http://www.seafarerslog.org/archives_old/files/original/356cbbf59c8e30d3ad3c7e3ee69c6b86.PDF 11fef85d5ae7d3f353ee14e281d1186f PDF Text Text 1 SO-SO' Hears Vote In Senate -Story On Page 2 SEAFARERS ARTAROED riBST PRIZE • GENERAL EDITORIAL EXCELLENCE • 1955 • LOG INTERNATIONAL LABOR PRESS OF AMERICA • OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION • ATLANTIC AND GULF DISTRICT • AFL-CIO • 1•Hi STRONG RESPONSE TO SAFETY QUIZ • • i":-s B -Story On Page 3 Launclt Cities '•-a Service Tanker ;v A First of three new supertankers being built for Cities Service, the Cities Service Baltimore slides down the ways at Sparrows Point, Md., as company officials and guests look on. The new ship is expected to be in service with an SHJ crew aboard by mid-July after sea trials. It will be used by the company in its coastwise service. The other two vessels will be in operation by September and Decem­ ber respectively, if present sched­ ules are maintained. The 32,600 deadjveight-ton tank­ ers feature ample foc'sle space with individual rooms for each crewmember. They can handle 271,000 barrels at full capacityi All three vessels are being con­ structed imder the "trade in and build" program of the Maritime Administration. (Other photos on, page 2.) • I �Pace Two. m: SEAFARERS LOG ' Move To Rescue '50-50' Nears Vote In Senate WASHINGTON—With 70 amendments to a mammoth farm bill still to be voted on in the US Senate the fate of the "50-50" cargo preference in farm snrplus is still undecided. However, a strong bi-partisan bloc of Senators from maritime states is taking shape to help defend this provision which is so vital to the existence of the US merchant marine and the jobs of merchant seamen. . ' ^ As it stands now. Senator Warren Magnuson has introduced an amendment which would* strike out Sec­ tion 307 of the Senate farm^ how the Senate finally votes, Agriculture Committee when it in­ bill. Section 307 provides ter tlie House of Representatives is cluded Section 307 jji the farm bill for the elimination of "50- expected to be strongly for "50- calling for elimination of "50-50" yiarch !•, Only iii^Patients Get 30-Day Cards Seafarers who have to entefa hospital from a ship are en­ titled to get a shipping card^ dated Uie day of entry to the hospital up to 30 days, provided they report to a Union dispatch-ei* within 48 hours or teaving theliospital. However, men who go to the hospital only for out­ patient treatment are not en­ titled to these cards'. • Seafarers already registered at SIU halls who have to be hos­ pitalized for over 30 days, can get a new card for 30 days only, from the dispatcher. Isthmian Sold; See No Change In SIU Pact 50." They belie"e that the House from farm surplus disposal. For­ will insist on inclusion of "50-50" eign shipping lobbyists Tiad spear­ in any farm bill when it comes to headed a drive for this move, reconciling House and Senate ver­ dangling the tempting prospect of huge surplus purchases by their sions of the bill. Purchase of the SlU-contracted Isthmian Steamship Com­ native lands if "50-50" were side­ House Favors '50-50' pany by States Marine Lines was announced by States Marine tracked. Actually, many observers As far as is known, they point out, no effort has been made in are convinced that the. US will on March 6. In revealing the purchase, the new owners said the House to tamper with "50-50" have great difficulty selling much that Isthmian will continue to in view of the strong position of its .$4 billion surplus under any operate as before as an inde­ pendent subsidiary.' All con­ taken in its favor by the House circumstances. While the Senate vote on "50- tracts for seagoing personnel wiU Merchane Marine Committee. Typical of the letters of support 50" could come momentarily, there be honored with no changes con­ For obvious reasons the LOG was one from Senator John Spark- is also a prospect that it might be templated. cannot print any letter or man (Dem.-Ala.), who said, "I shall delayed tor many days or weeks The president of States Marine other communications sent in continue to support wholehearted­ should the amendment be pushed told reporters at a press confer­ by Seafarers unless the author ly the '50-50' provision and will back among the 70 now pending. signs his name. Unsigned, gladly do what I can in opposition Under tne circumstances Seafarers ence that the company expects anonymous letters will only to any attempt which may be made who have not yet done so are eventually to combine some of the wind up in the waste-basket. to change this." Among others urged to write their Senators ask­ shoreside facilities and offices but If circumstances justify, the who strongly support the measure ing them to support the Magnuson that Isthmian would continue to LOG will withhold a signature are Senators Margaret Chase amendment which strikes Section operate oiv the same trade routes on request. Smith and Frederick Payne of 307 out of the farm bill (S-3183). in the same manner as before. Mar. U. 195. Vol. XVtll. No. 5 Maine; Herbert Lehman and Irv­ ing Ives, New York; William F. PAUL HALL, Secretary-Treasurer Knowland and Thomas Kuchel, HERBERT BRAND, Editor; RAY DENISON, California; Leverett Saltonstall, Managing Editor; BERNARD SEAMAN, Art. Editor; HERMAN ARTHUR, IRWIN SPIVACK, Massachusetts, and George SmathStaff Writers; BILL MOODY, Gulf Area ers, Florida. Representative. On the other side of the fence, Final Dispatch Page 11 farm bloc Senators argued that as­ Hospitalized Men Page 12 sistance to the merchant marine Inquiring Seafarer Page 5 should be in the form of direct Letters Pages 12, 14 subsidy. Merchant marine spokes­ Membership meetings in all ports have voted approval of the revised steward depart­ Recent Ai-rivals Page 10 men have pointed out that direct ment report on shipboard working rules and the "to order" feeding system on ships. Shipping Figures Page 4 subsidy could not supply the ex­ Your Dollar'.s Worth Page 6 port cargo offerings which are Approval of the report climaxes several months of study growing out of the Union's ex­ Published biweekly at tne headquarters made available under "50-50." periment with the "to order"+of the Seafarers International Union, At­ sponsibilities of every rating. In will he taken up with the shipown­ lantic & Gulf District, AFL-CIO, 675 Fourth Without it; they haVe warned, the feeding system. Avenue, Brooklyn 3J, NY. Tel HYacinth US tramp fleet would almost cer­ addition, the 15-man rank and file ers by the negotiating committee. The revision of working 9-6600. Entered as second class matter Regular liner rules carried out within the limits committee which drafted the final at the Post Otnce in Brooklyn, NY, under tainly go under. The second section of the report the Act of Aug. 24, 1912. services would also suffer heavily. of the SIU contract was designed report proposed several contract approved by the meeting, the SIU The current fight on "50-50" to specify more clearly just ex­ changes, including a change in the steward department guide, deals >120 was touched off by the Senate actly what were the duties and re­ chief cook's working hours, which with the suggested procedure of "to order" feeding and prepara­ tion. This was designed to pro^ vide freshly-prepared and' better food and Improved service for ship's crew, while cutting down on the wasteful methods of mass cook­ ery that have prevailed in the past, The committee strongly urged> that the Union take early steps to establish training and upgrading facilities for steward department members. To aid shipboard effi­ ciency, It asked that entry ratings shipped off the hoard he specified by the dispatchers, instead of shipping all unrated jobs as "messmen." Crews Voted On Report The committee's work involved revision of a report drafted by a similar committee some months before. The preliminary report had been mailed out to all ships and shipboard steward depart­ ments were asked to vote on it and submit their suggestions and amendments. Shoreside steward departgient committees in the outports also submitted proposals to the headquarters committee. The full text of the report, in its final form, was carried in the SEAFARERS LOG of February 17. Copies will he available for dis­ tribution to shipboard steward de­ partments. Largest tanker ever built for US-flag operation, the 32,650-cleaclweight-ton Cfities Service Baltimore is shown (left) before she Members of the 15-man commit­ slipped down the ways last week at launching ceremonies in Bethlehem's Sparrows Point, Md., shipyard. First of three sister tee which drafted the final docu­ ships to be manned by Seafarers, she has double the capacity of two T-2 tisnkers and can carry 18 different kinds of Oil at one ments consisted of three chief ste­ time. At right, photographers crowd in as Mrs. Edward L. Stauffacher, wife of the president and general manager of the Cities wards, three chief cooks, three Service Oil Company of Pennsylvania (looking on, far right), sets to smash the giant ship's bow with the traditional bottle of bakers, three second and third champagne. A gister ship of the Baltimore is scheduled for launching this Mavl . ,i .x .r: . (Is-'i.'i WfifhO'. cq':n» 50" from the US farm surplus disposal program. The Magnuson amendment is one of the 70 pending, and action on it could come at any time. Evidence of strong Senate support for "50-50" was shown in answers from Senators to letters sent out by SIU Secretary-Treas­ urer Paul Hall as well as to those sent by Seafarers on the ships. A few Senators from farm belt states came out flatly against "SOSO" but a greater number of Sen­ ators who replied strongly sup­ ported it or were non-committal. SIU observers on the scene in Washington are optimistic over the outcome pointing out that no mat- Sign Name On LOG Letters SEAFARERS LOG Members Vote Approval Of New Steward Rules First Of Three Giant Tankers To Be Manned By SIU �karcb' 16. 1956 Coeur d'Alene On Mercy Mission SEAFARERS Pare Hire* LOG Crew Quiz Need For Overall Safety Program With responses now coming in rapidly on the SIU*s shipboard safety survey. Union headquarters is making preparations for further steps toward the proposed uniform safety program on all SIU ships. Union and company representatives will meet in the near future to study the suggestions received thus far, and the companies are being asked to get a program of safety meetings under way aboard their ships if they are not now being held. Noting that a number of crew responses had men­ tioned the need of maintenance, repair or replacement Gently lowering in{urecl sYiIpmate Jack Powers, AB, over the side, Seafarers on the Coeur d'Alene Victory (above, right) hand him over to GIs on tug for the trip to the hospital on Midway Island. Pictured (front to rear) are Ralph Perry, AB, ho ding Powers' clothes, and Bosun Cross. At bottom, medic examines Powers on deck of tug. He was hurt in fall from on top of the masthouse to the deck while trimming ventilators. Tony Nottage,-electrician, took the photos. of specific items of shipboard gear, a headquarters spokes­ man urged that defective gear should be reported imme­ diately to the Union for corrective action. Thwre is no need. he emphasized, to wait for a formal safety program before acting on obvious matters of this kind, Cross-Section Of Opinion Of the ships replying thus far, only a very small number have said that they were satisfied with existing shipboard safety prac­ tices and .equipment. By far the great majority feit that there could be significant improvement in this area, with consequent savings for the shipowners and crewmembers alike. Returns in thus far from a representative cross-section of SIU ships show particular emphasis across-the-board on several items. Ill matters affecting all three departments there was an almost uni­ versal demand for better gangways, for use of non-skid paint and serrated railings, for mats in showers and at the tops and bottoms of ladders and for flxed ladders in foc'sles for men sleeping in upper bunks of double-deckers. Kickout panels for emergency foc'sle exits were mentioned by many crews. A particular point was made by a great many crews of painting padeyes with.white or luminous paint or removing them altogether where not used. Crewmembers were also in favor of regular safety meetings with emphasis on instruction in use of firefighting equipment. Many crews felt that it would be wise to have more frequent inspec­ tion of lifeboats and lifesaving equipment, at least once every six months, and a number of men expressed preference for gravity davits for boats. Better Lighting Sought Other suggestions frequently encountered in the replies were those for better lighting at night and in below-deck spaces, emergency alarms in holds, and pumprooms and distribution of first aid kits in ali parts of the ship. •A number of the items and practices mentioned above are already standard on some SIU ships but their repeated mention in the sur­ vey shows that there is no uniformity in this respect. A major purpose of Ihe SIU health and safety program is to standardize safety pro­ cedures throughout the SlU-contracted fleet. The crews' emphasis on ladders, gangways, deck surfaces, obstruc­ tions and deck lighting is justified by shipboard accident figures show­ ing a large number of accidents from slips, falls and trips over obstruc­ tions. A 1954 survey by the Waterman Steamship "Company showed fthat this category was thP largest single cause of shipboard accidents, accounting for 255 out of a total of 921 accidents during the year. Suggest Better Goggles In addition to the general sug­ gestions affecting all three depart­ ments the SIU questionnaire re­ quested items dealing with the specific work of a department. WASHINGTON—Proposed revisions in Coast Guard regulations covering vessel inspec­ Both deck and engine men placed heavy emphasis on use of plastic tion and navigation will be the subject of public hearings opening here on April 24. The face shields or bigger goggles for proposed changes are covered in a voluminous 230-page document which is now under chipping, grinding and other pur­ study at SIU headquarters. > —— poses. Many crews noised that pres­ Headquarters intends to to ocean-going commercial vessels conducted exhaustive tests of these ent goggles were not much use if scrutinize the proposals care­ but involve extension of Coast rafts and claim they are superior, the wearer had eyeglasses, and fully an^ make its position felt on Guard control over ships of 100 to lifeboats. (Continued on page 10) the proposals at the hearings. At tons or less. least one of the proposals is certain Subjects considered include to come under Union attack. That rules and regulations governing li­ is a recommendation limiting full- censes and certifications; trans­ Under a US Government ruling, vacation payments received by dress inspection <)f lifeboats to once portation of sulphur and asphalt, Seafarers are treated as income for the purposes of US income every two years instead of once a electrical engineering regulations; year as at present. dangerous cargo regulations and tax and must be reported when filing a Federal income tax return. In this connection several SIU similar items. Taxes on vacation pay are wiAiheld by the Seafarers Vacation crews have proposed that these in­ One section of the recommenda­ Plan office at the time of payment. Many thousands of W-2 with­ spections be conducted more often tions deals with amendments to the holding tax form^ have been mailed out by the Plan. These forms than once a year; every six months 1948 International Convention for being regarded a desirable inter­ the Safety of Life at Sea. Under have to be attached to the Seafarer's tax return. val. this heading, the hearings will take Any Seafarer who has not received his W-2 form on his 1955 Many Are Minor Changes up a_ British proposal for installa­ Vacation pay should check with the Vacation Plan office in SIU Most of the recommendations in­ tion of an improved type selfheadquarters. volve minor; ch^ngefi i prpf^nt inflatable rubber raft on passen­ regulations and some do hot apply ger ships. British shipowners have Proposed Cut In CG Boat Checkups Faces SIU Fire List Vacation $ On Tax Return 69 Now On SIU Roster Of Disabled Five more disabled Seafar­ ers have been added to the SIU disability benefits list this month, making a total of 69 Sea­ farers who are receiving disability pensions of $1,820 a year. The ac­ tion taken by the trustees of th® Seafarers Welfare Plan brings the total number of beneficiaries to its highest point since the program was first instituted in May, 1952. Maynes Goodwin Vecchiet Schapiro The five men added at the last meeting were Lewis Vecchiet, 65, of New Orleans; Thomas Maynes, 45, of Brooklyn; Morris M. Scha­ piro, 68. of Brooklyn; Joseph Koslusky, 62, New York, and Leonard Goodwin, 74, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. In the last five months 15 Seafarers have been added to ttie benefits list but two of the 15, Aurelio Gomez and Fred Havard, passed away. Three other disabled Seafarers also died in recent months and one withdrew. An­ other nine Seafarers who were re­ ceiving benefits at one time or an­ other since 1952 have since passed away making a total of 84 Seafar­ ers who have been assisted by the disability program. Age Not A Factor The SIU weekly benefit payment of $35 a week is in addition to any Social Security payments the men might be entitled to if they are over 65. However, a fixed age is not a factor in the SIU plan, with the major consideration being in­ ability to work because of illness or injury at .any age level. Con­ sequently, the benefit is being paid to a large number of Seafarers who have not yet reached 65 and would have no other source of income. �Fan Feof SEAFARERS LOG Match 1«> IfM Ease Resident Alien Curbs, Union Asks In an attempt to ease the problems of resident alien sea­ men, the SIU is seeking action to liberalize curbs on their shipping rights. At present, resident aliens cannot get em­ ployment on ships subsidized by the US Government and in many instances, on ships that t-j •f are chartered by the Military Sea Transportation Service. The Union is seeking relief for these men through Washington. Union representatives are arguing that the resident aliens have all started naturalization proceedings and are meeting aU the obligations of US citizenship, including pay­ ment of all income taxes, military eervice and other demands im­ posed on full citizens. Same Obligations Since the resident aliens con­ tribute to the upkeep of subsi­ dized shipping through their taxes It is unfair to deprive them of some form of employment opportur nity on these ships. In addition, resident aliens have had to go through security checks which are, if anything, more rigid than those applied to citizen-seamen. Efforts are being made to de­ termine if relief can be obtained for these men through administra­ tive rulings. Back Union Bar Drive, BaHo Urges BALTIMORE—Reaffirming SIU backing for the city-wide drive of the AFL-CIO Hotel* ,.= J i . .• and Restaurant Employees Inter­ national Union against open-shop bars and taverns, SIU Port Agent Earl Sheppard pointed out that the Port O' Call bar in the SIU branch building here is the only "Union House" in the city. He urged full patronage of this SIU facility by Seafarers and other local trade unionists in support of the HREIU campaign. "It is good for us and also a perfect way of showing the open-shop tavernkeepers that not having a union contract can put a kink in their profits," he noted. Labor Oasis The Port C Call set-up in the Baltimore hall is similar to the one at SIU headquarters in New York. However, the SIU hall in this city Is also the home of the Baltimore Federation of Labor, the AFL cen­ tral labor body here, and several other maritime unions, and draws its patronage from many labor sources. In a similar vein, Sheppard re­ ported activity "booming" for the SIU Sea Chest in the port, also located in the building. He urged Seafarers and others to make full use of its facilities. Under certain specified conditions, purchases can be made on credit for the con­ venience of Seafarers who are low on cash, he added. Shipping continued strong in this port for the past two weeks. The identical number of men (191) were dispatched the last period as the one before, while the latest registration was slightly lower. The same conditions are forecast for the immediate future. Fifteen ships paid off, seven signed on and 16 stopped over in transit during the last-two weeks. They were all handled without difficulty and with the full cooper­ ation of the crews involved. Tampa SIU Rallies Aid For '50-50' February 23 Through Morcb 6 Port Deck A Boston Deck B 6 sa Norfolk . Savannah gfig, \ . 2 • 7 19 48 5 18 20 23 5 4 5 4 0 7 8 - 12 12 28 16 13 8 12 7 5 8 6 20 12 20 35 4 7 8 19 26 23 10 7 21 20 TAMPA — Concerned with Wilmington. all maritime unionists over the fate of the "50-50" pro­ vision in the Senate farm bill, several Seafarers here are doing what they can to arouse interest in a letter-writing campaign directed to their Senators in Washington. As the bill now stands, farm sur­ plus shipments overseas will be exempt from the "50-50" law un­ less an amendment to the bill is adopted before the final vote. Such an amendment has been offered by Senator Warren Magnuson and is awaiting Senate ac­ tion. Following discussion on the is­ sues at the regular branch meet­ ing last week. Seafarer F. Reed, Jr., offered to assist other Sea­ farers in composing letters or messages to their Senators while the farm bill is still being debated. Two other Seafarers, P. Brinson and Raymond Kaduck, volunteered to help him in this manner, and the trio turned to on the job the next morning. - Volunteer Help With this cooperation, said Tom Banning, port agent, "no one here missed an opportunity to make his views on this vital matter known to his Senator in Washington." Job activity, meanwhile, .picked up slightly, and should remain fair for the immediate future. The port handled one sign-on, the Hast­ ings (Waterman), and seven intransit ships. These were the Mae (Bull); Alice Brown (Bloomfield); Maiden Creek, LaSalle .(Waterman), and-Chicka­ saw, DeSoto and Iberville (Pan Atlantic). -* Regittered Pjeck A Deck B 257 139 tnj. 2 29 Stew. A 18 4 2 1 8 9 16 7 8 11 12 2 94 17 )I7 5 4 6 11 ' 42 8 13 7 28 9 137 223 8• Stew. A E«. 195 S 0 -9 10 11 9 2 3 4 11 11 10 5 -2 .. 4 , Stew. B 87 Totd A Total B 19 152 99 79 13 19 22 42 96 44 31 19 55 41 • 4 97 24 49 14 9 4 21 32 43 29 20 21 36 Total A Total B ^ 679 363 TctU 208 78 124 27 24 26 63 • 128 87 60 38 76 77 Total 1038 Shipped Port Boston Norfolk . Savannah Mobile Houston Seattle Deck A Deck B 2 54 16 49 9 9 10 7 33 13 9 14 13 8 Deck A 238 1 13 9 14 7 5 1 0 9 2 6 14 7 17 Deck B 105 Deck C 0 9 0 9 7* 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 8 Deck -c 34 T 0 30 19 32 9 3 4 6 28 7 9 6 17 12 Enj, 178 Eng. B 0 0 23 8 8 , 0 27 13 3 6 1 0 2 0 1 0 29 0 8 0 4 2 17 4 6 1 18 9 Eng. En^ B 143 Stew. A 1 47 14 29 3 4 2 4 35 2 8 7 16 7 Stew. A 39 _ 179 Stew. Stew. Total B e A Total B Total Total C Ship. Stew. Stew. Total B C A Total B Total Total c Shlg 0 1 3 13 . 1 -. 131 3 49 16 . 6 110 3 4 13 3 1 12 0 0 16 3 0 17 13 0 96 8 2 22 9 0 26 7 3 27 1 46 4 2 9 27 80 26 999 1 49 20 57 13 9 3 4 47 18 19 38 17 37 328 1 5 18 198 2 71 24 191 17 43 1 22 0' 19 0 21 0 143 2 42 4 49 10- 79 2 69 18 82 99 1022 — •- Lfst Details in Cables To Union When notifying headquarters by cable or wireless that a Sea­ farer has paid off in a foreign port because of injury or illness, ships' delegates should include the following information: The man's full name, his SIU book number, name of the ship, the port of payoff and the hos­ pital where he is being treated. The response of ship's crews to the Union's request for these notifications has been very good. Sometimes though, not all of the above information has been included. Be sure to list all of this data so that the SIU can act as promptly as possible. Pending the arrival of spring and the warmer months when vacations ashore loom more attractive, SIU shipping .began rising once again during the past two weeks, ffeaching the highest point since early Jan-^ 'the same number of men in the uary. •previous period as well. The total number of men dispatched was 1,022; registration was only slightly higher, at 1,038. Based^on the picture port by port, job activity appears to be on the upgrade in most ports throughout the Atlantic and Gulf District. Seven Ports Rise Only four ports ran slower than in the previous period, . while seven rose in varying degrees. The three that remained about the same all reported good shipping, with no real change either way. Baltimore, which shipped 191 dur­ ing the past two weeks, dispatched SIU Hosts Laundry Workers' Organizing Group SIU headquarters in Brooklyn provided convenient meeting place for workers from nearby Bringsea Laundry, now being organized By the Laundry Workers Joint Board of the AFL-CIQ Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America. Business agents Ben Bernstein, Joe Sanchez and Robert Horshan (partially hidden) addressed after-worJc gathering of workers from the fant. A company-dominated outfit, whose attorney represents the boss and the union oth, holds "contract" at Bringsea;new.:vi<'/ '' ' . • i".;,; -r;: o! E Stew. B Among those showing improved shipping were New York, Philadel­ phia, Norfolk, Savannah, Tampa, Wilmington and Seattle. On the West Coast, Wilmington, for one, came out of the doldrums to re­ port a busy period. Besides Baltimore, New Orleans and Houston held to the status quo which, in this case, was good shipping. Boston, Mobile, Lake Charles and San Francisco all de­ clined. Of the lot, the West Coast port lagged only slightly. Mobile, on the other hand, slumped and has not had a_ really active period for some time. However, Mobilians are hopeful that current oil strikes in the area will make the city a major tanker terminus in the future. Seniority Picture The seniority shipping totals also reflected some changes, with class A dipping to 58 percent of the total, and class B up to 32 petcent. Class C, the group which has no seniority under the SIU shipping set-up, also accounted for a rise, and is up to 10 percent of the total shipping. These figures indicated that, for the most part, class A seamen were passing up a good many jobs they could ordinarily fill and were wait­ ing for special ships and runs. It indicated growing confidence that shipping generally was due to go up and stay that way^In the warm­ er months to come. The following is the forecast port by port: BOSTON: Slow; outlook uncer­ tain . . . NEW YORK:' Should be getting better . . . PHILADEL­ PHIA: Good, but' still lower than usual ... BALTIMORE: Should stay good . , . NORFQLK: Fair... SAVANNAH: Quiet . . . TAMPA: Fair . . . MOBILE: Still slow ... NEW ORLEANS: Fair . . . LAKE CHARLES: Slowing up . . . HOUSTON: Good . . . WILMING­ TON; Very good . . . SAN FRAN­ CISCO: Good'. *. SEATTLE: Good. �Mbireh U, iwi . Qusstloni Do you fool tho present shipboard medical set-up is idequate? Daniel Haggerty, OS: It seems John Troester, FOWi I've been pretty lucky in all my years of sail­ okay for anything that comes up, as long as a man ing and haven't doesn't have an needed medical Illness or injury care. But, there with lots,of com­ should be some­ plications. Ships one responsible carry enough for taking care of medical supplies supplies and re­ these days. As plenishing them, . long as. things are as in these emer­ kept stored prop­ gency kits some erly and are up ships have in the engine room. All ships need them. to date, there's no problem. SEAFAMEk^ fat9 n** LOG Runaways Cost Seamen 12,000 Jobs Since '52 WASHINGTON—If you've wondered where all the US-flag ships have gone,'figures ac­ quired from the Maritime Administration by the' SEAFARERS LOG this week tell the brutal story. A grand total of 298 ships representing over two million tons of shipping has been transferred from the t ^ ^ US to foreign flags between average age of these vessels is 151^ years. July 1, 1952, and December The great majority of the trahs-^ 31, 1955. The 3t^-year flight of shipping to runaway flags, still continuing, represents the loss of between 11,000 and 12,000 jobs to the US merchant marine. A great majority of the 298 ships still operate from US ports in direct competition with US-flag is. a. 4" 4" shipping, particularly in the bulk Walter Schultz, AB: The set-up Claude Fowler, AB: I think that cargo and off-shore oil trades, thus could be improved some. The 90- as long as a ship doesn't carry a driving American-flag ships out of day medic course regular, pharma­ the trade. that some offi­ cist, the m a,i n The report shows that total cers take in order thing to be sure transfers in the period were 131 to act as pharma­ of is that the tankers, 125 dry cargo vessels, 17 cists is not near­ master or mate or passenger-cargo combinations, 17 ly enough, be­ whoever handles miscellaneous ships . and eight cause it's only a first aid takes a newljvbuilt ships that were regis­ sideline to these refresher course tered runaway from the start. The nfien. They forget regularly. There a lot of things must be plenty of When they don't new techniques .use them for a while. The ships these guys could handle. should carry a pharmacist. i, • is. 4i Headquarters has been asked ' a. i^ a. William Smith, 2nd cook: There's to clarify whose job it is to ,. W. Grosvenor, head waiter: The no sense in saying a doctor is not needed if a ship clean; scrape and paint fans in ships have enough medicines and carries less than foc'sles. The procedure is as drugs to handle 12 passengers but follows: Each department is re­ emergencies a t must be carried sponsible for keeping its own sea, and the mas­ when there are fans clean. When it comes to ter or mate usu­ more than a doz­ scraping and painting, the en­ ally seem to know en. Seamen are gine department paints and what they're do­ more liable to get scrapes its own, and the deck ing. But nothing sick or hurt while department does the deck foc'will replace a working than sle fans and the fans -of the .doctor or phar­ passengers on a steward department. Messroom macist who is trained for the pleasure trip. We should be pro­ fans are kept clean by the messtected by a trained person aboard. man. particular job at hand. * Who Maintains Foc'sie Fans? fers took place between July, 1954, and June, 1955, when over a mil­ lion tons of shipping fled the American flag. In recent months, most of the transfers have been tankers under the new loopholes opened by the Maritime Adminis­ tration for construction of new tankers after transferring two or three old ones foreign. The biggest beneficiaries tpf the transfer program have been the flags of Liberia and Panama, the two leading runaway nations. Here is a partial breakdown on leading beneficiaries of foreignflag transfers in the last SVk years: Flag Ships .Tonnage Liberia 155 1,270,000 Panama 47 376,000 Veirezuela ... 10 27,000 Honduras ... 6 47,600 Only a handful of ships were transferred to legitimate maritime flagg in the same period. The British got four vessels, Canada three, West Germany one and the Netherlands one. No ships at all were transferreO' to such legiti­ mate flags as Belgium, Prance, Greece, Norway and Sweden. Originally, international flag transfer rules were written to pro­ vide for transfer from one recog­ nized maritime nation to another. The runaway flags, on the other hand, are recognized as hideouts for US ship operators who want to escape US taxes and wage scales. All Sate In 'Miracle' Ship Rescue SEATTLE—Scooped up from almost-certain death in vir­ tually the same area where the SUP-manned freighter Penn­ sylvania broke up four years ago with a loss of 46 lives, most of the 60 SIU of NA, cr.ewrt pulled away. It had lost its bow , members and passengers res­ section a few hours earlier. cued from the sunken SS The "miracle" of the rescue was from itff midwest conference to the International Longshoremen's Association. The postponement was made by the midwest confer­ ence at the request of Teamster President Dave Beck after AFLClO President George Meany noti­ fied Beck that the Teamsters faced possible punitive action if they did business with an expelled organiz­ ation. In addition to postponement of the loan, the Teamsters general counsel, J. Albert Woll, has been asked to give an opinion whether or not the Teamsters constitution gives its general president control over fund disbursements by local Teamster conferences. - When the pact was made, the International Brotherhood of Long­ shoremen emphasized its intention to pres^ for a new election in New York harbor, confident that no al­ liances could sidetrack the long­ shoremen's demands for a new vote. The IBL campaign has the full support of the Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO, which has gone on record to give IBL help in every, shape or form. The SIU is a pafticipating member of the MTD. PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa—^After 6,000 miles of air travel by the bride-to-be iPrr-CANADA^ I ijhv The International Brother­ hood of Teamsters has put off any action on a $400,000 loan Sherwood Man Gets His Girl Washington Mail in the stormy Gulf of Alaska arrived here last week still shaking* over their nar­ row escape. The ship was manned by a full West Coast crew, from the Sailors Union of the Pacific, the Marine Firemen's Union and the Marine Cooks and Stewards Union. No lives were lost during the dramatic rescue. All 60 persons described by one passenger as "in­ credible." Since the bow section carried the regular radio antenna, an emergency rig had to be set up before an SOS could be sent out. "We watched a seaman trying to climb a spar to get an antenna up. It was incredible," said Mrs. V. Lester of West Vancouver, BC, one of the nine passengers aboard. Fortunately the faint signal.was picked up by the Freeman, only 65 miles away, and it was able to 500 steam Jto the disaster site, about STATUTE MILES .250 miles southeast of Kodiak, Alaska. There had been no sign of trou­ ble at the time the ship cracked up. "There were three sharp cracks —crack", crack, crack, just like •It^KefcKikan that. And then the general alarm •. .. *• rang. I rushed out of my cabin, and there was the bow of the ship streaking by in the other direc­ tion,:' Mrs. Lester added. Eventually the main section of the Washington Mail drifted an­ other 30 miles until the lights of Pacific ON/TH)"'' the troopship appeared in the It had been taking on Ocean STATBS darkness. water for over four hours when the order to abandon ship was San Ffan'ei{ftj»; given. "It was an unbelievable rescue," Star marks spot where commented A. R. Lintner," presi­ dent of the Anaerican Mail Line, ' Washington Mail split up. owner of the ill-fated ship. aboard were picked up about a At the time the vessel sank, the half hour after they 'abandoned' Weather Bureau reported 11-foot ship in two lifeboats by the troop­ seas and winds of up to 60 miles ship Gen. H. B.- Freeman. 'The an hour. A C-3, the Washington abandoned ship sankAOhly^jaQftttri- Mail had been enroute to the Far utes after the second lifeboat had East with a cargo of luniber. ILA Stymied In Bid For Teamster $ Shown being loaded at a Seattle dock before her ill-fated 'trip ended abruptly, the freighter Washington Mail split and sank in the storm-swept Gulf of Alaska last week with no loss in life. The wreck.occurred in the same area where the SUPmahned SS Pennsylvania-.cracked up four years, ago with a loss of 46 persons. and'8,20(1 miles over the sea lanes by the prospective groom. Seafarer Hartman Schonn and 17-year-old Harin Brendel of Germany finally were married here. Immediately after the marriage Mrs. Schonn had to fly back to her home in Frankfurt to wait for her husband to come back and take her to the States. The hastily-arranged wedding came off only after a series of mis­ haps forced cancellation of an earlier ceremony in Beira. It was performed in a Port Elizabeth's magistrate's court, followed by a reception attended by the entire crew of Schonn's ship, the Robin Sherwood. "We stayed in Port Elizabeth five days," ship's reporter Daniel Gemeiner wrote. "It really shook the town up." Met In Germany Schonn, a native of Germany and a naturalized US citizen, met his wife in Frankfurt last year while serving with the US Army. They beeame engaged, but Schonn was discharged from the Army and returned to the States to ship out agaiit. I I CI -il �Par« six SEAFARERS march K. 195ft LOG 'Do It Yourself Seafarer Builds A Ship YOUR BOllAR'S WORTH Seafarer's Guide To Better Buying By Sidney Margolius Beware High Eyeglasses Cost! Beantown Jobs Running Slow Seafarer Frank Fernandez, engine ufilify, shows scale model of Seatrain Georgia which he started while he was on ship. Finished model is above. All-metal model is 54 inches long and took four months to finish. BOSTON—Business in the port is running smoothly although ship­ ping remains slow and unpredict­ able. The job activity of last period, brought on by the crewing of a new tanker, has subsided for now, pending future developments, James Sheehan, port agent, com­ mented. Two Cities Service tankers, the Cantigny and Council Grove, paid off and signed on again. The Steel Apprentice, Steel Traveler (Isth­ mian); Robin Mowbray (Seas Ship­ ping), and Alcoa Ranger (Alcoa), all freighters, rounded out the pic­ ture as the lone in-transits for the period. FeW replacements were shipped on any of them, however. Due to the lack of a quorum, re­ sulting partly from the heavy weather in the area on meeting night, no regular meeting was held last week, Sheehan added. AFL-CIO Shifts To Balto Hall BALTIMORE — The SIU branch hall in thi§ port is now firmly established as the hub of AFL-CIO operations in the middlb Atlantic states. Regional offices for the merged labor movement have now been set up in the building, with Joseph F. Heath as regional director and Oliver W. Singleton as assistant director. They are in turn assisted by nine general organizers selected from the staffs of the former CIO and AFL. Earl Sheppard, SIU port agent, welcomed them to the building re­ cently, noting that the SIU had already been the headquarters of the citywide AFL central body for some lime and was happy to have "a new tenant" as a result of the merger agreement which formally established the AFL-CIO last De­ cember. The Baltimore Federation of Labor (AFL) set up offices in the hall soon after it opened offi­ cially late ia 1954. Recently Moved Formerly located in Richmond, Va., regional offices were moved to Baltimore following a reshuf­ fling of regions under the merger agreement. The new Region 4 em­ braces the states of Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and the District of Columbia. " Prior to the change. Heath had been serving >s director of AFL Region .3, which had included most of what is now Region 4. Originally a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, he has been president of IBEW Local 98b; secretary of the Phila­ delphia Metal Trades Council and of the East Qoast Metal Trade?, as well as the (ug^kiog;]bdu%ctQi' and : ' - ' Now operating out of Baltimore SIU hall are AFL-CIO re­ gional director Joseph F. Heath (left) and assistant director Oliver W. Singleton. They will direct organizing operations for Region 4, AFL-CIO. Several other union groups , have space in building. national vice president of the American Federation of Govern­ ment Employees. He has also been Ih foreign service as a US labor advisor in Greece and later for the 19 Mar­ shall Plan countries. Somewhat new to the territory. Singleton just returned from France where he w&s serving as a labor advisor for the Foreign Operation]?'.^dmipistratiop. He has J>eea> active Ja:uie labor niovenwht in many capacities, starting as a miner In West Virginia and on up through various posts to the staff of the national CIO, The regional organizing staff in­ cludes former AFL and'CIO staf­ fers Gilbert Lewis, Norman Greenblatt, Joseph Gillis, John Hawkins, F. N. Kershaw, Earl Rider, J. A. Garnett, T, D. duCuennois and Clinton Wood/ Officesiare in Room 22 -0f.;,th#.:|ffi3il,.m Baltimore-,street/ -io'.vK Satisfactory eyeglasses are almost as necessary to workers as their tools or even their hands. Aside from the need for satisfactory vision in the ordinary affairs of living, a worker simply has to be able to see in clear detail the work on his bench, the figures on her calculat­ ing machine, the reading on his gauges, the labels on boxes stacked on shelves, etc. Especially as workers get older, visual aids become imperative. Even in the 30-40 age group, 48 percent of industrial workers have been found to have defective vision, and in the 40-50 group, the figure jumps to 71 percent. Industrial eye doctors find a direct relationship between defective vision and industrial accidents. But the problem, as Reader B. H. puts it, is, "Why do glasses cost $30 in my town while you can get them for $12 in a iarge city like Chicago? Is there any difference in quality or other reason for this difference in price?" The answer is that most eyeglass prescriptions should not cost more than $12 to fill. They need hot cost even that much. In New York, the Union Optical Plan, which services most unions there, is able to dis­ pense eyeglasses at an average cost of $6.37 including examination, lenses and frames, even including fancy frames which are actually the largest cost in filling a prescription for ordinary single-vision eyeglasses. But When Bernard Englander, director of Union Optical Plan, recently visited Akron, O., to help local unions establish a coop­ erative eye-care plan as part of the Cooperative Shopping Center there, he found local shops charging $25-$30. On a countrywide basis, the average cost of glasses is $18. Shouldn't Cost More Than $12 Only in very isolated pathology cases should any pair of eyeglasses really cost as much as $30, Englander reports. Sometimes special bifocals in special frames can run as high as $16-$18. In the case of Union Optical Plan, even bifocals usually cost only $12. Smaller shops can t dispense glasses for as little as large-volume operations, but even among them the average pair of eyeglasses should not cost more than $12, Englander says. Then why do many opticians charge $25-$30? Sometimes the extra price is caused by expensive location and advertising costs or because Seafarers in New York.can receive high quality, low-cost optical care at the offices of The Union Optical Flan: 152 Fourth Avenue or 39 West 32nd Street. the shop sells on credit. But often the optical business is simply a matter of judging how much you are afile and willing to pay. An optician sometimes will rattle out a price like $32, and, watch .your face for your reaction. There is sometimes another factor. Despite the Government's efforts to wipe out the kickback racket, whereby the optician remits as much as 30-40 pei'cent of the fee for glasses to the doctor who prescribes them, kickbacks still do exist, according to people in the .trade whom this writer has consulted. Now kickbacks are said to take more devious forms, such as refurnishing the doctor's office. Differences Don't Justify Higher Prices Higher-priced opticians generally tend to justify their charges on the basis that they use only first-quality lenses and take more time fitting. It is true that some low-price shops may rush examination or fitting, but on the other hand, lower-price opticians claim that the high-priced ones tend to exaggerate the time needed to justify their prices. And while there are differences in quality of lenses, even this does not justify the price difference. The actual difference be­ tween good and lower-quality lenses is only 25 cents, and reliable low-price opticians do use first quality. Lenses for the average singlevision prescription cost $1.50 to $2, Englander reports, and including grinding and polishing will finally cost Union Optical Plan about $3.50. Frames are the more expensive items. The average frame costs the optician about $3.50. In some states opticians and optometrists have influenced legisla­ tion to bar low-price operations through such expedients as preventing opticians or optometrists from incorporating and by preventing outofjstate opticians from practicing, etc. Co-op Optical i>!ans Growing But union co-op optical plans are spreading. A number of cities have cooperative eye-care centers, agreements with local opticians or clinics in conjunction with health-insurance plans, including Chi­ cago, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, DC, several Michigan and West Coast cities, and others. A local union of retail and wholesale workers in New York even has its own optical shop for members. When you heed glasses, ask your union local or central labor body if there is .any such arrangement locally, or check with any consumer cooperatives listed in your phone book. If not, all you can do is com­ pare charges of local opticians. Show your presription first, if you did get a' prescription from an eye doctor, and ask the price. Or if you have your eyes examined by an optometrist connected with the optical shop itself, don't be afraid to ask beforehand what the cost is likely to be. You can assure yourself you are getting first-quality lenses by specifying that this be noted on your bill. It's also an assur­ ance to deal with a union shop, because the unions In this field don't permit lowering of standards or use of unskilled workers to, prepare eyeglass prescriptions. . Another problem industrial workers have 1« safety glasses. Because of the relationship of visual defects to accidents, sbme employers now ask worJiLers to. bring in their prescription so the employer can provide safety, spectacles. But In some respects it is preferably for unions to supervise this program through their own eye-care or health centers. While the employer pays all or part of the cost of the glasses, the prescription costs the worker $10 or $15. Too, the glasses are often maiied to the worker with no re-check or fittirig. .Also, when the plan Is operated by ;management, it has-a chance to observe a worker's- W«6^iy?%.Mi9R^py,e.5ight,if it, �'J'" . ^. V ;«i«:' Matckll, SEAFARERS LOG Pae^ ^ea Hq. Action Eases Quarters' Beets NEW YORK—^Beefs involving crew's quarters on two ships were handled easily this week, as SIU headquarters officials again cautioned Seafarers that settling of such items hinges on sufficient advance notice —* ————— from the crew. of the Union membership, which The problem was typified is composed of the men out at sea." Her© now is the complete story of the SlU in 19551 The Union's dey-by-day victories, the de­ fense of our hardwon rights and the new triumphs in ben­ efits for Seafarers and families—^the full story in permanent form for - ship or home. Seafarer Raymond Frye holds threw valuable Chinese crested pups in his lap. Proud momma^ Foo Foo, is at far left. Only about 50 dogs of this breed are known to be in US. Seafarer Kennel Gains Rare Pups Available at the cost price of $7. SEAFARERS LOG 675 Fourth Avenue Brooklyn 32, NY Bound volumes for years baclc to 1950 also available at the same price. STOCKTON, Calif.—Ordinarily the birth of three female pups is a "so what?" event, but when they happen to be Chinese-cresteds there is cause for rejoicing in the dogfanciers' world. Seafarer Ray-^ mond Frye, who raises the have been used as watch dogs over harems, among other places. They rare species here, may sell the are almost completely hairless with pups, which go for around $500, or may train them for exhibition at local dog shows. If all goes well, Frye and his wife may come east next year to exhibit some of the Chinese-crest­ eds they own at the famed West­ minster Kennel Club "show in New York. There are only about 50 or so Chinese-cresteds in the coun­ try. Rare In US Although rare in the US, the dogs are an ancient breed which is supposed to have originated in Turkey many centuries ago and to YAKA (Waterman), February S— Chairman, L. Cardler; Secretary, C. James. Man was sent to hospital In Yokohama. Ship's fund — $20. No beefs. Patrolman to be notified as to condition of slopchest and price list Is to be checked. Boarding patrolman, to be told about engineers doing work that is not theirs. ALCOA PENNANT (Alcoa), Febru­ ary S—Chairman, A. Danne; Secretary, J. Olsen Some disputed overtime. Beef will be settled In MobUe. Every­ thing okay. Motion carried to concur in commuhicaUons from headquar­ ters. Discussion held on TV set and movie projector. Steward is not supervising messhall during meal time. STEEL ADVOCATE (Isthmian), February IS—Chairman, J. O'Nell; Secretary, I. Strakhovsky. Ship's fund — $8. No beefs, little disputed overtime, everything is okay. Motion carried to accept communication from headquarters. Department delegates to collect money for ship's fund. New washing machine pump ordered. Ship to be fumigated. ALCOA ROAMER (Alcea), February t—Chairman, T. Hear; Secretary, W. Fell. Repair lists were turned in. No beefs. Motion carried to concur in communications from headquarters. ALMENA (Pan Atlantic), February IJ—Chairman, K. Pierce; Secretary, R. Llauger. Ship's fund—$29.25. No beefs. Motion carried to concur in communications from, headquarters. , Ship's delegate elected. