going full blast. We
picked up several swords for
souvenirs and the boys caught
enough fish to keep the Cook
cleaning fish for an hour-and-a-
half. They were damned good
eating. There were all kinds, but
the best was cod and smelt. The
Captain, "Windy" Oliver, bought
ten pounds of sword fish for us.
We had fish galore, and fish left
for night lunch.
The crew was agreeable to my
writing this. Captain Oliver was
Captain "Cuties" replacement. He
does shoot the bull a lot, but has
a lot of bull to back it up with,
also. At the payoff, in Mobile,
he said to tell his old crew that
he was going on the SS Good
hue, and would be glad to see
any of them back with him.
There wasn't a log the whole
trip, and the payoff was fast.
C. Gann, Cook
HOW TO PLEASE EVERYONE AT ONCE
According lo Ray Pourciaux. who made this sketch, life
of a bellboy on the Del Norte was nothing short of rugged.
Pop Foster Finds Western
Dress Popular In Turkey
The Leacock's Black Gang
delegate Lekmos (right) with
fellow crewmsm, Irish, or
Patty, as the boys Ccilled him.
To the Editor:
Here jye are in the land of
plenty, where everyone lives on
native fruits and vegetables. You
can eat a lunch of grapes, drink
a glass of spring water, and gaze
at some of the band painted pot
tery and imagine what a great
artist you will be. I wear my
Arabian turban, though I found
it was quite obsolete, as this type
of thing was discontinued 21
years ago this month.
Well, that is why they call me
Pops. I am just slow on getting
around. It is certainly remark
able how the new regime is
streamlining things over here.
The fair sex has even discon
tinued the veil.
However when you are so
many years yoimg, yoii simply
have to let the styles roll along.
SAW THE SIGHTS
The gang on here is fine. They
have enjoyed some aftemons off
and have taken in the sights. We
are all looking forward to seeing
the Patrolman at the payoff, due
in New York on October 20.
I want to thank Hank for the
write-up in the September 3
LOG. The article was mailed to
me by my family in Detroit.
They read the LOG in preference
to the hom-e-town paper.
Thomas E. Foster
Chief Steward
M. V. Gadsden
Chief Stewards
If your requisition is cut,
or if the food is not up to par,
notify all three Delegates at
once so that the ship will not
sail until the matter has been
straightened out.
It is the responsibility of
the Steward to check the
stores before the ship sails,
and any complaints made far
at sea won't do the crew any
good if they have to eat short
rations or poor food.
AT THE END OF THE TRAIL
According to Whity Gann, these are the back and brains
of the deck department. Leonard Wallfry and Les Clark haul
in the line following the Leacock's departure from port.
Texas SIU Man Wants
Pop To Have LOG
To the Editor:
How about putting my Pop's
address on your mailing list for
the LOG?
Everything is fine in Texas,
only they aren't being fully in
formed about the Seafarers. Best
regards, and thanks.
Jerry J. Palmer
(Ed. Note: The LOG is be
ing sent to your father, as
you have requested.)
The best part of the trip arrives for these crewmembers
of the Navy tanker Shawnee Trail who are all smiles ae they
w^ the payoff. Left to right—Morgan, Pumpman; the Bosun;
Bruce Denton, Deck Maintenance and Delegate. Ship was in
Marcus Hook. Photo by John Clamp.
.Friday. October 15. 1948 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Eleven
Crew Has Money Problems:
Master Takes It, Cabs Don't
To the Editor:
There were a number of men
logged on this trip of the Arizpa
to Germany, and we of the crew
feel that under the circumstances
most of these logs were sunjusti-
fied.
In the first place those, who
couldn't make the sailing time at
Hamburg, September 9, were
held up by the poor launch and
taxi service and not through any
fault of their own. At all times
the men running these taxies
and launches prefer cigarettes to
money, but between 3:00 and
7:00 A. M. it is practically im
possible to get a ride unless you
have cigarettes with you as a
bribe. The boys — not being
black-market operators — didn't
ing following the first night
ashore.
In all departments the Patrol
man who pays this ship off in
the States will find plenty of
beefs stemming directly from the
attitude and high-handed policies
of this Captain.
Luis A. Ramirez
Feels Labor Unions Sole Fighters
For Better Way Of Life In World
To the Editor: is better for ail of us together. Labor wants most of all the
A ToK.,,. The word "labor" is sometiines freedom to fight for better con-American Labor is on the , ,... , i ,
confusing. Suppose we put it ditions. Laws already on books
march. Millions of men and wo- , . ® u u i .u u i i u
men workinff oersons are fiifht- i broken the shackles of old
a to live ^ Small "L" you mean work, and i oppressions, and Labor asks only ing for a chance to live better ,, , . . . , '.u . u n i
if you spell Labor with a large that it be allowed to go its way.
"L" you mean people. unfettered by new chains. In
There are about 30 million employers and
men and women in this country e s a e, i is a er e same
lives. Whenever they win, life
have them, and as a result came
back late arid were logged.
Again in Bremen men were re
fused shore leave for 41 hours,
including Saturday, and then
were logged for minor infrac
tions. The Steward was logged
for giving the Baker time off to
visit his wife in Norderhan, de
spite the fact that both the Stew
ard and Baker were good men
who did their job to the full
satisfaction of the entire crew.
WELL-KNOWN RECORD
The 12-4 Oiler was logged
wages and bonus to the amount
of $56 as well. Captain Hurlston
has a record for logging that is
well known to a good many of
the members, so I won't have to
elaborate further on that scoi-e.
He has developed another
practice recently that is par
ticularly disagreeable, and that
used to be common ten years
ago among Union-haling Skip
pers. It is the matter of calling
men out of their bed at any
time, without any consideration
of the watch they have to stand
or whether they have had any
sleep or not.
A few hours before leaving
Hamburg he woke everybody up
between 4:00 and 4:30 A.M. to
collect the shore passes, when he
could just as well have posted
a notice in the messhall at sup
per time to have the passes
turned in earlier, if men were
going to sleep.
That same moi'ning, after the
12-4 watch had gotten to sleep,
he again woke every one up to
make a personal search of the
lockers and rooms, for, of course,
a declaration sheet must be made
up between Hamburg and Bre
men. Again in Bremen he woke
everyone up to pass the doctor,
although the doctor was sup
posed to remain aboard till mid
night.
It is pretty miserable working
a man who has to stand port
watches from midnight to 8:00
A. M. He required the Steward
to be aboard every morning at
6:30 A. M. — even on the morn-
m ; .
*
Four Arizpa crewmembers wait for transportation to
Bremen while their ship tied up in that port recently. Left
to right—Jinuny Baumgardner, Bud Benson, Bob and the
Stewards Utilityman. Photo by Luis Ramirez.
Brother Sweats Out Strike
Behind Pop's Pacific Bar
To the Editor:
Being home and tending bar
in my Dad's place, I thought
I'd devote a few . lines to the
LOG.
As you all know, the whole
West Coast is tied up, so it looks
like I'll be on the beach for
quite some time.
All of my time at sea has
been on SIU ships, so I'm going
to miss all those SIU guys I
sailed with. My last ship was
the Steel Maker. I send my re
gards to all of you guys who
were on it.
We receive the LOG here at
the house, and I can still keep
track of all of your doings. I
would still like very much to
sail on SIU ships. I want to say
hello to Curly Masterson, Thomas
Frazier, Lee John, and all those
guys from Baltimore.
Enclosed are some snapshots
taken on the trip around the
world on the Steel Maker.
Any of you fellows who come
into Frisco, shoot over to my
joint, and I'll buy you a drink.
It is the Mario Hotel, 733 Bay
Shore Highway, South San Fi-an-
cisco.
It sure feels funny to be on
the wrong side of the bar. Every
body tells me their troubles.
Oh well, the strike should be
over soon. So-long for now, and
if anyone sees Peter Walsh, tell
him I have a $7.50 shirt for him.
Bennie L. Murillo
Ships Delegates
Aboaid ship the arm of the
Union is the Ships and De
partment Delegates. A good
crew, for its own protection,
picks its Delegates early, and
carefully. Have you and your
shipmates elected your Dele
gates? If not. do it nowl
BENNIE MURILLO
Bill Dennis Seeks
Former Shipmates
To the Editor:
I receive a copy of the LOG
every week and am sure glad to
get it. I haven't seen any pic
tures of old shipmates as yet, but
hope I will soon.
I would like very much to get
in touch with Dick Doughty,
SUP, who ships out of Frisco,
and who was Bosun on the old
Sarazen, in 1946. Also, I would
like to get in touch with Elroy
Abbot, Waterman Mate, out of
Mobile, and D. O. Whitwell,
SUP, out of Amarillo. If any
body can give me information
about these men, I sure would
appreciate it.
Enclosed, you will find two
dollars for the LOG. 1 retired
my book this year, although I
haven't sailed since 1946.
William Dennis
Clinton Lumber Co.
Clinton, La.
who work — or would like to
work—for wages. They do not
employ others: they are not
members of the professions. No
doubt they are workers, but one
cannot say what the mass of
them want, or where they are
going, or what they are trying
to do. They have never gotten
together and decided on these
things. They have no one to
speak for them, or to lead them.
They have no way of planning
and acting together as a whole
group to help make the life of
each individual better.
So it is only the workers or
ganized in labor unions who can
be counted on as a force in the
country. They have spokesmen
who can be counted on as a force
in the country. They have
spokesmen who let their wishes
and opinions be known. Acting
together, they have developed
great power over their own lives,
and they deeply affect the life of
the country as a whole. When
you speak of American Labor,
then you mean organized work
ing men and women.
INCLUDE ALL
Unions are not made up of
any particular sort of person, for
almost every type of American is
represented in their ranks. There
are college graduates and people
who have never learned to read.
There are Negroes and Chinese.
There are members of the coun
try's proudest families, and peo
ple whose parents never took a
bath in winter. There are also
men of sound judgment and
fools. There are savage fighters
and smooth diplomats. There arc
those who will gladly lay down
their lives for a cause and those
who will betray any party or any
person for power or money.
There are those who see ahead
with clear eyes, and those who
follow blindly after the man of
the hour.
Labor could be expected to
do certain things and it was gen^
erally felt - that certain things
thing, whether in a demand laid
down on a conference table or iq
a bill introduced in Congress.
If they had a choice, American)
labor unions would alwaysfe
rather deal with employers tnany
depend on laws passed by Conr.
gress or by state legislatures.-
The reason is clear. Labor takes,
an active part in negotiations:
with employers. If mistakes are
made they can be corrected in
later agreements.
American Labor has marked
out no point at which to place a
banner and say "This is the end
of the road."
So far as we know there is nn.
end of the road. We shall go on^
and one striving to make each:
year better for humanity than;
the year before.
LABOR WILL FIND IT
There may be a better state
of society and a better way of
life than we can now think of.
But if there is a better way of
life. Labor will find it and try to
succeed in gaining it for the
people and make this a better
world to live in. Labor will al
ways fight for democracy. So it
will mean that each and every
member of our Union will have
to comply with the Union regu
lations and laws.
I wish to congratulate Earl
"Bull" Sheppard for his article in
the past LOG. I believe if each,
member will study the LOG
more carefully, they would learn'
that he or she would better
themselves in order to better the,
Union and it.s principles.
W. Bill Mitchell
STEEL ADMIRAL
RUNS AGROUND
IN PORT SAID
To the Editor;
This is the first lettei' that I
have written to the LOG. I think
could safely be done to Labor, it's about time, so here goes:
The "yellow dog contract which | jgj^ New York bound for
bound the worker not to join a Tanura September 2. On
union was upheld and protected ^j,jp Suez we had a fair
by the courts the same as the' except for the Second Mate
Taft-Hartley Law. j ^^g chief Engineer. The
Labor injunctions were issued. Second has been a little Hitler
preventing men from doing, as ' all the way and has taken every
organized groups, the thing they
had a lawful right to do, and
compelling them to do things
that they had a lawful right to
refuse to do. This is true of the
Taft-Hartley Law.
ASK ONLY RIGHTS
Labor does not ask much. We
the people only ask the things
we have a right to: First, stable
conditions of employment. Steady
jobs. Second, a reasonable
standard of living through fixing
a minimum wage by law, that
opportunity to pull his rank. The
Chief is just as bad. Between
the two we have caught hell.
We stopped at Port Said to
pick up a small tug that goes to
Has Tanura. . When' we left Port
Suez, we ran aground on a sand
bar. As a result we are going to
have to spend two weeks unload
ing to lighten our draft, and an
other two weeks putting the car
go back on—so that's not so bad
after all.
The Captain and the Chief
will insure a fair income. And Mate are good people. This is
third, collective bargaining in I third Isthmian ship, and it
regulating relations between em- a surprise to get two good
ployers and employees, and in I "Joes" like them. Our Stewards
managing the nations economic Department is doing fine-so far
structure.
In general, this is what the
fighting and shouting is about.
so good!
Norman J. Magill
SS Steel Admiral
Page Twehre TBB SEAFAKERS LOG FMday, October 15; 194S
Feels NMU Poor Conditions
Due To No Performer Curbs
To the Editor:
Just a line to the membership
^out my experience on an NMU
ship as a repatriated seaman,
following my discharge from the
Army Hospital in Germany. We
SIU members often take our con
ditions for granted, and do not
realize how darn lucky we are
until we chance to ride a ship
such as the one I have just left.
I had to take this ship on or
ders of the consul. There was
no choice in the matter. Upon
ME:y,?uDDY—
GOTARUfAO^?
boarding the ship, I was immedi
ately invited into about six dif
ferent whispering campaigns.
These I politely declined to join.
They all began by telling me
what a bunch of dirty rotten so-
and-sos the others were, and how
the others had completely dis
rupted things on the ship. I was
inclined to agree with all of
them on that score!
The Radio Operator tried to
commit suicide while over there,
and after I had been on board
a few days I began to see why.
John Barleycorn really reigned
on that ship! For three days
proceeding my signing on, none
of the Oilers would go down be
low to stand their watches at
sea. The Deck Engineer was
beginning to wonder if he had
signed on as Oiler. The log
book was a thriUer in itself.
Nearly everybody had their
name in it for some misdemeanor.
LACK OF CURBS
The men in the NMU evidently
don't realize that perfortners are
a detriment to any organization.
Perhaps that is the reason the
NMU officials have to call on
outside help when it comes to
negotiating for wages and con
ditions.
A good many of these men,
upon finding that I belonged to
an AFL organization, confided to
me their desire to join the SIU.
Others told me that they knew
that our contract was superior to
theirs, but seemed reluctant to
do anything about it. It seems a
pity that some of these men, who
are good union men at heart,
have to be dominated by the
political bums they have in their
union.
We came close to starving that
last week prior to arriving in
the good old USA. French toast
and weeviled hotcakes every
morning became mighty monot
onous.
Well, you have to experience
the. bad things in life in order
to appreciate the good things
when you have them. So here is
to the SIU—the Union of my
choice—where a seaman has the
good things!
Well, Ed., I probably didn't
mention anything that the fel
lows don't already know, but I
had to get it off of my chest. I
will close by thanking the Ne
gotiating Comniittee for the
grand conditions we have on
board our ships, instead of the
lousy conditions the men of the
NMU must put up with.
Smoky Bor
The Palmer*s Ghef
'The Voice Of The Sea'
By SALTY DICK
Texas Colts Challenge 'Muscle Men'
To the Editor:
Here is a challenge to all Sea
farers: Attention muscle-bound
seafaring men! Here's some
sound advice from one who
knows.
Visiting the former counter Pa
trolman of Baltimore are his
three nephews. Imagine, three of
them! Boys at that. Nice fat
and rosy—and all from Texas.
They have been in training (all
of them) for the Golden Glove
Cup!
After eating a heavy meal of
beans, the oldest nephew felt
the muscle of his arm, which is
getting soft since being here, and
said, "Golly, I'm losin' weight.
Uncle Pat, I gotta git back in
training so I can lick 'em in the
ring!"
So my advice to you seafarin'
men is to eat plenty of beans and
get yourselves in fightin' condi
tion, because these here three
Texans are challenging any and
all so-called "Seafarin' muscle
men" ranging in ages of two,
three, and four only!
Pat Robertson
The Nathanial Palmer's crew
swear by Peter, the Palmer's
Chief Cook. If you want to
weig|il, they say. don't take
a Charles Atlas course, just
ship with Peter. In addition
to being tops in the galley,
the Brother is reported to be
a champion pinochle player.
A new Seamen's Club just
opened up in New Orleans on
St. Charles Street. One of the
best I've seen, and here's hoping
it will always remain so .. .Mis
sissippi is building a new,
large liner to carry 250 passen
gers on the South American run.
She'll be ready within two
years. So don't rush to New
Orleans!
The quiz by Rocky Benson is
a very good .idea. Let's hope
he will continue this ... All
the boys seem to enjoy "Sea-
fare", by Eddy Smith. I liked
the one where he had the um
brella to paint the stacks with.
... Pete Hummel is considered
the best dressed waiter on the
Delta ships. And also the best
boogie woogie dancer.
Ernest Castelberry is through
waiting on people. He says he's
going back to Arkansas and
feed the pigs ... Sol Colls, how
does it feel to be in the Island
of Palms? Don't you miss New
York? ... Dick Merritt flew down
to New Orleans from Indianap
olis and was met at the airport
Gals Enliven Cape Nome's Voyage
To the Editor:
Here we are at Charleston,
S;C. Arrived on the Cape Nome
at 7:00 A.M. from Norfolk, Vir
ginia, where we stopped for ten
hours to unload our passengers
—eight of them.
Oh boy, there were five ladies,
and three of them were beaut
ies! Just the type you see in
pin-ups. They certainly enliven
ed our trip across the smooth
ocean from London to Norfolk.
There was dancing in the
large dining room (officers only)
in the evenings after 7:00 P.M.,
and card games with plenty of
money on the tables — Monte
Carlo style.
One of our lady passengers
was an English doctor who
treated some of the' crew. She
was very popular. When we ar
rived in Norfolk her husband
was on the dock with his car.
The trip was fine until we
hit the hurricane trail in mid-
•ocean, and it got tough. We
AnENTiON!
The slop chest is your cor
ner store while you are at
sea. You can't take your
trade someplace else if the
slop chest doesn't have what
you need.
stopped for nearly two days,
making only about three knots
to keep up with the waves. As
we carried about 300 new autos,
we could not go full-speed
against the strong waves, and
were two days late getting in.
The crew was fine all trip.
LIKED STORY
I read the September 24th is
sue of the LOG as we docked
at Norfolk. The Cape Nome
story of my previous trip was
very good. I guess I will soon
be" too old to sail the waves,
and then will stay at my camp
at Port Grange, Florida. There
I'll look over my collections and
finish my big book which I
started several years ago.
Manj' members will quit at
Charleston, as we will pay off
on Monday, October 4th. Every
body wants to be paid off to
day—but no dice! So there will
be jobs for many on the Cape
Nome at Charleston.
The South Atlantic SS Co. of
fice at the Norfolk Docks was
moving and packing up. Port
Steward Killpatrick met me and
told me there was no more busi
ness, and that he is being trans
ferred to Savannah, Georgia. This
looks bad.. "We got some stores
just in time, as they were clos
ing up the business.
I will close with regards to
all. Uncle Otto Preussler
by a cotton picker... Fred Minco
left Vineland, N. J. to see the
world, and he's surprised the
world is so big.
"Big Ward," Electrician, is one
fellow who likes a drink and at
the same time knows when to
stop. We should have more like
him ... When a Skipper is a rat,
you should let the others know
it. The same goes if he is an
Ace! Captain Olsen is a fine
Skipper and a gentleman.
We are waiting for the day.
when we can have our own Hall
in New York. Let's make sure'
it's a good buy . , . The famous
old saying in Brazil is, "business
is business and love is censored."
. . . Bill Kaiser (Steward) blew
his top when Gary (Waiter) blew
his cornet in the dining room . . .
Lonnie Akridge was enjoying
himself at the Copacabana Ho
tel in Rio, until he was presented
with the bill. I hear he passed
out . . . Philip M. Reyes wrote
a • fine piece warning -the
boys about the slick operator in
Bremen. Boys, take advice and
keep away from this rat.
James Watt writes for the boys
to go uptown while in Ponce. I
suggest you practice this in every
port. Stay away from water
front dives . . . Some of the boys
are interested in Brazilian stones.
Some day they will be breaking
up big stones into little ones, if
they don't watch out . . . Did you
know Florida's biggest industry
is tourists, and that she rates sec-,
ond in raising cattle? Now I
want my friends not to call me
swamp-rat . . . Dick Miller
(Smoke Room Steward) was
standing by the gangway in port
giving his good-bye to passen
gers. I took notice he had one
hand stretched out. He also had
a little bag nearby. Perhaps for
the tips!
A bouquet of roses for the
crew of the Del Sol for helping
those refugee kids . . . Tex Suit
is now sailing Bosun. I always
said he looks more like a cowboy
than a sailor (no offense) . . .
Mobile is getting good business.
I hear shipping is good but be
careful with those cops. They
don't even like to smell coca
cola on your breath.
I'm no company stiff, but I'm a
good Union man. I saw a bed
spread hanging on a line in a
foreign port and right away I
knew where it came from. Ii
asked the girl and she told me.
This sort of thing must cease.
Give a present to the girl if you
so desire, but make it personal.
Let's do the right thing.
MY KNEES
FEEL^WEAK
ANYnuN©,
BOS'N.
WHAT'S
MASTER?
MY LE<35
JU^T WON'T
WORK...
I CAN
FIX
THAT
^/V\ITV1—>
^
1^,;.. .
Friday, Oelob*r 15, 1948 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Thirteen
HAPPY FACES AND SMACKING LIPS
By ROCKY BENSON
How is your IQ, Seafarers? See
if you can answer these 10 ques
tions. Score: 6—fair, 8—very
good, 10—tops. One point for
each question.
1. Whose picture is on $20 bill?
1. Jackson
2. Washington
3. Lincoln
4. Adams
2. On the thirteenth wedding an
niversary, what present should
you give?
1. Steel
2. Lace
3. Ivory
4. Diamond
3. What is Article 20 in the SIU
Constitution?
1. Income
2. Assessments
3. General vote
4. Offenses and punishment
4. During what month of 1941
was the SS Robin Moor sunk?
1. May
2. June
3. September
4. December
5. What year was the first Safety
At Sea Conference held?
1. 1913
2. 1921
3. 1929
4. 1948
6. How many feet and inches is
it from the heel to the top of
the head of the Statue of Lib
erty?
