Media
Issue Date
1942-07-09
Volume
4
Issue Number
23
Plaintext
m
Open Letter Of Protest To Collier's Magazine
j^ditors, Collier's Magazine
250 Pank Avenue, New York City
Sirs:
July 8, 1942
t*u^'
This is a protest against a vicious attack upon maritime labor
unions which you printed in the June'27th issue of Collier's magazine
. under the title, "All Hands onDeck." ^
, I am sending this protest In the form of an open letter for I in
,tend to publish it in our union paper, knowing there is little likeli
iiood of it ever seeing print in your magazine.
i Collier's has never madeany pretense of being prolabor, but from
time to time you have been rather .pretentious about your "objective
"journalism." The article I refer to, written by Howard Hartley, is
hardly "objective." It reveals the writer to be both a sloppy journalist
with no reverence for facts, and possessed of a violent bias against
' labor unions.
It is hardly possible, within the scope of a letter, to present
complete refutation of Hartley's charges against maritime labor unions,
but I do want to call your atleucion to a few the blind haymakers
thrown so indiscriminately at the labor movement.
Libel Against American, Seamen
Hartley's principal charges against American seamen are: 1". They
are poor sailors (don't know their craft); 2. They are physical wrecks
and can't perform their work; 3. They are subversive aggitators; and
4. They are moral degenerates andattack female passengers. Oh, yes,
one final point he makes is that their unions are full of racketeers who
prey upon (a) the shipowner, (b) the public and (c) the United
States Government.
"w ...
Of course Mr. Hartley doesn't come right out and make all these
charges in so many words. He, and you, his editors, obviously had one
• eye on the laws of libel. But the implications are all present and one
doesn't have to read between the lines to get them.
Let's take up the charges in reverse order.
In discussing the strikes on the waterfront. Hartley makes no
effort to present the economic issues involved in these strikes; the
story of the cruel exploitation of the seamen for years by the ship
owners; the systematic bow reign of terror designed to keep the men
|?roken in spirit and disunited. No, Hartley sees "A plague of water
Jront strikes" which resulted because of "activities of racketeers and
aggitators within the maritime unions."
Spotless Record of S.LU.
Speaking for the A. F. of L. seafaring unions, which means the
Seafarers International Union of North America, Atlantic & Gulf Dis-
trict, and the Sailors Union of the Pacific, I can say that we conducted
several strikes prior to the entry of the United States into the war.
These strikes were democratically voted upon and conducted by the
rank and file members of our unions. The strikes were for the imme-
^diate objectives of better wages and working conditions. There were
no shake-downs, blackmailings or racketeering and I defy you and
your reporter to prove that.there were. We have engaged in nothing
but legitimate union activity . . . which includes the right to strike!
' In the best tradition of gutter journalism. Hartley writes, "letters
{Conthmcd on ?age 2)
%
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OiFFZOIAL aBOAH OF THE ATLAMTIC AND 6^ D18TBICT,
EBAFdUUSM' nmneNATIONAL UNION OF NOBTH AKEBIGA
VC«L IV. IH NEW YORK, N. Y., THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1942 No. 25
S.I.U. REQUESTS MARITIME
BOARD TO BOOST BONUS
The following brief was submitted to Captain Macauley, chairman of the W.E.B., on
July 2 by Mathew Dashane, Washington representative of the Seafarers International
Union. Copies of this brief were also sent to Frank Graham and John Steelman, members
of the Board. A formal hearing on the requests will be held in the middle of the month.
Port Watchman
Agencies Hit For
Chiseling Wages
SKIPPER THINKS SUB IS A
BUOY; GETS TORPEDOED
Brother James Martin has been torpedoed four times
since the war began. Ships have been shot from under him
in the South, Central and North Atlantic. He has spent
days in lifeboats, on rafts and in the water hanging on to
wreckage. There is not much he doesn't know about subs
and torpedoes and so he was pretty*
disgusted on his last trip when the
skipper didn't even know what a
sub's conning tower looked like
and let his ship be picked off like
a clay pigepp. "
It all happened at 6 o'clock on
the morning of July 3rd 200 miles
off the coast of New England.
Martin had, just turned to on the
bridge and was at the wheel when
a sub surfaced about 300 yards off
the port bow.
The skipper spotted the strange
phenomina, which didn't look like
any fish he had ever seen. After
studying it a moment he said,
"Buoy off the port bow."
Martin took a gander at the
buoy—and gulped. Struggling to
sound respectful to a man of super
ior knowledge and experience, he
said to the skipper, "Kinda far out
from shore for a buoy, ain't it
Captain?"
{Coniitilted on Pttge 4)
Patrolman Thwarts Shipowner's
Move For Slave Maritime Labor
Sir "Walter Carpenter, owner of the Carpenter Steamship Company which oper
ates out of Vancouver, B.C., doesn't like the idea of paying union wages and so he
• conceived the bright idea of importing his own seamen from the Fiji Islands.
The only trouble was that the Fiji seamen were not the halfsavage men Sir Wal
' ter« thought them, and when they hit Canada they revolted against the slave conditions.
» When they refused to sign on Sir Walter's ship, they were locked
up and refused food and water. It was only the militant action of or
ganized maritime labor in Vancouver that TorCed the shipowner to
release the men and subsequently to abandon his whole idea of import
ing seamen from South Pacific islands on the theory, that they would
* work for a bowl of rice with every now and then a fish thrown in
for good measure.
Much credit for the break up of Sir Walter's scheme goes to the
SlU patrolman in Vancouver, who fought the entire setup. This SIU
official sent the following account to the Log'
' (^Continued on Page 4) ^
BULLETIN
The War Labor Board has just
ruled in favor of the Great Lakes
District of the SIU which has been
fighting with the D. & C. Naviga
tion Company on the question of
wages. The Board instructed the
line to boost A.B pay from $155
per month to $178..
Nine Port Watchmen (watch
man and guard) agencies have
been enjoined from violating the
WageHour Law under the terms
of consent judgments signed by U.
S. District Judge Simon H. Rif
kind.
This was announced today by C.
Ira Funston, Acting Regional At
TO WAR EMERGENCY
BOARD:
WAR BONUS DECISIONS:
Gentlemen:
The Sailors Union of the Pacific
The Seafarers Int'l Union, Pacific
District, and the Seafarers Int'l
Union, Atlantic & Gulf District,
requests that the War Emergency
Board give favorable consideration
to the following proposals. The
above organizations feel that in the
interest of national unity and in
the all out war effort, that these
proposals will help to bolster the
morale of the seamen at this partic
ular time, when it becomes of vital
interest to the United Nations to
keep the ships moving and keep the
flow of war supplies to the armed
forces of the United Nations. The
above organizations feel that the
proposals submitted herewith are
fair and reasonable.
1: That all bonus rates be put in
classification No. 1.
2. That bonus be paid in all ports
of the world, with the exception of
ports in the continential U. S.
3. That all ports and bases in the
Aleution Islands, and Alaska, with torney. Office of the Solicitor, U.
S. Department of Labor. The nine the exception of south eastern Al
concerns. were charged with fail
ing to pay overtime to their em
ployees and also failing to keep
proper and adequate employment
records. The companies must here
after adhere to the provisions of
the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Investigation of the concerns
was made under the direction of
Arthur J. White, Regional Direct
or, Wage and Hour Division, U. S.
Department of Labor. The . con
cerns are:
Allied Maritime Protective Ser
vice, 2 Rector Street, Vincent Di
Brienza, doing business as Marine
Detective Service, 2 5 Broadway; J.
Fred Lohman, Jr., doing business as
Van Hoesen and Brother, 24 Stone
Street; McRobcrts Protective
Agency, 6 State Street; Nicholas
Mealli and Anna V. Mcalli, co
pdrtners, doing business as Meallic
Detective Service, 17 Battery
Place; Oceanic Service Corporation,
26 Beaver Street; Henry H. Pape,
doing business as Standard Bureau
of Investigation, 15 Whitehall
Street; Anthony F. Vachris, doing
business as Port of New York
Watchman Supply Co., 3909 Third
Avenue, Brooklyn; Charles W.
Van, Hoesen Watching Service
aska, be classified in the $125.00
Area, and this bonus rate be retro
active to June 3rd, 1942 the day
that Dutch Harbor was bombed by
the Japanese.
4. That all of Australia and New
Zealand be classified in the $125.00
Area and this bonus rate be retro
active to June 1st, 1942.
{Continued on Page 4)
Shipowner Robbed of
$15,000 in Jewels
Mrs. Hans J. Isbrandtsen, wife
of the shipowner operating a
merchant fleet under his awn
name, was robbed this week of
her jewels. She kept her trinkets
"in a little box" on her dresser.
The police revealed that the
missing jewels were valued at
$15,000 and included rubies, dia
monds, sapphires and jade set in
platinum and gold.
The most valuable single pieoe
was a diamond bracelet, with
"eight pearshaped diamonds,
weighing twelve carats; sixty
; eight French cut diamonds,
I weighing four carats, 212 round
I diamonds, weighing five carats;
! and bearing a tiffany stamp."
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Pjue Tw^o THE SEAFARERS' LOG
lV
t:
Publithea by th»
SEAFARERS' INTERNATIONAL UNION
OF NORTH AMERICA
Ailonuc and Gull District
Affiliated with the Amerioati Federation of Labor
HARRY LUNDEBERG, Intamotloncd President
110 Market Street, Room 402, San Francisco, C^ii
AD.DRE83 ALL OORREBPONDENCB OONOERNJNQ THIS
PUBLIOATION TO:
"THE SEAFABERS' LOG
P. O. 25. Station P. New York, N. Y. *
Phone: BOwling Green 98346
Thursday, July 9, 1942
LT.F. LONDON CONFERENCE
DEMANDS SAFETY REFORMS
Representatives of 12 seafaring nations met this past week in London, England,
and laid plans for the improving of conditions and wages of all seamen the world'
over. Particular emphasis was given to the instalation of the newest safety equipment
in order to reduce the casualty rate of the merchant seamen.
