Media
Issue Date
1939-07-07
Volume
1
Issue Number
13
Plaintext
Ul w
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Tfee Seafarers' Log
Seafarers' International Union of North America
Official Organ of the Atlantic, Gulf and Great Lakes Seamen
mat
VOL. I NEW YORK, N. Y., FRIDAY, JULY 7, 1939 448 NO. 13
NEW ORLEANS CONVENTION
OF NMU PACKED BY COMMIES
All Set to SteamRoller Program
And Save NMU for Party
GULF RANK AND FILE FIGHT
Well, well, "hellzapoppin" way down yonder in New
J3rleans. Tlie "fellow travelers" from the East Coast and all
those who were chased out of Ttjxas, have concentrated at
the Crescent City, with the avowed intention of saving the
NMU for the Communist Party! Just what the eventual out
come will be, is a matter for conjecture, and we wouldn't
like to make any rash predictions.
RAMPANT "RED RAIDERS"
However, after looking at the list of convention delegates,
it can be very plainly seen that the CP is to be well repre-
sented. Such sterling (?) individuals as "Blackie" Myers,
Roland Perry, D. J. Gavin, John Rogan, "Rasputin" Law-
renson, McGowan, Moe Byne, "Smitty" Hopkins, "Paddy"
Whalert, Ted Lewis, and numerous others. What a nice gang
of "red raiders"! Looks more like the roster of delegates to
a commy convention, instead of one for a maritime labor or-
ganization ! Moreover, the hoys all have implicit instructions
to report to "Mile-a-Minute-Joe" as soon as they arrive in
New Orleans on Saturday morning, to get their instructions
in the methods to be used in gaining, and keeping control
of the convention.
SHOWDOWN AT CONVENTION
Now, on the other side of the fence, there is a plenty large
group of militant rank and filers in the Gulf District, who
have sworn that they will have no part of the East Coa.st
NMU until'the comrades are ousted from the saddle! The
convention in New Orleans is where the showdown will be.
and the eventual outcome will tell the fate of the future of
the NMU.
Who will come out on top? Curran and the rest of the
commies and stooges are down there fighting for tlieir pie and
pork chops, and it's going to take a lot of wrangling to do
them out of them! The rank and filers are just as determined
to oust the commies, and put the union under real demo
cratic control once again. Looks like an "irresistible force
meeting an immovable body"!
Heigho! You bets your money and takes your choice!
One gue.ss is as good as another, and the convention has all
the makings of a regular "Donnybrook Fair",—including
footracing!
STEAM-ROLLER READY
It is, of course, a foregone conclusion that the comrats
will adopt steamroller tactics, and exert their utmost to high
pressure. things their way. and it isn't a farfetched conclu
sion^ to say that they are very likely to suoeccd. They are so
thoroughly' acquainted with the methods of packing any sort
of a meeting, that the more or less uninitiated will find it
exceedingly difficult to cope with their machine.
RANK AND FILE OROGOY
It does seem to us that the real rank and file member.ship
of the NMU should, by this time, be sufficiently aroused to
take some drastic action to prevent the comrats from con
tinuing tO' use the NMU as a political football, but then, they
have beaten down so much that they come to take such &
situation as a matter of course. The dictatorial stance as
sumed by the CP top fraction in running the atfairs of the
NMU has had the average rank and file member running in
circles. He doesn't dare to speak out in open meeting, and
state his views, for fear that the commy goon squad will
meet him outside and dump him. Witness what happened to
Frederick Phillips,—a NMU official who would not go along
with the party policy! Whether Jerry King was framed or
not, we don't know, but from all reports, his trial was most
certainly railroaded through,—mainly because he also bucked
the top fraction of the Party. •
Taken all in all,—it is indeed a very sorry state of affairs,
but we 're not going to put ourselves out on a limb by making
any predictions as to the outcomewe're merely going to sit
back and watch developments. Of course, we do have a very
definite hunch,;but we ain't a'sayin'I
SEAIRAIN ORDERS
TWO NEI^ELS
New York, N. Y., July 7—The
Seatrain Lines, Inc., yesterday
announced that they have placed
orders for two new ships to be
built by the Sun Shipbuilding and
Drydock Company of Chester,
Pa. The vessels, which are simi
lar in type to the Seatrain Hav
ana and Seatrain New York will
be placed in service between New
York and Texas City, Texas.
It was also reported yesterday
that the Seatrain company had
signed a long term lease with the
Texas City Terminal Railway
Company, and arranged for the
construction of a^ terminal of the
special type required for handling
box cars.
Although the cost of the two
new vessels was not announced,
the ships built in 1932 cost
$1,500,000 each.
The vessels will be ready for
service next summer.
Bridges Classed As
A Strike Breaker!
West Coast Longshore
pfricia! Says Harry
Was a "Ribbon Clerk"
New York, N. Y., July 7—At a
meeting of the Atlantic Coast
District of the ILA in the Hotel
Commodore yesterday. Tiny
Thronson, West Coast ILA Secre
tary, declared that Harry Rridges
began his career in this country
as a strikebreaker, and that
commy propaganda had built a
"false iialo" around him.
Thionson denied statements to
the effect that Bridges had been
a labor leader in Australia be
fore shipping to San Francisco in
May, 1920. He asserted that
Bridges had been a "ribbon clerk
in a departmrat store in Aits
tralia", and had no connection
with the labor movement there.
"Subversive propaganda on the
Pacifir Coast has so confused
l^e longshoremen," Thronson
stated, "that it has built up a
false halo around Bridges whose
record dates back to strike
breaking activities during 1921,
in the seamens' strike, in New
Orleans.
"And for these loyal services to
the shipowners he was given a
job on the waterfront in San
Francisco and membership in the
blue book of the company union.
When we started to organize in
1933 Bridges was the last man in
his gang to come in the Interna
tional Longshoremen's Associa
tion.
"Due to false publicity they
made a big shot out of him and
he bargained his position to
feather his nest. It is rumored
on the West Coast that he gets
$12,000 a year as regional direc
tor of the CIO, and he gets an
additional $75 a w'^k and an un
limited expense account as presi
dent of the International Long
shoremen's and Warehousemen's
Union of the CIO.
"Since the change in affiliation
from AFL to the CIO working
conditions on the waterfront have
steadily gone down."
lOB ACTION IN PORTO RICO
MAY HAVE DRASTIC RESULTS
Local Inspectors Instructed
To Investigate Affair
MEMBERS SHOULD BE ON GUARD
Job action, when properly handled, is an exceedingly
potent weapon; but oftimes, when applied in the wrong way,
it can, and does act as a boomerang!
An in.stariee of thi.s is the recent beef on the Bull Line
.ships in Porto Rico. The whole difficulty arose over the re
fusal of an engineer to employ a man who had previously
admittedly missed two watches. The crew of the vessel took
the stand that the engineer would either hire the man,—or
else! In the face of this, the engineer still refused to hire
the man in question, and, in retaliation, the crew promptly
quit the ship. This "job action" then spread to three other
ship.s in Porto Rico, and the beef grew to alarming propor
tions. Cablegrams were exchanged between Porto Rico and
New York, long distance phone calls were made by the com
pany, and even unauthorized persons injected themselves
into the picture with phoney cablegrams. »
PROPOSAL REFUSED
The Bull Line proposed to the man in dispute to bring
him back to New York as a fir.st class passenger on any ship
on which he wanted to return, and settle the beef here. They
further agreed that if the engineer was proven in the wrong,
they would pay the man from the time he was to have
.shipped aboard the vo.ssel. This was also agreeable to the
SIU officials in New York. However, this was refused by the
man involved, who insisted upon coming back as a member
of tlie crew of the SS Angelina. A cablegram from Head
quarters to San Juan, instructing the crew to sail the ship,
and settle the beef here, was disregarded. Finally, the man
was signed oji the ship, which then sailed, as did also the
other ships in volved. ..
INSPECTORS INVESTIGATE ' ̂
Now,—under instructions from the Department of Com'*
meree at "Washington, D.C.. the local Insueetors have been
advised to investigate the matter, and the crews on the four
ships involved in the beef will have to appear. The crew
of the Angelina lias already made one appearance before the
local Inspectors, hut due to the short notice they wore given,
the heai'ing wa.s postponed until the ship returns from her
present voyage.
It is apparent, from the attitude of the local Inspectors
office, that it is their intention to try to prove that the crews
of these ships left them without giving the required proper
notice, under the ships' articles, and also that they acted to
the hinderanee of commerce. Whether or not they can prove
this assumption, or coiueuiion, reuuiins to be seen. But,—
in the event they do,—it will prohahlj' mean the suspension
of the certificates of all the men involved!
From what we can find out, the Bull Line isnot respon
sible for this investigation, as they did not ask for it. Tlie
Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation, of the Depart
ment, of Commerce, at Washington, D.C., got wind of the
affair, and decided, apparently on their own hook, to con
duet an investigation,
SETTLE BEEFS IN N. Y.
. As has been pointed out before:—the Bull Line ships
running between New York and Porto Rieo are not gone for
any length of time, and it wouldn't he working any hardship
on any of the men on these ships if they waited until they
return to New York to settle any beefs which may arise.
They have been settled to the satisfaction of the crews here
in New York before, and they will continue to he.. All that
is necessary is to send an air mail letter from San Juan to
Headquarters, explaining the beef, so that it can he thor
oughly investigated before the ve.ssel returns to New York.
In this way, considerable expense,—to say nothing of numer
ous headaches,—can be avoided.