1. 115 feet, 3 inches
2. 151 feet, 1 inches
3. Ill feet, 6 inches
4. 205 feet, 6 inches
7. What is the monthly rate of
pay for an Assistant Cook on an
Alcoa ship?
1. $255.04
2. $231.38
3. $219.55
4. $189.97
8. How many times have the SIU
Constitution and By-Laws been.
Amended?
1. 6
2. 8
3. 10
4. 13
9. During what month in 1941
were the SIU dues increased to
$2.00 per month?
1. April
2. May
3. July
4. September
10. How many nautical miles is
it from New York to Hamilton,
Bermuda?
1. 697
2. 2,269
3. 907
4. 1,070
Quiz answers on page 15.
Gulf Heat, Bucko Engineeif
Worse Than War, Crew Says
The Gadsden's Chief Cook J. J. Reinosa (right) displays
one of his culinary masterpieces. Each week he makes a
present of his handiwork to the oldest crewmember aboard.
If a youngster stays aboard the ship long enough. Brother
Reinosa will honor him with a tasty bit of pastry, says
Thomas Foster, who sent the pics to the LOG.
Puritan Seafarer Suffers
From 'Shuttle Run Allergy'
To the Editor:
Just thought I. would drop you
a line and let you know that the
old Puritan is shuttling again.
You can call me the shuttling
kid; for about a year ago (June
of 1947 to be exact) I woke up
least, old W. Tracy of the Man-
hope Knot.
That's about all for now. I
sure wish I could get on a non-
shuttling ship; but it sure looks
like we, are stuck for the winter.
John Crews
Percy Tells
Of Moon's
Rise To Fame
JOHN CREWS
HOSPITALIZED
BROTHER ASKS
LOG FOR MOM
To the Editor:
I am enclosing my mother's
address and would very much
like to have you send the LOG
to her in California. I know
that my folks would enjoy it
as much as I do here in the
Hospital.
I don't know of vthing right
now to say that - ou could use
in the LOG. I ' -^id though,
and I will write =• mvthing of
interest that I run across.
Richard 'n
N.O. Hospital
(Editors Not"* ^ou forgot
the address, send it to
us.)
one sunny morning to run down
to the Hall in Mobile and catch
a ship going to France. Well,
we went to France aU right, but
as you know, we were not back
in New York' till 11 months
later!
That was on the old Petrolite.
Well, I said right then that there
would be no more shuttling for
me. I went back to Mobile,
stayed on the beach a few weeks
and caught the Alcoa Puritan—
yes! The good old Bauxite run
again.
We were back in Mobile in six
weeks, and I said to myself, "Oh
that's the run for me!" I signed
on for another trip. Well, here
I am shuttling again. Looks like
I just can't get off the old shuttle
run.
I want to say one thing though,
and I think I can speak for the
whole crew: This is the best
crew I have ever sailed with. We
have a lot of oldtimers on here,
Blackie Stevens, Bosun; Charles
Stringfeller, Steward; Johnny
Walker, Oiler; and last but not
To the Editor:
Way back in the good old days
(as we sometimes say), when I
made my first trip to sea to see
what I could see, I grabbed a
rust pot out of New Orleans,
bound for the wide open spaces.
Before the ship sailed I noticed
a big-headed, ugly looking paper
boy selling papers aboard ship
every day.
Three years later, having taken
to the sea himself, I met him
in Rotterdam, Holland. Still not
knowing his name, I took in a
prize fight in New Orleans a year
or so later, .and in the main
bout, who should come out
swinging like he had the fits, but
this big-headed, ugly, homely
looking ex-paper boy!
I paid strict attention to the
announcer as he said, "and in
this corner, wearing piurple
trunks weighing one himdred
forty-eight and a half, the sensa
tional welterweight of the South
—^Moon Kouns.
WHY MOON?
As the years rolled by, he
established a new name for him
self, by being called the Bing
Crosby of the SIU. Scores of
people ask me every day why
some call him Moon. I reply
that if they take one little teeny
weeny look at him, they wouldn't
ask that question twice.
^ut what 1 am so all burnt
up about is that he once started
a comeback—and I •^as his lucky
manager! I presented him with
a new robe, and to make a long
story short he took it ashore and
hocked it.
Perc7 Boyer
To the Editor:
After the story and pictures
of the last trip of the Queens
Victory were published in the
October 8th LOG, I talked it
over with some of the crewmem-
bers, and decided that we had
forgotten a number of interest
ing events, so I'll give them to
you now.
We joined this ship in Balti
more because of the bad ship
ping, and the fact that we were
tired of eating Baltimore hot
dogs. There was no alternative
financially.
Our first stop was Port Said,
where the natives stole every
thing but the ship's whistle
while we were lying at anchor
age. The Arabs were even pass
ing American counterfeit money
around! My advice to any ship
stopping there is to be on the
alert for the "forty thieves."
Next we went to the Persian
Gulf, where the air temperature
was 152 degrees, and the sea
temperature 95. We stayed for
about five weeks of hell on
earth. You couldn't sleep or eat,
and perspired twenty-four hours
a day. At daybreak the flies
made their attack, coming over
head in squadrons and peeling
off like dive bombers, where we
were the target.
We will never be caught in
the Persian Gulf again during
the summer months, for it is
reaUy blood money—there should
be a bonus paid for sailing there
at this time. The crew agreed
that they would rather go
through the hell of World War
II again, rather than make an
other summer run to this area.
COOLIES STAYED COOL
The heat was so bad that the
Deck Department only worked
in the mornings. Even the cool
ies, who unloaded the ship, did
not work in the afternoon—the
hottest part of the day.
But in the Engine Department,
the First Assistant had other
ideas. We worked from bell to
bell. This fink layed out the
work he wantecf done, and then
took- off to the deck, because it
was too hot for him. He claimed
he was a supervisor and did
not have to work.
Then he decided to bust a
Junior Engineer to Wiper, who
was from Mobile, claiming that
no man from the South was any
good. The pay-off is that the
First Assistant is from Florida!
He stated that he has to be
tough with men on these ships.
I reminded him that it takes
more than one to play the game.
He. got a bad time from the en
tire crew—including topside. He
disputed practically aU the ov
ertime except Sundays. One
crewmember mentioned that it
must be against-his religion to
dispute overtime on the day of
rest.
MR. YOUNGBLOOD AT WAR
Every day he found cartoons,
notes, etc., posted up slating how
phony he was. He complained
that the black gang was waging
psychological warfare on him.
All he did was stand around with
a pipe in his mouth. This dis-.
appeared one day. He was caught
painting^^ a storeroom. His paint
brushes vanished the follo\ylng
day. He went to open a tool
locker door and a bucket of
water came down on him. He
ran to the Chief, and moaned
that the black gang was setting
booby traps for him. I was ap
proached about this, and told
him that there must be an ex-
Marine on board for who else
would know how to set booby
traps?
He then changed his attitude,
which we expected. The Chief
Engineer was just as bad, but
he never showed his face around.
These two phonies are against
Labor, and everything that un-,
ions stand for.
HOME RUN PAYOFF
But they gave us our blood,
money in Baltimore. Curly'
Rentz, the Agent, and the Stew
ard Patrolman, Johnny, went to
bat for us, and came in with a.
home run. We all owe them our
thanks for the swell job of rep
resentation they did for us.
The Port Captain for Isthmian
said that this ship was in worse
shape than any ship ever to en
ter the port of Baltimore, so
bad was the overtime messed up
by these gestapo characters the
First Assistant, and the Chief
Engineer.
The Second Assistant was con
demned by these two, because
he was a typical seaman who
knew his job (which they didn't).
He was well liked by the crew,
who considered him a regular •
guy-
The latest rumor is that you
have to register for the draft if
under 26. There is no chance of
anyone being drafted that made
this trip; for they will either
end up in 4-F, or in a straight
jacket. I reckon I will meet
the boys at the hot dog stand.
To the new crew I will say,
"smooth sailing!"
P. Salvo
Engine Delegate
Departed Brother
By WANDERING SEAFARER
Just a dead seaman
On a foreign shore;
Just a dead seaman,
A word—no more.
Died on his ship
And that was all;
Just a poor seaman
Who answered his call.
Just a poor seaman
Gone to his rest;
Just a poor family
Hurled to distress.
He was the provider
By the sweat of his brow;
God's trumpet has blown
And he's answering now.
Just an SIU member.
Dead on foreign shore;.
Just a well loved Brother
We shall see no more.
Our flag dips in tribute
To our dead member there;
To the widow and orphans.
May God grant them care,
ft 4. t
For The Educated
By BILL GILSTRAP
Oh yes. I'm just a child;
I know, of course, its true.
And yet I feel as much as you.
And maybe more.
You claim to see just dust .
Where I see dreams and then.
With the constant rust
Of spoken words you
Brush my dreams away
And sweep them ftu:—
"Just trash", you say.
-Step
page Fourteen THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday. October 15. 1948
The Log Tours Ellis Island Hospital
The work of psychiatrists in the rehabilitation of
persons suffering from emotional disturbances has, in re
cent years, been the subject of much publicity in the
magazines and motion pictures. To seamen, the aid these
specialists offer may seem*
.distant and beyond their
reach should the need ever
arise v/hen psychiatric guid
ance is needed. Actually,
.however, the finest treat
ment available is no further
from a seaman than a short
ferry ride to Ellis Island
Marine Hospital in New
York Harbor, where, in ad
dition to medical and TB
sections, a neuropsychiatric
section operates.
These doctors, nurses and so
cial workers combine to form a
team that diagnoses, observes
and treats the illness of a sea
man much in the same manner
that a delicate operation would
be approached by a crack sur
gical team.
DIFFICULT JOB
Unlike a broken leg, where
treatment is pretty well estab
lished, getting to the root of an
emotional disturbance is often a
difficult job. The set-up at Ellis
Island is to first have the seaman
confer with one of the nine
psychiatrists on the staff. He is
not suiTer is that Ellis Isl
and Hospital is on the ap
proved list for doctoi-s wishing
to study neuropsychiartry. Of all
the marine hospitals, Ellis Isl
and offers the most extensive
service in the neurospychiatic
field.
According to Vernam T. Davis,
head of the neuropsychiatric ser
vice at the hospital, the doctors' •
main objective is to "get
a complete picture of the indi
vidual, his illness, his complaints
and find out what brought them
on so he can outgrow or over
come them himself." It is to
this end that the teams work.
The hospital estimates that
the average stay is about three
weeks, with incoming men suf
fering anything from a minor
nervous condition to a disease of
the brain or spine. Sometimes
the work of the hospital staff
brings quick results, other times
it is painfully slow with .little
improvement noted. While the
work of the hospital isn't al
ways successful, the staff is far
from discouraged. They know that
they have benefited dozens for
every case they have been un-
S. i. X
Men entering Ellis Island Hospital are first bedded in
the admitting ward, pictured here. During their stay here the
doctors call them into priveite consultation and determine the
course of treatment to be followed. They are then assigned a
permanent ward accordingly.
then visited by a trained social able to dent. That alone is worth
worker, who tries to help the. all tbe effort,
patient work out his problem.
Sometimes it is a difficulty with
his family. In this case, the
social worker communicates
with his relatives and tries to
unravel the situation. She also
attempts to aid him in his ad
justment to hospital life and en
courages him to take part in the
affairs of the hospital.
The seaman is then encour
aged to take part in occupation-
,al therapy. Although this service
is under the direction of the
Daughters of the American Rev
olution, in all phases of its
work it operates in close coop
eration with hospital officials.
R. S. Fagan, the hospital's
administrative officer who ac
companied the LOG reporter on
a tour, and Doctor L. E. Hoop
er, the medical director, stressed
ithe attempt *of the hospital to
provide every means possible to
return the seamen to normal
life within the restricted funds
available. Testimony to the fact
fhat quality at the hoepital does
At left a seaman tries his
hand at making candlesticks
on the wood lathe in the oc
cupational ther^ wood shop.
During their stay, men are
given the full freedom of the
hosf^al grounds and most re
ceive passes into New York
City over the week-ends.
In the occupational therapy
clinic they are encouraged to
try their hand at weaving,
wood-working, metal-working,
painting and all the other
crafts that are productive as
well as time consuming.
Often men discover unknown
skills while working here, and
several have continued to pur
sue them as their trades
ashore.
4- S-
In one of the two music rooms fitted out with all the
comforts of a home, a patient studies the music before him.
Radios, phonographs and musical instruments are also put at
the disposal of the seamen.
In the general shop are the looms and handicraft tools.
Here a seaman is working on a rug—the pattern, which he
designed himself, before him. All items created become the
properly of the seamen.
* In the large and spacious recreation room provided by the American Red Cross and the
Social Service Auxiliary several seamen gather around for a fast game of pool. The recreation
room is availal)le to patients of all sections of the hospital and offers a multitude of amuse
ments. Several times a month movies are shown and entertainment from New York provided.
i
Frida7. October 1$. I948 THE SEAFARERS h O G Page Fifteen
Men Now In Ue Marine Hospitak
These are the Union Brothers currently in the marine hospitals,
as reported by the Port Agents. These Brothers find time hanging
heavily 09 their hands. Do what you. can to cheer them up by
writing to them, y
BALTIMORE HOSPITAL
C. J. MITCHELL
C. L. HAMER
C. A. JSATI
J. D. ANDERSON -
M. E. MORES
J. P. THRASHER
C. SIMMONS
J. FITZSIMMONS
W. T. ROSS
F. PASQUALI
S. B. SETTLOFF
T. KARAVOKYOUS
R. A. LEVASSEUR
G. BUSH
F. BECKER
4 i
NEW ORLEANS HOSP.
J. N. HULL
J. DENNIS
S. C. TAREMAN
T. RIEGO
SlU HALLS
SIU, A&G District
BALTIMORE 14 North Gay St.
William Rentz, Agent Mulberry 4540
BOSTON 276 State St.
E. B. Tiiley, Agent Richmond 2-0140
Dispatcher Richmond 2-0141
GALVESTON SOSVi—23rd St.
Keith Alsop, Agent Phone 2-844S
MOBILE 1 South Lawrence St.
Cal Tanner, Agent Phone 2'.17S4
NEW ORLEANS 523 Bienville ^t.
E. Sheppard, Agent Magnolia 6112-6113
NEW YORK 51 Beaver St.
Joe Algina, Agent HAnover 2-2784
NORFOLK 127-129 Bank St.
Ben Reos, Agent Phone 4-1083
PHILADELPHIA. . .614-16 No. 13th St.
Lloyd Gardner, Agent Poplar S-1217
SAN FRANCISCO 85 Third St.
Steve Cardullo, Agent Donglas 2-5475
SAN JUAN, P.R. 252 Ponce de Loon
Sal Colls, Agent Sen Juan 2-5996
SAVANNAH 2 Ahercorn
Charles Starling, Agent Phone 3-1728
TAMPA 1809-1811 N. Franklin St.
R. H. Hall, Agent Phone M-1323
HEADQUARTERS. . 51 Beaver St., N.Y.C.
HAnover 2-2784
SECRETARY-TREASURER
Paul Hall
DIRECTOR OF ORGANIZATION
Lindsey Williams
ASSIST. SECRETARY-TREASURERS
Robert Matthews J, P. Shuler
Joseph Volpian
SUP
HONOLULU 16 Merchant St.
Phone 5-8777
PORTLAND Ill W. Burnside St
Beacon 4336
RICHMOND, Calif. 257 5th St.
Phone 2599
SAN FRANCISCO 59 Clay St.
Douglas 2-8363
SEATTLE 86 Seneca St.
Main 0290
WILMINGTON 440 Avaion Blvd.
Terminal 4-3131
Gt. Lakes District
BUFFALO 10 Exchange St.
Cleveland 7391
CHICAGO, Hi 3261 East B2nd St.
Phone: Essex 2410
CLEVELAND 2602 CarroU St.
Main 0147
DETROIT 1038 Third St.
Cadiiiac 6857
DULUTH 531 W. Michigan St.
Melrose 4110
TOLEDO 615 Summit St.
GarBeid 2112
Canadian District
MONTREAL 1227 Philips Square
VICTORIA, B.C 602 Boughton St.
Empire 4531
VANCOUVER 565 Hamilton St.
PaciBc 7824 »•
P. L. SAHUQUE
E. DANCY
A. M. LIPARI
H. S. TUTTLE
G. M. GRAY
E. JEANFREAU
J. ZIMMER
L. F. COOK
G. O'ROURKE
J. L. GREENE
J. SMITHE
G. D. BRADY
O. HOWELL
C. W. JOHNSON
A. R. KING
V. P. SALLINGS
M. C. MURPHEY
A. WARD
E. E. WEBBER
R. GIERCZIC
K. A. PARKS
W. R. GREBE
R. A. HACKER
T. F. OLIVER
N. ROMANO
J. E. TIENSIUM
S. LeBLANC
L. KAY
B. BIGGS
H. WEBBER
C. HELM i ^
J. HODGES
% ^
STATEN ISLAND HOSPITAL
A. EWING
A. VANELZUELA
M. CASTRO
J. McNEELY
A. JENSBY
D. DeDUISEN
T. ZEMRZUSKI
W. H. NUNN
J. BOUYEA
W. HUNT
R. L. JOHNSTON
K. C. CROWE
C. OPPENHEIMER
W. H. PERRY
T. MANDICK
C. NANGLE
C. W. HALLA
P. G. DAUGHERTY
i t, t,
GALVESTON HOSPITAL
W. McCUISTION
JAMES MATTHEWS
H. R. WILLIAMSON
J. A. GIVENS
D. HUTCHESON
J. MAPP
» » &
BOSTON MARINE HOSP.
JULIUS HENSLEY
VIC MILAZZO
JOHN J. GEAGAN
4, t t
MOBILE HOSPITAL
R. ARMSTRONG
JAMES CARROLL
CHARLES E. GLOVER
JOHN F. GERSEY
HARRY J. GRONIN
A. C. McALPIN
T. W. TAYLOR
WILEY HINTON
H. R. LOWMAN
J. H. ASHURST
SAN JUAN HOSPITAL
W. EISENDER
J. B. GARDNER
E. RICHARDS
R. TORRES
E. B. HOLMES
Minutes Of A&G Branch Meetings In Brief
{Continued from Page 7)
would contact Brother Avera at
the Mobile. Hall, in order that
he may obtain the necessary in
formation needed to take action
regarding his claim against the
Company. Several members took
the deck and asked that the
Brothers be more careful about
loitering on the sidewalks around
the Hall, and making remarks
that would bring iU-repute to the
Union. Meeting adjourned at
7:55 P. M. with 260 members
present.
X ^ ^
PUERTO RICO — No meeting
was held- as there were not
enough present to form a quo
rum. The following Brothers
volunteered to audit the books
and bills: E. F. Martinez; J
Sanchez, and R. J. Morgan.
XXX
NORFOLK — Chairman, Carl
son, 39664; Recording Secretary,
Rose, 3139; Reading Clerk Wool-
ford, 100935.
All Branch 'minutes were ac
cepted, save for Puerto Rico,
which was referred to New Busi
ness. The Agent's and Patrol
men's written reports were read
and accepted. Under New Busi
ness the floor was opened for
nominations for Union office. The
following Brothers were elected
to the Trial Committee: J.
Glover, C. Aycock, Joe Lupton,
J. Hodges, and P. Adkins. A
Committee was elected to count
the ballots, to meet at 10:00 A. M.
Saturday. Brothers L. Paradeau,
C. Gardner, H. Dennis, L.
Wright, W. Strickland, and C.
Newman comprised the Commit
tee. Under Good and Welfare,
several members spoke on wel
fare and conditions on the ships.
205 men were registered, and 97
shipped. Meeting adjourned with
325 members present.
XXX
BALTIMORE—Chairman, WiL
•Ham Rentz, 26445; Recording
Secretary, Ben Rees, 95; Read
ing Clerk, A1 Stansbury, 4663.
Motion carried to suspend the
regular order of business and go
into Obligations and charges. The
following Brothers were Obli
gated: N. Jackson, R. Wright, C.
Martinez, S. McCormick, C. In-
man, A. Sweigart, M. Bugawan,
A. Weir, M. Vanckwiccl, Charles
D. Rummey, Gilbert N. Prince,
James Townseny, James H.
Broot, G. D. Martin, J. G. Sal
mon, S. T. McKinney, W. Wal
ters, Lionel Abramson, G. Mc-
Nice, R. Fontaine, M. Laakso, H.
Shiba, C. Scott, E. Max, and J.
Karalewski. Motion carried to
accept the Trial Committee's re
port. The Baltimore minutes
and the Baltimore financial re
ports for September 24 and Octo
ber 2 were read and accepted.
The Secretary-Treasurer's weekly
financial _ reports for September
18 and 25 were accepted. The
Philadelphia minutes were read,
and a motion was made to non
concur with the motion concern
ing placing an extra Patrolman
on the ballot, and to accept the
remainder of the minutes. Car
ried. A motion carried to non
concur with that part of the
Galveston minutes concerning
shipping rules, and to accept the
remainder. A motion carried to
non-concur with the Puerto Rico
minutes. Other New Business
of Branches holding meetings
was read and accepted. The
Agent's report was accepted. The
Patrolmen's reports were made
and accepted. The Dispatcher
reported 469 registered, and 305
shipped. The Hospital Commit
tee's report was accepted. Under
New Business a motion carried
to instruct the Agent to have the
chairs in the Hall repaired and
to get two tables that are needed.
One minute of silence for de
parted Brothers. Under Good
and Welfare various members
spoke concerning the good job
the Balloting Committee was do
ing. There was discussion on
the Ore ships. Meeting ad
journed at 7:50 P. M. with 299
member's present.
XXX
NEW ORLEANS — Chairman,
Tex Suit, 6951; Recording Secre
tary, Herman Troxclair, 6743;
Reading Clerk, Buck Stephens,
76.
New Orleans previous minutes,
and financial reports of Septem
ber 25 and October 2 accepted.
The Secretary-Treasurer's finan
cial reports for September 18
and 25 read and accepted. Mo
tion carried to read only New
Business from the Branches. Mo
tion to non-concur in that part
of the Philadelphia minutes re
garding placing a Patrolman on
the ballot and to accept the rest.
Motion carried. Motion to non
concur in the San Juan minutes
regarding the putting of a com
bination Dispatcher — Patrolman
NOTICE!
JOSEPH RUDOLPH
Your wallet and discharges
were found on the Robin Trent
and are being held for you at
the 4th Floor Baggage Room,
Mew York Hall, 51 Beaver Street,
New Yoi'k.