The conference, called by the I.L.O. and meeting under the auspicies of the Inter
national Transport, Workers' Fed* —
Open Protest Letter
f. I ' iC'
hi
{Contimied from Page 1)
from women protested against being awakened in the staterooms by
Pinion Stewards with a cheery, 'Hi, Babe, get up.' Other Stewards . . .
had conducted escort bureaus for lonely women and had molested
girls in dark corridors."
It would be absurd to deny that no Steward at any time ever
made such a remark as "Hi, Babe, get up." This may have happened
ht some time over the past years. But I can deny the generalization
Vhich Hartley tries to draw from such an incident, namely, that all
union seamen arc rapers and that a woman passenger isn't safe on a
Ship manned by a union crew. This generalization is so obviously ab
feurd to any one familiar with the merchant marine, that I don't pro
pose to waste any time or space upon it.
Fascist Attitude Revealed
Striking a typical Fascist pose. Hartley attacks unions as un
American. He writes, "... most of these . . . sailors are physically
iinfit, dangerous aggitators ..."
For your information, all seamen are examined by a doctor prior
to signing on each ship. American seamen are physically sounder than
probably any other group of workers in the country. And as for being
aggitators, such a charge naeds clarification . . . clarification which
Hartley is careful to avoid.
Does he (and Collier's) mean that all union men are "dangerous
aggitators?" Is the entire labor movement unAmerican? Is every strike
the result of either a racket or subversion?
Hartley's formulation on this issue is purposely vague and there
fore difficult to answer. For our part, we can only say that if it is un
American to fight for a living wage and decent working conditions, if
it is subversive to demand that the shipowners treat us as freeborn men
with a dignity as American workers, then make the most of it for
we are guilty.
Maritime Heroes Slandered
Hartley, in describing the new graduates of the Maritime Com
mission schools, has this to say, "... (the graduates are) better seamen
than half of the men in our old merchant marine."
This is a foul slander on the men who have courageously sailec
our .merchant fleet in peace and war and who today place their lives
in jeopardy each time they sail. Our union alone has lost 473 men due
to enemy torpedoes.
American seamen arc the most able and efficient in the world
They have the skill and courage that comes only to freeminded men
who have learned to fight for their rights.
We have no quarrel with the boys now graduating from the
Maritime Commission schools. Most of them are joining the union
movement in spite of the antilabor propaganda to which they are con
tinually subjected. But we do say this ... no man can become a real
sailor by merely attending school for a few months. It takes actual sea
experience to make a'seaman. The U. S. Government itself recognizes
this fact by requiring 3 years sea service before issuing a full A. B.
ticket to a man.
The Maritime Commission schools are turning out many good
potential seamen. We, the maritime unions, are welcoming these men
into our organizations and shall do our best to make them both good
seamen and good union men. You may be certain that the great ma
jority of these graduates will remain uneffected by the poisonous anti
labor propaganda, of which your article is typical.
These graduates will become union men, not because of any pres
sure from "goon squads," but because it is to their economic interest
to do so, and because their entire background and tradition demands
that they stand upon their two feet and bargain with their employers
as proud and independent Americans.
Very truly yours,
JOHN HAWK
eration, was attended by Morris
Weisbergcr, representing the SIU.
Brother Weisberger gave a detailed
report on conditions in the United
States 'and took a leading part in
the drafting of plans for future
Federation action.
Turning to the reports prepared
by the I.L.O. and the various pro
posals of the delegates the con
ferees devoted several days to
frank discussion of conditions pre
vailing aboard ship and safety mea
sures necessitated by the war.
Among the measures approved by
the Conference are: Two motor
lifeboats on all ships over 3000
tons; steel lifeboats on tankers and
ships carrying inflammable m.ater
ial; lifeboats to be provided with
compass, signal pistols, waterproof
charts and first aid kits; mechanic
ally operated lifeboat davits; ap
pointment of government inspect
ors to supervise safety conditions;
greater lifeboat supply of fresh
water in buoyant containers; life
boats equipped with radio trans
mission sets; better lifeboat hulls
with suitable weather protection;
and appropriate fire and boat drills
for the crew before leaving port.
The Conference also adopted an
outspoken resolution with regard to
seamen's welfare in port, demand
ing that instead of socalled char
ity proper provisions be made for
seamen and that these be enforcec
under the joint control of seamen
and shipowners. It was also empha
sized that seamen on shore ought
to be treated as citizens and indi
viduals equal to anyone, and not be
singled out for special treatment.
Spokesmen of the Chinese and In
dian seamen urged that steps be
taken to improve the conditions
and treatment of their nationals in
overseas ports. These demands met
with great sympathy and the
promise that appropriate action
would be taken to defend the in
terests of these seamen.
HEROES OF THE DEEP
(Dedicated to the Lost Members of the S.I.U.)
TOLL FOR THE BRAVE,
THE BRAVE THAT ARE NO MORE.
ALL SUNK BENEATH THE WAVES
FASTBY AND FAR FROM THEIR NATIVE SHORE.
OVER FIVE HUNDRED OF THE BRAVE,
WHOSE COURAGE WELL WAS TRIED,
HAVE SEEN THEIR VESSELS YIELD AND
KEEL OVER ON THEIR SIDE.
THEY DEFIED THE FOE BY SAILING ON,
UNDAUNTED THEY SEEMED EVER TO BE;
THEY CARRIED ON IN THE FACE OF DEATH
FOR THE CAUSE OF LIBERTY.
THEY WERE EVER IN ALL SEA'S BATTLES,
THEY'VE FACED THE TEMPEST'S SHOCKS,
THEIR SHIPS HAVE SPRUNG SOME FATAL LEAKS,
THEY'VE BEEN DASHED UPON THE ROCKS.
TOLL FOR THE BRAVE,
BRAVE UNION SEAMEN HAVE GONE. "
THEIR LAST SEA FIGHT IS FOUGHT,
THEIR WORK OF GLORY DONE.
Pacific District SIU No. 60
U. S. Employment
Service Blasts
Discrimination
As part of a comprehensive code
to guard against racial or religious
discrimination i n j o b s filled
through the United States Empluy
ment Service, Mrs. Anna M. Ros
enberg, regional director of the So
cial Security Boardj has instructed
all public employment offices in
this State not to make placements
for any employer who "refuses to
employ otherwise qualified appli
cants solely because of race, color,
creed, national origin or descent,"
it was learned yesterday.
In a memorandum sent to all U.
S. E. S. administrative employes,
Vfrs. Rosenberg said it would be
the official policy of the . gency to
Out of the Foesl
by
3.. X.
We wonder if the oldtimers in all their experience ever saw ii
sea buoy 130 miles off shore? A Captain's imagination which thought
a sub was a buoy, cost the loss of his ship. The Ensign did not give
orders to fire on the object and the brand new ship with its 14 guns
and important cargo, went down. The old man should never be al
lowed to sail an American ship again. Many of our brothers were lost
because of the skipper's indecision. Percy De Leon, after being blown
off the ship into the sea, was able to maneuver around, and grabbed
hold of as dynamite barrel which went off and blew him into Kingdom
come. One of the brothers never got out of his bunk and was burned;
to death. To the friends and relatives of these lost brothers we extend
our heartfelt sympathy.
A A . A
Brother Gebula had his first experience on a torpedoed vessel.
Never having been in water before in his life, he was blown off the
boat deck, went down and came up, and had the presence of mind to
grab the first thing he saw and was rescued. All he got out of it was
a black eye. He says he's going back, as he fells lucky. John T. (Red), ,
Wulzen, was a member of the same crew and has survived his second
torpedoing. Red says he has now been on the best and the worst ships
and they seem to knock them pff each time. He is going to ship again
soon and as lon^ as his two children are taken care of, he says he doesn't
mind if he's lost at sea. It is the spirit of men like him that will eventu
ally win the battle with the subs.
AAA
Izzy Cohen was scared lest we write something about him, but
Jo Jo Flanagan gave a good: description of him. It is reported every
time Izzy gets to the City of Brotherly Love, Joe closes the Hall. Tom
Slack wants to inform us that the only man he ever grubbed a dime
off was Harry Collins, e
of the labor supply" by encourag
ing employers to eliminate from
their job orders any specifications,
including age or sex, that were not
associated with ability to perform
'stimulate the fullest utilization the job.
Notice For Crew
Of Alcoa Voyager
Members of the crew who paid'
off on July 1st, are entitled to $4
linen money. (Collect at any Alcoa
office.
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r
Thursday, July 9, 1942 THE SEAFARERS' LOG Page Threi
WHArS DOING
Around the Ports
BOSTON
By
JOHN MOGAN
• I dispatched a full crew for a
new Liberty Ship but there devel
9ped many hitches. The men were
all excited for two weeks before
dispatching them as the operators
postponed crewing dates three
times and the ship's yard delayed
delivery twice.
This mix up could easily be
avoided by having proper coor
dination. Much credit should be
given the crew for the manner in
which they took these numerous
postponements.
Another problem wliich con
fronts us in Boston is that there are
plenty of O.S., Wipers and Mess
men applying for jobs and very
few jobs to give them. Some means
must be taken to utilize these fu
ture seamen as they are all young
Arilerican citizens and possess
fair education.
I have several ships in port here
and two of the ships' Captains have
been calling at our office most every
day to complain about some mem
ber of the crew. Nothing serious,
jjust the Captain's nerves. Finally I
had to tell the skipper to take sev
eral days off and have a good drunk
and leave the question of the crew
to us.
PHILADELPHIA
By
JOSEPH FLANAGAN
. Two Iron Maidens (nee) Liberty
3hips, arrived here this week. Beefs
concerning the cramped quarters
were the major issues. It seems
the crew are called upto to make
more sacrifices. We wonder why
the spacious quarters assigned to
officers can't be requisitioned for a
change? And the cadets eliminated.