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THE SEAFARERS^ LOG Friday, July 7, 1939
Publishsd by tbs
Seafarers'' International Union
of North America
Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor
HARRY LUNDEBERG, Acting President
11 Steuart Street, San Francisco, Calif.
\t •
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it
iHii'S
Atlantic District
HEADQUARTERS
New York (Phone: BOwling Green 93437) 2 Stone Street
BRANCHES
Boston 1 Rowes Wharf
Providence 465 So. Main Street
Philadelphia 6 North 6th Street
Baltimore 212 East Pratt Street
Norfolk 307 East Main Street
San Juan, Puerto Rico 8 Covadonga Street
Gulf District
HEADQUARTERS
New Orleans 309 Chartres Street
BRANCHES
Savannah 218 East Bay Street
Jacksonville 136 Bay Street
Miami 809 N. E. First Avenue
Tampa 206 Franklin Street
Mobile 55 So. Conception Street
Houston 1712 • 75th Street
Great Lakes District
HEADQUARTERS
Detroit 1038 Third Street
ADDRESS ALL CORRESPONDENCE CONCERNINQ THIS
PUBLICATION TO:
"THE SEAFARERS' LOG"
P. O. Box 522, Gliurcli St. Annex, New York, N. Y.
Philadelphia
News Items
Baltimore Highlights
!ii
HONOR ROLL
The crew of the SS Cornish, of the ESSCO Line.s last
week donated to the SEAFARER»S' LOG the sum of $4.00.
They made the request that it be published in the "LOG",
and the crews of other ships be requested to follow suit.
The crew on this ship, incidentally, in the recent strike on
the ESSCO Line, was the only ship that voted 100 percent
in favor of calling a strike. Now they have further shown
that they are real Union men, by their donation, and we be
lieve that the crews on other vessels will soon follow their
example.
Don't forget, that by donating to the "LOG" you are
helping yourselves, in that publicity is the life blood of any
organization. Also, do not lose sight of the fact that you are
not forced to pay any assessment for your paper, as are the
members of the NMU; and,—furthermore, we do not solicit
advertisements, and will not accept them.
Come on gang,—get your names on the Honor Roll by
Contributing to the "LOG".
.t •
"Mym
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HONOR ROLL
The crew of the SS Pan Gulf donated a total of $11.75 to
the SEAFARERS' LOG, and the following members con,
tributed:
Benson $1.00
Anderson .50
Winecoff ,50
Ryan 50
Thaxton 50
Hartman 50
Boddon 50
Hicks .50
Dukes 50
Graham 50
Steward 50
Chief Cook .5()
2nd Cook .50
Weir .50
Walker 50
Pash 50
Hoffma.stcr 25
Jones (Ooiler) .50
Smith 50
Kyser 50
Jones (Fireman) 50
Stinson ,50
Tommy 50
I Stanley .50
M & M REFUSES TO
REGOGNI^IU
Company Officials
Take Phoney Stand
Philadelphia, Pa., June 24 —
Along witii refusing to allow our
delegates and officials to go aboard
their ships, tlie Merchants
Miners have a new angle. They
give an oiler, or a dock checker
a letter to (???), and lo! and be
hold! he comes back with a chief
steward's certificate! This sure
strikes the writer as very funny,
because when I went up for my
certificate I was fold by the In
spector that in order to obtain a
rating of chief steward, 1 had to
show at least three year's dis
charges as cook and steward.
M & M Revokes Passes
It also strikes ine as rather pe
culiar that" although numerous
other steamship companies were
informed that we were not the
certified bargaining agency for the
unlicensed personnel, that the M
& M alone chose to revoke our
passes, and deny us the right to
interview our members aboard
their ships.
It is also not so funny that both
Mr. Blal8dale«and Mr. Hoagland,
in the presence of Agent Reddle
and Patrolman Harry Goldberg,
did admit, and produce a copy of
the original letter which specifi
cally stated that the SIU of NA
was the bargaining agent for the
unlicensed personnel aboard the
company's ships, and also made
the statement, that' it was signed
at the pleasure of Mr. Merrill, the
head representative of the com
pany, in Baltimore.
Ths letter also inferred that as
we were the representatives of the
men, it was the wish of the com
pany that we live up to, and abide
by the contract existing between
the company and the Union.
Questionable Action
Therefore, why all this ruhipus
about a nonexistent" contract, and
all that bunk, when the head offi
cials in this port, and in Balti
more, time and again recognized
us as the representatives, and
even went so far as to hold a'con
ference with "Duke" Dushane and
Agent Reddle?
I don't" know as to whether
these and a lot more questions
can be answered by Blalsdale,
Hoagland, Merrill and compJftiy.
I am wondoring what is in tho
backs of the minds of some of our
membeis, and wondering if a lit
tie action would not be indicated.
Fraternally,
H. J. Collins, No. 496
Philadelphia, Pa., June 24
Things will be popping in good old
Phily one of these days. The
"Redhead" has stood about his
limit of . tactful and diplomatic
dickering with the Merchants &
Mineifl. Their latest move of re
voking the patrolmens' passes
aboard the ships, and refusing to
recognize the Union as the bar
gaining agent, was the payoff. It
looks like Merrill & Co. are real
ly asking for the business.
They are perfectly satisfied with
the Union, until we insisted that
all men for replacements be Union
nieh, and that they be cleared
through the Hall. That did not
fit" in at all, as they have about
twenty men living on the old Es
sex, which is tied up and being
used as a hotel.
Since the NLRB was so kind to
inform them that we arc not the
original signers of the agreement,
and that the company would not
have to deal with '.is.
Improvement in Conditions
Reported by Baltimore
Branch Favors Vote on Assessment
For Hospital and Burial Fund
"COMMODORE" WHALEN SEASICK I
Baltimore, Md., June 28, 1939—Shipping continues mod
erately good out of thi.s port, with 69 members shipped out
during the past week. The tying up of a eonple of the Bull
Line fleet and extended drydock pei'iods for a few ships of
other lines is being compensated for by some of the tied up
ships coming out of the boneyard, iiiclnditig liie Robin Line's
SS Maine, whieii goes out under an Isthmian charter for a
trip to the Hawaiian Islands. A movement of SIU men in
from the Lakes is noted here, and tlie steady stream of NMU
men getting information about joining up coutinnes unabated.
Last Monday night's regular^
business meeting took up the
question of a burial assessment.
This question, judging by the
frequency with which it pops up,
is evidently of great interest to
the average member especially at
times when the Branch reports
the "passing on" of some brother
who usually was in poor financial
circumstances. After some dis
cussion on the matter it was de
cided that a resolution be drawn
up which if concurred in by
Headquarters would be submitted
to the membership for their ap
proval.
Conditions Improving
Although it has been a slow
process with some of the lines,
improvements in living conditions
for their crews is going ahead at
a good pace now. It was with a
great" deal of satisfaction we noted
the new refrigerators for the
crew being swung aboard a cou
ple of the Bull Line ships last
week and repairs, delousing, and
a general cleaning up of quarters
is noticeable on the majoiity of
the SIU ships clearing this port.
Coniiiiission Propaganda
Quoting from one of the Mari
time . Commission propaganda
sheets that are being tossed out
all over this waterfroiit, we no'ie
that one of the trainees has this
to say: "the barracks are very
modern, airy, warm, wellventi
lated, and very well lighted. The
bunks are of the latest twodeck
type with white linen and blan
kets . . . food is excellent. .
We suppose this Is what the Com
mission considers "training'' for
the American Merchant Marine.
Can you imagine the thoughts of
the "fink recruit" who wrote the
above when he finishes his "train
Ing" and then ships out on some
thing like a Sword Line, or
American Range Line fioating bed
Bug asylum. WE WONDER IF
THE ADMIRALS AND THE
SHIPOWNERS WILL EVER GET
It THROUGH THEIR THICK
HEADS THAT THE AMERICAN
SEAMAN FIGHTS, STRIKES
AND SQUAWKS NOT BECAUSE
HE IS BY NATURE A NATURAL
HELLRAISER BUT SOLELY
BECAUSE HE IS AN AMERICAN
AND LIKE ALL OTHER AMERI
CANS SINCE OUR FORE
FATHERS LICKED THE PANTS
OFF GEORGE III HE'S GOING
TO FIGHT FOR HIS LIBERTY;
THE LIBERTY THAT GOES
WITH DECENT WAGES AND
THE RIGHT TO WORK UNDER
DECENT CONDITIONS. Let .the
present Administration spend thS
same amount of money, they've
spent In setting up the Maritime
Commission, In boosting the
wages, and improving living and
working conditions aboard the
average American vessel, and
they'll find, there will no longer
be any need for a Hoffman's isl
and to teach Americans "disci
pline".
Sea Sickens "Commodore"
Rumor.s tliat "Commodore" (mo
tor boat) Patrick Whalen led the
parade for the Maryland Yacht
regatta Sunday are without foun
dation. Ever since "Commodore
Paddy" got seasick steering the
pride of the Soviet Navy around
and around one of the tankers lay
ing in Baltimore harbor, he hae
avoided wlitGr like the devil and
on being helped out of his "yacht"
by his solicitous membership on
that occasion "Commodore" (say
sir, to me, boy), Pat" was heard
to remark feebly that water in
any shapq. or form never had
agreed with him.
"Typical" Ship Suggested
"Word from the New York
World's Fair that they were con
sidering putting a vessel—typical
of the U.S. Merchant Marine—on
exhibition at" the Fair caused con
siderable discussion around here.
After deep thought it was the
opinion of tlm members in gen
eral that the most "typical" ship
they could think of was the SS
Plow City of t"he American Range
Line. However after further con
sideration, the wellknown tender
spot the average seaman has In
his heart for the members of the
fair sex came to the top, and the
thought" of the fair ladies stepping
daintily over piles of decaying
bedbugs, roaches and other live
stock, and donning gas masks
over their loveliness while they
Inspected the messrooms? was too
much for .the SIU men and the
Plow City suggestion was with
drawn.
Fraternally,
Wm. McKay, Agent
Providence
Notes
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Providence, June 26 — Shipping
good here this week oh AFL
ships. CIO men in NMU are
locked out on tankers, and are In
quiring about transfers. Socony
has declared an open shop in this
port. NMU officials seem passive
to Standard Oil.
NLRB claimed this week that
we must have a hearing before
them before we are certified to
epresent men In the New Eng
land ships. The majority of men
in the four ships have signed
our pledge cards, and more are
signing as fast as they are con
tacted.