X X X
Anyone finding Pete Trianta-
fillos' wallet which he left on
the Sixth Deck in New York
please send it tb Pete at 625
Northeast 22nd Street, Miami,
Florida. Pete especially wants
back the picture of his late
father, his Masonic card and
other papers.
on the ballot. Carried. Acting
Agent Buck Stephens reported
that Agent Bull Sheppard was in
New York assisting in the beef
between the ILGWU and the
garment industry thugs, , and
would give a report of the part
played by the SIU upon his - re
turn. Business affairs of the
Port are in good shape, but New
Orleans shipping has fallen off.
There have been ten payoffs and
six sign-ons since last meeting,
and there are about the same
number of payoffs scheduled for
the next two weeks. In the last
two weeks there have been three
lay-up jobs. Two were Alcoa
ships and one was an Isthmian.
There are five Alcoa ship^ lined
up for payoff and all five are to
go in the boneyard. Crescent
Salvage and Towing Company
has signed a contract, and the
membership is advised that it is
all right now to take the lines of
their tugs. The MFOW&W are
to start picketing Bisso Tugs due
to their moving hot ships in the
harbor, and when this starts the
membership will be informed so
they will know not to allow
these tugs to handle our ships.
Report accepted. The Patrol
men's reports accepted. The Dis
patcher reported 405 men regis
tered, and 407 shipped. The
communication from Headquar
ters regarding electing a Ballot
ing Committee to coimt the bal-
olts for the General Fund Assess
ment was read, and a motion
was carried to elect the com
mittee at a special meeting Fri
day afternoon. The Secretary-
Treasurer's report was accepted.
A committee elected at the edu
cational meeting reported on
members loitering in front of the
Hall and recommended: First,
that a sign be placed at the bot
tom of the stairs stating "No
loitering or disorderly conduct
will" be tolerated in front of this
building. This by orders of the
membership;" second, that this
ruling be strictly enforced by the
Doorman; And, third, that any
member failing to adhere to this
ruling will be subject to appear
before a trial committee and
fined a maximum of $10 for the
first offense. Report accepted.
The Tallying Committee's report
was accepted. One minute of
silence for departed Brothers.
General discussion under Good
and Welfare. Meeting adjourned
at 9:30 P.M. with 320 bookmen-
bers present.
Quiz Answers
1. Jackson
2. Lace
3. Offenses and Punishment
4. May
5. 1929
6. Ill feet, 6 inches
7. $219.55
8. 6 times
9. July
10. 697 nautical miles
Notice To All SIU Members
The SEAFARERS LOG as the official publication of the Sea
farers International Union is available to all members who wish
to have it sent to their home free of charge for the enjoyment of
their families and themselves when ashore. If you desire to have
the LOG sent to you each week address cards are on hand at every
SIU branch for this purpose.
However, for those who are at sea or at a distance from a SIU
hall, the LOG reproduces below the form used to request the LOG,
which you can fill out, detach and send to: SEAFARERS LOG, 51
Beaver Street, New York 4, N. Y.
PLEASE PRINT INFORMATION
To the Editor:
I would like the SEAFARERS LOG mailed to the
address below:
Name ^ —.
Street Address
City State
Signed
Book No..
Page Sixteen THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, October 15, 1948
The MitBck on SS'^SIxeet
OR
WHO TOOKTWrigATOFF-ftlgeANesrERS?
Hie SlUand Ifie lt6WU mo^ oqainsf 4lie
Kockefeeir in -Hie cigrweirt'jndustni
is official pi^ssure beinq puton
the Sea^rersandthe IL6WU P IVtet
Itas happened tbtfe im/i^tiiqcd^
VOL. X •NEW YORK. N. Y., FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15. 1948 No. 42
Nominothns Bud;
Voting Begins
On November 1
Credentials and technical qual
ifications of meqibers who have
been placed in nomination for
offices in the Atlantic and Gulf
District elections next month are
now being checked at Headquar
ters. The nominating period,
which ran for a month, ended
last Friday, Oct. 8.
As soon as the checking pro
cess is completed, the names and
photographs of all candidates
who will appear on the ballot,
will be published in the SEA
FARERS LOG, along' with the
offices they are seeking. In ad
dition, a brief autobiographical
sketch will accompany each can
didate's photo to help acquaint
the members with the men who
wish to represent them in 1949.
Balloting will begin on Nov. *1,
and will continue for two
months, ending December 31.
TALLY CbMMlTTEE MEMBERS
Membership OKs
$10 Assessment
By 88 Percent
NEW YORK—Overwhelming approval of a ten-
dollar assessment to build the Atlantic and Gulf
District's General Fund was registered by the SIU
membership in the referendum which ended on Oct.
8. With completion of the ballot count on Wednes
day, the Headquarters Tally Committee announced
that a landslide of "Yes" votes—88 percent of the
votes cast—pointed up the fact that the member
ship heartily endorsed the move"?
t o bolster t h e organization ^ $10.00^assess-
strength of the Seafarers.
Four of fhe Seafarers elected at last Wednesday night's
membership meeting to count referendum ballots on the
General Fund assessment, which carried by almost 90 percent.
Left to right are J.' Pacheco, Sam LuttrelL J. Murphy and
Frank Smith. The other two men on the committee were not
available when photo was taken.
Elected at the New York regu
lar membership meeting Oct. 6,
the six-ii;an •tally committee be
gan the careful process of vote
counting Monday morning, Oct.
11.
Record majorities in favor of
the assessment were chalked up
in all A&G ports, with the ex
ception of Boston and San Juan.
In all other ports the assessment
was favored by percentages
ranging from 81.1 in Savannah
to 95.5 in San Francisco.
HEAVY TURNOUT
Balloting preferences by the
membership were expressed in
the form of "Yes" or "No" votes
in answer to the question: "Are
DA Buries Racket Prebe—Turns On Unions
NEW YORK — The District
Attorney's office, which two
weeks ago promised the AFL In
ternational Ladies Garment
Workers Union it would press
vigorously to root out racketeers
px-eying on the industry, pulled
a sharp about face this week by
rounding up union pickets, all of
whom are members of the Sea
farers International Union aiding
the ILGWU's curreill organizing
drive against racketeer-protected
non-union jobbers.
All but nine of the Seafarers
' were released after questioning
by the DA's office. Those held
were later freed in $1,000 bail,
and are to be questioned further
by a grand jury.
In alert trade union circles, the
sudden turn in developments was
viewed as one packed with great
danger for all organized labor.
It appeared quite obvious that
the men were being hauled up
to serve as goats. With absolutely
nothing against them tha^ would
hold water under democratically-
.administered justice, the men are
clearly victims of a local witch
hunt.
In the opinion of many trade
unionists, who recall the infam
ous Palmer raids of the 1920's,
conviction of any one of the
Seafarers could touch off a large
scale series of anti-union moves
throughout the nation on the
fliinsiest pretexts, sole purpose of
which would be to wreck the or
ganized labor movement.
The sudden change in attitude
by the District Attorney's office
came as a complete surprise to
those forces interested in seeing
the garment industry swept clean
of hoodlum elements that have
been freely reaping a harvest
through terroristic tactics.
The round-up came as a result
of complaints made by two large
non-union operators, who have
been trying to get out of the un-
I comfortable spotlight thi'own on
them by the ILGWU's dx'ive
against shops opex-ating under
protection of union-busting
goons.
Terror in the garment district
came to a halt with the appear
ance of Seafarers on the picket-
lines. Because the majority of
its members are women and
eldexly men, the gax-ment union
called oil the Seafarers fox Ixelp
in conducting the ox-ganizing
Work on some 30 non-union out
fits, most of which are in West
35th Street. Up to the time Sea
farers appeared on the scene,
sti-ong arm men had been ter
rorizing the garment workers at
will.
The District Attorney's raid
took place Thui'sday, Oct. 8 in
the 35th Street area, between
Eighth and Ninth Avenues. At
10:30 a.m., 20 detectives, acting
on orders from District Attorney
Frank Hogan, began rounding up
the Seafarers, who were serving
as paid organizers for the
ILGWU's Dress Joint Board.
In their organizing, the men
worked jointly with committees
of ILGWU people. None of the
men was picketing at the time.
They were standing in small
groups in the street. They were
taken in vans to the DA's office
for questioning.
Later, five members of the
Di-ess Joint Board were also
also questioned.
At the offices of the ILGWU,
officials were shocked at the
DA's turn-about attitude. Shoi-tly
after the raid, Julius Hochman,
general manager of the Dress
Joint Board, issued the following
statement to the press:
"We are surprised by the
'round-up' of our pickets by the
District Attorney's office. We
informed the District Attorney,
when we last saw him with re
gard to our charges against
racketeering in the industry, that
if he wanted to see or question
any of our officers or any of our
pickets, to notify us to that effect
Attention^ Draft Registrants!
According to the law, all draft registrants, when leaving
the country, must notify their Selective Service Boards, tmd
give the following information: (1) the name of the ship they
are on; (2) the name of the company operating the ship; (3)
the port from which they are departing; and (4) the approxi
mate length of the trip.
This is important, for the Union cannot supply this in
formation and, without it, the Draft Board may feel you are
attempting to evade them, and issue induction papers.
The dates set aside for draft registration have passed, but
18 through 25 year-old seamen who have been out on ships
have five days in which to register after reaching a U.S. port.
If the seaman lives in the port reached, he should register
at the board nearest his home; if not, he can get the address
of the nearest board from the Dispatcher in the SIU Hall.
For men hitting New York, the following are the ad
dresses of draft boards easily accessible from the Union Hall:
80 Lafayette Street, Manhattan (near City Hall), and 44
Court Street, Brooklyn (near Boro Hall).
and they would immediately be
made available.
'•'We shall seek any early ap
pointment with the District At
torney to discuss with him the
incidents today."
Hochman said further that the
ILGWU would continue asking
the Seafarers for aid as pickets.
"We consider them good union
men," the ILGWU official said.
The currexit situation ixi the
garment industry is the second
time that gangster elements have
been the object of attack by the
garment wox'ker's union. The
ILGWU won considex'able px'aise
and prestige in all quarters in
the late Thirties when it was
responsible for the clean-up of
"Murder, Inc.," an organization
of ruthles parsasites headed by
the notorious Lepke and Gurrah,
pi-eying on industx-y and labor
alike.
SIMILARITY
Incidents of terror in the past
few months markedly similar to
those perpetrated by the "Mur
der" gang touched off the
ILGWU's drive on the hood
lum-protected anti-union gar
ment shops.
The particular mystery to ob
servers who have been watching
the garment industry situation is
the DA's failure to take any
steps against the racketeering
element, despite his previous
loud proclamations that he would
not tolerate terrorism.
Although indictments were re
turned against two of four goons
who invaded the Dress Joint
Board offices and beat up several
union officials sevex-al weeks ago,
the District Attorney still has
not arrested either of them. Re
ports from the DA's office say
they are not in New York.
In fact, after the DA^s initial
promises to bear down on the
racketeers, his policy has shifted
(Continued on ?»ge 3)
ment to build the General
Fund?"
A heavy turnout of voters was
recorded in the early days of
the balloting period, which
started Sept. 8. Voting was
brisk in aU ports throughout the
30 days alloted to the referen
dum in accordance with provi
sions of the Union Constitution.
The referendum stemmed from
a resolution introduced by 37
New Orleans Seafarers calling
for a balloting of the member
ship on the question of a ten-dol
lar assessment. The resolution,
strongly recommended the build
ing of the General Fund as
necessary to implement the SIU
policy of being prepared for all
future problems affecting the
general welfare.
Seafarers in all ports ac
claimed the forward-looking
move of their New Oxdeans
Brothers and adopted the resolu
tion by lax-ge majorities. As
recommended in .the resolution,
the Secretary-Treasurer then set
machinery in motion that led to
the start of balloting on the
question Sept. 8.
MOVE HAILED
Membership opinion of the
New Orleans resolution hailed
the fund-building as foresighted
and essential. In the SEA
FARERS LOG of Sept. 3, old-
timer Carl Cowl was among
(Continued on Page 3)
'Grandfather Rights'
May Influence MC's
Policy On Suhsldles
Shipping circles buzzed last
week when a Maritime Commis
sion examiner recommended that
the "gi-andfather rights" of any
shipping line in an established
trade be given top consideration
if the line applies for a govern
ment subsidy.
The recommendation was made
in the case of the application of
the Pacific Argentine Brazil line,
a Pope & Talbot subsidiaxy op
erating from West Coast ports to
Brazil and the River Plate. If
the Maritime Commission ac-
c e p t e d the recommendation,
which it might or might not do,
a precedent would be established
to be followed, should such un-
subsidized lines as Alcoa, Water
man and Isthmian ask for gov
ernment. hacking, shipping men
were saying.
Naturally, other lines wei-e
fighting PAB's application, and
there was no indication as to
what the Commission would do.
Apparently, "grandfather
rights" are not an issue in the
Bernstein case whose status is
still undetermined.
' .fft -V a » u g ^ ij J a 'I » a » • » B » « J a f f •» 'I it ^ ,7 It It tt .7 :( I) f! •/ ;( 't 't .( t M a f I" i ' ' ' ' ! M r f M J C * 1/
Page Two THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, October 15, 1948
SEAFARERS LOG
Published Weekly by the
SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION
OF NORTH AMERICA
Atlantifc and Gnlf District
Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor
At 51 Beaver Street, New York 4, N. Y.
HAnover 2-2784
Entered as second class matter June 15, 1945, at the Post Office
in New York, N. Y., under the Act of August 24, 1912.
/
267
lii-''
Battened Down
The SIU is setting out on a two-year voyage as a
well-stored ship fully secured for sea.
For one thing, there is the new contract. Its two-
year life establishes the length of the voyage. Its wage
clauses, its manning scale guarantee and other provisions
•establish the conditions under which the Union will sail.
And it looks like smooth sailing.
For another thing, there is the new assessment for
the General Fund. If nothing else points to smooth sail
ing, the assessment does. The new dollars in the Union's
account mean stable operations in all ports at all times.
Never will there be any difficulty in accomplishing the
Union's daily routine which is financed by the General
Fund. To carry out the figure, the assessment will act
as a gyro-stabilizer if we encounter heavy seas.
The SIU thus goes into what may be another period
of painful readjustment for the entire American Mer
chant Marine better equipped than any other maritime
union. The membership can be proud of their foresight.
If the storm, comes, they are ready for it.
Who Blew The Whistle?
Last week, the police and the District Attorney of
New York suddenly took the heat off the racketeers who
have been infesting the city's garment industry, and
turned on the unions—the International Ladies Garment
^Workers and the Seafarers, who have been battling the
return of "Murder, Inc." to power.
In a move that had no legal or moral justification,
a score or more of detectives swooped into West 3 5 th
Street and arrested 42 Seafarers employed as organizers
by the ILGWU.
The 42 seamen were picked up for
Nine of them were released under bail for grand jury
"investigation," and the remaining 33 were let go.
The point is that the 42 SIU seamen were grabbed
not because they were doing anything illegal, but because
they were seamen, and members of a militant union
which was aiding another union in a struggle with gang
sters. They were organizing the unorganized. Not even
the Taft-Hartley Act forbids that.
Apparently the 42 Seafarers, particularly the nine
bound over for further questioning, are the first victims
of a new local witch hunt. If so, it looks good for the.
uniofi-busters not only in New York but elsewhere.
So iar as the seamen involved are concerned, none of
them is a "first-tripper," All of them have been around.
They, like all SIU oldtimers and many younger Seafarers,
have met up with union-busters and their legal guardians
before, and broken cops' clubs with their heads—in
creasing local taxes. They ask no favors.
So far as the labor movement in New York and
across the country is concerned, the arrest of the seamen
must be viewed as the forerunner of things to come.
If union organizers are to be picked up by cops for
organizing, not a union in the nation is safe.
Meanwhile, the union-busters played into the hands
of the commies as usual. The commies are always ready
to take advantage of anything they can twist for their
own use.
This week, one of the commies' leading hatchetmen
3vas pounding away on his typewriter as hard as he could.
STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP
"questioning "
STATEMENT OF THE OWNERSHIP.
MANAGEMENT. CIRCULATION, ETC..
REQUIRED BY THE ACTS OF CON
GRESS OF AUGUST 24, 1912. AND
MARCH 3. 1933 of THE SEAFARERS
LOG published weekly at General Post
Office, New York 1. N. Y.. for October
I. 1948.
State of New York.
County of New York, as
Before me. a Notary Public In and for
the State and county aforesaid, per
sonally appeared George Novlck. who.
having been duly sworn according to
law. deposes and says that he is the
Editor of the SEAFARERS LOG and that
the following is. to the best of his know
ledge and belief, a true statement of the
ownership, management (and if a daily
paper, the circulation), etc.. of the afore
said publication for the date shown in
the above caption, required by the Act
of August 24, 1912. as amended by the
Act of March 3. 1933. embodied in sec
tion 537. Postal Laws and Regiilatinns.
printed on the reverse of this form, to
•wit:
1. That the names and addresses of
the publisher, editor, managing editor,
and business managers are: Publisher
Seafarers International Union of North
America. Atlantic & Gulf District, 51
Beaver St.. New York 4. N. Y. Editor,
George Novick. 51 Beaver St.. Now York.
N. Y. Managing Editor (none) Business
Managers (none).
2. That the owner is: (If owned by a
corporation, its name and address must
be stated and also immediately there
under the names and addresses of stock
holders owning or holding one per cent
of more of total amount of stock.. If not
owned by a corportion. the names and
addresses of the individual owners must
be given. If owned by a firm, company,
or other unincorporated concern, its
name and address, as well as these of
each individual member, must be given.)
Seafarers International Union of North
America. Atlantic & Gulf District. 51
Beaver St.. New York 4. N. Y.. Paul
Hall. Secretary-Treasurer. 51 Beaver
St.. New York 4. N. Y.
3. That the known bondholders, mort
gagees, and other sceurity holders own
ing or holding I per cent of more ol
total amount of bonds, mortgages, or
other securities are: (If there are none,
so state.) None,
4. That the two paragraphs next
above giving the names of the owners,
stockholders, and security holders, ii
any. .contain not only the list of stock
holders and security holders as they
appear upon the books of the company
but also, in cases where the stockholder
or security holder appears upon the
books of the company as trustee or in
any other fiduciary relatluit. the imiite
of the person or corporation for whom
such trustee is acting, is given; also
aphs contain
statements embraci'ng "affiant's full
that the said two paragrar
knowledge and belief as to the circum
stances and conditions under which
stockholders and security holders who
do not appear upon the books of the
company as trustees, hold stock a'nd se
curities in a capacity other than that of
a bona fide owner; and this affiant has
no reason to believe that any other
person, assosiation, or corporation has
any interest direct or indirect in the said
stock, bonds, or other securities than
as so stated by him.
5. That the average number of copies
each issue of this publication sold or
distributed, through the mails or other
wise. to paid subscribers during the
twelve months preceding the date shown
above is 32.340.
(Signed) GEORGE NOVlCK. Editor
Sworn to and subscribed before me
this 1st day of October. 1948. ROSE
S. ELDRICE, Notary Public. (My com
mission expires March 30. 1950.
saying, in effect, that the Seafarers might as well turn
commie—because look what happens to such non-commie
unions as the ILGWU and the SIU.
Of course, this commie hack was writing nonsense.
Seafarers know too much about commies. They have
spent 10 long years fighting the commies on the water
front, while a lot of people who would like to forget
their pasts played footsie with the commies.
But the situation demonstrates how the police and
the bosses by their blundering tactics feed grist into the
commie mill.
The main fact is that the SIU will not be beaten
by any such hard-timing. As usual, the SIU will fight to
improve the wages and conditions of seamen, and will
lend a hand when other honest, non-communist unions
need help.
Personals
JACK MAURIER or
MIKET TOINER
Please send me your address,
as I would ̂ like to send you the
money I owe you. John Crews,
260 South Conception Street,
Mobile, Alabama.
4) ib $
FRANCISCO MIGUE
Your father wishes to hear
from you.
^ 4. it, 4.
ANGELO MORENO
Call Junior She! ton at Circle
7 2005, New York City.
4- 4" 4"
MANUEL PASOS
S. E. Sampliner wants you to
communicate with him. You
can reach him through Aba
Rapaport, Room 1711, 42 Broad
way, New York City.
' 4- 4- 4-
ROBERT CARRASGO
Get in touch with your father,.
4 4-4.
WILLIAM T. PRESLEY
Write to your mother in care
of Fred Diggers, Route 1, Box I,
Dyersburg, Tenn. Very impor
tant.
4. 4 4.
MICKEY
Mrs. David Melendy, your sis
ter, wants you to know that she
is living at South Londonderry,
Vermont—Box 428.
4 4 4
LAWRENCE EDWARDS
Contact your mother, Mrs, L.
Edwards, 9406 Edwards Avenue,
Cleveland 6, Ohio, regarding
your tax.
4 4 4
WILFORD "DICK" TRACY
Thomas "Dixie" Mason would
like for you to get in touch witlli
him; His address is 332 Union-
street, Jackson, Michigan.
8h.
Friday, October 15. 1948 THE SEAFARERS LOG
DA Takes Heat
Off Racketeers,
Tarns On Unions
(Contimicd from Page I)
and -bears a striking parallel to
the policy laid down by the
Hearst papers in New York
which have taken up the cudgels
for the anti-union elements in
the garment industry, with com
plete disregard for their gang
ster taint.
A very clear answer to the
District Attorney's action came
from the SIU, which issued a
statement shortly after the
shocking "round-up" occurred.
Reaffirming its intention of sup
porting the ILGWU "in its at
tempt to rid the dress industry
of open shop racketeers and
gangsters," the Seafarers said it
would not be frightened away by
the District Attorney.
"If the city administration is
really interested in promoting
industrial peace in the garment
area, it should crack down on
the hired thugs employed by the
open shop operators who have
terrorized the garment workers
for years," the SIU statement
said.
VICTIMS OF DA'8 SWITCH IN GARMENT RACKET PROBE
A sudden switch in tactics of the New York District Attorney's office has resulted in
nine Seafarers being booked pending further questioning by Grand Jury. They were employed as
organizers by International Ladies Garment Workers Union, which is trying to sign up non
union jobbers operating with strong arm support of union-busting- racketeers.
The nine were the only ones held of 42 Seafarers who were hustled to DA's office for
"questioning." Five ILGWU officials were also interrogated. Targets of the DA's witch hunt,
all of whom were released on bail, are: Joseph Carroll, Carl Carlson, Louis Holliday, Ervin
Moyd, Herman Whistmant, Gene Daniels, William Armstrong, Jack Turner and Thomas Gower.