After all, we arc all concerned with
winning this war, and it is only
proper that we should all make
some sacrifices. It is nothing new
for officers to double up. We can
all remember when the shipowners
wanted more cargo space they nev
er hesitated to take the quarters
from any and all men on their
ships. If the Maritime Commish
and War Shipping Administration
really are concerned with improv
ing the moral of the seamen, they
should try to equalize the incon
veniences as much as possible.
Peace reigns temporarily at Fil
thydelphia. "Get Going" Sampson,
Matt Lynn, and Walt Lebon have
shipped out. This trio could dis
turb the peace of Paradise. After
many moons big chief Isadore Co
hen was returned to these hunting
grounds. His great Wliite Father,
Harry Collins, must have been dis
pleased with him. However Lemon
inthePuss Izzy finds hunting very
poor here. He relates a vivid tale
of how he was nearly torpedoed
going down on a train to join a
ship in some port. We found out
later that Izzy was merely looking
at a picture of a torpedo in some
daily paper. Better luck next time,
Izzy.
A number of our old brothers
have returned from many ports.
We arc sure happy to see them
back safe. One of them. Bill Fowl
er, has returned with many rubbles.
Among his trophies is a button
from the uniform of a Russian sol
dier which he is going to present to
CollinSi Other Brothers who have
returned safely are: Frank Tilley,
Campbell, Earl Noteware and our
famous Greek, K. Hotgitimisios.
"Do the BestYouCan" Hill
man is now among the tropedoed
survivors. Six days in a lifeboat
hasn't dulled his speaking capacity
any, but I guess his experience is
worth a drink in any man's saloon.
NEW YORK
By
H. J. COLLINS
every time extra gun crews are put
aboard, the unlicensed members of Roy McNish, Frankic Onley, Soapy
Vi
A REMINDER
Any member of the SlU who accepts transportation money
from an operator to get to the point of debarkation of his ship,
and then refuses to sign on, shall refund the transportation
money to the operator and shall be fined $25 by the union.
A member delaying a ship or quitting without notice in ac
cordance with the ship's articles and the union contract, shall
be placed on trial. If the member is found guilty of the charge,
he shall be suspended for 30 days, plus a $20 fine for the first
offense; six months suspension and a $50 fine for the second!
offense; and for the third offense he^ shall be expelled from the
Union.
Adopted at Agents Conference in Savannah—^Ratified
by the membership.
Rules on Personal Effects:
IF YOUR SHIP 18 SUNK A NO YOU LOSE YOUR GEAR,
YOU ARE ENTITLED UP TO AND INGLUDIWG $250 COM
PENSATION ONLY IF YOU HAVE MADE OUT A LIST AND
VALUATION OF YOUR BELONGINGS AND FILED IT WITH
THE SKIPPER BEFORE SAILING. FAILING THIS, YOU ARE
ENTITLED UP TO AND INCLUDING $150. IF YOU FAIL TO
LIST AND FILE YOUR GEAR, THERE IS NOTHING THE
UNION CAN DO TO AID YOU TO COLLECT MORE THAN
THE $150i
RMUCS on Death Benefits:
ALWAYS NAME. A BENEFICIARY FOR YOUR $5,000
GOVERNMENT INSURANCE IN CASE OF DEATH AT SEA.
MANY CASES HAVE, BEEN HUNG UP FOR MONTHS BE
CAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF A MAN TO NAME A BENE
FICIARY. PROTECT YOUR FAMILY BY NAMING A BENE
FICIARYI
————— I
Well, here we go again doing
business at the same old place as
usual. We had quite a setback this
week when the old warhorse from
the gulf, better know as "iron
pantsJohnson," fowled up his
books and it became necessary for
the Agent to suspend him and to
prefer clrarges according to the
Constitution. This will be quite a
dissappointment to his many
friends. Let us hope that this won't
be repeated again in a hurry.
It has been reported by very re
liable authority that JoJo from the
city of Brotherly Love, is having
quite a time getting the new Lib
erty ships crewed up. I suppose it
is due in part from the effects of
the jolting that he gives them when
he takes them from the Hall to the
ships in his ironbound chariot.
Blubber faced Tommy is doing
rather nicely these days, but it is
hard to understand why he shares
a room with a certain individual
and never gets in until five in the
morning, we also wonder what he
was doing coming down 47 th
street with his undershirt all torn
and scratches on his belly. Now
don't tell us, "no" door could do
that. Leaping "J. L." the head
quarter's columnist better stop
panning JoJo or the goons from
Philly might catch up with him
and they might seperate him from
his galumpkie.
But leaving all jokes aside,
where arc all the good writers from
Philly who used to send in such
good material to the Log each
week? The editor sure misses your
copy, especially that of DCJ. Get
going Casey. Welh I guess that we
have said enough for this time, but
in closing, buy bonds or you will
be in thefn.
SEAFARERS' INTERNATIONAL UNION
OF NORTH AMERICA
ATUimC end GULF DlSTBICf
SecrotaxYTrecDsmz^'a Office
loom 213 — 2 SUma SbMt. N«w York City
O. bs 25, Stotim P Phonw BOwUag Green
MJtNCH
WEW YOBK .....
DIREGTORY OF BRANCHES
ADDBE9S PHONE
..2 Stone St .BQwling Green $048
BOSTOlf
PHOVIDENCE
BALTIMOHE
Dlepotoher'a Office BQwling Green 93488
~M.„.330 Ailontie Ave ...liberty 4D57
465 South Main St Manning 3572
omr i.r>«t,TTT,. ^ ....... Calvert 4539
Lombard 7651
C^opnercial PL Norfolk 41083
o?o MAgnolia 3962
^ Savannah 31728
206 So. Franklin St Tampa MM1323
—zz 55 So Conception St....De*ter 1449
HICO 45 Ponce da Leon Puerto de Tierra
aALVESTON 2014 Market Street Galveston 28043
NEW ORLEANS
By
"ARMY"
See by the papers .that we are
still losing a few of the ships and
the boys on them. When a man
gets one sunk under him, gets
picked up tthen has the rescue ship
also sunk, it is getting monotonous.
But when the second rescue ship is
also sunk, then it is too much of a
good thing.
Things are running by yumps
and yerks here. One week all hands
are on the hop, the next all hands
are setting around the hall waiting
for one to show up.
Things are coming, to a fine head
when some shavetail that is one of
Ships To Be Named
Gompers And Furuseth
Two of the most famous of the nation's recent labor leaders will
be honored when ships bearing their names arc launched as part of a
giant Labor Day celebration, sponsored by the Martime Comr^ission.
One ship is to be christened "Samuel Gompers," the other "An
drew Furuseth." Furuseth, a late leader of the Pacific Seamen and one
of the founders of the Seamen's Union in 188 5. He became known as
the father of unionism on the sea and won for seamen some of their
greatest gains.
One of his biggest triumphs occured in 1915 when President
Woodrow Wilson signed a law granting sweeping concessions to Am
erican seamen, a law which Furuseth had sponsored and fought for.
It was SUP aggitation that finally prompted the Maritime Com
mission to name one of the new ships after "Andy." Last week Harry
Lundeberg received the following letter from Admiral Land:
^ w
Mr. Harry Lundeberg, Sec.Tieas. June 26, 1942
Sailors Union of the Pacific
59 Clay Street
San Francisco, California
Dear Mr. Limdeberg;
Thank you for your letter of June 17 and the added support
given the name Andrew Furuseth. A number of others have suggested
his name for one of the Victory Fleet ships.
We now have under consideration a plan for celebrating Labor
Day, giving full recognition to the important part that the shipyard
and f.ictory workers are taking in this fight for freedom. We are as
sembling a group of selected names taken from the history of labor's
progress. These names will be assigned to ships launched throughout
the country on Labor Day. Our policy has been not to name ships
for those living.
You may rest assured that Andrew Furuseth will he included
amo,ng the names we use at the Labor Day launchings.
Sincerely yours,
E. S. LAND
the 90 day wonders, can go around
an army transport calling the crew
members a bunch of draft dodgers.
Expect that this is one of the birds
who would be the first to holler if
the draft dodgers didn't get the
stores ia there so that he can con
tinue to eat. When the majority of
the Army men and officers act
regular, then have some punk like
this start throwing his weight
around, insulting crew members, it
is time to take stock and find how
come. The men going to sea are
at the present time our first line of
offense and as such should not be
insulted by some screw ball.
Needing men over the weekends
made the rounds and found that
the seamen are digging in. The old
haunts are deserted. The boys must
be: spreading the heavy sugar in the
best of the spots.
Gang from one of the wander
ing Missy ships blew in. over the
weekend and according to their
reports, Waid in Savannah had the
cinch. No squawks to amount to
anything. They state the well
known M. M. S. Pierre, as usual,
messed up. Take this as a warning.
Why can't we have the Steam
ship companies ordered through
Washington to supply postcards
and when a man signs on his ship
make him fill in his name and the
address of his local board. This •
would eliminate the present mixup.
Have written to the Duke on this
sO maybe more later.
The Steward from one of the
transports was fired by orders of
the Army. 38 years in the com
pany meant nothing to them. After
a first class beef the man was or
dered back to the ship.
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Page Four THE SEAFARERS' LOG Thursday, July 9, 1942
'S..
SKIPPER THINKS SUB IS A
BUOY; GETS TORPEDOED
{Coiitimicd from Page 1)
By this time the sub had chang
ed position and was off the star
board bow. This disconcerted the
skipper a little. ""The buoy has
changed position," he mumbled re
sentfully.
"God damn It, that's a Nazi
sub," Martin exploded. "And if
you keep messin' around you're go
ing to get a swastika right in the
seat of your pants."
And before the skipper could say
""insubordination," the torpedo had
struck the ship with a terrific ex
plosion that all but broke her in
half. Most of the black gang was
killed outright. Several more SIU
brothers on deck were lost when
the lifeboats capsized. The surviv
ors were adrift for hours before be
ing rescued.
Brother Martin arrived back at
headquarters this week and was
boiling about the skipper.
"'Why that . . . 'M;: ! =%" he
said. "We had a Navy gun crew
aboard and they never had a chance
to fire a shot."
Someone suggested to Martin
that maybe the skipper had learn
ed his lesson and would shoot first
from now on.
""Why that guy is more danger
ous than ever," Martin replied.
"'Next time he sails he'll probably
shoot up all the buoys in the har
bor, thinking they are enemy subs."
DO NOT SHIP
S.I.U. REQUESTS MARITIME
BOARD TO BOOST BONUS
{Continued from Page 1)
JAMES W. RENFRO T.C.
JESSIE W. WEAVER T.C.
ROBERT LANDIS J>4454
JOHN OWENS P4799
OVILA VALLEY P6050
SAM HALL MANNING ... P6049
EDWIN JAMES MORGAN..P 1898
ARTHUR R. V/VNOTT P7236
B uy
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ends
5. That all bonus rates shall start
at midnight on day of departure of
vessel from U. S. continential port,
and bonus shall stop at midnight
on day of arrival of vessel in U. S.
continential port.
6. That the board give a clarifi
cation on decision Noi 8, whether
the operators and ownen shall
comply with this order. If the op
erators insist on. not complying
with this order the unions feel that
they will Be compelled to take
other means of. trying to arrive at
a satisfactory agreement with the
operators on the problems covered
by the board's decision on No. 8.
7. Under decision No. 3, dated
January 20th, 1942, on page No.
2 (B) 9th line down, commencing
with PROVIDED, go to the 6th
line which reads as follows:
(Quote) have delivered to the mas
ter for approval and deposit with
owners representative in said port,
(unquote) That the board issue a
clarification on this and designate
Patrolman Thwarts Shipowner's
/
Move For Slave Maritime Labor
the master of the vessel the owners
representative (which he lawfully
is) making the owner of the vessel
responsible , if . crews lists are not
giyen to the owners agent by the
master, and make the owner liable
for all claims as per decision No. 3.
8, That the present $130.00
minimum as per decision No. 3,.
remain in effect, and that the
maximum, be raised from $330.00
to $500.00 for loss of personal ef
fects, without regards as to status
of the unlicensed personnel.
Respectfully Submitted by
Matthew Dushane, Represent
ing the Sailors' Union of the
Pacific and the Seafarers' Int'l
Union, Atlantic & Gulf Dist.,
upon instructions from Harry
Lundeberg, Pres. Seafarers Int.
Union, Sec.Treas. Sailors'
Union of the Pacific and John
Hawk, Secretary Treasurer
Seafarers Int'l Union, Atlantic
and Gulf District.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
All men who paid dues to ex
New York Patrolman Gus John
son on June 27, 28 and 29, should
bring their recipts into the office
of the SecretaryTreasurer for
checking.
WINDSOR STALLS
ON WAGE INCREASE
FOR NASSAU SLAVES
)
NEW YORK—The Duke o£
Windsor, governor of the Bahamas^
at a press conference June 23, stifl
ed on the question of wage de
mands of Nassstr workers, ' wlacft
led to a demonstration June. 2 iii
which several were killed. /
Asked if the Nassau worker's *
would get raises in their 80c daily ^
pay, the governor said he would
have to discuss the matter with his
executive council.
He said that ""we have in mitod"^'
an increase for the lower paid
workers but said it was all part of .
the general problem prevailing in .
the Caribbean.
What's the rush.' Windsor isn't
hungry.
PAT ON THE BACK '
.{Contiuiied from Page 1) ^
Dear Sir and Brother:
Not only are we at war against Nazism, but also against some
of the wouldbe upstanding citizens of the British Empire. Having
approached the manager of the "'Carpenter Line" on the question of
wages paid Fiji seamen imported into the country to break down
Canadian seamen's wages and conditions. My conversation with this
official went somelike the following:
SIU PATROLMAN: I represent a bonafide seamen's union. I under
stand you are about to ship Fiji seamen on one of your ships for
one quarter the wages paid Canadian seamen and I want you to
know that our organization will oppose you on any such move.
CO.'s STOOGE: By Jove. The bloody ideah! You know old boy we
never pay the niggers wages that are equal to Europeans. Tut, tut!
SIU PATROLMAN: But don't you know that only recently an agree
ment was reached in London whereby all British and Chinese
were to receive equal basic wage.
CO.'s STOOGE: Come, come old boy. We don't care what they did in
London. We have certain standards to maintain, you know.
SI.U PATROLMAN: Well, I can see by your attitude that you con
sider these seamen your slaves. We don't go for that stuff any
more and we don't intend to have you go for it either.
CO.'s STOOGE: But . . . but . . . (sputter) . . . that's preposterous
. . . really!
Well, that was the way it went and I don't mind telling you I
I could hardly keep a straight face, what with his accent and his views
on labor. Yet this is the same kind of tripe that demand their whisky
and soda, come what may.
Alas, the poor dope lost out in his endeavors through the ever
alert SIU. But what's more important, the Fiji seamen have been given
lessons in organizing fellow native seamen and prior to leaving for
their home country, they vowed to form a Union in Fiji and to take
action against those parasites who continue to hold them in bondage.
They in turn are asking the support of the SIU, and that, brothers,
you must agree, is certainly our duty.
Fraternally yours,
Vancouver SIU Patrolman.
V . P. S. Enclosed is a copy of the Fijian wage scale aS propounded by Sir
(• Walter. ABs would receive a total (including bonus) of $21 per
month. The. scale goes on down until the galley boy who would
receive the tremendous amnunr (including bonus) of $12 per
month.
Seamen Deported By U.S.
And Denied Legal Rights
ATTENTION ALL SEAMEN! .
In the event you are captured and interned by the enemy, be
sure to make clear your status as a merchant seaman. The prison
camps provided for seamen are generally superior to those pro
"vided..for civilians. Furthermore, it is easier for you to obtain an
allotment on your wages and to receive benefits from the Interna
tional Red Cross, if you^re with the rest of your Brother seamen
in a special camp.
(from PM)
On Monday, June 15, 40 alien
seamen who had been detained at
Rikers Island, where the Ellis Isl
and overflow is housed, were taken
from their cells by armed guards.
They were placed aboard a Coast
Guard cutter and taken to a special
train which awaited them on the
Harlem River. Sixty others,
brought from Ellis Island and the
Philadelphia Immigration Station,
were already on the train. The
train took the men to Boston.
At that moment Charles L. Mel
ton, attorney for several of the sea
men, was at Ellis .Island, trying .to
obtain passes to see his clients.
"Somthing's going on down
stairs," he was told. ""Wait till this
afternoon."
That afternoon Melton was told
that his clients "aren't here any
more." No one would say where
they were.
TTic foreign seamen were taken
from the Boston station by bus to
the East Boston Immigration Sta
tion.
They had no idea. where they
were, going.
They were not permitted to
phone or wire their friends or at
torneys. '
They had no clothes, except
what they wore, and no money.
Some wrote letters, but these the
Immigration officials did not mail
for two days, which turned out to
be too late.
The next morning, however, one
of the men found a public phone
and got out a call to Konrad Furu
botn, a specialist in immigration
cases. When aUtlioritics found the
phone, they ripped out the wires.
The day after these men had,
been removed from Rikers Island,
while Melton was at Ellis Island, a
postman delivered to his office cop
ies of the Immigration Dept.'s pro
posed findings of facts and conclu
sions of law on several of his cases.
The envelops were postmarked 7:30
p.m. June 15. The attorney was
given until noon of the next day to
file exceptions—unreasonably short
notice," he complained.
. On at least one of these docu
ments, the. words case adjourned
had been erased and case closed
substituted. The alteration was
clearly visible.
When Furutotn found that the
seamen had been shipped to Boston,
he notified Melton. Melton and an-
other attorney, J. W. Rosinski, sued
in Boston for a writ of habeas
corpus.
The attorneys alleged that their
15 clients (no information is avail
able on the others) had been de
prived of their rights, as follows:
The aliens had not had the right
of appeal to the Board of Immi
gration Appeals and the courts.
Their clandestine removal had
robbed them of representation by
counsel.
The seamen could nbt be deport
ed to England, according to law,
because they were not English na
tions, and they had not come to
the U. S. A. from England.
The seamen did not get fair
hearings.
Before the matter came up in
court, the aliens were put aboard a
ship and deported to England.
When the habeas corpus proceed.
""In some cases they (seamen)' •
run even greater risks than do the
boys in the Army and Navy. "When
we realize that over and over again,
they land from one torpedoed ship
and as soon as they recover from
wounds or exposure they start on
another trip, we can hardly fail to
pay homage for supreme courage."
—ELEANOR ROOSEVELT
PERSONALS
DANIEL LAINE
Your wife is anxious to hear from
you. Write her at 712 South 30th
Street, Lafayette, Indiana. ,
D, F. SMITH
Contact Johnny Mogan, Boston
Agent, as soon as you can.
JACK MULLIGAN
Next time you are in New York
please see the SecretaryTreasurers
office, room 213, 2 Stone Street.
EDWARD KENNEALY
(and other members of the crew of
the Gateway City)
Will you please get in touch with
brother Hugh Burke who was |n»
jured July 11, 1941, due to a defec*
tive damper handle. He needs your
testimony to aid him in. getting
compensation. He is at 190 Park
Row, New York City,
court did not issue the writ, but it
continued the petition pending in
vestigation.
Immigration authorities ̂ take the
position that thought the men en
tered the country • legally, they
overstayed, and were therefore de
portable. They were given permis
sion to ship out, and, accordingto
the Government, refused. The Gov
ernment says there is a shortage of :
seamen.
. Counsel and friends and, inci:
dentally, financees, all say the men
ing was reached, the Government! were willing to ship cut if they
argued for dismissal , on the could got berths on ships in thJj||[
grounds that the aliens were no open market,
longer within the jurisdiction. The , AMOS LANDMAN
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Open Letter Of Protest To Collier's Magazine
j^ditors, Collier's Magazine
250 Pank Avenue, New York City
Sirs:
July 8, 1942
t*u^'
This is a protest against a vicious attack upon maritime labor
unions which you printed in the June'27th issue of Collier's magazine
. under the title, "All Hands onDeck." ^
, I am sending this protest In the form of an open letter for I in
,tend to publish it in our union paper, knowing there is little likeli
iiood of it ever seeing print in your magazine.
i Collier's has never madeany pretense of being prolabor, but from
time to time you have been rather .pretentious about your "objective
"journalism." The article I refer to, written by Howard Hartley, is
hardly "objective." It reveals the writer to be both a sloppy journalist
with no reverence for facts, and possessed of a violent bias against
' labor unions.
It is hardly possible, within the scope of a letter, to present
complete refutation of Hartley's charges against maritime labor unions,
but I do want to call your atleucion to a few the blind haymakers
thrown so indiscriminately at the labor movement.
Libel Against American, Seamen
Hartley's principal charges against American seamen are: 1". They
are poor sailors (don't know their craft); 2. They are physical wrecks
and can't perform their work; 3. They are subversive aggitators; and
4. They are moral degenerates andattack female passengers. Oh, yes,
one final point he makes is that their unions are full of racketeers who
prey upon (a) the shipowner, (b) the public and (c) the United
States Government.
"w ...
Of course Mr. Hartley doesn't come right out and make all these
charges in so many words. He, and you, his editors, obviously had one
• eye on the laws of libel. But the implications are all present and one
doesn't have to read between the lines to get them.
Let's take up the charges in reverse order.
In discussing the strikes on the waterfront. Hartley makes no
effort to present the economic issues involved in these strikes; the
story of the cruel exploitation of the seamen for years by the ship
owners; the systematic bow reign of terror designed to keep the men
|?roken in spirit and disunited. No, Hartley sees "A plague of water
Jront strikes" which resulted because of "activities of racketeers and
aggitators within the maritime unions."
Spotless Record of S.LU.
Speaking for the A. F. of L. seafaring unions, which means the
Seafarers International Union of North America, Atlantic & Gulf Dis-
trict, and the Sailors Union of the Pacific, I can say that we conducted
several strikes prior to the entry of the United States into the war.
These strikes were democratically voted upon and conducted by the
rank and file members of our unions. The strikes were for the imme-
^diate objectives of better wages and working conditions. There were
no shake-downs, blackmailings or racketeering and I defy you and
your reporter to prove that.there were. We have engaged in nothing
but legitimate union activity . . . which includes the right to strike!
' In the best tradition of gutter journalism. Hartley writes, "letters
{Conthmcd on ?age 2)
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OiFFZOIAL aBOAH OF THE ATLAMTIC AND 6^ D18TBICT,
EBAFdUUSM' nmneNATIONAL UNION OF NOBTH AKEBIGA
VC«L IV. IH NEW YORK, N. Y., THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1942 No. 25
S.I.U. REQUESTS MARITIME
BOARD TO BOOST BONUS
The following brief was submitted to Captain Macauley, chairman of the W.E.B., on
July 2 by Mathew Dashane, Washington representative of the Seafarers International
Union. Copies of this brief were also sent to Frank Graham and John Steelman, members
of the Board. A formal hearing on the requests will be held in the middle of the month.
Port Watchman
Agencies Hit For
Chiseling Wages
SKIPPER THINKS SUB IS A
BUOY; GETS TORPEDOED
Brother James Martin has been torpedoed four times
since the war began. Ships have been shot from under him
in the South, Central and North Atlantic. He has spent
days in lifeboats, on rafts and in the water hanging on to
wreckage. There is not much he doesn't know about subs
and torpedoes and so he was pretty*
disgusted on his last trip when the
skipper didn't even know what a
sub's conning tower looked like
and let his ship be picked off like
a clay pigepp. "
It all happened at 6 o'clock on
the morning of July 3rd 200 miles
off the coast of New England.
Martin had, just turned to on the
bridge and was at the wheel when
a sub surfaced about 300 yards off
the port bow.
The skipper spotted the strange
phenomina, which didn't look like
any fish he had ever seen. After
studying it a moment he said,
"Buoy off the port bow."
Martin took a gander at the
buoy—and gulped. Struggling to
sound respectful to a man of super
ior knowledge and experience, he
said to the skipper, "Kinda far out
from shore for a buoy, ain't it
Captain?"
{Coniitilted on Pttge 4)
Patrolman Thwarts Shipowner's
Move For Slave Maritime Labor
Sir "Walter Carpenter, owner of the Carpenter Steamship Company which oper
ates out of Vancouver, B.C., doesn't like the idea of paying union wages and so he
• conceived the bright idea of importing his own seamen from the Fiji Islands.
The only trouble was that the Fiji seamen were not the halfsavage men Sir Wal
' ter« thought them, and when they hit Canada they revolted against the slave conditions.
» When they refused to sign on Sir Walter's ship, they were locked
up and refused food and water. It was only the militant action of or
ganized maritime labor in Vancouver that TorCed the shipowner to
release the men and subsequently to abandon his whole idea of import
ing seamen from South Pacific islands on the theory, that they would
* work for a bowl of rice with every now and then a fish thrown in
for good measure.
Much credit for the break up of Sir Walter's scheme goes to the
SlU patrolman in Vancouver, who fought the entire setup. This SIU
official sent the following account to the Log'
' (^Continued on Page 4) ^
BULLETIN
The War Labor Board has just
ruled in favor of the Great Lakes
District of the SIU which has been
fighting with the D. & C. Naviga
tion Company on the question of
wages. The Board instructed the
line to boost A.B pay from $155
per month to $178..
Nine Port Watchmen (watch
man and guard) agencies have
been enjoined from violating the
WageHour Law under the terms
of consent judgments signed by U.
S. District Judge Simon H. Rif
kind.
This was announced today by C.
Ira Funston, Acting Regional At
TO WAR EMERGENCY
BOARD:
WAR BONUS DECISIONS:
Gentlemen:
The Sailors Union of the Pacific
The Seafarers Int'l Union, Pacific
District, and the Seafarers Int'l
Union, Atlantic & Gulf District,
requests that the War Emergency
Board give favorable consideration
to the following proposals. The
above organizations feel that in the
interest of national unity and in
the all out war effort, that these
proposals will help to bolster the
morale of the seamen at this partic
ular time, when it becomes of vital
interest to the United Nations to
keep the ships moving and keep the
flow of war supplies to the armed
forces of the United Nations. The
above organizations feel that the
proposals submitted herewith are
fair and reasonable.
1: That all bonus rates be put in
classification No. 1.
2. That bonus be paid in all ports
of the world, with the exception of
ports in the continential U. S.
3. That all ports and bases in the
Aleution Islands, and Alaska, with torney. Office of the Solicitor, U.
S. Department of Labor. The nine the exception of south eastern Al
concerns. were charged with fail
ing to pay overtime to their em
ployees and also failing to keep
proper and adequate employment
records. The companies must here
after adhere to the provisions of
the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Investigation of the concerns
was made under the direction of
Arthur J. White, Regional Direct
or, Wage and Hour Division, U. S.
Department of Labor. The . con
cerns are:
Allied Maritime Protective Ser
vice, 2 Rector Street, Vincent Di
Brienza, doing business as Marine
Detective Service, 2 5 Broadway; J.
Fred Lohman, Jr., doing business as
Van Hoesen and Brother, 24 Stone
Street; McRobcrts Protective
Agency, 6 State Street; Nicholas
Mealli and Anna V. Mcalli, co
pdrtners, doing business as Meallic
Detective Service, 17 Battery
Place; Oceanic Service Corporation,
26 Beaver Street; Henry H. Pape,
doing business as Standard Bureau
of Investigation, 15 Whitehall
Street; Anthony F. Vachris, doing
business as Port of New York
Watchman Supply Co., 3909 Third
Avenue, Brooklyn; Charles W.
Van, Hoesen Watching Service
aska, be classified in the $125.00
Area, and this bonus rate be retro
active to June 3rd, 1942 the day
that Dutch Harbor was bombed by
the Japanese.
4. That all of Australia and New
Zealand be classified in the $125.00
Area and this bonus rate be retro
active to June 1st, 1942.
{Continued on Page 4)
Shipowner Robbed of
$15,000 in Jewels
Mrs. Hans J. Isbrandtsen, wife
of the shipowner operating a
merchant fleet under his awn
name, was robbed this week of
her jewels. She kept her trinkets
"in a little box" on her dresser.
The police revealed that the
missing jewels were valued at
$15,000 and included rubies, dia
monds, sapphires and jade set in
platinum and gold.
The most valuable single pieoe
was a diamond bracelet, with
"eight pearshaped diamonds,
weighing twelve carats; sixty
; eight French cut diamonds,
I weighing four carats, 212 round
I diamonds, weighing five carats;
! and bearing a tiffany stamp."
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Pjue Tw^o THE SEAFARERS' LOG
lV
t:
Publithea by th»
SEAFARERS' INTERNATIONAL UNION
OF NORTH AMERICA
Ailonuc and Gull District
Affiliated with the Amerioati Federation of Labor
HARRY LUNDEBERG, Intamotloncd President
110 Market Street, Room 402, San Francisco, C^ii
AD.DRE83 ALL OORREBPONDENCB OONOERNJNQ THIS
PUBLIOATION TO:
"THE SEAFABERS' LOG
P. O. 25. Station P. New York, N. Y. *
Phone: BOwling Green 98346
Thursday, July 9, 1942
LT.F. LONDON CONFERENCE
DEMANDS SAFETY REFORMS
Representatives of 12 seafaring nations met this past week in London, England,
and laid plans for the improving of conditions and wages of all seamen the world'
over. Particular emphasis was given to the instalation of the newest safety equipment
in order to reduce the casualty rate of the merchant seamen.
The conference, called by the I.L.O. and meeting under the auspicies of the Inter
national Transport, Workers' Fed* —
Open Protest Letter
f. I ' iC'
hi
{Contimied from Page 1)
from women protested against being awakened in the staterooms by
Pinion Stewards with a cheery, 'Hi, Babe, get up.' Other Stewards . . .
had conducted escort bureaus for lonely women and had molested
girls in dark corridors."
It would be absurd to deny that no Steward at any time ever
made such a remark as "Hi, Babe, get up." This may have happened
ht some time over the past years. But I can deny the generalization
Vhich Hartley tries to draw from such an incident, namely, that all
union seamen arc rapers and that a woman passenger isn't safe on a
Ship manned by a union crew. This generalization is so obviously ab
feurd to any one familiar with the merchant marine, that I don't pro
pose to waste any time or space upon it.
Fascist Attitude Revealed
Striking a typical Fascist pose. Hartley attacks unions as un
American. He writes, "... most of these . . . sailors are physically
iinfit, dangerous aggitators ..."
For your information, all seamen are examined by a doctor prior
to signing on each ship. American seamen are physically sounder than
probably any other group of workers in the country. And as for being
aggitators, such a charge naeds clarification . . . clarification which
Hartley is careful to avoid.
Does he (and Collier's) mean that all union men are "dangerous
aggitators?" Is the entire labor movement unAmerican? Is every strike
the result of either a racket or subversion?
Hartley's formulation on this issue is purposely vague and there
fore difficult to answer. For our part, we can only say that if it is un
American to fight for a living wage and decent working conditions, if
it is subversive to demand that the shipowners treat us as freeborn men
with a dignity as American workers, then make the most of it for
we are guilty.
Maritime Heroes Slandered
Hartley, in describing the new graduates of the Maritime Com
mission schools, has this to say, "... (the graduates are) better seamen
than half of the men in our old merchant marine."
This is a foul slander on the men who have courageously sailec
our .merchant fleet in peace and war and who today place their lives
in jeopardy each time they sail. Our union alone has lost 473 men due
to enemy torpedoes.
American seamen arc the most able and efficient in the world
They have the skill and courage that comes only to freeminded men
who have learned to fight for their rights.
We have no quarrel with the boys now graduating from the
Maritime Commission schools. Most of them are joining the union
movement in spite of the antilabor propaganda to which they are con
tinually subjected. But we do say this ... no man can become a real
sailor by merely attending school for a few months. It takes actual sea
experience to make a'seaman. The U. S. Government itself recognizes
this fact by requiring 3 years sea service before issuing a full A. B.
ticket to a man.
The Maritime Commission schools are turning out many good
potential seamen. We, the maritime unions, are welcoming these men
into our organizations and shall do our best to make them both good
seamen and good union men. You may be certain that the great ma
jority of these graduates will remain uneffected by the poisonous anti
labor propaganda, of which your article is typical.
These graduates will become union men, not because of any pres
sure from "goon squads," but because it is to their economic interest
to do so, and because their entire background and tradition demands
that they stand upon their two feet and bargain with their employers
as proud and independent Americans.
Very truly yours,
JOHN HAWK
eration, was attended by Morris
Weisbergcr, representing the SIU.
Brother Weisberger gave a detailed
report on conditions in the United
States 'and took a leading part in
the drafting of plans for future
Federation action.
Turning to the reports prepared
by the I.L.O. and the various pro
posals of the delegates the con
ferees devoted several days to
frank discussion of conditions pre
vailing aboard ship and safety mea
sures necessitated by the war.
Among the measures approved by
the Conference are: Two motor
lifeboats on all ships over 3000
tons; steel lifeboats on tankers and
ships carrying inflammable m.ater
ial; lifeboats to be provided with
compass, signal pistols, waterproof
charts and first aid kits; mechanic
ally operated lifeboat davits; ap
pointment of government inspect
ors to supervise safety conditions;
greater lifeboat supply of fresh
water in buoyant containers; life
boats equipped with radio trans
mission sets; better lifeboat hulls
with suitable weather protection;
and appropriate fire and boat drills
for the crew before leaving port.
The Conference also adopted an
outspoken resolution with regard to
seamen's welfare in port, demand
ing that instead of socalled char
ity proper provisions be made for
seamen and that these be enforcec
under the joint control of seamen
and shipowners. It was also empha
sized that seamen on shore ought
to be treated as citizens and indi
viduals equal to anyone, and not be
singled out for special treatment.
Spokesmen of the Chinese and In
dian seamen urged that steps be
taken to improve the conditions
and treatment of their nationals in
overseas ports. These demands met
with great sympathy and the
promise that appropriate action
would be taken to defend the in
terests of these seamen.
HEROES OF THE DEEP
(Dedicated to the Lost Members of the S.I.U.)
TOLL FOR THE BRAVE,
THE BRAVE THAT ARE NO MORE.
ALL SUNK BENEATH THE WAVES
FASTBY AND FAR FROM THEIR NATIVE SHORE.
OVER FIVE HUNDRED OF THE BRAVE,
WHOSE COURAGE WELL WAS TRIED,
HAVE SEEN THEIR VESSELS YIELD AND
KEEL OVER ON THEIR SIDE.
THEY DEFIED THE FOE BY SAILING ON,
UNDAUNTED THEY SEEMED EVER TO BE;
THEY CARRIED ON IN THE FACE OF DEATH
FOR THE CAUSE OF LIBERTY.
THEY WERE EVER IN ALL SEA'S BATTLES,
THEY'VE FACED THE TEMPEST'S SHOCKS,
THEIR SHIPS HAVE SPRUNG SOME FATAL LEAKS,
THEY'VE BEEN DASHED UPON THE ROCKS.
TOLL FOR THE BRAVE,
BRAVE UNION SEAMEN HAVE GONE. "
THEIR LAST SEA FIGHT IS FOUGHT,
THEIR WORK OF GLORY DONE.
Pacific District SIU No. 60
U. S. Employment
Service Blasts
Discrimination
As part of a comprehensive code
to guard against racial or religious
discrimination i n j o b s filled
through the United States Empluy
ment Service, Mrs. Anna M. Ros
enberg, regional director of the So
cial Security Boardj has instructed
all public employment offices in
this State not to make placements
for any employer who "refuses to
employ otherwise qualified appli
cants solely because of race, color,
creed, national origin or descent,"
it was learned yesterday.
In a memorandum sent to all U.
S. E. S. administrative employes,
Vfrs. Rosenberg said it would be
the official policy of the . gency to
Out of the Foesl
by
3.. X.
We wonder if the oldtimers in all their experience ever saw ii
sea buoy 130 miles off shore? A Captain's imagination which thought
a sub was a buoy, cost the loss of his ship. The Ensign did not give
orders to fire on the object and the brand new ship with its 14 guns
and important cargo, went down. The old man should never be al
lowed to sail an American ship again. Many of our brothers were lost
because of the skipper's indecision. Percy De Leon, after being blown
off the ship into the sea, was able to maneuver around, and grabbed
hold of as dynamite barrel which went off and blew him into Kingdom
come. One of the brothers never got out of his bunk and was burned;
to death. To the friends and relatives of these lost brothers we extend
our heartfelt sympathy.
A A . A
Brother Gebula had his first experience on a torpedoed vessel.
Never having been in water before in his life, he was blown off the
boat deck, went down and came up, and had the presence of mind to
grab the first thing he saw and was rescued. All he got out of it was
a black eye. He says he's going back, as he fells lucky. John T. (Red), ,
Wulzen, was a member of the same crew and has survived his second
torpedoing. Red says he has now been on the best and the worst ships
and they seem to knock them pff each time. He is going to ship again
soon and as lon^ as his two children are taken care of, he says he doesn't
mind if he's lost at sea. It is the spirit of men like him that will eventu
ally win the battle with the subs.
AAA
Izzy Cohen was scared lest we write something about him, but
Jo Jo Flanagan gave a good: description of him. It is reported every
time Izzy gets to the City of Brotherly Love, Joe closes the Hall. Tom
Slack wants to inform us that the only man he ever grubbed a dime
off was Harry Collins, e
of the labor supply" by encourag
ing employers to eliminate from
their job orders any specifications,
including age or sex, that were not
associated with ability to perform
'stimulate the fullest utilization the job.
Notice For Crew
Of Alcoa Voyager
Members of the crew who paid'
off on July 1st, are entitled to $4
linen money. (Collect at any Alcoa
office.
http://www.pdfcompressor.org/buy.html
r
Thursday, July 9, 1942 THE SEAFARERS' LOG Page Threi
WHArS DOING
Around the Ports
BOSTON
By
JOHN MOGAN
• I dispatched a full crew for a
new Liberty Ship but there devel
9ped many hitches. The men were
all excited for two weeks before
dispatching them as the operators
postponed crewing dates three
times and the ship's yard delayed
delivery twice.
This mix up could easily be
avoided by having proper coor
dination. Much credit should be
given the crew for the manner in
which they took these numerous
postponements.
Another problem wliich con
fronts us in Boston is that there are
plenty of O.S., Wipers and Mess
men applying for jobs and very
few jobs to give them. Some means
must be taken to utilize these fu
ture seamen as they are all young
Arilerican citizens and possess
fair education.
I have several ships in port here
and two of the ships' Captains have
been calling at our office most every
day to complain about some mem
ber of the crew. Nothing serious,
jjust the Captain's nerves. Finally I
had to tell the skipper to take sev
eral days off and have a good drunk
and leave the question of the crew
to us.
PHILADELPHIA
By
JOSEPH FLANAGAN
. Two Iron Maidens (nee) Liberty
3hips, arrived here this week. Beefs
concerning the cramped quarters
were the major issues. It seems
the crew are called upto to make
more sacrifices. We wonder why
the spacious quarters assigned to
officers can't be requisitioned for a
change? And the cadets eliminated.