Frank Berry, Agent
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Friday, July 7, 1939
s:
THE SEAFARERS' LOG
HERE and THERE in the GULF
MIAMI AGENT POINTS OUT
POLICIES WRECKING NMU
Curran's Accusations Against
. King Proof of His Own Guilt
PHONIES RULE FROM TOP
Miami, Florida,
. June 24, 1939
Seafarers' Log,
P.O. No. 522, Church Street Annex,
New York, N. Y.
Dear Sirs and Brothers:
AN OPEN LETTER TO ALL SEAMEN
This past few days have seen quite an upheaval in the
Seamen's movements. The cause is that the CIO seamen are
beginning to wake up to the fact that they are being misled.
The following is not Union wrecking or disorganizing state
ments, as the NMU is nothing more than a shell.
After reading this week's Pilot, an unprejudiced observer
can see tliat it is an establi.shed fact that King is guilty as
charged, yet throughout the testimony there is in plain cold
facts evidence that the Maritime Commission is nothing but
a Union wrecking bureau.
CURRAN EXPOSES SELF
Cnrran has proven King guilty, but in that evidence he
also has .stated, quote, "The tie up between Jerome King, the
Maritime Commission, and the shipowners will also be ex
posed by a written document showing that when it became
necessary to obtain the help of the shipowners to bring about
the naturalization of a Uaiion Official, King and Emerson
made that pos.sible." iinquotc.
Therefore it is only a reasonable deduction that Joe Cur-
ran has proven that by advocating Government Fink Halls
and Maritime Commissioa Ships he too is wrong.
A great many of the seamen will read this and realize its
truth and plain bare facts. Yet there are tho.se who are
affiliated with an organization other than the Seamen's move
ment which will claim this a blast.
POLITICS CAUSE SPLI-T
Those that stop to think will see what has happened sincg
the NMU was formed. Those who fought so hard to expell
the JSU fakers, saw that by following the path they started
on in '36 and '37 they would have expelled all the Phoneys
and been one Union. But a political party saw different; they
saw a chance to split the Seamen's movement and labor as
a whole.
The men who were elected to lead the '36-'37 strike in the
small ports, and the Gulf Headquarters, had no monies to
buck such a political organization, so they went to the
Pacific Coast where they went hungry and slept where they
could until it came their turn to be admitted into a Union
Where the membership, who worked at sailors' work, run
the Union.
There is also testimony that Lester Lord was in a Los
Angeles prison on June 27, 1928. If my memory is correct,
which I believe it is, Lester Lord was in New Orleans and had
just got through doing a rap for Union Activities in the '36
'3/ strike. He was still fighting for the principles which he
was fighting for when he was sent up.
PHONIES ON TOP
On the other hand there are men now officials in the NMU
who were nothing but wino's and chiselers before '36^'37, and
others who were chased out of the West Coast. Unions for
using monies recklessly, and for eating chicken, etc., while
the member.ship was on strike^ and for disrupting meetings
with political propaganda which did not pertain to the bene
fit of the seamen.
ALEXANDER MUSCLES IN
When I made up my mind to sail on the East Coast I
was a SUP man. Arriving in Mobile I attended a NMU meet
ing, the one at which Harry Alexander was elected Agent.
It Was terrible the way the thing was done. After four tries
to get Alexander eliscted (after each count of the votes the
man elected would resign) the former Agent finally got up
ATTENTION!
The following motion
was carried in the New
York Headquarters meet-
ing of June 26:
"That all Branches
stand instructed that they
are not to take any action
on motions or Resolutions
passed in their own meet-
ings until they have been
concurred in by a Head-
quarters meeting."
The Miami Branch meet-
ing of June 26 took excep-
tion to this motion, and
passed a motion requesting
New Orleans Headquarters
to ask New York Head-
quarters "why such a dic-
tatorial motion was put
forth."
The New York Head-
quarters meeting of July 3
non-Concurred iu the Miami
motion, with the rider that
the Miami Branch be in-
structed to read Article
XVII, Section 1 of the Con-
stitution. This was amend-
ed to read that Article
XVII, Section 1 be pub-
lished in the "LOG", and
the attention of all
Branches called to it.
Article XVn, Section 1
of the Constitution reads
as follows:
"ALL BRANCHES
SHALL BE UNDER THE
IMMEDIATE JURISDIC-
TION OF HEADQUAR-
TERS, AND NO RULE
ADOPTED OR ANY AC-
TION TAKEN BY ANY
BRANCH SHALL BE
CONSIDERED VALID OR
BINDING UPON THE
MEMBERS OR UPON
THE UNION UNTIL EN-
DORSED BY THE MEET-
ING AT HEADQUAR-
TERS."
HAPPENINGS in MOBILE
PORT COMMIHEE
SEnLESJEFS
Waterman Purchases
Lyices Bros. Ship
Mobile, Ala., June 26 — At the
regular joint meeting held June
19, Patrolman Banks reported the
deck department overtime as fol
lows:
SS Bellingham—ITiA his. (7
hrs. penalty for all hands.)
SS Topa Topa—153^ hrs. (2
hrs. penalty for all hands.)
SS Hastings—218 hrs. (14 lire,
penalty in dispute.)
The above ships are of the Pan
Atlantic Line, on the twentyone
day coast run. This should show
the membership of the SIU exact
ly the working conditions on these
ships operating out of Mobile. The
yearly average on the above ships
on this t'wenty:one day run, for all
departments, is approximately
three hundred dollars a month.
Port Coiliinittee Ettective
The members of the crew' of the
SS Hastings held a meeting before
Pcaylng off June 19, and some of
the more militant members wanted
to fake JOB ACTION. After the
agent and delegates pointed out
Sections 5 and 6 of the "General
Rules" of the Waterman agree
ment, the crew decided to appoint
a port committee to meet with the
Waterman Company to settle the
"penalty overtime" beef on the
Ha^ihgs. During the time this
agreement has been in <«ffecf, the
Waterman Company has not won
ONE of the disputes which have
been settled by a duly elected port
committee. In fact, your corre
spondent will wager that the crew
of the SS Hastings receive the
penalty overtime in dispute.
Jacksonville Minutes
At a regular joint meeting, held
June 5, considerable discussion
was on the floor pertaining to the
Jacksonville Branch minutes of
the previous week. "Jacksonville
minutes read: M/S/C to noncon
cur with Jack.sorivllle minutes re
garding shipping list being turned
over to U. S. Shipping Commis
sioner, Amendment: To forward
action of Mobile Branch to Jack
sonville regarding local action on
above question. Amendment: To
advise Jacksonville Branch to coA
tact New York headquarters re
garding action taken in New York
on above question."
Shipping for llie week in Mo
bile:
Deck 32
Engine 16
Stewards ........ ig
Total 60
Regi.stered 32
All ships of the Mobile Oceanic
Line, PanAtlantic and Puerto
Rican line are now running, and
should be veiy good out of JIo
bile.
Waterman Buys SS Dryden
A letter from the Waterman
Company was read to the mem
bership, regarding JOB ACTION
taken on tiie various company
ships in Gulf and Atlanti* port's.
The agreement states that all
grievances of ships' crews will be
settled by a duly elected port
committee. There shall be no
walkouts or stoppage of work.
All beefs have been settled to the
satisfaction of the membership,
previously, and will continue to
be.
The Waterman Company re
cently purchased from Lykes
Bros., of the SS Drydeh, to be
delivered about July 15. This
will make about thirtyfour more
permanent jobs in the Gulf that
the NMU have lost, and the boost
to the SIU is small, but is indi
cative of the steady gains made
In the East and the Gulf.
C. Underwood, Gulf No. 2
and explained Alexander was sent there to be Agent, and the
membership should elect him. This was done, although it was
evident the men wished the former Agent to he in office.
Jackson, who is now Agent, was dispatcher there at the
lime. He was on the MFOWW Strike Committee in Portland,
Oregon. That Committee had a charge account with a T'axi
Cab Company and the membership raised hell when they
found mil about it.
STEAM-ROLLER TACTICS
F'rom there I went to New Orleans, where I left the ship
and stayed ashore. At that time the '38 elections were com
ing off. The NMU men had to have 25 men OK a nominee
before his name could bo put on the ballots. It was evident
that the Party Gang would not be elected, so to block it, the
officials called a Special Meeting, at which they told the gang
all sheets would be read oft', and would the members who
signed them please come up and check their hook numbers,
and if the men that signed them were not present the nomi
nee's name would not appear on the ballot. This seemed
funny as the shipping list had about 900 names and the hall
only accommodated around 300, which left the majority on
the beach, and those on the ships, who wished to have some
thing to say, OUT IN THE COLD.
At this point of the meeting four SUP men and myself
could stomach no more and asked to be excused. This, and
the knowledge that those men who are really trying to build
a seamen's Union in the A.F. of L. under the banner of the
SIU are seamen with plenty of discharges to prove, it is why
anyone with any sense is SIU.
J. Gunnison, No. 4G
Jacksonville, Fla., June 21 —
Everything is progressing satisfac
torily In the Port of jax, and I
am contacting all East anq W.O..
ships. Settling all beefs to the sat
isfaction of the crews of E. G.
ships.
'."he menibership In the Port of
Jax have the utmost confidence to
wards the members on the Florida
and Cuba, In regards to their do
nations for the picket line in front
of the fmkherder (Fred Engle
hoiiser), which amounted to
$21.10. This shows that the tnem
bershlp of the SIU are beginning
to understand what solidarity
means.
Shipping was fairly good last
week, but it has slowed down
some. There are about 15 men in
all departments on the shipping
list.
If all the crews will respond as
quickly as the crews from Miami,
it won't be long before he will at
tain the goal which we are striv
ing for—and that is—A National
Seamen's Union!
Steady as she goes
Fred Laurltano
NOTICE!
All SIU members who are
confined in Marine Hospitals
are hereby advised to imme
diately notify their SIU Agent
in the port nearest to where
they are hospitalized, in order
that they may receive regular
Weekly benefits.