Union Actions Pulled Seamen Out Of Slavery
By JOSEPH VOLPIAN
Special Service Representative
The union-busters are fond o:
saying that seamen don't need
unions because they are amply
protected by federal laws.
Of course, the people who
voice such statements never
sailed an unorganized ship. They
never went out East on an Isth
mian ship under the "Isthmian
bible" a couple of years ago.
Nor are they riding Cities
Service tankers these days for
an invigorating breath of salt
air.
They've never gone up against
a bucko Mate or Chief Engi
neer.
It is true that there are Fed
eral laws "protecting" seamen.
Measured by 19th century stand
ards, they do afford a fair bit of
protection by guaranteeing at
least a three-watch system un
der most circumstances, a couple
of holidays and Sundays off in
poit, and one or two other
things.
However, the Federal protec
tion sets the very minimum
standards under which life at
sea would be barely tolerable. It
is the unions, with the SIU set
ting the pace, which have made
seafaring a dignified profession.
OS, FOR INSTANCE
If anybody doubts this, let him
take a trip on a Cities Service
tanker, as hundreds of Seafarers
have in the campaign to bring
that company under the SIU
banner. On a Cities Service ship
he will have all the protection
the Federal statutes will give
him—and nothing else.
That is why Cities Service will
be under SIU contract one of
these days. When that day
comes, all credit will be due the
Organizers who sailed these ships
under non-union conditions.
Let's see just how much "pro
tection" a seaman does get from
Federal law. If you will look
at Title 46, Section 673 of the
United States Code Annotated,
you will find out. It's not much.
Everything else has been added
by the unions. The law can be
read in about 10 minutes, so you
can see for yourself.
Let's run through the law
briefly. It says that on any
American flag vessel of 100 tons
or more, with some exception,
seamen in each department must
be divided into three watches,
except that on a tug or barge
making a voyage*of less than 600
miles they may be divided into
two watches.
In an emergency, as any sea
man knows, everybody works as
long as is necessary, a point pro
vided for both in the law and
in union contracts.
The law specifically authorizes
the Master of a ship to call life
boat drill any time he wants to
—which, of course, is just what
those Isthmian skippers used to
do. /
It says that no seaman shall be
required to do any unnecessary
work on Sundays, or on New
Year's Day, the Fourth of July,
Labor Day and Christmas, wh'ile
the vessel is safe in port.
80-HOUR WEEK
In other words, the law allows
56-hour work week at sea.
In practice, the company-minded
officers of non-union ships some
times work men 70 to 80 hours
a week without overtime, claim
ing that the safety of the ship
is af stake.
For violations of the law, the
owner may be fined 500 dollars
and the seamen may be paid off.
That's your Federal protection.
Of course there are other laws,
but they are highly technical and
per^in more to procedures than
to protection.
Now look at the SlU's new
two-year dry-cargo agreement.
That's where the real protection
is to be found.
For instance. Federal law does
not guarantee a full rhanning
scale. All the government says
is that the men aboard must be
those "essential" to sail the ship.
Very few men are "essential"
to move a ship. Captain ratings
might be unnecessary, by a nar
row interpretation. That is why
the Negotiating Committee in
sisted on a guaranteed , manning
scale for each type of vessel
when they were getting the new
contract.
Look at some of the other
things that the Union has won.
First there is overtime. Then
there is penalty wprk, not to
mention penalty cargo. You'll
find no mention of these matters
in the law. They are Union
victories.
SHORT WEEK
The law allows a 56-hour week
at sea, a 48-hour week in port.
In contrast, the SIU contract says
44 hours at sea, 40 hours in
port.
The law says nothing about
officers doing the crew's work.
The Union contract bars this
practice. And there are dozens
of other points which illustrate
the advantage of the union con
tract over the law.
Above all, the Union contract
calls for the orderly settlement
of beefs. On a non-union ship,
a beef seldom is even heard,
much less lettled. In fact, the
chances are that a man who
voices a complaint will be fired
in the first port and blackballed.
We could go on about the dif
ferences between a seaman's
rights under Federal statute and
his rights under union contract,
but most of the oldtimers know
them already. They struggled
hard to win the union wages and
conditions which Seafarers now
enjoy, and knew what they were
doing.
If any of the younger members
have any doubts about the value
of their SIU contract, they can
learn it by taking a trip or two
on an un-organized vessel.
The difference between Federal
protection and SIU protection
will be driven home—and hard.
Page Three
Referendum
Passes By
88 Penent
(Continued from Page I)
several Brothers voicing their
support of the measure.
In the past two years," Cowl
said, "the organization—by prac
ticing operating economies and
by developing more efficient
machinery—has been able to pull
the General Fund out of the
red."
If the assessment were to be
adopted, he pointed out at the
time, "it would double our op
erating and organizational fund
immediately.' The economies and
efficiencies which have success
fully brought us out of the hole
can be maintained while the
Fund itself is doubled for more
intensive organizational work."
SIU SECURITY
A considerable measure of
support for the assessment pro
posal came from Union oldtimera
who vigorously stressed the
urgency of making the Union
more secure at every point.
In strengthening the General
Fund the assessment will enable
the Union to increase organizing
activity and bring in more jobs
for all hands. The Union wiU
be in a favorable position to seek
that objective because of the
"breathing period" afforded by
the new two-year contracts.
Serving on the Tally Commit
tee were Sam Luttrell, Deck De
partment; Frank Smith, Engine;
J. Murphy, Deck; J. Pachecc
Stewards; D. Mease, Stewards,
and Lars Hillertz, Engine.
RETIRING ROOKS
Members who forward
their membership books to
the New York Hall for retire
ment are urged to mark the
envelope with the notation
"Atieniiea: 6ih floor," in ©ri
der to insure quicker hand
ling of the matter.
Marking of the envelope in
the manner advised above
will save time and will result
in prompt return of the book
to the sender.
Voting In Genera! Fund Referendum
PORT YES NO VOID TOTAL
PERCENTAGE
YES NO
• .
Boston 54 55 44 153 49.5 50.5
New York 1300 136 12 1448 90.5 . 9.5
Savannah • 43 10 2 55 81.1 18.9
Mobile 188 41 3 232 82.0 18.0
Tampa 99 15 \ 1 115 86.8 13.2
New Orleans ,389 38 8 435 91.1 8.9
Galveston 48 6 1 55 88.9 11.1
Norfolk 181 12 2 195 93.8 6.2
Baltimore 540 31 9 580 94.6 5.4
San Francisco 170 8 178 95.5 4.5
Puerto Rico 47 53 100 47.0 53.0
Philadelphia 134 22 1 157 85.9 14.1
Grand Total 3193 427 83 3703 88.2 11.8
Page Four -T Is E S E A F A R E R S L .O G . Friday* October 15* 1948
WHAT
ttmiiK.,
QUESTION: What personal qualifications do you think a man elected to Union office should
•
have in order to successfully perform his duties?
LESLIE WILSON. Messman; RAY GRIFFITH. FWT:
1 think that any man holding
Union office must have some
thing on the ball, besides meet
ing the qualifications necessary
under the Constitution. A Union
official has to have a personality
that will help him mix with the
men. He should know that there
is more to settling beefs than
just laying down the law. By
this I mean that he must have
some tact, and bo able to make
the guys understand why a cer
tain rule is to be followed. That's
the way. we get harmony. He
should realize, too. that he's in
office to serve the membership's
interests—not his own.
Anybody running for a Union
office should have the seameifs
slant of things. In other words
he should understand the ship
board problems, the needs of the
men and how they can be solved.
It's pretty clear that you can't
just have anybody in a Union
position of responsibility. A
Union official must be able to
command the respect of the men
he represents, and he must also
have their complete confidence.
Also, he should be a determined
person, sure of what he is doing.
He must know the score other
wise. no matter how hard he
works, it'll come to nothing.
DANIEL CLIFFORD, Cookr
It's not possible to always
know the personality make-up of
the men for whom one is voting,
but from reading the LOG and
getting an idea of the men's
Union records.^ it is somewhat
easier to decide on the men one
wishes to serve. I believe the
men we elect should be able to
get along with others, this can be.
determined from his previous
Union activity. We definitely
don't want gashounds or anyone
else in that category. In addi
tion, a man holding down a
Union position should be capable
of handling both Union men and
company officials.
A. (Red) CAMPBELL. Bosun: E. LEINONEN, OUer:
First of all. I'd say that a can
didate for any Union office
should be sufficiently interested
in the Union to acquaint himself
fully with the requirements of
his rating. Also he should know
completely the Union constitu
tion, the Shipping Rules and the
contracts. A man who wants to
serve his Union ought to be alert
and on his toes, and always on
the lookout for improvements in
shipping conditions. He certainly
ought to ask lots of questions so
he will know all about foreign
ports, and thus be able to warn
the men of conditions there.
Well, one of the most impor
tant personal qualifications, to
my mind, is that he must be
honest. And. almost as impor
tant. is that he be the kind of a
fellow who isn't afraid to work.
I certainly wouldn't want to see
a lazy man in office. Some of
the duties of Union office some
times require long hours of hard
work. The duties of a Union of
ficial also make it necessary for
a man to be cool and level
headed. These qualities make it
much easier for beefs to be
settled in a sound way and leave
everybody feeling satisfied.
• ~ '
J ^ —
' A
V
iiiJ ' iilll
E. F. LAMB. 3rd Cook:
He should be a guy with an
easy disposition who can get
along with all the men. He
should also be able to under
stand the men and their prob
lems so that when they have a
beef, he'll know what it's all
about. Of course, you can't ex
pect a man to understand every
guy or be able to get along with
everybody, but a Union official
must at least be patient with all
the men and remember that he is
frying to give them service. A
guy with Union responsibility
should be honest. That's the
least we can expect of any man.
especially one who has the trust
of his Brothers.
TOM HONG. Deck Engineer: MARTIN BLUM. MM;
If we need a Patrolman to
come down to the ships to settle
beefs, he should be an oldtimer
with ten years at sea. anyway.
He must know the contract of
course, but he must know the
ships and the problems of the
men who sail them, before he
can really understand any sea
going contract, no matter how
plainly it is written. Then he
must have the kind of person
ality that is not awed by brass,
but can stand up to all the offi
cers and company representa
tives when the crew is right.
And. for that matter, he has got
to be able to tell the crew off
when they are wrong, too.
The men holding down the
elective positions in the Atlantic
& Gulf District should be men
of good character with strong
personalities. They .should be
able to handle men and make
order out of the confusion that
so often surrounds a payoff. They
should be a clean-cut men. hon
est and reliable. No performers
should be entrusted with the
guarding of our contracts and
conditions. At the same time,
the officials should be men who
are well liked by the crews and
not give the impression of lord
ing over them. I don't expect
supermen. I only-want men who
will do their best.
ABE GOLDFARB; AB:
Of course an SIU official
should ihave firm knowledge of
the Union and its agreements and
possess level-headedness. so as to
be able to handle men and get
along with them. He also should
have a reputation from his sail
ing days of being one of the
boys. At the same time he must
be allowed the normal failings of
everyone (he wouldn't be human,
otherwise) but have a steady
character. Many men have some
of the qualifications, but the men
best suited for positions of re
sponsibility in the SIU should. I
believe, possess all of them. We
want the best men possible at
the helm.
JOHN HIGGINS. AB:
Besides having zdl the qualifi
cations required by the Constitu
tion. a man running for Union
office must be the right kind of
a guy for the job he is seeking.
He should be a good fellow, the
kind that is able to work with
the membership and who is able
to win their respect and confi
dence. Any man' in. Union office
should understand that all hands
must be treated alike; therefore,
he must be impartial in his deal
ings with the men. This doesn't
mean he has to be an easy guy.
because a Union officieil has to
,be firm. He should be firmF—but
he should be fair.
Frid«r' Odebtt is; 1948 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Hve
Rated Men Find
Good Shipping
In Galveston
By KEITH ALSOP
GALVESTON — The increase
in grain cargoes in this Texas
port continued through last
week and shipping, therefore, is
good. Although there are plenty
of non-rated men on the beach,
it appears that we will be in
need of rated men in the com
ing week.
Two ships, one tanker and one
freighter, paid off in this area
last week. The SS Michael, a
T-2 tanker belonging to J. B.
Carras, Inc., paid off in Port Ar
thur on Wednesday and the SS
George Prentice, a Waterman
job, held a payoff in Houston
the following day. All beefs
were minor ones and were set
tled at the payoffs.
TWO SIGN-ONS
Likewise, there were two
sign-ons during the period, with
the SS Michael signing on at
the point of payoff, and the SS
Thomas Cresap crewing up in
Galveston. Here, too, the beefs
were of a minor nature and
were handled at the sign-ons.
An unorganized vessel, the
Winter Hill of the Cities Service
fleet, called in this area during
the past week.
At the last regular member
ship meeting in this port the
membership discussed a timely
topic and one of importance to
the Union—the comifig elections
in which- officials will be nam
ed for the year 1949.
WEEKLY SESSIONS
In line with the recommenda
tions of the recent Emergency
Agents Conference, this port is
holding education meetings
every Tuesday. The sessions are
mighty interesting, and there is
broad participation on the part
of the membership. Aside from
the value of this program to all
hands, it seems to us that some
pretty constructive ideas ought
to come out of the proceedings.
Another phase of the Union's
program that is being pressed to
the greatest extent here is the
Organizing drive. Everything
possible to make it successful is
being done in this port.
Among the several Seafarers
on the Texas beach at this writ
ing are R. L. Wilson, Mai Col
lins, C. Lynn and L. E. Jarvis.
Mobile Sees Shipping Lift After Bad Time
By CAL TANNER
MOBILE — Shipping in the
port of Mobile continues at a
very slow pace with only three
payoffs and two sign-ons for the
week, one sign-on, the 'Monarch
of The Sea, being on continuous
articles. The other sign-
on was the Maiden Creek. Pay
offs were the Steel Ranger, Isth
mian; Monarch of The Seas and
Maiden Creek, Waterman.
For the week we shipped a
total of fifty-four bookmen and
eleven permits. We also had
around fifteen or twenty relief
jobs on the harbor tugs in port,
all of which helped out quite a
bit.
Two ships in transit here this
week were the Daniel Lowndale
of Waterman and the Nathaniel
B. Palmer of Mar-Trade, one of
the new tanker companies signed
up a short time ago.
The shipping picture for the
coming week looks a little bet
ter, however, with both Alcoa
and Waterman due to have ships
in for payoffs and sign-ons. One
of the reasons for the slow ship
ping is the fact that Alcoa hasn't
had a ship in here recently and
that hurts—as they are one of
the biggest operators out of this
port.
This week's payoffs weren't as
smooth as they have_ been for the
past couple of months but, all in
all, they weren't too bad. On
the Steel Ranger were the usual
run of Isthmian beefs, all of
which were settled to the satis-
faction of the crew. She had
been out since April and and the
beefs had accumulated.
MATE CURBED
The Monarch of The Seas did
not have any overtime beefs, but
the Mate had attempted to fire
two ABs who had signed on in
Puerto Rico. After the Patrol
men had squared the bef away j
and left the ship, the Mate again \
decided to fire the men. He gave
them_ fifteen minutes to get their ^
gear together and be off the,
ship, if not, they would be'
worked over. The men came to
the Hall and reported to the
Patrolmen. The three of them
returned and the men were re
hired, plus the payment of sub
sistence for the meals lost and a
night's lodging. The ship then
sailed with the men aboard.
The Maiden Creek, skippered
by our "old Pal" Morgan Hiles,
came in from the coast on what
was supposed to be a run job,
but when she arrived here orders
came to send her to Hamburg
with a load of nitrate, so the
crew paid off with transportation
and we shipped aboard a new
crew.
Voting on the Referendum for
the $10 General Fund Assess
ment ended on the eighth, with
a large majority of the bookmen
in Mobile doing their duty at
the polls. The talk around here
points to a very large "yes" vote.
On the labor scene here, every
thing seems to be quiet with the
exception of the Marine Cooks
and Stewards strike against the
shipyards. The strike ended yes
terday when an injunction was
granted the yai'ds against the
CIO Cooks.
I Some of the SIU salts on the
beach here at the moment in
clude Homer Starling, Eddie Pat
terson, Otis Davenport, J. W.
Oberry, L. Holbrook, R. Bunch,
Mike "Hynes, J. W. Demouy, J.
H. Jones, J. P. Morton, Malcolm
Cieutat, W. E. Morse, Claude
Hollings, A. W. Gowder, E.
Bowers, Charlie Kimball, G. W.
Pederson and J. T. Tighe.
One thir\g we'd like to pass
along before closing:
The hospitals will not take
you in unless you have a dis
charge of less than ninety days,
emergencies excepted. During
the past week we had several
Brothers turned down at the
hospital, because their discharges
were too old. We managed to
have them admitted by explain
ing to the surgeon in charge that
shipping was exceptionally poor
and some of the men had not
been able to ship in sixty or
seventy days.
If you go to a hospital and
are turned down because your
discharge is too old, contact your
Agent and he will see if some
thing can to worked out for you.
From The Sixth Deck
By EDDIE BENDER
A man who is four months
in arrears in dues and assess
ments, and who was not properly
registered for shipping before go
ing into arrears, is—according to
the membership ruling—subject
to a $25 fine, in addition to the
fact that he must pay up all
such arrears before shipping, or
registering for shipping or before
retiring his book.
The only time a man may be
excused from paying these ar
rears plus the fine before ship
ping, is when he can show proof
of having been confined in a
hospital or other institution dur
ing the time of his bad standing.
There is also a membership
Slow Shipping Still Holds Grip On Philly
By LLOYD (Blackie) GARDNER
PHILADELPHIA — The sta-^
tus of shipping underwent no
change in this port last week.
Things are still rather slow, des-'
pite three payoffs, because re
placements were few.
The Bull line ships Monroe
and Rosario came in from Puer
to Rico and both paid off fast
and clean. As usual, most of
the boys didn't want to leave
the Island run and only a small
number of replacements went to
these vessels.
Our other payoff was the SS
Coral Sea, of the Coral Steam
ship Company. There were a
few disputes on this one, but
the Patrolman squared ' every
thing away to everyone's satis
faction. Quite a few replace
ments wgnt to the Coral Sea,
and all hands are now looking
forward to a good trip to
Greece.
Several men were taken off
the beach by the following ves
sels, which called in transit:
Topa Topa and A. K. Smiley,
both of Waterman; S S Steel
Flyer, of Isthmian, and SS Rob
in Kirk-of Robin.
As in other ports up and down
the coast, voting on the referen
dum for a ten dollar assessment
for the General Fund came to
an end here on Friday. Possibly
by the time this is being read
the results will be known.
HAVE IT COMING
Before I forget, I want to of
fer a few words of advice in
the interest of our Brothers'
welfare. If and when you are in
jured, or suffer an illness aboard
ship, be sure you get a Mas
ter's certificate attesting to the
fact before you leave the ves
sel. This should be done no
matter how slight your injury or
illness.
You are entitled to this certi
ficate, so insist on it. Don't let
:y
a Skipper or a Mate put you off
with the story that the certifi
cate wouldn't be necessary, be
cause your discharge will get
you into the hospital.
I repeat, for your own protec
tion insist on a Master's certifi
cate.
And while on the subject of
shipboard illness and injury,
here's another bit of advice. If
one of your shipmates should be
injured on board a vessel, do
not sign any statements. It is
not necessary that you do so.
Such a statement, no matter
how innocent-looking it may ap
pear at the moment, may be
used by a company lawyer to
ease your shipmate out of his
just compensation.
Play safe! Make no statements
—and sign nothing!
I guess I better sign off now
before I start sounding like a
sea-lawyer. Until next week,
good sailing to everyone, every
where.
ruling on men who have gone
more than 12 months in arrears
in their dues and assessments.
Such men are automatically sus
pended, and they may not be
reinstated. Such men have no
one to blame but themselves.
The only excuse in these cases
that are acceptable to the Head
quarters Reinstatement Com
mittee (again upon the direction
of the' membership), is where a
man can prove that he was • in
jail, actually hospitalized, or in
the armed forces.
The same fine and required
payment of arrears, stated above
for book members who are four
months in arrears, also apply to
permitmen.
The membership has further
ruled that permitmen six
months in arrears, or bookmen
12 months in arrears, can only
be reinstated through the Head
quarters Reinstatement Commit
tee in New York. Men who are
not that far in arrears may, how
ever, be reinstated in any of the
Branches. In any event, the ar-
rear fine is not to be waived
under any circumstances, other
than upon presenting proof of
one of the acceptable excuses
listed above.
In the event that a bookman
pays off a ship and intends to re
main ashore indefinitely, it is
wise for him to retire his book.
Remember, it can always be
taken out again when he is
ready to ship.
Retirement is a bookmember's
privilege, as set forth in our
Constitution. Anyone in good
standing is entitled to do so, and
there is no charge. There is
much more to gain than lose by
doing so, if you are going to re
main ashore awhile.
Phony Jokesters
Mar Good Trips
For Shipmates
By WM. (Curly) RENTZ
BALTIMORE — Shipping has
been a little better in this port.
•While we had only four actual
sign-ons last week, a lot of the
ships in transit took replace
ments which helped a good bit.
One thing that has held us
down has been the West Coast
beef. We have four Calmar ships
and a number of Isthmians wait
ing to get back on their inter-
coastal runs.
There was plenty of trouble on
the six ships we paid off. Most
of it was provided by a couple
of practical jokers on the Robin
Trent and the Felix Grundy.
The wiseacre on the Trent just.
made things inconvenient for
everybody.. The character on
the Grundy endangered the
health if not the very lives of
everyone aboard by his caper.
WHAT JOKES?
On the Trent, the Purser put
out a customs paper for every
crewman to sign. He left it in
the messhall where some very
smart lad proceeded to sit down
and sign a series of silly names.
Oh what a smart chap! But this
trick was childish compared to
what the funnyman on the
Grundy pulled.
Let's get back to that customs
paper with the phony names.
When somebody did the same
thing about a year ago here in
Baltimore, the ship involved was
held up three weeks. Three
whole weeks!
The ship just lay in the stream
with nobody going ashore. The
joke was over long before the
end of the third week, you can
be sure. We'll see how this one
works out.
One wise guy certainly can
foul up an otherwise good ship.
What is more, this is the kind of
beef the Union can do' very little
about. So was the business on
the Grundy.
Just why anybody would think
it funny to put lye in the sugar
beats us. Yet that is just what
somebody on the Grundy did.
Of course, a couple of men got
their lips burned before the
"joke" was discovered. The
Steward got his burned too, be
cause he tasted the sugar when
the Captain asked him too.
It was plain luck that nothing
worse happened. The Patrolman
drank his coffee without sugar;
when he was aboard.
GOOD SKIPPER
We have to hand it to the
Captain of the Grundy. At first
he was going to call in the FBI
and the Coast Guard and every
body else. Then he realized that
the SIU was as anxious to reach
the bottom of the matter as he
was, and turned it over to us.
Well, we will get to' the bot
tom of it. We know when it was
done and some day we'll find out
who did it. Whoever it was will
be in for a very hard time.
If he was trying to square a
personal grudge, he sure picked
the wrong way to do it. If you
have a grudge, call the man out
on the dock and give him a
beating or be beaten like a man.
Don't burn out the mouths and
stomachs of the whole crew witl;i
chemicals.
It's a thing like this, that gives
the Coast Guard a chance to
pounce. Don't forget, the Coast
Guard is always ready to take •
over, or thinks it is anyway.
Here's hoping that the assess
ment passed with a bang!
• 'vL.
Page Six THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday. October 15. 1948
New York Has Jobs For Deck Men
But Other Departments Go Slow
By JOE ALGINA
all are expected to be inside at
7:30. After that, registration
cards will not be stamped by the
Dispatcher at the door.
If an emergency arises where a
man is later than one-half hour,
he can present his excuse to the
Dispatcher and, if valid, will be
credited with attendance.
Just plain stragglers and slow
pokes will not receive credit for
the meeting. It's up to them to
see to it that they get to the
meetings on time. Most of the
members get there on time, and
there is no reason why everyone
can't do the same.
Just in case you're a little hazy
as to the meeting place, it's the
Roosevelt Auditorium, ICQ East
17th Street, just off Fourth Ave
nue. Any East Side subway to
14th Street will put you in the
neighborhood.
Shipping (h Upgrade In Tampa;
Surge In Miami Expected Soon
NEW YORK — Rated men,
especially those in the Deck De
partment, will find shipping
somewhat to" their liking in this
port, but the men of the other
Departments aren't faring too
well. Black gang men in some
ratings are finding offerings on
the board, while Stewards De
partment members have small
pickings.
Cause for the sad state of af
fairs in the Stewards Department
is partially due to the lay-up of
the Evangeline. * She has an
chored down here for awhile,
and the Stewards Department
men put on the beach are hard
to absorb in other jobs.
The regular business of the
week for this port centered
aroimd the paying off of the
Kathryn, Elizabeth, both Bulls;
the Evangeline, Eastern; Steel
Recorder, Isthmian; Raphael
Semmes, Caleb Strong, Water
man. All ships paid off in good
shape with the usual number of
beefs disposed of by the Patrol
men.
Sign-ons weren't too many but,
with a good number of ships in
transit calling for men, the week's
tally wasn't too bad. We signed
on the Topa Topa, Waterman;
Robin Kirk, Robin; Steel Re
corder, Isthmian; and Chrysanthy
Star, Intercontinental Steamship
Company. The ships in transit
were visited by the Patrolmen
and what beefs had come up
were squared away.
SHAKEDOWN TRIP
The Chrysanthy Star had been
in lay-up for quite awhile, and
is now tankering in the coast
wise trade. We expect her in
port in two weeks with the usual
number, of beefs that come up
in a shakedown run after a long
iay-up.
The port'of New York now
has the new registration rules in
effect, with the suggested
changes which were adopted at
the last membership meeting in
corporated in them. They've
been posted conspicuously
around the Hall, so everyone can
see how to register. It's a good
idea to become thoroughly fam
iliar with them, so there will be
no misunderstandings later on.
Misunderstandings bring to
mind another matter, which often
causes much confusion. When a
man enters the marine hospital
after a payoff, he should firpt
come to the Hall and register.
That is, if he wants a back-dated
registration card when he is dis
charged.
The only exception to this is
when a man is removed from the
ship and taken directly to the
hospital. In such' a situation it
is, of course, impossible for the
man to register at the Hall.
HIT THE HALL
Sometimes men hang around
the beach a couple of days, turn
into the hospital and then a
couple of weeks later show up at
the Hall for their back-dated
card. Not having registered be
fore going to the hospital, they
are out of luck. So, brothers, hit
the Hall fust and register if
you're going into drydock.
One more matter before clos
ing:
The biweekly membership
meetings in the port of New Line ships in particular. We
York start at 7 P.M. A half- hope we won't see any more of
TAMPA HALL HAS ALL THE COMFORTS OF HOME
'Seafarers in the Tampa Hall listened to the radio broadcast of the classic baseball contest
as a bunch of landlubbers known ashore as the Cleveland Indians and Boston Braves tried
for each other's scalps in 1948 World Series. Indians routed the Braves, four games to two.
TAMPA—For the time being,
shipping is really booming, and
for the first time in many
months- we have shipped more
men than we registered. Of
course, all hands are keeping
their fingers crossed.
Business in the port has also
picked up, due mainly to the
payoff of the Bertram Goodhue,
South Atlantic, and the usual
number of Waterman vessels
which hit here. In addition, we
have one Alcoa ship per week
calling here and last week we
had two tankers in Fort Lauder
dale calling for replacements.
The good ship Florida goes
into drydock the first of next
month, but she will resume op
eration on the fifteenth. The
Eastern passenger ships are due
to start running into Miami
soon and this will necessitate
making more trips to Miami.
This garden state of Florida is
The Patrolman Says
On Overtime
NEW YORK — Trading your
overtime claims for time off is
definitely against SIU policy, and
always has been.
However, it's something that
turns up every now and again.
The other day, it was October 11
to be precise, we paid off the
Bull Line SS Elizabeth over at
Pier 22 in Brooklyn. To our
surprise, there was only one man
who claimed any overtime for
docking in San Juan. The ship
docked at 8:30 a.m., and this man
was on the watch below, namely
the 12-to-4.
After a while, everything be
came clear. The Mate disputed
this man's' overtime. He said
that the man had agreed to let
the overtime ride so that after
the ship had docked all hands
could go home.
Well, Brothers, you know that
the SIU has been against .this
sort of thing since our beginning
in 1938. You know that a man
who trades his overtime for time
off would be smart to have his
gear all packed before the
Patrolman comes aboard.
This stuff used to crop on Bull
just recovering from another
storm. During the early part of
the week the southern section
had a bad blow, but now the
storm is headed out to sea and
no further damage is expected.
Very few oldtimers are on
the beach due to the spurt in
shipping. Brother Jimmie Jones
is around. He was just released
from the hospital and is in good
shape and raring to go. Alfred
Ortega, Johnnie Williams, Harry
Simmons, Pop Williams, and J.
C. Duncan are all relaxing down
here.
Before the Goodhue signed
back on there was the annual
inspection and the Inspector
really noticed everything. Noth
ing was omitted and vjjien the
boys signed on they were cer
tain that the vessel was ship
shape from stem to stern.
Voting on the General Fund
assessment went nicely. We cast
more votes here than ever be
fore and, when the ballots are
counted, we expect that the as
sessment will be carried by a
large majority. No one seems to
mind an assessment aimed at
bettering the Union, and that's
as it should be.
Coffee time is something all Seafarers are accustomed to,
aboard ship and ashore. Here Ralph Seckinger, Tampa Dis
patcher. keeps tradition going as he brews some fresh java
for the boys relaxing in the Union Hall.
Probationary Books Await 20 Permitmen
The following named trip
carders and permitmen who filed
their applications for probation
ary membei'ship and whose ap
plications were approved by the
Committee for Probationary
Membership in November, 1947,
may apply for their books in
person at Headquarters or may
apply through the mail if in an
outport:
1. GENE T. BRYAN, TO No.
A-972
2. JOSEPH I. BOOKER, P-3-
10957
3. GEORGE CLARKE, P-3-
241
4. FRANCIS T. DICARLO,
P-3-482
5. JAMES K. DUBOSE, -TC
No. 11019
6. JESUS GARCIA, P-3-117
7. MARVIN E. GORDON,
P-3.1488
a. WILLIAM
P-3-226
9. HANSFORD T. HOOVER,
P-3-6938
JOINES, TC
P-3-
10. JAMES F.
No. 8577
11. JOSEPH KITCAS,
1424
12. IRVINE B. LEDDON, P-3-
4007
13. RICHARD L. MARKLEY,
P-3-5175
14. LOUIS C.
P-3-6948
17. PIETRO PAULIN, P-3-5030
18. GEORGE A. SIMON, TC
No. A-5457
19. MURRAY WM. SMITH,
P-3-4019
20. BLAS R. VEGAS, P-3-663
21. GIDLOW WOOD, P-3-1615
In order to facilitate the work
MUSSOLINI, of issuing the books, tripcard
holders and permitmen are ad-
15. GAETANO PAGANO, P- vised not to apply for books if
3-1238 their names do not appear on
16. WESLEY A. PALMER, TC the above list. Remember-
No. 5082 books are still closed!
They're Here —- 1948 Beund Logs
Just arrived! Bound volumes of the SEAFARERS
LOG for January through June, 1948. Description:
Complete and unabridged, bound in sturdy tan buckram
with dates lettered in gold. Price:* $2.50 per copy, ^the
cost of binding. Copies are excellent for reference, home-
use or just plain browsing.
How to order: Call in person or write to the Head
quarters baggage' room, 4th Floor, 51 Beaver Street,
New York 4, N. Y.
f riday/ Octobwr 15, 1848 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Seven
Minutes Of A&G Branch Meetings In Brief
NEW YORK — Chairman. Earl
"Bull" Sheppard, 203; Recording
Secretary, Eddie Parr, 96; Read
ing Clerk, Lindsey Williams,
21550.
Philadelphia minutes were
read. Motion made to non-con
cur with that part of the minutes
pertaining to a Patrolman being
placed on the coming ballot for
election of officials. Under dis
cussion it was pointed out that
the membership of this Union
is on record to cut expenses
wherever possible, and it was felt
that by not putting this office on
the ballot it was in line with the
membership's recommendation.
Motion to accept the rest of
Philadelphia minutes. Motion
carried to non-concur with that
pai-t of the New Business in the
Mobile minutes regarding key
men on the shipping list for 90
days or more and unable to ship
being kept on the shipping list.
Under discussion it was brought
out that this is not in line with
our Shipping Rules. The rest of
Mobile minutes were accepted.
Motion carried to non-concur
with that part of the minutes
from Puerto RiQO pertaining to a
Patrolman being placed on the
coming ballot for election of
officials, and to accept the rest
of the minutes. Discussion
brought out the same reasons as
applied to Philadelphia. Com-
mimication from Sal Colls, San
Juan Agent, regarding additional
personnel in that port. It was
moved to refer this communica
tion to the Secretary-Treasurer.
Under New Business there was a
motion by Shuler that a Tallying
Committee be elected for the
purpose of tallying the ballots on
the $10 General Assessment Ref
erendum, with instructions to
commence work Monday at the
Union Hall. Amended by Algina,
that any man elected that does
not report for Committee work
Monday, be replaced by a man to
be selected at a Special Meeting
Monday morning at the Union
Hall. Carried. Motion by Wil
liams that this Committee be
used to check the credentials for
candidates for the 1949 General
Election of Officers. Passed. The
Agent's verbal report was ac
cepted. The Financial report was
accepted. The Dispatcher re-
A&G Shipping From Sept 21 To Oct. 5
PORT
Boston
New York
Philadelphia
Baltimore
Norfolk
Savannah
Tampa
Mobile
New Orleans
Galveston
San Juan
San Francisco
GRAND TOTAL.
REG. REG. REG. TOTAL SHIPPED SHIPPED SHIPPED lOTAL
DECK ENG. STWDS. REG. DECK ENG. STWDS. SHIPPED
25 21 44 90 30 22 36 88
215 190 190 595 166 148 152 466
37 33 40 110 49 37 32 118
183 174 112 469 127 99 79 305
82 68 55 205 30 32 35 97
11 8 10 29 6 5 10 21
13 11 11 35 33 26 •23 82
127 131 126 384 70 .63 56 189
126 113 166 405 137 103 167 407
S3 ^ • 36 14 83 61 48 33 142
w
(No Figures Available)
(No Shipping Due to West Coast Strike)
852 785 768 2,405 709 583 623 1,915
ported a total of 595 men regis
tered, and 466 shipped. There
was general discussion under
Good and Welfare. One minute
of silence was observed for de
parted Brothers. The meeting
adjourned at 8:00 P.M. with
1,555 members present.
»
BOSTON BRANCH — Chair
man, J. Greenbaum, 281; Reading
Clerk, E. B. Tillcy, 75; Recording
Secretary, L. N. Johnson, 108.
New Business of Branch min
utes was read and concurred in,
with the exception of Philadel
phia, where the part dealing
with the adding of a Patrolman
to the ballot was non-concurred
with: and the Puerto Rico New
Business, which was non-con
curred with. The Agent reported
that there have been no payoffs
in the Port of Boston during the
last tw6 weeks; but that he had
covered the payoff of the SS
Yarmouth in Yarmouth, N. S.,
and signed her on for two
cruises, after which time she will
pay off in Boston on October 24.
Further, he reported that he had
covered the SS Yankee Dawn in
Portland, Maine last week. Two
Waterman ships are due in to
load grain and one may payoff.
The educational meeting last
Tuesday could not be held, but
it is expected that regular meet
ings will be held hereafter as
there is so much of general in
terest to cover in them. Report
accepted. The Patrolman re
ported that the SS New London
had been paid off in Portland,
Maine, today with all beefs set
tled before hand. The Dispatcher
reported 90 registered, and 88
shipped. The report from Head
quarters to the membership and
the Secretary-Treasurer's finan
cial report for week ending Sep
tember 18 and 25 were accepted.
The wire from Robert Matthews,
Assistant Secretary-Treasurer, re
garding the Balloting Committee
was accepted. A Balloting Com
mittee was elected to count bal
lots on Saturday, October 9. A. J.
Melanson, W. J. Prince, W. W.
Whitford, William McKenna, F.
P. Failla were chosen to serve.
There was no New Business. Un
der Good and Welfare various
members hit the deck on the
subject of the Shipping Rules.
One minute's silence for departed
Brothers. Meeting adjourned at
7:50 P.M. with 105 members
present.
% if %
TAMPA — Meeting called to
Order at 7:00 P. M. A quorum
was not present so no regular
meeting could be held. A volun
teer Balloting Conunittee was
called for, to . be on hand Satur
day morning, and J. L. Jones, A.
Ortega, and E. G. Ohman, volun
teered. The Dispatcher reported
35 registered, and 182 shipped.
Financial reports for September
24, and October 1 were made.
The Agent reported that ship
ping has been good for this Port,
with a full crew being shipped
to the Bertram Goodhue. Busi
ness has picked up for the past
week, and the Branch is ih good
shape with several ships due in—
none, however is scheduled to
payoff. Most ships call for a few
replacements. The board now
has several jobs on it, and there
are no takers. Lake men are be
ginning to flock in as though
they had heard that all that was
necessary was for them to make
a trip to Tampa and they would
be shanghaied. This is far from
true, as these men haven't a
chance to make a ship since full
book and permitmen are taking
the jobs. The shipping list in
Tampa is all non-rated men—
ABs and rated men in the En
gine Department can always
make a job in a few days.
PHILADELPHIA — Chairman.
D. C. HaU. 43372; Reading Clerk,
Ray Oats, 25128; Recording Sec
retary. W. C. Luth, 896.
The minutes of all Branches
having New Business were read
and accepted. All special min
utes of Branches were also ac
cepted. The Agent's verbal re
port was made and accepted. All
communications were accepted.
Under New Business a motion
was made by R. Muntinga that
direct and drastic action be taken
against all men who miss their
ships after taking the job from
the Hall. Carried. The Secre
tary-Treasurer's financial reports,
and the Secretary-Treasurer's re
port to the membership were ac
cepted. The Patrolmafi's report
was accepted. The Dispatcher
reported 110 registered, and 73
shipped. Various nominations
for union offices were made at
this meeting. One minute's sil
ence for our departed Brothers.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 P. M.
with 128 members present.
» » »
GALVESTON—Chairman, Jeff
Morrison, 34213; Recording Sec
retary, L. E. Jarvis, 46976; Read
ing Clerk, G. Brightwell.
The Galveston Branch minutes
for September 22, the Galveston
financial reports for September
24, and October 1, and the educa
tional minutes for September 2$,
and October 5, were read and ac-
man's report was made and ac
cepted. The Dispatcher reported
83 registered, and 142 shipped.
The Balloting Committee's re
port was accepted. The tele
gram from Assistant Secretary-
Treasurer Robert Matthews in
regard to having a Committee
elected to count ballots on Sat
urday, October 9, accepted.
Brothers Red Scales, Fred Heth-
coat, A. H. Criss, Monast, Dail,
Harris, and Jarvis were elected
to serve on the Committee, with
Brother Red Scales acting as
alternate. One minute of silence
for departed Brothers. Meeting
adjourned at 8:00 P. M. with 90
members- present.
X if %
GALVESTON EDUCATIONAL
MEETING, Sept. 28 — Chairman
Keith Alsop, 7311; Recording
Secretary, R. Wilburn, 37739;
Reading Clerk, Jeff Morrison,
34213.
The minutes of the educational
meeting for September 21 was
read and accepted. Motion was
made and accepted to open dis
cussion on the new two-year con
tract, as was recommended at the
last meeting. Question by S.
Pearson as to the rider now in
effect on the majority of our
ships. Brother Alsop explained
that, according to this rider, a
man is only entitled to transpor
tation when he gets off the ship.
The rider was read, and all were
of the opinion that this was of
benefit to the Union, as it would
speed up shipping, and in some
cases break up the homesteading
of a ship. Question as to why
the Bosun received a $25 raise
while the rest of the crew only
cepted. The Secretary-Treasurer's $i2.50. Brother Morrison
financial report for September 25, pointed out that this extra $12.50
and the Headquarter's report to
the membership of September 22
were read and accepted. Minutes
of Branches having New Busi
ness were read and accepted. The
Agent reported on the shipping
picture in the Texas area, and
pointed out that there were four
Isthmian ships due to hit these
ports between now and the next
meeting,, with some of them pay
ing off. Water-man has two or
three ships that are known to be
coming in, and there may pos
sibly be more. Therefore, con
tinued good shipping is expected
for this area. The Agent ex
plained that the MFOW and the
MCS have a picketline around
the SS Weaver, which is due to
transfer to another company
soon, which would put her un
der the SIU Contract. However,
the policy that was outlined in
the Agent's conferences would be
carried out. Agent Alsop con
cluded his report with thanks to
the membership for their coop
eration in helping keep the Hall
clean. Accepted. The Patrol-
for the Bosun was to compensate
him for the loss of high-man
overtime on Saturdays, Sundays,
and Holidays, which he got un
der the old contract, and which
the Union wished to change in
order to prevent the Bosun be
ing used as a handy-man. There
was general discussion of the
duties of each man in the three
Departments. Brother Alsop
pointed out that every man has
a job to do and that, if he fails
to do it, he throws the work over
onto his shipmates. Such a man
gives the Union a blackeye.
Brother Alsop recommended that
the next meeting deal with the
policies of the Union throughout
accepted. Motion carried to open
discussion on the policies of the
Union as recommended at the
last meeting. There was discus
sion of the issuing of books to
permitmen. It was pointed out
that it was the policy not to is
sue more books than we have
contracted jobs. It was the
opinion of the members present
that this was a good policy. In
the discussion of our policy of
helping AFL and other bona fide
Unions in their beefs the meeting
was of the opinion that we
should at all times extend such
aid. Discussion included the re
lationship of the Union with the
companies. Here it was pointed
out that every member should do
his job and live up to the con
tract, in order that the Union
would be in a strong position
when bargaining for further con
tracts. Meeting adjourned at
12:20 P. M.
MOBILE—Chairman, L. Neria,
26393; Recording Secretary, J. L.
Carroll, 14-G; Reading Clerk, H.
J. Fischer, 59.
Minutes of Branches having
New Business were read and ac
cepted. Puerto Rico minutes
were referred to New Business.
Cal Tanner, Agent, reported that
Mobile is the lay-up port, with
the result that many men come
in on run jobs and register in
this Branch,_^thus increasing the-
percentage of men registered to
those shipped. He reported that
many West Coast ships are com
ing into this Port for lay-up, and
that the MCS, and the. MFOW
have picketlines around the Ala
bama Dry Docks. However, SIU
men are given clearance to go
aboard their ships as usual. He
further reported that the Secre
tary-Treasurer has been asked to
come to Mobile at his earliest
convenience to help plan renova
tion of the building, as he has
had a great deal of experience in
this line in other Halls. He con
cluded by warning the members
about loitering on the streets be
low the Hall. He pointed out
that if this continued the SIU
might get undue discredit by the
actions of one or tv/o of its mem
bers. He asked the membership
as a whole to take action on this
matter. Motion carried to accept
the Agent's Report. Patrolmen
Jordan and Morris made their re
ports and were accepted. Under
New Business it was moved and
carried to non-concur with that
part of the San Juan Minutes
about putting a Dispatcher-
Patrolman on the ballot. Motion
carried to elect the Balloting
Committee. C. Kimball, John
Morris, J. Porter, C. Spencer, C.
McNorton, Louis Neria, and Orlie
Price were elected. Charges
were referred to the Trial Com
mittee. The Communication
from Headquarters was accepted.
The Balloting Committee's report
was accepted. One minute of
silence was observed for de-
its histoiy in its relations with parted Brothers. Under Good and
other Unions. Meeting ad
journed at 12:31 P. M.
G AL VESTON\DUC ATIONAL
MEETING, Oct. 5 — Chairman,
Keith Alsop, 7311; Recording
Secretary, R. Wilburn, 37739.
Minutes of the previous edu
cational meeting were read and
Welfare, it was brought out that
Charles A vera, who was injured
on the SS Alcoa Pioneer on
November 17, 1947, has been un
able to contact all of the wit
nesses of the accident. It would
be appreciated if any of the men
aboard this vessel at that time
{Continued on Page 15) •
Page Eight THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, October IS, 1948
X
SHIPS' MINUTES AND NEWS
'Atom Bomb Carrying' St^l Flyer
Battles Eight-Day Blaze In Bombay
Isthmian's Steel Flyer headed into anchorage at Bombay, India, expecting to
drop off a general cargo of goods, but before it reached its berth it was struck by a
fire which burned for eight days and caus:d the crew aboard to be accused by a loca
newspaper of manning a'
ship carrying atom bombs
and bacteria-warfare weap
ons.
The strange turn of events
•which befell the Flyer were re
lated to the LOG this week by
William Mcllveen, Messman, who
paid off the Steel Flyer October
1 when the ship arrived in New
York.
According to Mcllveen, the
Steel Flyer arrived in Bombay
harbor on June 21 and anchored
in the stream. Early ihe next
morning the air was suddenly
rent with the sound of a terrific
explosion from No. 5 hatch. The
crew rushed to the scene and
found flames shooting to the
mast tops. The alarm was sound
ed and fire fighting gear was
broken out and put to work.
For almost an hour the crew
fought the flames in gearing heat
that buckled the plates of the
deck. Finally the flames were
brought under control — almost
simultaneous with the arrival of
the Bombay Harbor fire fighting
brigade.
The fire was far from being
out, however. For eight days
the Bombay smoke eaters play
ed their hoses on the hold as
the blaze smoldered on and off
and occasionally broke into
flames.
SCARE STORY
It was because of the reluct
ance of the flames to die that
the ship was accused of carry
ing atom bombs and bacteria-
warfare weapons. The Bombay
communist newspaper "Blitz," in
After a brisk bit of fire fighting the. Bombay smoke eaters
take time out for some of the Steel Flyer's coffee.
commenting on the fire, raised
the question as to what was this
mysterious fire which proved so
difficult for the firemen to cope
with and when seeming out
would suddenly burst into flames.
The newspaper then suggested
to its readers that there was a
strong possibility that something
sinister was afoot on the Flyer
"as it is common knowledge that
American ships carry atom
bombs, bacteria warfare weapons
and other means of death and
destruction which pose dangers
to Indian people and property."
Actually, relates, Mcllveen, the
ship was carrying general cargo
of sulphur, lampblack, automo
biles and such items in No. 5
hatch and were total losses.
The" other newspapers, report
ed Mcllveen, showed more re
straint and covered it as a
straight news story. In fact, Mc
llveen managed to pick himself
up a few bucks from the local
newspapers by selling them pic
tures he had taken, two of
which appear here.
In spite of the difficulty met
in Bombay, the Steel Flyer dis
charged what cargo remained,
pumped out the water which had
caused a 14-degree list and con
tinued its trip on schedule, ar
riving in New York on October
4. Commenting on the trip, Mc
llveen said, "It was a good trip
in spite of the trouble met in
Bornbay. Some of the men were
unnerved by the experience, but
we had a good bunch aboard and
the affair was taken in good
stride. It did look for awhile
though as if the Bombay firemen
were going to stay aboard per
manently."
Master Insults Chileans —
OremarMen Turn Diplomats
The Master of the Ore ship Oremar missed a good
chance to cement American-Chilean relations a few weeks
ago, but the SIU crew came to the rescue, according to
Seafarer Edmond L. Eriksen*"; "j ~ " 77: ^ '
(Apparently the friendship of na-
who.sent an account of the tions was not his dish.
incident to the LOG.
The Oremar was in Cruz
Grande. She had passed quaran
tine and was on port time. There
was to be no work done by any
of the crew except watch stand-
ers. Moreover, the weekend was
coming up, and Saturday anc
Sunday were to be holidays for
the celebration of the anniver
sary of Chile's independence.
Now, shore leaye in Cruz
Grande has beefi forbidden by
the Chilean Government for
many years. But on this occa
sion, the company agent, the
company loader, the quarantine
doctor and the American Con
sul came aboard and pleaded
with the Master, Captain R.
Redding, to allow the crew
ashore to participate in the fes
tival, presumably as unofficial
representatives of a friendly
United States.
The Captain, however, refused.
Six days after the first blaze broke out -water was still being played into No. 5 hatch
through a hole in the deck. Brother William Mcllveen's camera caught the firemen hard at work
on what looked for awhile like a permanent job. -
Allegheny Crew
Asks Revision
Of Foc'sle Card
The crew of the SS Allegheny
Victory, whose resolution pro
testing Army-like regulations of
the Aramco Seaman's Club in
Ras Tanura was published in
the October 8 LOG, has submit
ted a resolution asking that the
standard foc'sle card placed on
the ships by the shipping com
missioners be revised and
brought up to date with present
day conditions.
The resolution which follows
was signed by all hands:
"Whereas, the present articles
(foc'sle cards) is not up to the
standard of present day condi
tions,
"Therefore, be it resolved that
the present card be abolished en
tirely, and a new one conforming
to present day conditions be is
sued in the immediate future,
and that the Union take such
action as is necessary to bring
this to the attention of proper
authorities in Washington, D. C."
ASK QUICK PAYOFF
The crew further suggests that
the Articles should read: "The
ship must payoff in the final port
of discharge in the continental
United States, or (when return
ing in ballast from a foreign
voyage) the ship must payoff at
the first port of loading in the
continental United States."
No doubt the crew is av/are
that the present foc'sle card is
based upon federal statutes now
in effect, and their intention is
that efforts be made to have
these statutes revised in order to
have minimum conditions, imder
the law, boosted up toward the
standards now obtained by the
Union.
GRACEFUL REPLY
The crew, sensing . that this
was a matter of diplomatic pro
tocol as well as a question of
shore leave, decided to soften
the slap-in-the-face which the
Master had given the Chilean
nation. Aft*!r a couple of boat
loads of Chileans finally visited
the ship as part of the independ
ence day celebrating, the Sea
farers sat down to compose a
gi-aceful reply to the invitation
they had received from the ci
tizens of Cruz Grande. The text
of their note follows:
"To the citizens of Cruz
Grande: We the undersigned
members of the crew of the SS
EDMUND ERIKSEN
Oremar wish to congratulate the
citizens of Cruz Grande and
their great country on the day
of observance of their independ
ence.
"We were unable to join you
at your generous request to be
present at your celebration
ashore, but you brought the
celebration to us.
"Such pride in one's country
is to be greatly admired. We
salute you.
"If such a feeling of neighbor-
liness and benevolence were pre
valent throughout the world to
day, we would not continue to
live under this cloud of war
which is forever present. Again
we thank you, the citizens of
Cruz Grande, from the bottom
of our hearts."
The entire crew of the Ore
mar signed the letter.
Check It—But Good
Check the slop chest be
fore your boat sails. Make
sure that the slop chest con
tains an adequate supply of
all the things you are liable
to need. If it doesn't, call the
Union Hall immediately.
Frid&y. October IS. 1948 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Nine
Digested Minutes Of SlU Ship Meetings
jii
CITY OF ALMA. Aug. 29—
Chairman C. Moore: Recording
Secretary J. Pursell. The Deck
Delegate reported some disputed
overtime. There was some dis
putcd in the Engine Department
A Wiper had been called for in
Honolulu, but none was avail
able. Under Good and Welfare
there was discussion of a fight
in the messroom in which
crewmember had been Injured
It was decided to make up
complete repair list before ar
rival in New York. One minute
of silence for Brothers lost at
aea.
X X
SEATRADER. Aug. 28—Chair
man Frank Boyne; Recording
Secretary W. R. Gogerty. All
permits and Books were collected
by the Delegates. The Deck De
partment voted that OS Steel be
given another chance to ship
The Ship's Delegate was asked
to see the Captain about wiring
in for a draw upon arrival
Fumigation of the ship was
asked. The Patrolman would be
asked to see about changing the
Oiler's and Maintenance men's
foc'sles so that the Oilers could
be in one foc'sle. The Ship's
Delegate was asked to s^e the
Captain about sougeeing and
painting the rooms. One minute
of silence for departed Brothers.
4. 4.
ROBIN HOOD. Aug. 29—
Chairman Gustav Thebe; Re
cording Secretary Paul Bislline.
The Deck Delegate reported that
a repair list had been given to the
Chief Mate. The Engine Depart
ment Delegate reported 65 hours
disputed overtime and stated
that the* Patrolman would be
consulted about the number of
Wipers that this ship should
carry. He asked that the ship
be fumigated. Under Good and
Welfare it was pointed out that
the innerspring mattresses were
coming apart. Vote of thanks to
the Stewards Department. It
was decided to have the library
changed in the first port. One
minute of silence for lost
Brothers.
if ii
FAIRLAND, Aug. 29 —Chair
man R. French; Recording Secre
tary J. Boyles. Motion carried
to accept the minutes of previous
meeting. Delegates reported 32
books and 3 permits. No beefs.
W. Paschal nominated for Ship's
Delegate by J. Boyles. Second by
C. Turner. Carried. Motion car
ried to see the Chief about the
dirty wash water, and steam
leaks in galley. Under Good and
Welfare the Steward asked that
cots be taken care of and linen
not-be left on deck. He warned
that linen would only be issued
for pieces returned. One minute
of silence for departed Brothers.
4. t 4.
JOHN W. BURGESS, Aug. 29
—Chairman Jahies Lee; Record
ing Secretary S. Lagayada. De
partments squared away with no
beefs, reported Delegates. Under
Good and Welfare there was 'dis
cussion on the ringing of the
breakfast bell, as some members
complained it woke them up un
necessarily, but it was decided
to continue ringing it. The
Steward was asked to see to it
that perishables were put out
before they rotted in ice box. A
vote of thanks was given the
Stewards Department for clean
liness and good food and cold
drinks. The crew went on rec
ord as stating that it was a good
ship with good officers and crew,
and a satisfactory trip all around.
One minute of silence for de
parted Brothers.
t X X
AZALEA CITY. Aug. 30—
Chairman John Lane; Recording
Secretary Charles Scofield. There
was a motion under New Busi
ness to have the Ship's Delegate,
John Lane, see the Captain about
painting the crew's quarters and
showers. Carried. Motion to
remove the potato peeler fi-om
galley and install shelves for the
benefit of the Baker. Motion
to have the slopchost checked by
the Patrolman ])etoro signing ar
ticles. Vote of thanks to Stew
ards Department. One minute of
silence for departed Brothers.
XXX
MEREDITH VICTORY. Aug.
29—Chairman Gordon Marbury;
Recording Secretary Edward
Yancey. Deck Delegate James
Saliba. Engine Delegate Edward
Yancey, and Michael Eschenko.
Stewards Delegate, made their
reports. Minor beefs and some
disputed overtime. Motion car
ried to have the Patrolman take
care of the water situation. Un
der discussion it was pointed out
that the water was so hot that a
man could not take a bath=ap-
parenlly because the Engineers
wanted to save water. Motion
carried that the Department
Delegates make up a repair list.
One minute of silence for de
parted Brothers.
Port Engineer in New York told
him that a room was going to be
prepared for the Night Cook and
Baker, so that members of the
Stewards Department would not
have to be quartered with the
Deck Department.
X X \
STEEL AGE. Aug. 29—Chair
man P. P. McGrath; Recording
Secretary J. T. Vallelunga. The
Ship's Delegate reported" that the
grievance committee had had
three meetings since the last
ships meeting and had a full re
port to hand to the Patrolman.
He reminded all hands to have
their foc'sles thoroughly clean
before payoff, and instructed the
membership that no one was to
pay off until getting an okay
from their Departmental Dele
gates. Under Education the
Brothers were told by the Deck
Delegate Karrman to study the
Union Contract. Motion carried
to have the grievance committee
and the Patrolman check with
the Steward on his requisitions.
Motion carried to make up a list
of donations to the Merchant
Marine Library Association. One
minute of silence for Brothers
lost at sea.
XXX
SEATRAIN TEXAS—Aug. 22
—Chairman Windborn; Record
ing Secretary Pepper. The Dele
gates reported the standing of
the members, and stated that
there were no beefs. Under Old
Business, foc'sle keys and new
mattresses were discussed, and
the Steward reported on what
had been done on them since
ast meeting. Brother Zarkus
reported that the Cook who
ouled up in New York had been
given a new shipping card. Mo
tion carried imder New Business
to assess each member ten cents
to defray costs of Delegates at
tending to ship's business in port.
The fund is to be in the care
of the Ship's Delegate, and is
never to exceed ten dollars.
Brother Phelps suggested under
Good, and Welfare that a ten
minute meeting be held before
the payoff to discuss various
beefs with the Patrolman. The
Steward told the crew that the
XXX
COLABEE. Aug. 21—Chsiirman
Matthew Sams; Recording Secre
tary Francisco Armstrong. The
Ship's Delegate asked that beefs
be brought to the meeting and
not discussed around the ship.
No beefs reported by Department
Delegates. Motion by Brother
Mahan under New Business that
the Patrolman investigate the
launch service in Bale Cameau
and take the matter up with the
Master. A petition was signed
by many members to have a
Brother removed from the ship
for being a disrupter and
trouble-maker. One minute of
silence for departed Brothers.
XXX
NATHANIEL B. PALMER.
Aug. 21—Chairman Terrance M.
Jones; Recording Secretary
Joseph M. Aimee Jr. Terrance
M. Jones was elected Ship's
Delegate. Under Good and Wel
fare it was suggested that extra
fan parts be procured as soon as
possible. The Steward stated
that when the night lunch ran
out in the ice box, another plate
could be obtained from the dairy
box. The Stewards Department
was given a vote of thanks for
the excellent food. It was de
cided to make up a repair list.
One minute of silence for de
parted Brothers.
F YOU ARE GOINGTOEWTERA
MARINE HOSPITAt, TRV10SD
TD THE NEAREST HALL FIRST
AMP REGISTER ... SO THAT
YOU CAN SET A BACK-PATED
CARP WHEN YOU SET OUT.
yOVRVHlOti /
i
CUT and RUN
By HANK
For the good and welfare of the Brothers we would like to
illustrate the importance of the medicine chest aboard ship with
this news item:. "Six hundred miles from Southampton, England,
in answer to a radio request, a doctor was transferred by lifeboat
from a passenger liner to a freighter, to treat a seaman seriously
ill from an infection. The American freighter lacked penicillin
necessary to prevent further spread of the seaman's infection."
We would like to know definitely how .much of various medicine
is stored on all ships. Is the amount greater for longer voyages
than the short ones? For example, penicillin can cure and prevent
illnesses and it can, like a snap of a finger, save a life at sea,
too. The ship's delegates should check medicine supplies, especial
ly before the ship leaves American ports. He should continue to
check on them while the ship is out in foreign waters. Some
unexpected day out at sea or in a foreign port your shipboard
medicine may save yours or your shipmate's life.
XXX
Brother Henry Clemens from Chicago, who says he'll be
grabbing any ship he can gel. tells us his parents really enj.oy
reading the LOG every week. Furthermore, if he ever hits
Jedda. Arabia, again he'll buy those odd Arabiaii stamps for
his railroad-working, stamp-collecting father... Bob "Standby"
High says his shipmate. Arnold "Tommy" Thompson, the Q^-
timer. is in town right now.
XXX
Harold Farrington was asking where his shipmate Henry
Beckmann, could be nowadays. Another shipmate, Frank Bose,
met Harold and laughed, telling Harold, "1 still have your poem==
the one called '1 Learned About Women From Her'"... One
Brother bought a lot of dates in Persia. However, he couldn't
bring them ashore here. The Department of Dates, Vegetables
and Tea-balls (as we'll call the agency) confiscated these Persian
dates. So, Brothers, save your money and don't buy Persian
dates to bring home.
4. 4- 4.
Here are a few oldtimers who may be slill in town:
W. Walsh. C, J. Biscup, George Simpson. R. Garcia. F. Brugg-
ner. M. Dorfman, A, S. Thorne, D. E. Bragg... As requested,
the LOG will be going free of cost every week to the homes
of the following Brothers; Carroll Kenny .of Minnesota. Fred
erick Swanson of Massachusetts, O. L. Ragland of Texas, Leo
Dulle of California, Norman Hyde of Louisiana, E. G. Kelley
of Alabama. Antonio Lipari of Maryland. J.oseph Pehm of
Ohio. W. W. Bunker of Florida, Ted Daly of Louisiana. Neil
Boyle of New York. Wilbur Coutant of Kansas, William Ay-
cock of North Carolina, John Mina of Louisiana, John Zhimeck
of Pennsylvania. B. F. Pace of Kentucky. Robert White of
Louisiana. Clyde Parker of California.
4. 4. 4.
Brothers, we hope the day never comes when the New York
police will arrest some Seafarer just bcause he's wearing a white
cap, while, he's buying a cigar or a hamburger... Well, the
Brothers on the beach sure read everything they can. One Brother
with an Irish name was reading a newspaper—it's called the
Irish Echo. And recently we heard of one Brother who faithfully
reads True Story. This magazine is full of hot, cold, and tepid
stories of marriages, romances and divorces. We'll still take the
comic magazines... Ever hear this joke before? It might make you
laugh. After a thorough examination the dentist scratched his
scalp, tilted his head, gave the patient a professional smile and
said—"Well, your teeth are okay, fella, but your gums will have
to come out." Yak! Yak!
• •;•• . • '. ' .••• ir,'-.' • ' '•• •'
Page Ten THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, October IS. 1948 '
THE MEMBERSHIP SPEAKS
Big Fish, Tall Stories, No Logs
Made Voyage Of Leacock Pleasant
To the Editor:
The last trip was different
from the one before. There was
a Skipper aboard the Stephen
Leacock by the name of Captain
(Cutie) Kuda, plus a couple of
performers. The Skipper and the
performers were pulled in Bal
timore. The Mate was warned to
stay off the deck or we would
take the necessary action.
Next to Philadelphia, and a
word about ^ the "paddy wagon."
In the Quaker City, while load-
ifig coal a couple of miles from
the end of the bus line, three of
us started back for the ship.
No, we didn't make the jail.
They merely gave us a lift back
to the ship to save us a long
hike. Thank you again!
We made a good trip to the
city of Cherbourg, and thence
to Rouen, France. The battle o
Rouen was interesting, but the
casualties were minor. The Arab
guard, on being ordered out o!'
the messroom by the Bosun,
went into action and bit the end
of the Bosun's thumb off. It's a
cinch he won't be back on a
South Atlantic ship for a long
time to come! Rouen, though, is
a good town—the prices are bet
ter, and there is more for your
money.
PLENTY OF WORK
Back to Dingwall, Nova Scotia.
The Deck Department worked
better than 37 hours straight
through. I have pictures of them
as we were going out. More
about the Chief Mate: After
working day and night, he in
sisted on three tarps for the
hatches, instead of one that was
necessary. In the meeting he was
voted off the ship to teach him
that he wasn't running a crew
on a sailing ship or a non
union tanker. The vote was not
to take his livelihood away from
him, but to educate him. He
was warned again in New York
at the payoff, but action wasn't
taken since the ship was going
to the boneyard in Mobile. In
Mobile he was told in very
plain words that it was his last
warning. We ha^ a good gang
from New York to Mobile, and
a Bosun that was hard to beat,
by the name of Forjatin.
The refrigerator broke down
in New York,' and the standby
crew had to eat ham and corned
Willi for the last couple of days.
After working on the boxes for
five days, they worked for ex
actly one day.
More trouble and headaches
for the "stupid" Department! We
used the best food first to keep
from losing it. We stopped at
Wilmington, N.C., and picked up
three tons of ice to bring her
on in. When we tied up, the
box smelled like a well-used
sewer.
The shipping in Mobile didn't
look too bad, except that there
were seven boneyard jobs in five
days. However, the stack wasn't
painted out on all of them—if
that means anything to our
cause.
I almost forgot to mentioji,
that in Dingwall the sword fish
ing was going full blast. We
picked up several swords for
souvenirs and the boys caught
enough fish to keep the Cook
cleaning fish for an hour-and-a-
half. They were damned good
eating. There were all kinds, but
the best was cod and smelt. The
Captain, "Windy" Oliver, bought
ten pounds of sword fish for us.
We had fish galore, and fish left
for night lunch.
The crew was agreeable to my
writing this. Captain Oliver was
Captain "Cuties" replacement. He
does shoot the bull a lot, but has
a lot of bull to back it up with,
also. At the payoff, in Mobile,
he said to tell his old crew that
he was going on the SS Good
hue, and would be glad to see
any of them back with him.
There wasn't a log the whole
trip, and the payoff was fast.
C. Gann, Cook
HOW TO PLEASE EVERYONE AT ONCE
According lo Ray Pourciaux. who made this sketch, life
of a bellboy on the Del Norte was nothing short of rugged.
Pop Foster Finds Western
Dress Popular In Turkey
The Leacock's Black Gang
delegate Lekmos (right) with
fellow crewmsm, Irish, or
Patty, as the boys Ccilled him.
To the Editor:
Here jye are in the land of
plenty, where everyone lives on
native fruits and vegetables. You
can eat a lunch of grapes, drink
a glass of spring water, and gaze
at some of the band painted pot
tery and imagine what a great
artist you will be. I wear my
Arabian turban, though I found
it was quite obsolete, as this type
of thing was discontinued 21
years ago this month.
Well, that is why they call me
Pops. I am just slow on getting
around. It is certainly remark
able how the new regime is
streamlining things over here.
The fair sex has even discon
tinued the veil.
However when you are so
many years yoimg, yoii simply
have to let the styles roll along.
SAW THE SIGHTS
The gang on here is fine. They
have enjoyed some aftemons off
and have taken in the sights. We
are all looking forward to seeing
the Patrolman at the payoff, due
in New York on October 20.
I want to thank Hank for the
write-up in the September 3
LOG. The article was mailed to
me by my family in Detroit.
They read the LOG in preference
to the hom-e-town paper.
Thomas E. Foster
Chief Steward
M. V. Gadsden
Chief Stewards
If your requisition is cut,
or if the food is not up to par,
notify all three Delegates at
once so that the ship will not
sail until the matter has been
straightened out.
It is the responsibility of
the Steward to check the
stores before the ship sails,
and any complaints made far
at sea won't do the crew any
good if they have to eat short
rations or poor food.
AT THE END OF THE TRAIL
According to Whity Gann, these are the back and brains
of the deck department. Leonard Wallfry and Les Clark haul
in the line following the Leacock's departure from port.
Texas SIU Man Wants
Pop To Have LOG
To the Editor:
How about putting my Pop's
address on your mailing list for
the LOG?
Everything is fine in Texas,
only they aren't being fully in
formed about the Seafarers. Best
regards, and thanks.
Jerry J. Palmer
(Ed. Note: The LOG is be
ing sent to your father, as
you have requested.)
The best part of the trip arrives for these crewmembers
of the Navy tanker Shawnee Trail who are all smiles ae they
w^ the payoff. Left to right—Morgan, Pumpman; the Bosun;
Bruce Denton, Deck Maintenance and Delegate. Ship was in
Marcus Hook. Photo by John Clamp.
.Friday. October 15. 1948 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Eleven
Crew Has Money Problems:
Master Takes It, Cabs Don't
To the Editor:
There were a number of men
logged on this trip of the Arizpa
to Germany, and we of the crew
feel that under the circumstances
most of these logs were sunjusti-
fied.
In the first place those, who
couldn't make the sailing time at
Hamburg, September 9, were
held up by the poor launch and
taxi service and not through any
fault of their own. At all times
the men running these taxies
and launches prefer cigarettes to
money, but between 3:00 and
7:00 A. M. it is practically im
possible to get a ride unless you
have cigarettes with you as a
bribe. The boys — not being
black-market operators — didn't
ing following the first night
ashore.
In all departments the Patrol
man who pays this ship off in
the States will find plenty of
beefs stemming directly from the
attitude and high-handed policies
of this Captain.
Luis A. Ramirez
Feels Labor Unions Sole Fighters
For Better Way Of Life In World
To the Editor: is better for ail of us together. Labor wants most of all the
A ToK.,,. The word "labor" is sometiines freedom to fight for better con-American Labor is on the , ,... , i ,
confusing. Suppose we put it ditions. Laws already on books
march. Millions of men and wo- , . ® u u i .u u i i u
men workinff oersons are fiifht- i broken the shackles of old
a to live ^ Small "L" you mean work, and i oppressions, and Labor asks only ing for a chance to live better ,, , . . . , '.u . u n i
if you spell Labor with a large that it be allowed to go its way.
"L" you mean people. unfettered by new chains. In
There are about 30 million employers and
men and women in this country e s a e, i is a er e same
lives. Whenever they win, life
have them, and as a result came
back late arid were logged.
Again in Bremen men were re
fused shore leave for 41 hours,
including Saturday, and then
were logged for minor infrac
tions. The Steward was logged
for giving the Baker time off to
visit his wife in Norderhan, de
spite the fact that both the Stew
ard and Baker were good men
who did their job to the full
satisfaction of the entire crew.
WELL-KNOWN RECORD
The 12-4 Oiler was logged
wages and bonus to the amount
of $56 as well. Captain Hurlston
has a record for logging that is
well known to a good many of
the members, so I won't have to
elaborate further on that scoi-e.
He has developed another
practice recently that is par
ticularly disagreeable, and that
used to be common ten years
ago among Union-haling Skip
pers. It is the matter of calling
men out of their bed at any
time, without any consideration
of the watch they have to stand
or whether they have had any
sleep or not.
A few hours before leaving
Hamburg he woke everybody up
between 4:00 and 4:30 A.M. to
collect the shore passes, when he
could just as well have posted
a notice in the messhall at sup
per time to have the passes
turned in earlier, if men were
going to sleep.
That same moi'ning, after the
12-4 watch had gotten to sleep,
he again woke every one up to
make a personal search of the
lockers and rooms, for, of course,
a declaration sheet must be made
up between Hamburg and Bre
men. Again in Bremen he woke
everyone up to pass the doctor,
although the doctor was sup
posed to remain aboard till mid
night.
It is pretty miserable working
a man who has to stand port
watches from midnight to 8:00
A. M. He required the Steward
to be aboard every morning at
6:30 A. M. — even on the morn-
m ; .
*
Four Arizpa crewmembers wait for transportation to
Bremen while their ship tied up in that port recently. Left
to right—Jinuny Baumgardner, Bud Benson, Bob and the
Stewards Utilityman. Photo by Luis Ramirez.
Brother Sweats Out Strike
Behind Pop's Pacific Bar
To the Editor:
Being home and tending bar
in my Dad's place, I thought
I'd devote a few . lines to the
LOG.
As you all know, the whole
West Coast is tied up, so it looks
like I'll be on the beach for
quite some time.
All of my time at sea has
been on SIU ships, so I'm going
to miss all those SIU guys I
sailed with. My last ship was
the Steel Maker. I send my re
gards to all of you guys who
were on it.
We receive the LOG here at
the house, and I can still keep
track of all of your doings. I
would still like very much to
sail on SIU ships. I want to say
hello to Curly Masterson, Thomas
Frazier, Lee John, and all those
guys from Baltimore.
Enclosed are some snapshots
taken on the trip around the
world on the Steel Maker.
Any of you fellows who come
into Frisco, shoot over to my
joint, and I'll buy you a drink.
It is the Mario Hotel, 733 Bay
Shore Highway, South San Fi-an-
cisco.
It sure feels funny to be on
the wrong side of the bar. Every
body tells me their troubles.
Oh well, the strike should be
over soon. So-long for now, and
if anyone sees Peter Walsh, tell
him I have a $7.50 shirt for him.
Bennie L. Murillo
Ships Delegates
Aboaid ship the arm of the
Union is the Ships and De
partment Delegates. A good
crew, for its own protection,
picks its Delegates early, and
carefully. Have you and your
shipmates elected your Dele
gates? If not. do it nowl
BENNIE MURILLO
Bill Dennis Seeks
Former Shipmates
To the Editor:
I receive a copy of the LOG
every week and am sure glad to
get it. I haven't seen any pic
tures of old shipmates as yet, but
hope I will soon.
I would like very much to get
in touch with Dick Doughty,
SUP, who ships out of Frisco,
and who was Bosun on the old
Sarazen, in 1946. Also, I would
like to get in touch with Elroy
Abbot, Waterman Mate, out of
Mobile, and D. O. Whitwell,
SUP, out of Amarillo. If any
body can give me information
about these men, I sure would
appreciate it.
Enclosed, you will find two
dollars for the LOG. 1 retired
my book this year, although I
haven't sailed since 1946.
William Dennis
Clinton Lumber Co.
Clinton, La.
who work — or would like to
work—for wages. They do not
employ others: they are not
members of the professions. No
doubt they are workers, but one
cannot say what the mass of
them want, or where they are
going, or what they are trying
to do. They have never gotten
together and decided on these
things. They have no one to
speak for them, or to lead them.
They have no way of planning
and acting together as a whole
group to help make the life of
each individual better.
So it is only the workers or
ganized in labor unions who can
be counted on as a force in the
country. They have spokesmen
who can be counted on as a force
in the country. They have
spokesmen who let their wishes
and opinions be known. Acting
together, they have developed
great power over their own lives,
and they deeply affect the life of
the country as a whole. When
you speak of American Labor,
then you mean organized work
ing men and women.
INCLUDE ALL
Unions are not made up of
any particular sort of person, for
almost every type of American is
represented in their ranks. There
are college graduates and people
who have never learned to read.
There are Negroes and Chinese.
There are members of the coun
try's proudest families, and peo
ple whose parents never took a
bath in winter. There are also
men of sound judgment and
fools. There are savage fighters
and smooth diplomats. There arc
those who will gladly lay down
their lives for a cause and those
who will betray any party or any
person for power or money.
There are those who see ahead
with clear eyes, and those who
follow blindly after the man of
the hour.
Labor could be expected to
do certain things and it was gen^
erally felt - that certain things
thing, whether in a demand laid
down on a conference table or iq
a bill introduced in Congress.
If they had a choice, American)
labor unions would alwaysfe
rather deal with employers tnany
depend on laws passed by Conr.
gress or by state legislatures.-
The reason is clear. Labor takes,
an active part in negotiations:
with employers. If mistakes are
made they can be corrected in
later agreements.
American Labor has marked
out no point at which to place a
banner and say "This is the end
of the road."
So far as we know there is nn.
end of the road. We shall go on^
and one striving to make each:
year better for humanity than;
the year before.
LABOR WILL FIND IT
There may be a better state
of society and a better way of
life than we can now think of.
But if there is a better way of
life. Labor will find it and try to
succeed in gaining it for the
people and make this a better
world to live in. Labor will al
ways fight for democracy. So it
will mean that each and every
member of our Union will have
to comply with the Union regu
lations and laws.
I wish to congratulate Earl
"Bull" Sheppard for his article in
the past LOG. I believe if each,
member will study the LOG
more carefully, they would learn'
that he or she would better
themselves in order to better the,
Union and it.s principles.
W. Bill Mitchell
STEEL ADMIRAL
RUNS AGROUND
IN PORT SAID
To the Editor;
This is the first lettei' that I
have written to the LOG. I think
could safely be done to Labor, it's about time, so here goes:
The "yellow dog contract which | jgj^ New York bound for
bound the worker not to join a Tanura September 2. On
union was upheld and protected ^j,jp Suez we had a fair
by the courts the same as the' except for the Second Mate
Taft-Hartley Law. j ^^g chief Engineer. The
Labor injunctions were issued. Second has been a little Hitler
preventing men from doing, as ' all the way and has taken every
organized groups, the thing they
had a lawful right to do, and
compelling them to do things
that they had a lawful right to
refuse to do. This is true of the
Taft-Hartley Law.
ASK ONLY RIGHTS
Labor does not ask much. We
the people only ask the things
we have a right to: First, stable
conditions of employment. Steady
jobs. Second, a reasonable
standard of living through fixing
a minimum wage by law, that
opportunity to pull his rank. The
Chief is just as bad. Between
the two we have caught hell.
We stopped at Port Said to
pick up a small tug that goes to
Has Tanura. . When' we left Port
Suez, we ran aground on a sand
bar. As a result we are going to
have to spend two weeks unload
ing to lighten our draft, and an
other two weeks putting the car
go back on—so that's not so bad
after all.
The Captain and the Chief
will insure a fair income. And Mate are good people. This is
third, collective bargaining in I third Isthmian ship, and it
regulating relations between em- a surprise to get two good
ployers and employees, and in I "Joes" like them. Our Stewards
managing the nations economic Department is doing fine-so far
structure.
In general, this is what the
fighting and shouting is about.
so good!
Norman J. Magill
SS Steel Admiral
Page Twehre TBB SEAFAKERS LOG FMday, October 15; 194S
Feels NMU Poor Conditions
Due To No Performer Curbs
To the Editor:
Just a line to the membership
^out my experience on an NMU
ship as a repatriated seaman,
following my discharge from the
Army Hospital in Germany. We
SIU members often take our con
ditions for granted, and do not
realize how darn lucky we are
until we chance to ride a ship
such as the one I have just left.
I had to take this ship on or
ders of the consul. There was
no choice in the matter. Upon
ME:y,?uDDY—
GOTARUfAO^?
boarding the ship, I was immedi
ately invited into about six dif
ferent whispering campaigns.
These I politely declined to join.
They all began by telling me
what a bunch of dirty rotten so-
and-sos the others were, and how
the others had completely dis
rupted things on the ship. I was
inclined to agree with all of
them on that score!
The Radio Operator tried to
commit suicide while over there,
and after I had been on board
a few days I began to see why.
John Barleycorn really reigned
on that ship! For three days
proceeding my signing on, none
of the Oilers would go down be
low to stand their watches at
sea. The Deck Engineer was
beginning to wonder if he had
signed on as Oiler. The log
book was a thriUer in itself.
Nearly everybody had their
name in it for some misdemeanor.
LACK OF CURBS
The men in the NMU evidently
don't realize that perfortners are
a detriment to any organization.
Perhaps that is the reason the
NMU officials have to call on
outside help when it comes to
negotiating for wages and con
ditions.
A good many of these men,
upon finding that I belonged to
an AFL organization, confided to
me their desire to join the SIU.
Others told me that they knew
that our contract was superior to
theirs, but seemed reluctant to
do anything about it. It seems a
pity that some of these men, who
are good union men at heart,
have to be dominated by the
political bums they have in their
union.
We came close to starving that
last week prior to arriving in
the good old USA. French toast
and weeviled hotcakes every
morning became mighty monot
onous.
Well, you have to experience
the. bad things in life in order
to appreciate the good things
when you have them. So here is
to the SIU—the Union of my
choice—where a seaman has the
good things!
Well, Ed., I probably didn't
mention anything that the fel
lows don't already know, but I
had to get it off of my chest. I
will close by thanking the Ne
gotiating Comniittee for the
grand conditions we have on
board our ships, instead of the
lousy conditions the men of the
NMU must put up with.
Smoky Bor
The Palmer*s Ghef
'The Voice Of The Sea'
By SALTY DICK
Texas Colts Challenge 'Muscle Men'
To the Editor:
Here is a challenge to all Sea
farers: Attention muscle-bound
seafaring men! Here's some
sound advice from one who
knows.
Visiting the former counter Pa
trolman of Baltimore are his
three nephews. Imagine, three of
them! Boys at that. Nice fat
and rosy—and all from Texas.
They have been in training (all
of them) for the Golden Glove
Cup!
After eating a heavy meal of
beans, the oldest nephew felt
the muscle of his arm, which is
getting soft since being here, and
said, "Golly, I'm losin' weight.
Uncle Pat, I gotta git back in
training so I can lick 'em in the
ring!"
So my advice to you seafarin'
men is to eat plenty of beans and
get yourselves in fightin' condi
tion, because these here three
Texans are challenging any and
all so-called "Seafarin' muscle
men" ranging in ages of two,
three, and four only!
Pat Robertson
The Nathanial Palmer's crew
swear by Peter, the Palmer's
Chief Cook. If you want to
weig|il, they say. don't take
a Charles Atlas course, just
ship with Peter. In addition
to being tops in the galley,
the Brother is reported to be
a champion pinochle player.
A new Seamen's Club just
opened up in New Orleans on
St. Charles Street. One of the
best I've seen, and here's hoping
it will always remain so .. .Mis
sissippi is building a new,
large liner to carry 250 passen
gers on the South American run.
She'll be ready within two
years. So don't rush to New
Orleans!
The quiz by Rocky Benson is
a very good .idea. Let's hope
he will continue this ... All
the boys seem to enjoy "Sea-
fare", by Eddy Smith. I liked
the one where he had the um
brella to paint the stacks with.
... Pete Hummel is considered
the best dressed waiter on the
Delta ships. And also the best
boogie woogie dancer.
Ernest Castelberry is through
waiting on people. He says he's
going back to Arkansas and
feed the pigs ... Sol Colls, how
does it feel to be in the Island
of Palms? Don't you miss New
York? ... Dick Merritt flew down
to New Orleans from Indianap
olis and was met at the airport
Gals Enliven Cape Nome's Voyage
To the Editor:
Here we are at Charleston,
S;C. Arrived on the Cape Nome
at 7:00 A.M. from Norfolk, Vir
ginia, where we stopped for ten
hours to unload our passengers
—eight of them.
Oh boy, there were five ladies,
and three of them were beaut
ies! Just the type you see in
pin-ups. They certainly enliven
ed our trip across the smooth
ocean from London to Norfolk.
There was dancing in the
large dining room (officers only)
in the evenings after 7:00 P.M.,
and card games with plenty of
money on the tables — Monte
Carlo style.
One of our lady passengers
was an English doctor who
treated some of the' crew. She
was very popular. When we ar
rived in Norfolk her husband
was on the dock with his car.
The trip was fine until we
hit the hurricane trail in mid-
•ocean, and it got tough. We
AnENTiON!
The slop chest is your cor
ner store while you are at
sea. You can't take your
trade someplace else if the
slop chest doesn't have what
you need.
stopped for nearly two days,
making only about three knots
to keep up with the waves. As
we carried about 300 new autos,
we could not go full-speed
against the strong waves, and
were two days late getting in.
The crew was fine all trip.
LIKED STORY
I read the September 24th is
sue of the LOG as we docked
at Norfolk. The Cape Nome
story of my previous trip was
very good. I guess I will soon
be" too old to sail the waves,
and then will stay at my camp
at Port Grange, Florida. There
I'll look over my collections and
finish my big book which I
started several years ago.
Manj' members will quit at
Charleston, as we will pay off
on Monday, October 4th. Every
body wants to be paid off to
day—but no dice! So there will
be jobs for many on the Cape
Nome at Charleston.
The South Atlantic SS Co. of
fice at the Norfolk Docks was
moving and packing up. Port
Steward Killpatrick met me and
told me there was no more busi
ness, and that he is being trans
ferred to Savannah, Georgia. This
looks bad.. "We got some stores
just in time, as they were clos
ing up the business.
I will close with regards to
all. Uncle Otto Preussler
by a cotton picker... Fred Minco
left Vineland, N. J. to see the
world, and he's surprised the
world is so big.
"Big Ward," Electrician, is one
fellow who likes a drink and at
the same time knows when to
stop. We should have more like
him ... When a Skipper is a rat,
you should let the others know
it. The same goes if he is an
Ace! Captain Olsen is a fine
Skipper and a gentleman.
We are waiting for the day.
when we can have our own Hall
in New York. Let's make sure'
it's a good buy . , . The famous
old saying in Brazil is, "business
is business and love is censored."
. . . Bill Kaiser (Steward) blew
his top when Gary (Waiter) blew
his cornet in the dining room . . .
Lonnie Akridge was enjoying
himself at the Copacabana Ho
tel in Rio, until he was presented
with the bill. I hear he passed
out . . . Philip M. Reyes wrote
a • fine piece warning -the
boys about the slick operator in
Bremen. Boys, take advice and
keep away from this rat.
James Watt writes for the boys
to go uptown while in Ponce. I
suggest you practice this in every
port. Stay away from water
front dives . . . Some of the boys
are interested in Brazilian stones.
Some day they will be breaking
up big stones into little ones, if
they don't watch out . . . Did you
know Florida's biggest industry
is tourists, and that she rates sec-,
ond in raising cattle? Now I
want my friends not to call me
swamp-rat . . . Dick Miller
(Smoke Room Steward) was
standing by the gangway in port
giving his good-bye to passen
gers. I took notice he had one
hand stretched out. He also had
a little bag nearby. Perhaps for
the tips!
A bouquet of roses for the
crew of the Del Sol for helping
those refugee kids . . . Tex Suit
is now sailing Bosun. I always
said he looks more like a cowboy
than a sailor (no offense) . . .
Mobile is getting good business.
I hear shipping is good but be
careful with those cops. They
don't even like to smell coca
cola on your breath.
I'm no company stiff, but I'm a
good Union man. I saw a bed
spread hanging on a line in a
foreign port and right away I
knew where it came from. Ii
asked the girl and she told me.
This sort of thing must cease.
Give a present to the girl if you
so desire, but make it personal.
Let's do the right thing.
MY KNEES
FEEL^WEAK
ANYnuN©,
BOS'N.
WHAT'S
MASTER?
MY LE<35
JU^T WON'T
WORK...
I CAN
FIX
THAT
^/V\ITV1—>
^
1^,;.. .
Friday, Oelob*r 15, 1948 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Thirteen
HAPPY FACES AND SMACKING LIPS
By ROCKY BENSON
How is your IQ, Seafarers? See
if you can answer these 10 ques
tions. Score: 6—fair, 8—very
good, 10—tops. One point for
each question.
1. Whose picture is on $20 bill?
1. Jackson
2. Washington
3. Lincoln
4. Adams
2. On the thirteenth wedding an
niversary, what present should
you give?
1. Steel
2. Lace
3. Ivory
4. Diamond
3. What is Article 20 in the SIU
Constitution?
1. Income
2. Assessments
3. General vote
4. Offenses and punishment
4. During what month of 1941
was the SS Robin Moor sunk?
1. May
2. June
3. September
4. December
5. What year was the first Safety
At Sea Conference held?
1. 1913
2. 1921
3. 1929
4. 1948
6. How many feet and inches is
it from the heel to the top of
the head of the Statue of Lib
erty?
1. 115 feet, 3 inches
2. 151 feet, 1 inches
3. Ill feet, 6 inches
4. 205 feet, 6 inches
7. What is the monthly rate of
pay for an Assistant Cook on an
Alcoa ship?
1. $255.04
2. $231.38
3. $219.55
4. $189.97
8. How many times have the SIU
Constitution and By-Laws been.
Amended?
1. 6
2. 8
3. 10
4. 13
9. During what month in 1941
were the SIU dues increased to
$2.00 per month?
1. April
2. May
3. July
4. September
10. How many nautical miles is
it from New York to Hamilton,
Bermuda?
1. 697
2. 2,269
3. 907
4. 1,070
Quiz answers on page 15.
Gulf Heat, Bucko Engineeif
Worse Than War, Crew Says
The Gadsden's Chief Cook J. J. Reinosa (right) displays
one of his culinary masterpieces. Each week he makes a
present of his handiwork to the oldest crewmember aboard.
If a youngster stays aboard the ship long enough. Brother
Reinosa will honor him with a tasty bit of pastry, says
Thomas Foster, who sent the pics to the LOG.
Puritan Seafarer Suffers
From 'Shuttle Run Allergy'
To the Editor:
Just thought I. would drop you
a line and let you know that the
old Puritan is shuttling again.
You can call me the shuttling
kid; for about a year ago (June
of 1947 to be exact) I woke up
least, old W. Tracy of the Man-
hope Knot.
That's about all for now. I
sure wish I could get on a non-
shuttling ship; but it sure looks
like we, are stuck for the winter.
John Crews
Percy Tells
Of Moon's
Rise To Fame
JOHN CREWS
HOSPITALIZED
BROTHER ASKS
LOG FOR MOM
To the Editor:
I am enclosing my mother's
address and would very much
like to have you send the LOG
to her in California. I know
that my folks would enjoy it
as much as I do here in the
Hospital.
I don't know of vthing right
now to say that - ou could use
in the LOG. I ' -^id though,
and I will write =• mvthing of
interest that I run across.
Richard 'n
N.O. Hospital
(Editors Not"* ^ou forgot
the address, send it to
us.)
one sunny morning to run down
to the Hall in Mobile and catch
a ship going to France. Well,
we went to France aU right, but
as you know, we were not back
in New York' till 11 months
later!
That was on the old Petrolite.
Well, I said right then that there
would be no more shuttling for
me. I went back to Mobile,
stayed on the beach a few weeks
and caught the Alcoa Puritan—
yes! The good old Bauxite run
again.
We were back in Mobile in six
weeks, and I said to myself, "Oh
that's the run for me!" I signed
on for another trip. Well, here
I am shuttling again. Looks like
I just can't get off the old shuttle
run.
I want to say one thing though,
and I think I can speak for the
whole crew: This is the best
crew I have ever sailed with. We
have a lot of oldtimers on here,
Blackie Stevens, Bosun; Charles
Stringfeller, Steward; Johnny
Walker, Oiler; and last but not
To the Editor:
Way back in the good old days
(as we sometimes say), when I
made my first trip to sea to see
what I could see, I grabbed a
rust pot out of New Orleans,
bound for the wide open spaces.
Before the ship sailed I noticed
a big-headed, ugly looking paper
boy selling papers aboard ship
every day.
Three years later, having taken
to the sea himself, I met him
in Rotterdam, Holland. Still not
knowing his name, I took in a
prize fight in New Orleans a year
or so later, .and in the main
bout, who should come out
swinging like he had the fits, but
this big-headed, ugly, homely
looking ex-paper boy!
I paid strict attention to the
announcer as he said, "and in
this corner, wearing piurple
trunks weighing one himdred
forty-eight and a half, the sensa
tional welterweight of the South
—^Moon Kouns.
WHY MOON?
As the years rolled by, he
established a new name for him
self, by being called the Bing
Crosby of the SIU. Scores of
people ask me every day why
some call him Moon. I reply
that if they take one little teeny
weeny look at him, they wouldn't
ask that question twice.
^ut what 1 am so all burnt
up about is that he once started
a comeback—and I •^as his lucky
manager! I presented him with
a new robe, and to make a long
story short he took it ashore and
hocked it.
Perc7 Boyer
To the Editor:
After the story and pictures
of the last trip of the Queens
Victory were published in the
October 8th LOG, I talked it
over with some of the crewmem-
bers, and decided that we had
forgotten a number of interest
ing events, so I'll give them to
you now.
We joined this ship in Balti
more because of the bad ship
ping, and the fact that we were
tired of eating Baltimore hot
dogs. There was no alternative
financially.
Our first stop was Port Said,
where the natives stole every
thing but the ship's whistle
while we were lying at anchor
age. The Arabs were even pass
ing American counterfeit money
around! My advice to any ship
stopping there is to be on the
alert for the "forty thieves."
Next we went to the Persian
Gulf, where the air temperature
was 152 degrees, and the sea
temperature 95. We stayed for
about five weeks of hell on
earth. You couldn't sleep or eat,
and perspired twenty-four hours
a day. At daybreak the flies
made their attack, coming over
head in squadrons and peeling
off like dive bombers, where we
were the target.
We will never be caught in
the Persian Gulf again during
the summer months, for it is
reaUy blood money—there should
be a bonus paid for sailing there
at this time. The crew agreed
that they would rather go
through the hell of World War
II again, rather than make an
other summer run to this area.
COOLIES STAYED COOL
The heat was so bad that the
Deck Department only worked
in the mornings. Even the cool
ies, who unloaded the ship, did
not work in the afternoon—the
hottest part of the day.
But in the Engine Department,
the First Assistant had other
ideas. We worked from bell to
bell. This fink layed out the
work he wantecf done, and then
took- off to the deck, because it
was too hot for him. He claimed
he was a supervisor and did
not have to work.
Then he decided to bust a
Junior Engineer to Wiper, who
was from Mobile, claiming that
no man from the South was any
good. The pay-off is that the
First Assistant is from Florida!
He stated that he has to be
tough with men on these ships.
I reminded him that it takes
more than one to play the game.
He. got a bad time from the en
tire crew—including topside. He
disputed practically aU the ov
ertime except Sundays. One
crewmember mentioned that it
must be against-his religion to
dispute overtime on the day of
rest.
MR. YOUNGBLOOD AT WAR
Every day he found cartoons,
notes, etc., posted up slating how
phony he was. He complained
that the black gang was waging
psychological warfare on him.
All he did was stand around with
a pipe in his mouth. This dis-.
appeared one day. He was caught
painting^^ a storeroom. His paint
brushes vanished the follo\ylng
day. He went to open a tool
locker door and a bucket of
water came down on him. He
ran to the Chief, and moaned
that the black gang was setting
booby traps for him. I was ap
proached about this, and told
him that there must be an ex-
Marine on board for who else
would know how to set booby
traps?
He then changed his attitude,
which we expected. The Chief
Engineer was just as bad, but
he never showed his face around.
These two phonies are against
Labor, and everything that un-,
ions stand for.
HOME RUN PAYOFF
But they gave us our blood,
money in Baltimore. Curly'
Rentz, the Agent, and the Stew
ard Patrolman, Johnny, went to
bat for us, and came in with a.
home run. We all owe them our
thanks for the swell job of rep
resentation they did for us.
The Port Captain for Isthmian
said that this ship was in worse
shape than any ship ever to en
ter the port of Baltimore, so
bad was the overtime messed up
by these gestapo characters the
First Assistant, and the Chief
Engineer.
The Second Assistant was con
demned by these two, because
he was a typical seaman who
knew his job (which they didn't).
He was well liked by the crew,
who considered him a regular •
guy-
The latest rumor is that you
have to register for the draft if
under 26. There is no chance of
anyone being drafted that made
this trip; for they will either
end up in 4-F, or in a straight
jacket. I reckon I will meet
the boys at the hot dog stand.
To the new crew I will say,
"smooth sailing!"
P. Salvo
Engine Delegate
Departed Brother
By WANDERING SEAFARER
Just a dead seaman
On a foreign shore;
Just a dead seaman,
A word—no more.
Died on his ship
And that was all;
Just a poor seaman
Who answered his call.
Just a poor seaman
Gone to his rest;
Just a poor family
Hurled to distress.
He was the provider
By the sweat of his brow;
God's trumpet has blown
And he's answering now.
Just an SIU member.
Dead on foreign shore;.
Just a well loved Brother
We shall see no more.
Our flag dips in tribute
To our dead member there;
To the widow and orphans.
May God grant them care,
ft 4. t
For The Educated
By BILL GILSTRAP
Oh yes. I'm just a child;
I know, of course, its true.
And yet I feel as much as you.
And maybe more.
You claim to see just dust .
Where I see dreams and then.
With the constant rust
Of spoken words you
Brush my dreams away
And sweep them ftu:—
"Just trash", you say.
-Step
page Fourteen THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday. October 15. 1948
The Log Tours Ellis Island Hospital
The work of psychiatrists in the rehabilitation of
persons suffering from emotional disturbances has, in re
cent years, been the subject of much publicity in the
magazines and motion pictures. To seamen, the aid these
specialists offer may seem*
.distant and beyond their
reach should the need ever
arise v/hen psychiatric guid
ance is needed. Actually,
.however, the finest treat
ment available is no further
from a seaman than a short
ferry ride to Ellis Island
Marine Hospital in New
York Harbor, where, in ad
dition to medical and TB
sections, a neuropsychiatric
section operates.
These doctors, nurses and so
cial workers combine to form a
team that diagnoses, observes
and treats the illness of a sea
man much in the same manner
that a delicate operation would
be approached by a crack sur
gical team.
DIFFICULT JOB
Unlike a broken leg, where
treatment is pretty well estab
lished, getting to the root of an
emotional disturbance is often a
difficult job. The set-up at Ellis
Island is to first have the seaman
confer with one of the nine
psychiatrists on the staff. He is
not suiTer is that Ellis Isl
and Hospital is on the ap
proved list for doctoi-s wishing
to study neuropsychiartry. Of all
the marine hospitals, Ellis Isl
and offers the most extensive
service in the neurospychiatic
field.
According to Vernam T. Davis,
head of the neuropsychiatric ser
vice at the hospital, the doctors' •
main objective is to "get
a complete picture of the indi
vidual, his illness, his complaints
and find out what brought them
on so he can outgrow or over
come them himself." It is to
this end that the teams work.
The hospital estimates that
the average stay is about three
weeks, with incoming men suf
fering anything from a minor
nervous condition to a disease of
the brain or spine. Sometimes
the work of the hospital staff
brings quick results, other times
it is painfully slow with .little
improvement noted. While the
work of the hospital isn't al
ways successful, the staff is far
from discouraged. They know that
they have benefited dozens for
every case they have been un-
S. i. X
Men entering Ellis Island Hospital are first bedded in
the admitting ward, pictured here. During their stay here the
doctors call them into priveite consultation and determine the
course of treatment to be followed. They are then assigned a
permanent ward accordingly.
then visited by a trained social able to dent. That alone is worth
worker, who tries to help the. all tbe effort,
patient work out his problem.
Sometimes it is a difficulty with
his family. In this case, the
social worker communicates
with his relatives and tries to
unravel the situation. She also
attempts to aid him in his ad
justment to hospital life and en
courages him to take part in the
affairs of the hospital.
The seaman is then encour
aged to take part in occupation-
,al therapy. Although this service
is under the direction of the
Daughters of the American Rev
olution, in all phases of its
work it operates in close coop
eration with hospital officials.
R. S. Fagan, the hospital's
administrative officer who ac
companied the LOG reporter on
a tour, and Doctor L. E. Hoop
er, the medical director, stressed
ithe attempt *of the hospital to
provide every means possible to
return the seamen to normal
life within the restricted funds
available. Testimony to the fact
fhat quality at the hoepital does
At left a seaman tries his
hand at making candlesticks
on the wood lathe in the oc
cupational ther^ wood shop.
During their stay, men are
given the full freedom of the
hosf^al grounds and most re
ceive passes into New York
City over the week-ends.
In the occupational therapy
clinic they are encouraged to
try their hand at weaving,
wood-working, metal-working,
painting and all the other
crafts that are productive as
well as time consuming.
Often men discover unknown
skills while working here, and
several have continued to pur
sue them as their trades
ashore.
4- S-
In one of the two music rooms fitted out with all the
comforts of a home, a patient studies the music before him.
Radios, phonographs and musical instruments are also put at
the disposal of the seamen.
In the general shop are the looms and handicraft tools.
Here a seaman is working on a rug—the pattern, which he
designed himself, before him. All items created become the
properly of the seamen.
* In the large and spacious recreation room provided by the American Red Cross and the
Social Service Auxiliary several seamen gather around for a fast game of pool. The recreation
room is availal)le to patients of all sections of the hospital and offers a multitude of amuse
ments. Several times a month movies are shown and entertainment from New York provided.
i
Frida7. October 1$. I948 THE SEAFARERS h O G Page Fifteen
Men Now In Ue Marine Hospitak
These are the Union Brothers currently in the marine hospitals,
as reported by the Port Agents. These Brothers find time hanging
heavily 09 their hands. Do what you. can to cheer them up by
writing to them, y
BALTIMORE HOSPITAL
C. J. MITCHELL
C. L. HAMER
C. A. JSATI
J. D. ANDERSON -
M. E. MORES
J. P. THRASHER
C. SIMMONS
J. FITZSIMMONS
W. T. ROSS
F. PASQUALI
S. B. SETTLOFF
T. KARAVOKYOUS
R. A. LEVASSEUR
G. BUSH
F. BECKER
4 i
NEW ORLEANS HOSP.
J. N. HULL
J. DENNIS
S. C. TAREMAN
T. RIEGO
SlU HALLS
SIU, A&G District
BALTIMORE 14 North Gay St.
William Rentz, Agent Mulberry 4540
BOSTON 276 State St.
E. B. Tiiley, Agent Richmond 2-0140
Dispatcher Richmond 2-0141
GALVESTON SOSVi—23rd St.
Keith Alsop, Agent Phone 2-844S
MOBILE 1 South Lawrence St.
Cal Tanner, Agent Phone 2'.17S4
NEW ORLEANS 523 Bienville ^t.
E. Sheppard, Agent Magnolia 6112-6113
NEW YORK 51 Beaver St.
Joe Algina, Agent HAnover 2-2784
NORFOLK 127-129 Bank St.
Ben Reos, Agent Phone 4-1083
PHILADELPHIA. . .614-16 No. 13th St.
Lloyd Gardner, Agent Poplar S-1217
SAN FRANCISCO 85 Third St.
Steve Cardullo, Agent Donglas 2-5475
SAN JUAN, P.R. 252 Ponce de Loon
Sal Colls, Agent Sen Juan 2-5996
SAVANNAH 2 Ahercorn
Charles Starling, Agent Phone 3-1728
TAMPA 1809-1811 N. Franklin St.
R. H. Hall, Agent Phone M-1323
HEADQUARTERS. . 51 Beaver St., N.Y.C.
HAnover 2-2784
SECRETARY-TREASURER
Paul Hall
DIRECTOR OF ORGANIZATION
Lindsey Williams
ASSIST. SECRETARY-TREASURERS
Robert Matthews J, P. Shuler
Joseph Volpian
SUP
HONOLULU 16 Merchant St.
Phone 5-8777
PORTLAND Ill W. Burnside St
Beacon 4336
RICHMOND, Calif. 257 5th St.
Phone 2599
SAN FRANCISCO 59 Clay St.
Douglas 2-8363
SEATTLE 86 Seneca St.
Main 0290
WILMINGTON 440 Avaion Blvd.
Terminal 4-3131
Gt. Lakes District
BUFFALO 10 Exchange St.
Cleveland 7391
CHICAGO, Hi 3261 East B2nd St.
Phone: Essex 2410
CLEVELAND 2602 CarroU St.
Main 0147
DETROIT 1038 Third St.
Cadiiiac 6857
DULUTH 531 W. Michigan St.
Melrose 4110
TOLEDO 615 Summit St.
GarBeid 2112
Canadian District
MONTREAL 1227 Philips Square
VICTORIA, B.C 602 Boughton St.
Empire 4531
VANCOUVER 565 Hamilton St.
PaciBc 7824 »•
P. L. SAHUQUE
E. DANCY
A. M. LIPARI
H. S. TUTTLE
G. M. GRAY
E. JEANFREAU
J. ZIMMER
L. F. COOK
G. O'ROURKE
J. L. GREENE
J. SMITHE
G. D. BRADY
O. HOWELL
C. W. JOHNSON
A. R. KING
V. P. SALLINGS
M. C. MURPHEY
A. WARD
E. E. WEBBER
R. GIERCZIC
K. A. PARKS
W. R. GREBE
R. A. HACKER
T. F. OLIVER
N. ROMANO
J. E. TIENSIUM
S. LeBLANC
L. KAY
B. BIGGS
H. WEBBER
C. HELM i ^
J. HODGES
% ^
STATEN ISLAND HOSPITAL
A. EWING
A. VANELZUELA
M. CASTRO
J. McNEELY
A. JENSBY
D. DeDUISEN
T. ZEMRZUSKI
W. H. NUNN
J. BOUYEA
W. HUNT
R. L. JOHNSTON
K. C. CROWE
C. OPPENHEIMER
W. H. PERRY
T. MANDICK
C. NANGLE
C. W. HALLA
P. G. DAUGHERTY
i t, t,
GALVESTON HOSPITAL
W. McCUISTION
JAMES MATTHEWS
H. R. WILLIAMSON
J. A. GIVENS
D. HUTCHESON
J. MAPP
» » &
BOSTON MARINE HOSP.
JULIUS HENSLEY
VIC MILAZZO
JOHN J. GEAGAN
4, t t
MOBILE HOSPITAL
R. ARMSTRONG
JAMES CARROLL
CHARLES E. GLOVER
JOHN F. GERSEY
HARRY J. GRONIN
A. C. McALPIN
T. W. TAYLOR
WILEY HINTON
H. R. LOWMAN
J. H. ASHURST
SAN JUAN HOSPITAL
W. EISENDER
J. B. GARDNER
E. RICHARDS
R. TORRES
E. B. HOLMES
Minutes Of A&G Branch Meetings In Brief
{Continued from Page 7)
would contact Brother Avera at
the Mobile. Hall, in order that
he may obtain the necessary in
formation needed to take action
regarding his claim against the
Company. Several members took
the deck and asked that the
Brothers be more careful about
loitering on the sidewalks around
the Hall, and making remarks
that would bring iU-repute to the
Union. Meeting adjourned at
7:55 P. M. with 260 members
present.
X ^ ^
PUERTO RICO — No meeting
was held- as there were not
enough present to form a quo
rum. The following Brothers
volunteered to audit the books
and bills: E. F. Martinez; J
Sanchez, and R. J. Morgan.
XXX
NORFOLK — Chairman, Carl
son, 39664; Recording Secretary,
Rose, 3139; Reading Clerk Wool-
ford, 100935.
All Branch 'minutes were ac
cepted, save for Puerto Rico,
which was referred to New Busi
ness. The Agent's and Patrol
men's written reports were read
and accepted. Under New Busi
ness the floor was opened for
nominations for Union office. The
following Brothers were elected
to the Trial Committee: J.
Glover, C. Aycock, Joe Lupton,
J. Hodges, and P. Adkins. A
Committee was elected to count
the ballots, to meet at 10:00 A. M.
Saturday. Brothers L. Paradeau,
C. Gardner, H. Dennis, L.
Wright, W. Strickland, and C.
Newman comprised the Commit
tee. Under Good and Welfare,
several members spoke on wel
fare and conditions on the ships.
205 men were registered, and 97
shipped. Meeting adjourned with
325 members present.
XXX
BALTIMORE—Chairman, WiL
•Ham Rentz, 26445; Recording
Secretary, Ben Rees, 95; Read
ing Clerk, A1 Stansbury, 4663.
Motion carried to suspend the
regular order of business and go
into Obligations and charges. The
following Brothers were Obli
gated: N. Jackson, R. Wright, C.
Martinez, S. McCormick, C. In-
man, A. Sweigart, M. Bugawan,
A. Weir, M. Vanckwiccl, Charles
D. Rummey, Gilbert N. Prince,
James Townseny, James H.
Broot, G. D. Martin, J. G. Sal
mon, S. T. McKinney, W. Wal
ters, Lionel Abramson, G. Mc-
Nice, R. Fontaine, M. Laakso, H.
Shiba, C. Scott, E. Max, and J.
Karalewski. Motion carried to
accept the Trial Committee's re
port. The Baltimore minutes
and the Baltimore financial re
ports for September 24 and Octo
ber 2 were read and accepted.
The Secretary-Treasurer's weekly
financial _ reports for September
18 and 25 were accepted. The
Philadelphia minutes were read,
and a motion was made to non
concur with the motion concern
ing placing an extra Patrolman
on the ballot, and to accept the
remainder of the minutes. Car
ried. A motion carried to non
concur with that part of the
Galveston minutes concerning
shipping rules, and to accept the
remainder. A motion carried to
non-concur with the Puerto Rico
minutes. Other New Business
of Branches holding meetings
was read and accepted. The
Agent's report was accepted. The
Patrolmen's reports were made
and accepted. The Dispatcher
reported 469 registered, and 305
shipped. The Hospital Commit
tee's report was accepted. Under
New Business a motion carried
to instruct the Agent to have the
chairs in the Hall repaired and
to get two tables that are needed.
One minute of silence for de
parted Brothers. Under Good
and Welfare various members
spoke concerning the good job
the Balloting Committee was do
ing. There was discussion on
the Ore ships. Meeting ad
journed at 7:50 P. M. with 299
member's present.
XXX
NEW ORLEANS — Chairman,
Tex Suit, 6951; Recording Secre
tary, Herman Troxclair, 6743;
Reading Clerk, Buck Stephens,
76.
New Orleans previous minutes,
and financial reports of Septem
ber 25 and October 2 accepted.
The Secretary-Treasurer's finan
cial reports for September 18
and 25 read and accepted. Mo
tion carried to read only New
Business from the Branches. Mo
tion to non-concur in that part
of the Philadelphia minutes re
garding placing a Patrolman on
the ballot and to accept the rest.
Motion carried. Motion to non
concur in the San Juan minutes
regarding the putting of a com
bination Dispatcher — Patrolman
NOTICE!
JOSEPH RUDOLPH
Your wallet and discharges
were found on the Robin Trent
and are being held for you at
the 4th Floor Baggage Room,
Mew York Hall, 51 Beaver Street,
New Yoi'k.
X X X
Anyone finding Pete Trianta-
fillos' wallet which he left on
the Sixth Deck in New York
please send it tb Pete at 625
Northeast 22nd Street, Miami,
Florida. Pete especially wants
back the picture of his late
father, his Masonic card and
other papers.
on the ballot. Carried. Acting
Agent Buck Stephens reported
that Agent Bull Sheppard was in
New York assisting in the beef
between the ILGWU and the
garment industry thugs, , and
would give a report of the part
played by the SIU upon his - re
turn. Business affairs of the
Port are in good shape, but New
Orleans shipping has fallen off.
There have been ten payoffs and
six sign-ons since last meeting,
and there are about the same
number of payoffs scheduled for
the next two weeks. In the last
two weeks there have been three
lay-up jobs. Two were Alcoa
ships and one was an Isthmian.
There are five Alcoa ship^ lined
up for payoff and all five are to
go in the boneyard. Crescent
Salvage and Towing Company
has signed a contract, and the
membership is advised that it is
all right now to take the lines of
their tugs. The MFOW&W are
to start picketing Bisso Tugs due
to their moving hot ships in the
harbor, and when this starts the
membership will be informed so
they will know not to allow
these tugs to handle our ships.
Report accepted. The Patrol
men's reports accepted. The Dis
patcher reported 405 men regis
tered, and 407 shipped. The
communication from Headquar
ters regarding electing a Ballot
ing Committee to coimt the bal-
olts for the General Fund Assess
ment was read, and a motion
was carried to elect the com
mittee at a special meeting Fri
day afternoon. The Secretary-
Treasurer's report was accepted.
A committee elected at the edu
cational meeting reported on
members loitering in front of the
Hall and recommended: First,
that a sign be placed at the bot
tom of the stairs stating "No
loitering or disorderly conduct
will" be tolerated in front of this
building. This by orders of the
membership;" second, that this
ruling be strictly enforced by the
Doorman; And, third, that any
member failing to adhere to this
ruling will be subject to appear
before a trial committee and
fined a maximum of $10 for the
first offense. Report accepted.
The Tallying Committee's report
was accepted. One minute of
silence for departed Brothers.
General discussion under Good
and Welfare. Meeting adjourned
at 9:30 P.M. with 320 bookmen-
bers present.
Quiz Answers
1. Jackson
2. Lace
3. Offenses and Punishment
4. May
5. 1929
6. Ill feet, 6 inches
7. $219.55
8. 6 times
9. July
10. 697 nautical miles
Notice To All SIU Members
The SEAFARERS LOG as the official publication of the Sea
farers International Union is available to all members who wish
to have it sent to their home free of charge for the enjoyment of
their families and themselves when ashore. If you desire to have
the LOG sent to you each week address cards are on hand at every
SIU branch for this purpose.
However, for those who are at sea or at a distance from a SIU
hall, the LOG reproduces below the form used to request the LOG,
which you can fill out, detach and send to: SEAFARERS LOG, 51
Beaver Street, New York 4, N. Y.
PLEASE PRINT INFORMATION
To the Editor:
I would like the SEAFARERS LOG mailed to the
address below:
Name ^ —.
Street Address
City State
Signed
Book No..
Page Sixteen THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, October 15, 1948
The MitBck on SS'^SIxeet
OR
WHO TOOKTWrigATOFF-ftlgeANesrERS?
Hie SlUand Ifie lt6WU mo^ oqainsf 4lie
Kockefeeir in -Hie cigrweirt'jndustni
is official pi^ssure beinq puton
the Sea^rersandthe IL6WU P IVtet
Itas happened tbtfe im/i^tiiqcd^