After all, we arc all concerned with
winning this war, and it is only
proper that we should all make
some sacrifices. It is nothing new
for officers to double up. We can
all remember when the shipowners
wanted more cargo space they nev
er hesitated to take the quarters
from any and all men on their
ships. If the Maritime Commish
and War Shipping Administration
really are concerned with improv
ing the moral of the seamen, they
should try to equalize the incon
veniences as much as possible.
Peace reigns temporarily at Fil
thydelphia. "Get Going" Sampson,
Matt Lynn, and Walt Lebon have
shipped out. This trio could dis
turb the peace of Paradise. After
many moons big chief Isadore Co
hen was returned to these hunting
grounds. His great Wliite Father,
Harry Collins, must have been dis
pleased with him. However Lemon
inthePuss Izzy finds hunting very
poor here. He relates a vivid tale
of how he was nearly torpedoed
going down on a train to join a
ship in some port. We found out
later that Izzy was merely looking
at a picture of a torpedo in some
daily paper. Better luck next time,
Izzy.
A number of our old brothers
have returned from many ports.
We arc sure happy to see them
back safe. One of them. Bill Fowl
er, has returned with many rubbles.
Among his trophies is a button
from the uniform of a Russian sol
dier which he is going to present to
CollinSi Other Brothers who have
returned safely are: Frank Tilley,
Campbell, Earl Noteware and our
famous Greek, K. Hotgitimisios.
"Do the BestYouCan" Hill
man is now among the tropedoed
survivors. Six days in a lifeboat
hasn't dulled his speaking capacity
any, but I guess his experience is
worth a drink in any man's saloon.
NEW YORK
By
H. J. COLLINS
every time extra gun crews are put
aboard, the unlicensed members of Roy McNish, Frankic Onley, Soapy
Vi
A REMINDER
Any member of the SlU who accepts transportation money
from an operator to get to the point of debarkation of his ship,
and then refuses to sign on, shall refund the transportation
money to the operator and shall be fined $25 by the union.
A member delaying a ship or quitting without notice in ac
cordance with the ship's articles and the union contract, shall
be placed on trial. If the member is found guilty of the charge,
he shall be suspended for 30 days, plus a $20 fine for the first
offense; six months suspension and a $50 fine for the second!
offense; and for the third offense he^ shall be expelled from the
Union.
Adopted at Agents Conference in Savannah—^Ratified
by the membership.
Rules on Personal Effects:
IF YOUR SHIP 18 SUNK A NO YOU LOSE YOUR GEAR,
YOU ARE ENTITLED UP TO AND INGLUDIWG $250 COM
PENSATION ONLY IF YOU HAVE MADE OUT A LIST AND
VALUATION OF YOUR BELONGINGS AND FILED IT WITH
THE SKIPPER BEFORE SAILING. FAILING THIS, YOU ARE
ENTITLED UP TO AND INCLUDING $150. IF YOU FAIL TO
LIST AND FILE YOUR GEAR, THERE IS NOTHING THE
UNION CAN DO TO AID YOU TO COLLECT MORE THAN
THE $150i
RMUCS on Death Benefits:
ALWAYS NAME. A BENEFICIARY FOR YOUR $5,000
GOVERNMENT INSURANCE IN CASE OF DEATH AT SEA.
MANY CASES HAVE, BEEN HUNG UP FOR MONTHS BE
CAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF A MAN TO NAME A BENE
FICIARY. PROTECT YOUR FAMILY BY NAMING A BENE
FICIARYI
————— I
Well, here we go again doing
business at the same old place as
usual. We had quite a setback this
week when the old warhorse from
the gulf, better know as "iron
pantsJohnson," fowled up his
books and it became necessary for
the Agent to suspend him and to
prefer clrarges according to the
Constitution. This will be quite a
dissappointment to his many
friends. Let us hope that this won't
be repeated again in a hurry.
It has been reported by very re
liable authority that JoJo from the
city of Brotherly Love, is having
quite a time getting the new Lib
erty ships crewed up. I suppose it
is due in part from the effects of
the jolting that he gives them when
he takes them from the Hall to the
ships in his ironbound chariot.
Blubber faced Tommy is doing
rather nicely these days, but it is
hard to understand why he shares
a room with a certain individual
and never gets in until five in the
morning, we also wonder what he
was doing coming down 47 th
street with his undershirt all torn
and scratches on his belly. Now
don't tell us, "no" door could do
that. Leaping "J. L." the head
quarter's columnist better stop
panning JoJo or the goons from
Philly might catch up with him
and they might seperate him from
his galumpkie.
But leaving all jokes aside,
where arc all the good writers from
Philly who used to send in such
good material to the Log each
week? The editor sure misses your
copy, especially that of DCJ. Get
going Casey. Welh I guess that we
have said enough for this time, but
in closing, buy bonds or you will
be in thefn.
SEAFARERS' INTERNATIONAL UNION
OF NORTH AMERICA
ATUimC end GULF DlSTBICf
SecrotaxYTrecDsmz^'a Office
loom 213 — 2 SUma SbMt. N«w York City
O. bs 25, Stotim P Phonw BOwUag Green
MJtNCH
WEW YOBK .....
DIREGTORY OF BRANCHES
ADDBE9S PHONE
..2 Stone St .BQwling Green $048
BOSTOlf
PHOVIDENCE
BALTIMOHE
Dlepotoher'a Office BQwling Green 93488
~M.„.330 Ailontie Ave ...liberty 4D57
465 South Main St Manning 3572
omr i.r>«t,TTT,. ^ ....... Calvert 4539
Lombard 7651
C^opnercial PL Norfolk 41083
o?o MAgnolia 3962
^ Savannah 31728
206 So. Franklin St Tampa MM1323
—zz 55 So Conception St....De*ter 1449
HICO 45 Ponce da Leon Puerto de Tierra
aALVESTON 2014 Market Street Galveston 28043
NEW ORLEANS
By
"ARMY"
See by the papers .that we are
still losing a few of the ships and
the boys on them. When a man
gets one sunk under him, gets
picked up tthen has the rescue ship
also sunk, it is getting monotonous.
But when the second rescue ship is
also sunk, then it is too much of a
good thing.
Things are running by yumps
and yerks here. One week all hands
are on the hop, the next all hands
are setting around the hall waiting
for one to show up.
Things are coming, to a fine head
when some shavetail that is one of
Ships To Be Named
Gompers And Furuseth
Two of the most famous of the nation's recent labor leaders will
be honored when ships bearing their names arc launched as part of a
giant Labor Day celebration, sponsored by the Martime Comr^ission.
One ship is to be christened "Samuel Gompers," the other "An
drew Furuseth." Furuseth, a late leader of the Pacific Seamen and one
of the founders of the Seamen's Union in 188 5. He became known as
the father of unionism on the sea and won for seamen some of their
greatest gains.
One of his biggest triumphs occured in 1915 when President
Woodrow Wilson signed a law granting sweeping concessions to Am
erican seamen, a law which Furuseth had sponsored and fought for.
It was SUP aggitation that finally prompted the Maritime Com
mission to name one of the new ships after "Andy." Last week Harry
Lundeberg received the following letter from Admiral Land:
^ w
Mr. Harry Lundeberg, Sec.Tieas. June 26, 1942
Sailors Union of the Pacific
59 Clay Street
San Francisco, California
Dear Mr. Limdeberg;
Thank you for your letter of June 17 and the added support
given the name Andrew Furuseth. A number of others have suggested
his name for one of the Victory Fleet ships.
We now have under consideration a plan for celebrating Labor
Day, giving full recognition to the important part that the shipyard
and f.ictory workers are taking in this fight for freedom. We are as
sembling a group of selected names taken from the history of labor's
progress. These names will be assigned to ships launched throughout
the country on Labor Day. Our policy has been not to name ships
for those living.
You may rest assured that Andrew Furuseth will he included
amo,ng the names we use at the Labor Day launchings.
Sincerely yours,
E. S. LAND
the 90 day wonders, can go around
an army transport calling the crew
members a bunch of draft dodgers.
Expect that this is one of the birds
who would be the first to holler if
the draft dodgers didn't get the
stores ia there so that he can con
tinue to eat. When the majority of
the Army men and officers act
regular, then have some punk like
this start throwing his weight
around, insulting crew members, it
is time to take stock and find how
come. The men going to sea are
at the present time our first line of
offense and as such should not be
insulted by some screw ball.
Needing men over the weekends
made the rounds and found that
the seamen are digging in. The old
haunts are deserted. The boys must
be: spreading the heavy sugar in the
best of the spots.
Gang from one of the wander
ing Missy ships blew in. over the
weekend and according to their
reports, Waid in Savannah had the
cinch. No squawks to amount to
anything. They state the well
known M. M. S. Pierre, as usual,
messed up. Take this as a warning.
Why can't we have the Steam
ship companies ordered through
Washington to supply postcards
and when a man signs on his ship
make him fill in his name and the
address of his local board. This •
would eliminate the present mixup.
Have written to the Duke on this
sO maybe more later.
The Steward from one of the
transports was fired by orders of
the Army. 38 years in the com
pany meant nothing to them. After
a first class beef the man was or
dered back to the ship.
. I
. 4
' I
4?'
I
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4H
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Page Four THE SEAFARERS' LOG Thursday, July 9, 1942
'S..
SKIPPER THINKS SUB IS A
BUOY; GETS TORPEDOED
{Coiitimicd from Page 1)
By this time the sub had chang
ed position and was off the star
board bow. This disconcerted the
skipper a little. ""The buoy has
changed position," he mumbled re
sentfully.
"God damn It, that's a Nazi
sub," Martin exploded. "And if
you keep messin' around you're go
ing to get a swastika right in the
seat of your pants."
And before the skipper could say
""insubordination," the torpedo had
struck the ship with a terrific ex
plosion that all but broke her in
half. Most of the black gang was
killed outright. Several more SIU
brothers on deck were lost when
the lifeboats capsized. The surviv
ors were adrift for hours before be
ing rescued.
Brother Martin arrived back at
headquarters this week and was
boiling about the skipper.
"'Why that . . . 'M;: ! =%" he
said. "We had a Navy gun crew
aboard and they never had a chance
to fire a shot."
Someone suggested to Martin
that maybe the skipper had learn
ed his lesson and would shoot first
from now on.
""Why that guy is more danger
ous than ever," Martin replied.
"'Next time he sails he'll probably
shoot up all the buoys in the har
bor, thinking they are enemy subs."
DO NOT SHIP
S.I.U. REQUESTS MARITIME
BOARD TO BOOST BONUS
{Continued from Page 1)
JAMES W. RENFRO T.C.
JESSIE W. WEAVER T.C.
ROBERT LANDIS J>4454
JOHN OWENS P4799
OVILA VALLEY P6050
SAM HALL MANNING ... P6049
EDWIN JAMES MORGAN..P 1898
ARTHUR R. V/VNOTT P7236
B uy
ivaj"
ends
5. That all bonus rates shall start
at midnight on day of departure of
vessel from U. S. continential port,
and bonus shall stop at midnight
on day of arrival of vessel in U. S.
continential port.
6. That the board give a clarifi
cation on decision Noi 8, whether
the operators and ownen shall
comply with this order. If the op
erators insist on. not complying
with this order the unions feel that
they will Be compelled to take
other means of. trying to arrive at
a satisfactory agreement with the
operators on the problems covered
by the board's decision on No. 8.
7. Under decision No. 3, dated
January 20th, 1942, on page No.
2 (B) 9th line down, commencing
with PROVIDED, go to the 6th
line which reads as follows:
(Quote) have delivered to the mas
ter for approval and deposit with
owners representative in said port,
(unquote) That the board issue a
clarification on this and designate
Patrolman Thwarts Shipowner's
/
Move For Slave Maritime Labor
the master of the vessel the owners
representative (which he lawfully
is) making the owner of the vessel
responsible , if . crews lists are not
giyen to the owners agent by the
master, and make the owner liable
for all claims as per decision No. 3.
8, That the present $130.00
minimum as per decision No. 3,.
remain in effect, and that the
maximum, be raised from $330.00
to $500.00 for loss of personal ef
fects, without regards as to status
of the unlicensed personnel.
Respectfully Submitted by
Matthew Dushane, Represent
ing the Sailors' Union of the
Pacific and the Seafarers' Int'l
Union, Atlantic & Gulf Dist.,
upon instructions from Harry
Lundeberg, Pres. Seafarers Int.
Union, Sec.Treas. Sailors'
Union of the Pacific and John
Hawk, Secretary Treasurer
Seafarers Int'l Union, Atlantic
and Gulf District.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
All men who paid dues to ex
New York Patrolman Gus John
son on June 27, 28 and 29, should
bring their recipts into the office
of the SecretaryTreasurer for
checking.
WINDSOR STALLS
ON WAGE INCREASE
FOR NASSAU SLAVES
)
NEW YORK—The Duke o£
Windsor, governor of the Bahamas^
at a press conference June 23, stifl
ed on the question of wage de
mands of Nassstr workers, ' wlacft
led to a demonstration June. 2 iii
which several were killed. /
Asked if the Nassau worker's *
would get raises in their 80c daily ^
pay, the governor said he would
have to discuss the matter with his
executive council.
He said that ""we have in mitod"^'
an increase for the lower paid
workers but said it was all part of .
the general problem prevailing in .
the Caribbean.
What's the rush.' Windsor isn't
hungry.
PAT ON THE BACK '
.{Contiuiied from Page 1) ^
Dear Sir and Brother:
Not only are we at war against Nazism, but also against some
of the wouldbe upstanding citizens of the British Empire. Having
approached the manager of the "'Carpenter Line" on the question of
wages paid Fiji seamen imported into the country to break down
Canadian seamen's wages and conditions. My conversation with this
official went somelike the following:
SIU PATROLMAN: I represent a bonafide seamen's union. I under
stand you are about to ship Fiji seamen on one of your ships for
one quarter the wages paid Canadian seamen and I want you to
know that our organization will oppose you on any such move.
CO.'s STOOGE: By Jove. The bloody ideah! You know old boy we
never pay the niggers wages that are equal to Europeans. Tut, tut!
SIU PATROLMAN: But don't you know that only recently an agree
ment was reached in London whereby all British and Chinese
were to receive equal basic wage.
CO.'s STOOGE: Come, come old boy. We don't care what they did in
London. We have certain standards to maintain, you know.
SI.U PATROLMAN: Well, I can see by your attitude that you con
sider these seamen your slaves. We don't go for that stuff any
more and we don't intend to have you go for it either.
CO.'s STOOGE: But . . . but . . . (sputter) . . . that's preposterous
. . . really!
Well, that was the way it went and I don't mind telling you I
I could hardly keep a straight face, what with his accent and his views
on labor. Yet this is the same kind of tripe that demand their whisky
and soda, come what may.
Alas, the poor dope lost out in his endeavors through the ever
alert SIU. But what's more important, the Fiji seamen have been given
lessons in organizing fellow native seamen and prior to leaving for
their home country, they vowed to form a Union in Fiji and to take
action against those parasites who continue to hold them in bondage.
They in turn are asking the support of the SIU, and that, brothers,
you must agree, is certainly our duty.
Fraternally yours,
Vancouver SIU Patrolman.
V . P. S. Enclosed is a copy of the Fijian wage scale aS propounded by Sir
(• Walter. ABs would receive a total (including bonus) of $21 per
month. The. scale goes on down until the galley boy who would
receive the tremendous amnunr (including bonus) of $12 per
month.
Seamen Deported By U.S.
And Denied Legal Rights
ATTENTION ALL SEAMEN! .
In the event you are captured and interned by the enemy, be
sure to make clear your status as a merchant seaman. The prison
camps provided for seamen are generally superior to those pro
"vided..for civilians. Furthermore, it is easier for you to obtain an
allotment on your wages and to receive benefits from the Interna
tional Red Cross, if you^re with the rest of your Brother seamen
in a special camp.
(from PM)
On Monday, June 15, 40 alien
seamen who had been detained at
Rikers Island, where the Ellis Isl
and overflow is housed, were taken
from their cells by armed guards.
They were placed aboard a Coast
Guard cutter and taken to a special
train which awaited them on the
Harlem River. Sixty others,
brought from Ellis Island and the
Philadelphia Immigration Station,
were already on the train. The
train took the men to Boston.
At that moment Charles L. Mel
ton, attorney for several of the sea
men, was at Ellis .Island, trying .to
obtain passes to see his clients.
"Somthing's going on down
stairs," he was told. ""Wait till this
afternoon."
That afternoon Melton was told
that his clients "aren't here any
more." No one would say where
they were.
TTic foreign seamen were taken
from the Boston station by bus to
the East Boston Immigration Sta
tion.
They had no idea. where they
were, going.
They were not permitted to
phone or wire their friends or at
torneys. '
They had no clothes, except
what they wore, and no money.
Some wrote letters, but these the
Immigration officials did not mail
for two days, which turned out to
be too late.
The next morning, however, one
of the men found a public phone
and got out a call to Konrad Furu
botn, a specialist in immigration
cases. When aUtlioritics found the
phone, they ripped out the wires.
The day after these men had,
been removed from Rikers Island,
while Melton was at Ellis Island, a
postman delivered to his office cop
ies of the Immigration Dept.'s pro
posed findings of facts and conclu
sions of law on several of his cases.
The envelops were postmarked 7:30
p.m. June 15. The attorney was
given until noon of the next day to
file exceptions—unreasonably short
notice," he complained.
. On at least one of these docu
ments, the. words case adjourned
had been erased and case closed
substituted. The alteration was
clearly visible.
When Furutotn found that the
seamen had been shipped to Boston,
he notified Melton. Melton and an-
other attorney, J. W. Rosinski, sued
in Boston for a writ of habeas
corpus.
The attorneys alleged that their
15 clients (no information is avail
able on the others) had been de
prived of their rights, as follows:
The aliens had not had the right
of appeal to the Board of Immi
gration Appeals and the courts.
Their clandestine removal had
robbed them of representation by
counsel.
The seamen could nbt be deport
ed to England, according to law,
because they were not English na
tions, and they had not come to
the U. S. A. from England.
The seamen did not get fair
hearings.
Before the matter came up in
court, the aliens were put aboard a
ship and deported to England.
When the habeas corpus proceed.
""In some cases they (seamen)' •
run even greater risks than do the
boys in the Army and Navy. "When
we realize that over and over again,
they land from one torpedoed ship
and as soon as they recover from
wounds or exposure they start on
another trip, we can hardly fail to
pay homage for supreme courage."
—ELEANOR ROOSEVELT
PERSONALS
DANIEL LAINE
Your wife is anxious to hear from
you. Write her at 712 South 30th
Street, Lafayette, Indiana. ,
D, F. SMITH
Contact Johnny Mogan, Boston
Agent, as soon as you can.
JACK MULLIGAN
Next time you are in New York
please see the SecretaryTreasurers
office, room 213, 2 Stone Street.
EDWARD KENNEALY
(and other members of the crew of
the Gateway City)
Will you please get in touch with
brother Hugh Burke who was |n»
jured July 11, 1941, due to a defec*
tive damper handle. He needs your
testimony to aid him in. getting
compensation. He is at 190 Park
Row, New York City,
court did not issue the writ, but it
continued the petition pending in
vestigation.
Immigration authorities ̂ take the
position that thought the men en
tered the country • legally, they
overstayed, and were therefore de
portable. They were given permis
sion to ship out, and, accordingto
the Government, refused. The Gov
ernment says there is a shortage of :
seamen.
. Counsel and friends and, inci:
dentally, financees, all say the men
ing was reached, the Government! were willing to ship cut if they
argued for dismissal , on the could got berths on ships in thJj||[
grounds that the aliens were no open market,
longer within the jurisdiction. The , AMOS LANDMAN
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