This does not apply to mem
bers who are already receiving
benefits.
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THE S E A F A'R E R S ' LOG Friday, July 7, 1939
NLRB CERTIFIES LAKES
SlU ON D &^HIPS
Labor Board Grants Certification
On Strength of Pledge Cards
AGREEMENT BEING DRAFTED
SEAFARERS' INTERNATrONAL UNION
GREAT LAICES DISTRICT
TO ALL EMPLOYEES
STEWARDS DEPARTMENT
D&CLINESfflPS
GREETINGS:
Recently the Seafarers' international Union snceeeded in
securing the signed authorizations from a clear majorily of
the employees of the Steward's Department of the D&C Line
ships. The Union then made applicatioji to the National
Lahor Relations Board for certification as the bona fide rep
resentatives of said employees. The National Labor Relations
Board has now sent to the Company and the Union the fol
lowing certification and the Emergency Board expects to have
an agreement worked out shortly with the company which
wiU be submitted for approval to those members of the
Steward's Department who have indicated their intention to
affiliate themselves with our Union.
Fraternally your.s,
R D. THOMPSON, Chairman.
CASE NO.
W.II.122
COPY OP CERTIFICATION
NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
Washington, D.C.
In the Matter of
SEAFARERS' INTERNATIONAL UNION
OF NORTH AMERICA, GREAT LAKES
DISTRICT
CERTIFICATION OF REPRESENTATIVES AS BONA
FIDE UNDER SECTION 7fb) OF THE FAIR LABOR
STANDARDS ACT' OF 1938.
The National Labor Relations Board hereby certifies that
the Seafarers' International Union of North America, Great
Lakes District, is a bona fide representative of employees,
for the purposes set forth in Section 7, Subdivision (b) of the
Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.
Dated, Washington, D.C., this 27th day of June, 1939.
By direction of the Board;
(SEAL) NATHAN WITT, Secretary
Lakes Headquarters Elect
Marine CGuncii Officers
Council Embraces Seven Unions
On Mutual Protection Basis
SiU PliGnles Left
SeameR Holding
The Old M!
In regards to claims now made
by former offlcials of the ISU as
to their standing with regards to
elections held hy the NLRB in
193738. there is this to be said:
In all ports on tlie East Coast
and Gulf seamen were organized
info the ILA, with the exception
of Mobile and Savannah.'The offl
cials who are now making nil
these claims had left the seamen
up in the air, and if the ILA had
not stepped in to protect the AFL,
we would have nad no seamen. As
soon as the AFL started organiza
tion, these seamen were turned
over hy the ILA to the AFL Sea
men's Reofganization Committee.
Of the marine unions at that
time, the SUP was the only organ
ization in which gains for the sea
men were made, and held. When
the International Charter was is
sued hy the AFL, and given to
the SUP to organize, a step for
a seamens' Union on all coasts,
and on the Lakes was staited.
Many contracts have been slgmed
hy the new International, and
gains have been made for the sea
men on the Lakes, and Atlantic
and Gulf Coasts.
The SUP has always insisted
upon shipping from the Union
Hall, as this is the only way a
seamen's Union can he made a
safeguard of the seamen's rights.
They are opposed to training
schools, for the reason that there
are too many unemployed seamen
now, and instead of men w;e need
more ships. The stand taiien hy
the U.S. Maritime Commission of
shipping through the Shipping
Commissioners is not following
out the policy of the Government,
as it applies to the private ship
owners who are made to deal with
the Unions, and the Maritime
Commission ships are run by pri
vate capital, and not hy the gov
ernment.
Patrick Ryan,
A.F. of L. Representative
HOW CAN GRANOrS PHONEY
ISU PAY irS OWN WAY ? 1
A Few Pertinent Facts for the
Informatiou of the Members
WHO WILL BUY DAVE'S CIGARS?
! BOBLO SIGNS CONTRACT
Detroit, Mich.—A great deal of progress has been made
in connection with an efficient functioning of the Marine
Council. At a regular session of the Council business meet
ing temporary officials were elected. Brother Hoffa of the
Teamsters' Joint Council, and Brother R. D. Thompson of the
SIU, were elected President and SecretaryTreasurer re
spectively.
The scope of the Council has been extended on a mutual
protection basis to seven powerful Union, and the prospects
of further increased membership are extremely rosy. All pro
visions ifor office supplies, such as^
stationery, etc., were taken care
of In the levying of a special as
sessment. All members of the
Council are enthusiastic about the
future, and hope to extend its in
fluence to the entire Lakes Dis
trict. •
Further Gains
Another important concession
regarding Sunday work on the
DC excursion trips was obtained
hy Brother Thompson. In • ^he fu
ture, aii gear carried from the
dock to the vassel will be classi
fied as overtime. This makes one
more for the long list of improve
ments already secured from this
Important company.
On the Chicago, Duluth and
Georgian Bay lines an innovation
was Introduced, which will sub
stantially increase the wages of
some of the crew. The watchmen,
hitherto classified in the steward's
department at $70.00 per month,
have been transferred to the deck
department, and the wages raised
to $125.00 per month. It is
things like this that remind the
membership of the value of a
strong Union.
On the ChicagoMilwaukee Tran
sit Co., negotiations affecting the
wages and working conditions of
approximately one hundred stew
ards are being transacted. Our
international representative will
leave for Chicago this week, and
will report later on his progress.
At the time of going to '^ress,
we have Just received an iron
BOSTON
News Bits
HOW COME, BOSTON?
NO NEWS?
ATTENTION!
For the Information of vari
ous members who have made
Inquiries from time to time re
garding the number of mem
bers in each department In the
Atlantic District SIU, the fig
ures are, up to and Including
July 7, 1939, as follows:
Deck Department 1,74'6
Engine Department 1,596
Steward'^ Department ...1,719
Total 5,061
hound contract with the BohLo
company. The most important
feature of this contract is the in
clusion of an overtime clause
which will eliminate a lot of past
abuses. Some NMU stooges In
this outfit used a lot of propa
ganda on the personnel, hut' de
spite all their lying tactics, a huge
majority of the crews indicated a
preference for our representation.
J.J.D.
We would like to point out a feiv pertinent facts to tbose
of our member.s who have been foolish enough to listen to the
"bull" being passed out by Dave Grange and his cohorts.
Suppose Grange and his mob did take over the control
of the stewards on the Ea.stern ships. (Which we know they
never will do.; How would they |)a.v their own way?
MATHEMATICAL FACTS
Figure it out this way; The ESSCO .ships, during their
peak season carry about 6f)0 men in the steward's depart
ment. This lasts for not more than four months per year.
All right:—650 men at $1..50 per month, for four months
comes to $3,900. During the other eight months of the year
the ESSCO ships carry an average of 400 men in the steward's
department. At $1.50 per month this amounts to $4,800.
Add them both together, and you get a total of $8,700 per
5'ear income for Grange's projected union.
Now,'the socalled ISU ha.s, at preesnt an "Executive
Board" of five men. Even if they are paid only $30 per week,*
it will amount to $7,800 per year, which must he paid out in
salaries. On top of this you have rent to con.sider. Of course
there must he halls in both Boston and New York. Figuring
it at a minimum of $30 per month for each hall, we have
$720 for a year's rent. Then they must have telephones,
which will certainly cost them, at the very lowest, $10 per
month for each phone,—or $240 per year.
Add all these expenses up:—.salaries, rent and telephones,
and you get a total of $8,760 for one year's operating ijosts.
Remember that this does not include such items as travel,
printing, and other miscellaneous expenses. So what do you
have? Income for one year, $8,700;—expenses for year,
$8,760,—or a net loss of $60 per year.
Now, it is certain that Grange and Company have figured
this thing out for themselves, and they can't possibly arrive
at a lower figure for expenses than we have just shown you.
How then, do they plan to overcome this deficit? Obviously,
they will have to increase the dues to at least $3.00 per
month, and on top of that, they will add all sort.s of assess
ments.
WHO IS GOING TO PAY?
It's a cinch that none of the piecards associated with
Grange will be satisfied with a more $30 per week, and \
Grange himself is used to something like $200 per week, plus
expenses. That's what he was getting when the old ISU
folded up, and anj^oncfwho thinks that he was ever worth it
is just plain nuts! Don't forget that $200 per week adds up
to $10,400 per year,—^which is some coconuts for a labor j*
faker of his ilk! And then, who is going to pay for Dave's'
specially made cigars? Who is going to pay for the banquets;
we know he would like to throw for certain ^hipcwners? i
Who is going to pay his first class railroad fare on his fre'.
quent trips, and for his two and three dollar tips? When it \
comes to expenses, Dave certainly knows how to make them;
add np! In the past he was frequently heard to remark,)
"Who cares how much it costs? The membership is paying
for it!"
WHAT WILL HAPPEN?
But then, of course, perhaps the "Rajah" figures ou |
getting rid of his phoney "Executive Board", and of hiring|
a couple of stooges to collect the dues for him. In this raan.|
ner, he could probably assure himself alone of a fairly com1
fortahle income; hut there are other obstacles in the way of
his plans. What does he plan on doing with the two or three
hundred men who will he out of work for eight months out
of the year? He will certainly have no other ships on which
he can place them. What will happen then? Naturally, these
unemployed men will soon become dissatisfied, and will
eventually drift away from his phoney union,—leaving him
right hack where he started,—except that he will have a few
of their hard earned dollars lining his pockets!
Oh no!—the "Rajah" isn't looking to benefit the seamen
in any way, hut seeks to further delude them, and provide
himself with another fat pie-card! Any union with Grange
at the head of it could amount to nothing more than a
racket, and any seaman who would associate himself with
such an outfit should consult a psychiarist!
Think it over boys,—^think it over,—and if you can prove
to us that Grange or any of the other phonies can improve
your conditions, or even have your welfare at heart,^we 11
put in with you. But take our word for it,—there is no
altruism involved on the part of Dave Grange & Co. 1
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Tfee Seafarers' Log
Seafarers' International Union of North America
Official Organ of the Atlantic, Gulf and Great Lakes Seamen
mat
VOL. I NEW YORK, N. Y., FRIDAY, JULY 7, 1939 448 NO. 13
NEW ORLEANS CONVENTION
OF NMU PACKED BY COMMIES
All Set to SteamRoller Program
And Save NMU for Party
GULF RANK AND FILE FIGHT
Well, well, "hellzapoppin" way down yonder in New
J3rleans. Tlie "fellow travelers" from the East Coast and all
those who were chased out of Ttjxas, have concentrated at
the Crescent City, with the avowed intention of saving the
NMU for the Communist Party! Just what the eventual out
come will be, is a matter for conjecture, and we wouldn't
like to make any rash predictions.
RAMPANT "RED RAIDERS"
However, after looking at the list of convention delegates,
it can be very plainly seen that the CP is to be well repre-
sented. Such sterling (?) individuals as "Blackie" Myers,
Roland Perry, D. J. Gavin, John Rogan, "Rasputin" Law-
renson, McGowan, Moe Byne, "Smitty" Hopkins, "Paddy"
Whalert, Ted Lewis, and numerous others. What a nice gang
of "red raiders"! Looks more like the roster of delegates to
a commy convention, instead of one for a maritime labor or-
ganization ! Moreover, the hoys all have implicit instructions
to report to "Mile-a-Minute-Joe" as soon as they arrive in
New Orleans on Saturday morning, to get their instructions
in the methods to be used in gaining, and keeping control
of the convention.
SHOWDOWN AT CONVENTION
Now, on the other side of the fence, there is a plenty large
group of militant rank and filers in the Gulf District, who
have sworn that they will have no part of the East Coa.st
NMU until'the comrades are ousted from the saddle! The
convention in New Orleans is where the showdown will be.
and the eventual outcome will tell the fate of the future of
the NMU.
Who will come out on top? Curran and the rest of the
commies and stooges are down there fighting for tlieir pie and
pork chops, and it's going to take a lot of wrangling to do
them out of them! The rank and filers are just as determined
to oust the commies, and put the union under real demo
cratic control once again. Looks like an "irresistible force
meeting an immovable body"!
Heigho! You bets your money and takes your choice!
One gue.ss is as good as another, and the convention has all
the makings of a regular "Donnybrook Fair",—including
footracing!
STEAM-ROLLER READY
It is, of course, a foregone conclusion that the comrats
will adopt steamroller tactics, and exert their utmost to high
pressure. things their way. and it isn't a farfetched conclu
sion^ to say that they are very likely to suoeccd. They are so
thoroughly' acquainted with the methods of packing any sort
of a meeting, that the more or less uninitiated will find it
exceedingly difficult to cope with their machine.
RANK AND FILE OROGOY
It does seem to us that the real rank and file member.ship
of the NMU should, by this time, be sufficiently aroused to
take some drastic action to prevent the comrats from con
tinuing tO' use the NMU as a political football, but then, they
have beaten down so much that they come to take such &
situation as a matter of course. The dictatorial stance as
sumed by the CP top fraction in running the atfairs of the
NMU has had the average rank and file member running in
circles. He doesn't dare to speak out in open meeting, and
state his views, for fear that the commy goon squad will
meet him outside and dump him. Witness what happened to
Frederick Phillips,—a NMU official who would not go along
with the party policy! Whether Jerry King was framed or
not, we don't know, but from all reports, his trial was most
certainly railroaded through,—mainly because he also bucked
the top fraction of the Party. •
Taken all in all,—it is indeed a very sorry state of affairs,
but we 're not going to put ourselves out on a limb by making
any predictions as to the outcomewe're merely going to sit
back and watch developments. Of course, we do have a very
definite hunch,;but we ain't a'sayin'I
SEAIRAIN ORDERS
TWO NEI^ELS
New York, N. Y., July 7—The
Seatrain Lines, Inc., yesterday
announced that they have placed
orders for two new ships to be
built by the Sun Shipbuilding and
Drydock Company of Chester,
Pa. The vessels, which are simi
lar in type to the Seatrain Hav
ana and Seatrain New York will
be placed in service between New
York and Texas City, Texas.
It was also reported yesterday
that the Seatrain company had
signed a long term lease with the
Texas City Terminal Railway
Company, and arranged for the
construction of a^ terminal of the
special type required for handling
box cars.
Although the cost of the two
new vessels was not announced,
the ships built in 1932 cost
$1,500,000 each.
The vessels will be ready for
service next summer.
Bridges Classed As
A Strike Breaker!
West Coast Longshore
pfricia! Says Harry
Was a "Ribbon Clerk"
New York, N. Y., July 7—At a
meeting of the Atlantic Coast
District of the ILA in the Hotel
Commodore yesterday. Tiny
Thronson, West Coast ILA Secre
tary, declared that Harry Rridges
began his career in this country
as a strikebreaker, and that
commy propaganda had built a
"false iialo" around him.
Thionson denied statements to
the effect that Bridges had been
a labor leader in Australia be
fore shipping to San Francisco in
May, 1920. He asserted that
Bridges had been a "ribbon clerk
in a departmrat store in Aits
tralia", and had no connection
with the labor movement there.
"Subversive propaganda on the
Pacifir Coast has so confused
l^e longshoremen," Thronson
stated, "that it has built up a
false halo around Bridges whose
record dates back to strike
breaking activities during 1921,
in the seamens' strike, in New
Orleans.
"And for these loyal services to
the shipowners he was given a
job on the waterfront in San
Francisco and membership in the
blue book of the company union.
When we started to organize in
1933 Bridges was the last man in
his gang to come in the Interna
tional Longshoremen's Associa
tion.
"Due to false publicity they
made a big shot out of him and
he bargained his position to
feather his nest. It is rumored
on the West Coast that he gets
$12,000 a year as regional direc
tor of the CIO, and he gets an
additional $75 a w'^k and an un
limited expense account as presi
dent of the International Long
shoremen's and Warehousemen's
Union of the CIO.
"Since the change in affiliation
from AFL to the CIO working
conditions on the waterfront have
steadily gone down."
lOB ACTION IN PORTO RICO
MAY HAVE DRASTIC RESULTS
Local Inspectors Instructed
To Investigate Affair
MEMBERS SHOULD BE ON GUARD
Job action, when properly handled, is an exceedingly
potent weapon; but oftimes, when applied in the wrong way,
it can, and does act as a boomerang!
An in.stariee of thi.s is the recent beef on the Bull Line
.ships in Porto Rico. The whole difficulty arose over the re
fusal of an engineer to employ a man who had previously
admittedly missed two watches. The crew of the vessel took
the stand that the engineer would either hire the man,—or
else! In the face of this, the engineer still refused to hire
the man in question, and, in retaliation, the crew promptly
quit the ship. This "job action" then spread to three other
ship.s in Porto Rico, and the beef grew to alarming propor
tions. Cablegrams were exchanged between Porto Rico and
New York, long distance phone calls were made by the com
pany, and even unauthorized persons injected themselves
into the picture with phoney cablegrams. »
PROPOSAL REFUSED
The Bull Line proposed to the man in dispute to bring
him back to New York as a fir.st class passenger on any ship
on which he wanted to return, and settle the beef here. They
further agreed that if the engineer was proven in the wrong,
they would pay the man from the time he was to have
.shipped aboard the vo.ssel. This was also agreeable to the
SIU officials in New York. However, this was refused by the
man involved, who insisted upon coming back as a member
of tlie crew of the SS Angelina. A cablegram from Head
quarters to San Juan, instructing the crew to sail the ship,
and settle the beef here, was disregarded. Finally, the man
was signed oji the ship, which then sailed, as did also the
other ships in volved. ..
INSPECTORS INVESTIGATE ' ̂
Now,—under instructions from the Department of Com'*
meree at "Washington, D.C.. the local Insueetors have been
advised to investigate the matter, and the crews on the four
ships involved in the beef will have to appear. The crew
of the Angelina lias already made one appearance before the
local Inspectors, hut due to the short notice they wore given,
the heai'ing wa.s postponed until the ship returns from her
present voyage.
It is apparent, from the attitude of the local Inspectors
office, that it is their intention to try to prove that the crews
of these ships left them without giving the required proper
notice, under the ships' articles, and also that they acted to
the hinderanee of commerce. Whether or not they can prove
this assumption, or coiueuiion, reuuiins to be seen. But,—
in the event they do,—it will prohahlj' mean the suspension
of the certificates of all the men involved!
From what we can find out, the Bull Line isnot respon
sible for this investigation, as they did not ask for it. Tlie
Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation, of the Depart
ment, of Commerce, at Washington, D.C., got wind of the
affair, and decided, apparently on their own hook, to con
duet an investigation,
SETTLE BEEFS IN N. Y.
. As has been pointed out before:—the Bull Line ships
running between New York and Porto Rieo are not gone for
any length of time, and it wouldn't he working any hardship
on any of the men on these ships if they waited until they
return to New York to settle any beefs which may arise.
They have been settled to the satisfaction of the crews here
in New York before, and they will continue to he.. All that
is necessary is to send an air mail letter from San Juan to
Headquarters, explaining the beef, so that it can he thor
oughly investigated before the ve.ssel returns to New York.
In this way, considerable expense,—to say nothing of numer
ous headaches,—can be avoided.
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THE SEAFARERS^ LOG Friday, July 7, 1939
Publishsd by tbs
Seafarers'' International Union
of North America
Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor
HARRY LUNDEBERG, Acting President
11 Steuart Street, San Francisco, Calif.
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iHii'S
Atlantic District
HEADQUARTERS
New York (Phone: BOwling Green 93437) 2 Stone Street
BRANCHES
Boston 1 Rowes Wharf
Providence 465 So. Main Street
Philadelphia 6 North 6th Street
Baltimore 212 East Pratt Street
Norfolk 307 East Main Street
San Juan, Puerto Rico 8 Covadonga Street
Gulf District
HEADQUARTERS
New Orleans 309 Chartres Street
BRANCHES
Savannah 218 East Bay Street
Jacksonville 136 Bay Street
Miami 809 N. E. First Avenue
Tampa 206 Franklin Street
Mobile 55 So. Conception Street
Houston 1712 • 75th Street
Great Lakes District
HEADQUARTERS
Detroit 1038 Third Street
ADDRESS ALL CORRESPONDENCE CONCERNINQ THIS
PUBLICATION TO:
"THE SEAFARERS' LOG"
P. O. Box 522, Gliurcli St. Annex, New York, N. Y.
Philadelphia
News Items
Baltimore Highlights
!ii
HONOR ROLL
The crew of the SS Cornish, of the ESSCO Line.s last
week donated to the SEAFARER»S' LOG the sum of $4.00.
They made the request that it be published in the "LOG",
and the crews of other ships be requested to follow suit.
The crew on this ship, incidentally, in the recent strike on
the ESSCO Line, was the only ship that voted 100 percent
in favor of calling a strike. Now they have further shown
that they are real Union men, by their donation, and we be
lieve that the crews on other vessels will soon follow their
example.
Don't forget, that by donating to the "LOG" you are
helping yourselves, in that publicity is the life blood of any
organization. Also, do not lose sight of the fact that you are
not forced to pay any assessment for your paper, as are the
members of the NMU; and,—furthermore, we do not solicit
advertisements, and will not accept them.
Come on gang,—get your names on the Honor Roll by
Contributing to the "LOG".
.t •
"Mym
i -
HONOR ROLL
The crew of the SS Pan Gulf donated a total of $11.75 to
the SEAFARERS' LOG, and the following members con,
tributed:
Benson $1.00
Anderson .50
Winecoff ,50
Ryan 50
Thaxton 50
Hartman 50
Boddon 50
Hicks .50
Dukes 50
Graham 50
Steward 50
Chief Cook .5()
2nd Cook .50
Weir .50
Walker 50
Pash 50
Hoffma.stcr 25
Jones (Ooiler) .50
Smith 50
Kyser 50
Jones (Fireman) 50
Stinson ,50
Tommy 50
I Stanley .50
M & M REFUSES TO
REGOGNI^IU
Company Officials
Take Phoney Stand
Philadelphia, Pa., June 24 —
Along witii refusing to allow our
delegates and officials to go aboard
their ships, tlie Merchants
Miners have a new angle. They
give an oiler, or a dock checker
a letter to (???), and lo! and be
hold! he comes back with a chief
steward's certificate! This sure
strikes the writer as very funny,
because when I went up for my
certificate I was fold by the In
spector that in order to obtain a
rating of chief steward, 1 had to
show at least three year's dis
charges as cook and steward.
M & M Revokes Passes
It also strikes ine as rather pe
culiar that" although numerous
other steamship companies were
informed that we were not the
certified bargaining agency for the
unlicensed personnel, that the M
& M alone chose to revoke our
passes, and deny us the right to
interview our members aboard
their ships.
It is also not so funny that both
Mr. Blal8dale«and Mr. Hoagland,
in the presence of Agent Reddle
and Patrolman Harry Goldberg,
did admit, and produce a copy of
the original letter which specifi
cally stated that the SIU of NA
was the bargaining agent for the
unlicensed personnel aboard the
company's ships, and also made
the statement, that' it was signed
at the pleasure of Mr. Merrill, the
head representative of the com
pany, in Baltimore.
Ths letter also inferred that as
we were the representatives of the
men, it was the wish of the com
pany that we live up to, and abide
by the contract existing between
the company and the Union.
Questionable Action
Therefore, why all this ruhipus
about a nonexistent" contract, and
all that bunk, when the head offi
cials in this port, and in Balti
more, time and again recognized
us as the representatives, and
even went so far as to hold a'con
ference with "Duke" Dushane and
Agent Reddle?
I don't" know as to whether
these and a lot more questions
can be answered by Blalsdale,
Hoagland, Merrill and compJftiy.
I am wondoring what is in tho
backs of the minds of some of our
membeis, and wondering if a lit
tie action would not be indicated.
Fraternally,
H. J. Collins, No. 496
Philadelphia, Pa., June 24
Things will be popping in good old
Phily one of these days. The
"Redhead" has stood about his
limit of . tactful and diplomatic
dickering with the Merchants &
Mineifl. Their latest move of re
voking the patrolmens' passes
aboard the ships, and refusing to
recognize the Union as the bar
gaining agent, was the payoff. It
looks like Merrill & Co. are real
ly asking for the business.
They are perfectly satisfied with
the Union, until we insisted that
all men for replacements be Union
nieh, and that they be cleared
through the Hall. That did not
fit" in at all, as they have about
twenty men living on the old Es
sex, which is tied up and being
used as a hotel.
Since the NLRB was so kind to
inform them that we arc not the
original signers of the agreement,
and that the company would not
have to deal with '.is.
Improvement in Conditions
Reported by Baltimore
Branch Favors Vote on Assessment
For Hospital and Burial Fund
"COMMODORE" WHALEN SEASICK I
Baltimore, Md., June 28, 1939—Shipping continues mod
erately good out of thi.s port, with 69 members shipped out
during the past week. The tying up of a eonple of the Bull
Line fleet and extended drydock pei'iods for a few ships of
other lines is being compensated for by some of the tied up
ships coming out of the boneyard, iiiclnditig liie Robin Line's
SS Maine, whieii goes out under an Isthmian charter for a
trip to the Hawaiian Islands. A movement of SIU men in
from the Lakes is noted here, and tlie steady stream of NMU
men getting information about joining up coutinnes unabated.
Last Monday night's regular^
business meeting took up the
question of a burial assessment.
This question, judging by the
frequency with which it pops up,
is evidently of great interest to
the average member especially at
times when the Branch reports
the "passing on" of some brother
who usually was in poor financial
circumstances. After some dis
cussion on the matter it was de
cided that a resolution be drawn
up which if concurred in by
Headquarters would be submitted
to the membership for their ap
proval.
Conditions Improving
Although it has been a slow
process with some of the lines,
improvements in living conditions
for their crews is going ahead at
a good pace now. It was with a
great" deal of satisfaction we noted
the new refrigerators for the
crew being swung aboard a cou
ple of the Bull Line ships last
week and repairs, delousing, and
a general cleaning up of quarters
is noticeable on the majoiity of
the SIU ships clearing this port.
Coniiiiission Propaganda
Quoting from one of the Mari
time . Commission propaganda
sheets that are being tossed out
all over this waterfroiit, we no'ie
that one of the trainees has this
to say: "the barracks are very
modern, airy, warm, wellventi
lated, and very well lighted. The
bunks are of the latest twodeck
type with white linen and blan
kets . . . food is excellent. .
We suppose this Is what the Com
mission considers "training'' for
the American Merchant Marine.
Can you imagine the thoughts of
the "fink recruit" who wrote the
above when he finishes his "train
Ing" and then ships out on some
thing like a Sword Line, or
American Range Line fioating bed
Bug asylum. WE WONDER IF
THE ADMIRALS AND THE
SHIPOWNERS WILL EVER GET
It THROUGH THEIR THICK
HEADS THAT THE AMERICAN
SEAMAN FIGHTS, STRIKES
AND SQUAWKS NOT BECAUSE
HE IS BY NATURE A NATURAL
HELLRAISER BUT SOLELY
BECAUSE HE IS AN AMERICAN
AND LIKE ALL OTHER AMERI
CANS SINCE OUR FORE
FATHERS LICKED THE PANTS
OFF GEORGE III HE'S GOING
TO FIGHT FOR HIS LIBERTY;
THE LIBERTY THAT GOES
WITH DECENT WAGES AND
THE RIGHT TO WORK UNDER
DECENT CONDITIONS. Let .the
present Administration spend thS
same amount of money, they've
spent In setting up the Maritime
Commission, In boosting the
wages, and improving living and
working conditions aboard the
average American vessel, and
they'll find, there will no longer
be any need for a Hoffman's isl
and to teach Americans "disci
pline".
Sea Sickens "Commodore"
Rumor.s tliat "Commodore" (mo
tor boat) Patrick Whalen led the
parade for the Maryland Yacht
regatta Sunday are without foun
dation. Ever since "Commodore
Paddy" got seasick steering the
pride of the Soviet Navy around
and around one of the tankers lay
ing in Baltimore harbor, he hae
avoided wlitGr like the devil and
on being helped out of his "yacht"
by his solicitous membership on
that occasion "Commodore" (say
sir, to me, boy), Pat" was heard
to remark feebly that water in
any shapq. or form never had
agreed with him.
"Typical" Ship Suggested
"Word from the New York
World's Fair that they were con
sidering putting a vessel—typical
of the U.S. Merchant Marine—on
exhibition at" the Fair caused con
siderable discussion around here.
After deep thought it was the
opinion of tlm members in gen
eral that the most "typical" ship
they could think of was the SS
Plow City of t"he American Range
Line. However after further con
sideration, the wellknown tender
spot the average seaman has In
his heart for the members of the
fair sex came to the top, and the
thought" of the fair ladies stepping
daintily over piles of decaying
bedbugs, roaches and other live
stock, and donning gas masks
over their loveliness while they
Inspected the messrooms? was too
much for .the SIU men and the
Plow City suggestion was with
drawn.
Fraternally,
Wm. McKay, Agent
Providence
Notes
9r J
J
fj'' • • • J • •
', ; ty.i.' r'lf
4.-
• . :• >' ".Vy:" .
'J \ .
t
Providence, June 26 — Shipping
good here this week oh AFL
ships. CIO men in NMU are
locked out on tankers, and are In
quiring about transfers. Socony
has declared an open shop in this
port. NMU officials seem passive
to Standard Oil.
NLRB claimed this week that
we must have a hearing before
them before we are certified to
epresent men In the New Eng
land ships. The majority of men
in the four ships have signed
our pledge cards, and more are
signing as fast as they are con
tacted.
Frank Berry, Agent
http://www.pdfcompressor.org/buy.html
Friday, July 7, 1939
s:
THE SEAFARERS' LOG
HERE and THERE in the GULF
MIAMI AGENT POINTS OUT
POLICIES WRECKING NMU
Curran's Accusations Against
. King Proof of His Own Guilt
PHONIES RULE FROM TOP
Miami, Florida,
. June 24, 1939
Seafarers' Log,
P.O. No. 522, Church Street Annex,
New York, N. Y.
Dear Sirs and Brothers:
AN OPEN LETTER TO ALL SEAMEN
This past few days have seen quite an upheaval in the
Seamen's movements. The cause is that the CIO seamen are
beginning to wake up to the fact that they are being misled.
The following is not Union wrecking or disorganizing state
ments, as the NMU is nothing more than a shell.
After reading this week's Pilot, an unprejudiced observer
can see tliat it is an establi.shed fact that King is guilty as
charged, yet throughout the testimony there is in plain cold
facts evidence that the Maritime Commission is nothing but
a Union wrecking bureau.
CURRAN EXPOSES SELF
Cnrran has proven King guilty, but in that evidence he
also has .stated, quote, "The tie up between Jerome King, the
Maritime Commission, and the shipowners will also be ex
posed by a written document showing that when it became
necessary to obtain the help of the shipowners to bring about
the naturalization of a Uaiion Official, King and Emerson
made that pos.sible." iinquotc.
Therefore it is only a reasonable deduction that Joe Cur-
ran has proven that by advocating Government Fink Halls
and Maritime Commissioa Ships he too is wrong.
A great many of the seamen will read this and realize its
truth and plain bare facts. Yet there are tho.se who are
affiliated with an organization other than the Seamen's move
ment which will claim this a blast.
POLITICS CAUSE SPLI-T
Those that stop to think will see what has happened sincg
the NMU was formed. Those who fought so hard to expell
the JSU fakers, saw that by following the path they started
on in '36 and '37 they would have expelled all the Phoneys
and been one Union. But a political party saw different; they
saw a chance to split the Seamen's movement and labor as
a whole.
The men who were elected to lead the '36-'37 strike in the
small ports, and the Gulf Headquarters, had no monies to
buck such a political organization, so they went to the
Pacific Coast where they went hungry and slept where they
could until it came their turn to be admitted into a Union
Where the membership, who worked at sailors' work, run
the Union.
There is also testimony that Lester Lord was in a Los
Angeles prison on June 27, 1928. If my memory is correct,
which I believe it is, Lester Lord was in New Orleans and had
just got through doing a rap for Union Activities in the '36
'3/ strike. He was still fighting for the principles which he
was fighting for when he was sent up.
PHONIES ON TOP
On the other hand there are men now officials in the NMU
who were nothing but wino's and chiselers before '36^'37, and
others who were chased out of the West Coast. Unions for
using monies recklessly, and for eating chicken, etc., while
the member.ship was on strike^ and for disrupting meetings
with political propaganda which did not pertain to the bene
fit of the seamen.
ALEXANDER MUSCLES IN
When I made up my mind to sail on the East Coast I
was a SUP man. Arriving in Mobile I attended a NMU meet
ing, the one at which Harry Alexander was elected Agent.
It Was terrible the way the thing was done. After four tries
to get Alexander eliscted (after each count of the votes the
man elected would resign) the former Agent finally got up
ATTENTION!
The following motion
was carried in the New
York Headquarters meet-
ing of June 26:
"That all Branches
stand instructed that they
are not to take any action
on motions or Resolutions
passed in their own meet-
ings until they have been
concurred in by a Head-
quarters meeting."
The Miami Branch meet-
ing of June 26 took excep-
tion to this motion, and
passed a motion requesting
New Orleans Headquarters
to ask New York Head-
quarters "why such a dic-
tatorial motion was put
forth."
The New York Head-
quarters meeting of July 3
non-Concurred iu the Miami
motion, with the rider that
the Miami Branch be in-
structed to read Article
XVII, Section 1 of the Con-
stitution. This was amend-
ed to read that Article
XVII, Section 1 be pub-
lished in the "LOG", and
the attention of all
Branches called to it.
Article XVn, Section 1
of the Constitution reads
as follows:
"ALL BRANCHES
SHALL BE UNDER THE
IMMEDIATE JURISDIC-
TION OF HEADQUAR-
TERS, AND NO RULE
ADOPTED OR ANY AC-
TION TAKEN BY ANY
BRANCH SHALL BE
CONSIDERED VALID OR
BINDING UPON THE
MEMBERS OR UPON
THE UNION UNTIL EN-
DORSED BY THE MEET-
ING AT HEADQUAR-
TERS."
HAPPENINGS in MOBILE
PORT COMMIHEE
SEnLESJEFS
Waterman Purchases
Lyices Bros. Ship
Mobile, Ala., June 26 — At the
regular joint meeting held June
19, Patrolman Banks reported the
deck department overtime as fol
lows:
SS Bellingham—ITiA his. (7
hrs. penalty for all hands.)
SS Topa Topa—153^ hrs. (2
hrs. penalty for all hands.)
SS Hastings—218 hrs. (14 lire,
penalty in dispute.)
The above ships are of the Pan
Atlantic Line, on the twentyone
day coast run. This should show
the membership of the SIU exact
ly the working conditions on these
ships operating out of Mobile. The
yearly average on the above ships
on this t'wenty:one day run, for all
departments, is approximately
three hundred dollars a month.
Port Coiliinittee Ettective
The members of the crew' of the
SS Hastings held a meeting before
Pcaylng off June 19, and some of
the more militant members wanted
to fake JOB ACTION. After the
agent and delegates pointed out
Sections 5 and 6 of the "General
Rules" of the Waterman agree
ment, the crew decided to appoint
a port committee to meet with the
Waterman Company to settle the
"penalty overtime" beef on the
Ha^ihgs. During the time this
agreement has been in <«ffecf, the
Waterman Company has not won
ONE of the disputes which have
been settled by a duly elected port
committee. In fact, your corre
spondent will wager that the crew
of the SS Hastings receive the
penalty overtime in dispute.
Jacksonville Minutes
At a regular joint meeting, held
June 5, considerable discussion
was on the floor pertaining to the
Jacksonville Branch minutes of
the previous week. "Jacksonville
minutes read: M/S/C to noncon
cur with Jack.sorivllle minutes re
garding shipping list being turned
over to U. S. Shipping Commis
sioner, Amendment: To forward
action of Mobile Branch to Jack
sonville regarding local action on
above question. Amendment: To
advise Jacksonville Branch to coA
tact New York headquarters re
garding action taken in New York
on above question."
Shipping for llie week in Mo
bile:
Deck 32
Engine 16
Stewards ........ ig
Total 60
Regi.stered 32
All ships of the Mobile Oceanic
Line, PanAtlantic and Puerto
Rican line are now running, and
should be veiy good out of JIo
bile.
Waterman Buys SS Dryden
A letter from the Waterman
Company was read to the mem
bership, regarding JOB ACTION
taken on tiie various company
ships in Gulf and Atlanti* port's.
The agreement states that all
grievances of ships' crews will be
settled by a duly elected port
committee. There shall be no
walkouts or stoppage of work.
All beefs have been settled to the
satisfaction of the membership,
previously, and will continue to
be.
The Waterman Company re
cently purchased from Lykes
Bros., of the SS Drydeh, to be
delivered about July 15. This
will make about thirtyfour more
permanent jobs in the Gulf that
the NMU have lost, and the boost
to the SIU is small, but is indi
cative of the steady gains made
In the East and the Gulf.
C. Underwood, Gulf No. 2
and explained Alexander was sent there to be Agent, and the
membership should elect him. This was done, although it was
evident the men wished the former Agent to he in office.
Jackson, who is now Agent, was dispatcher there at the
lime. He was on the MFOWW Strike Committee in Portland,
Oregon. That Committee had a charge account with a T'axi
Cab Company and the membership raised hell when they
found mil about it.
STEAM-ROLLER TACTICS
F'rom there I went to New Orleans, where I left the ship
and stayed ashore. At that time the '38 elections were com
ing off. The NMU men had to have 25 men OK a nominee
before his name could bo put on the ballots. It was evident
that the Party Gang would not be elected, so to block it, the
officials called a Special Meeting, at which they told the gang
all sheets would be read oft', and would the members who
signed them please come up and check their hook numbers,
and if the men that signed them were not present the nomi
nee's name would not appear on the ballot. This seemed
funny as the shipping list had about 900 names and the hall
only accommodated around 300, which left the majority on
the beach, and those on the ships, who wished to have some
thing to say, OUT IN THE COLD.
At this point of the meeting four SUP men and myself
could stomach no more and asked to be excused. This, and
the knowledge that those men who are really trying to build
a seamen's Union in the A.F. of L. under the banner of the
SIU are seamen with plenty of discharges to prove, it is why
anyone with any sense is SIU.
J. Gunnison, No. 4G
Jacksonville, Fla., June 21 —
Everything is progressing satisfac
torily In the Port of jax, and I
am contacting all East anq W.O..
ships. Settling all beefs to the sat
isfaction of the crews of E. G.
ships.
'."he menibership In the Port of
Jax have the utmost confidence to
wards the members on the Florida
and Cuba, In regards to their do
nations for the picket line in front
of the fmkherder (Fred Engle
hoiiser), which amounted to
$21.10. This shows that the tnem
bershlp of the SIU are beginning
to understand what solidarity
means.
Shipping was fairly good last
week, but it has slowed down
some. There are about 15 men in
all departments on the shipping
list.
If all the crews will respond as
quickly as the crews from Miami,
it won't be long before he will at
tain the goal which we are striv
ing for—and that is—A National
Seamen's Union!
Steady as she goes
Fred Laurltano
NOTICE!
All SIU members who are
confined in Marine Hospitals
are hereby advised to imme
diately notify their SIU Agent
in the port nearest to where
they are hospitalized, in order
that they may receive regular
Weekly benefits.
This does not apply to mem
bers who are already receiving
benefits.
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THE S E A F A'R E R S ' LOG Friday, July 7, 1939
NLRB CERTIFIES LAKES
SlU ON D &^HIPS
Labor Board Grants Certification
On Strength of Pledge Cards
AGREEMENT BEING DRAFTED
SEAFARERS' INTERNATrONAL UNION
GREAT LAICES DISTRICT
TO ALL EMPLOYEES
STEWARDS DEPARTMENT
D&CLINESfflPS
GREETINGS:
Recently the Seafarers' international Union snceeeded in
securing the signed authorizations from a clear majorily of
the employees of the Steward's Department of the D&C Line
ships. The Union then made applicatioji to the National
Lahor Relations Board for certification as the bona fide rep
resentatives of said employees. The National Labor Relations
Board has now sent to the Company and the Union the fol
lowing certification and the Emergency Board expects to have
an agreement worked out shortly with the company which
wiU be submitted for approval to those members of the
Steward's Department who have indicated their intention to
affiliate themselves with our Union.
Fraternally your.s,
R D. THOMPSON, Chairman.
CASE NO.
W.II.122
COPY OP CERTIFICATION
NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
Washington, D.C.
In the Matter of
SEAFARERS' INTERNATIONAL UNION
OF NORTH AMERICA, GREAT LAKES
DISTRICT
CERTIFICATION OF REPRESENTATIVES AS BONA
FIDE UNDER SECTION 7fb) OF THE FAIR LABOR
STANDARDS ACT' OF 1938.
The National Labor Relations Board hereby certifies that
the Seafarers' International Union of North America, Great
Lakes District, is a bona fide representative of employees,
for the purposes set forth in Section 7, Subdivision (b) of the
Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.
Dated, Washington, D.C., this 27th day of June, 1939.
By direction of the Board;
(SEAL) NATHAN WITT, Secretary
Lakes Headquarters Elect
Marine CGuncii Officers
Council Embraces Seven Unions
On Mutual Protection Basis
SiU PliGnles Left
SeameR Holding
The Old M!
In regards to claims now made
by former offlcials of the ISU as
to their standing with regards to
elections held hy the NLRB in
193738. there is this to be said:
In all ports on tlie East Coast
and Gulf seamen were organized
info the ILA, with the exception
of Mobile and Savannah.'The offl
cials who are now making nil
these claims had left the seamen
up in the air, and if the ILA had
not stepped in to protect the AFL,
we would have nad no seamen. As
soon as the AFL started organiza
tion, these seamen were turned
over hy the ILA to the AFL Sea
men's Reofganization Committee.
Of the marine unions at that
time, the SUP was the only organ
ization in which gains for the sea
men were made, and held. When
the International Charter was is
sued hy the AFL, and given to
the SUP to organize, a step for
a seamens' Union on all coasts,
and on the Lakes was staited.
Many contracts have been slgmed
hy the new International, and
gains have been made for the sea
men on the Lakes, and Atlantic
and Gulf Coasts.
The SUP has always insisted
upon shipping from the Union
Hall, as this is the only way a
seamen's Union can he made a
safeguard of the seamen's rights.
They are opposed to training
schools, for the reason that there
are too many unemployed seamen
now, and instead of men w;e need
more ships. The stand taiien hy
the U.S. Maritime Commission of
shipping through the Shipping
Commissioners is not following
out the policy of the Government,
as it applies to the private ship
owners who are made to deal with
the Unions, and the Maritime
Commission ships are run by pri
vate capital, and not hy the gov
ernment.
Patrick Ryan,
A.F. of L. Representative
HOW CAN GRANOrS PHONEY
ISU PAY irS OWN WAY ? 1
A Few Pertinent Facts for the
Informatiou of the Members
WHO WILL BUY DAVE'S CIGARS?
! BOBLO SIGNS CONTRACT
Detroit, Mich.—A great deal of progress has been made
in connection with an efficient functioning of the Marine
Council. At a regular session of the Council business meet
ing temporary officials were elected. Brother Hoffa of the
Teamsters' Joint Council, and Brother R. D. Thompson of the
SIU, were elected President and SecretaryTreasurer re
spectively.
The scope of the Council has been extended on a mutual
protection basis to seven powerful Union, and the prospects
of further increased membership are extremely rosy. All pro
visions ifor office supplies, such as^
stationery, etc., were taken care
of In the levying of a special as
sessment. All members of the
Council are enthusiastic about the
future, and hope to extend its in
fluence to the entire Lakes Dis
trict. •
Further Gains
Another important concession
regarding Sunday work on the
DC excursion trips was obtained
hy Brother Thompson. In • ^he fu
ture, aii gear carried from the
dock to the vassel will be classi
fied as overtime. This makes one
more for the long list of improve
ments already secured from this
Important company.
On the Chicago, Duluth and
Georgian Bay lines an innovation
was Introduced, which will sub
stantially increase the wages of
some of the crew. The watchmen,
hitherto classified in the steward's
department at $70.00 per month,
have been transferred to the deck
department, and the wages raised
to $125.00 per month. It is
things like this that remind the
membership of the value of a
strong Union.
On the ChicagoMilwaukee Tran
sit Co., negotiations affecting the
wages and working conditions of
approximately one hundred stew
ards are being transacted. Our
international representative will
leave for Chicago this week, and
will report later on his progress.
At the time of going to '^ress,
we have Just received an iron
BOSTON
News Bits
HOW COME, BOSTON?
NO NEWS?
ATTENTION!
For the Information of vari
ous members who have made
Inquiries from time to time re
garding the number of mem
bers in each department In the
Atlantic District SIU, the fig
ures are, up to and Including
July 7, 1939, as follows:
Deck Department 1,74'6
Engine Department 1,596
Steward'^ Department ...1,719
Total 5,061
hound contract with the BohLo
company. The most important
feature of this contract is the in
clusion of an overtime clause
which will eliminate a lot of past
abuses. Some NMU stooges In
this outfit used a lot of propa
ganda on the personnel, hut' de
spite all their lying tactics, a huge
majority of the crews indicated a
preference for our representation.
J.J.D.
We would like to point out a feiv pertinent facts to tbose
of our member.s who have been foolish enough to listen to the
"bull" being passed out by Dave Grange and his cohorts.
Suppose Grange and his mob did take over the control
of the stewards on the Ea.stern ships. (Which we know they
never will do.; How would they |)a.v their own way?
MATHEMATICAL FACTS
Figure it out this way; The ESSCO .ships, during their
peak season carry about 6f)0 men in the steward's depart
ment. This lasts for not more than four months per year.
All right:—650 men at $1..50 per month, for four months
comes to $3,900. During the other eight months of the year
the ESSCO ships carry an average of 400 men in the steward's
department. At $1.50 per month this amounts to $4,800.
Add them both together, and you get a total of $8,700 per
5'ear income for Grange's projected union.
Now,'the socalled ISU ha.s, at preesnt an "Executive
Board" of five men. Even if they are paid only $30 per week,*
it will amount to $7,800 per year, which must he paid out in
salaries. On top of this you have rent to con.sider. Of course
there must he halls in both Boston and New York. Figuring
it at a minimum of $30 per month for each hall, we have
$720 for a year's rent. Then they must have telephones,
which will certainly cost them, at the very lowest, $10 per
month for each phone,—or $240 per year.
Add all these expenses up:—.salaries, rent and telephones,
and you get a total of $8,760 for one year's operating ijosts.
Remember that this does not include such items as travel,
printing, and other miscellaneous expenses. So what do you
have? Income for one year, $8,700;—expenses for year,
$8,760,—or a net loss of $60 per year.
Now, it is certain that Grange and Company have figured
this thing out for themselves, and they can't possibly arrive
at a lower figure for expenses than we have just shown you.
How then, do they plan to overcome this deficit? Obviously,
they will have to increase the dues to at least $3.00 per
month, and on top of that, they will add all sort.s of assess
ments.
WHO IS GOING TO PAY?
It's a cinch that none of the piecards associated with
Grange will be satisfied with a more $30 per week, and \
Grange himself is used to something like $200 per week, plus
expenses. That's what he was getting when the old ISU
folded up, and anj^oncfwho thinks that he was ever worth it
is just plain nuts! Don't forget that $200 per week adds up
to $10,400 per year,—^which is some coconuts for a labor j*
faker of his ilk! And then, who is going to pay for Dave's'
specially made cigars? Who is going to pay for the banquets;
we know he would like to throw for certain ^hipcwners? i
Who is going to pay his first class railroad fare on his fre'.
quent trips, and for his two and three dollar tips? When it \
comes to expenses, Dave certainly knows how to make them;
add np! In the past he was frequently heard to remark,)
"Who cares how much it costs? The membership is paying
for it!"
WHAT WILL HAPPEN?
But then, of course, perhaps the "Rajah" figures ou |
getting rid of his phoney "Executive Board", and of hiring|
a couple of stooges to collect the dues for him. In this raan.|
ner, he could probably assure himself alone of a fairly com1
fortahle income; hut there are other obstacles in the way of
his plans. What does he plan on doing with the two or three
hundred men who will he out of work for eight months out
of the year? He will certainly have no other ships on which
he can place them. What will happen then? Naturally, these
unemployed men will soon become dissatisfied, and will
eventually drift away from his phoney union,—leaving him
right hack where he started,—except that he will have a few
of their hard earned dollars lining his pockets!
Oh no!—the "Rajah" isn't looking to benefit the seamen
in any way, hut seeks to further delude them, and provide
himself with another fat pie-card! Any union with Grange
at the head of it could amount to nothing more than a
racket, and any seaman who would associate himself with
such an outfit should consult a psychiarist!
Think it over boys,—^think it over,—and if you can prove
to us that Grange or any of the other phonies can improve
your conditions, or even have your welfare at heart,^we 11
put in with you. But take our word for it,—there is no
altruism involved on the part of Dave Grange & Co. 1
Ni
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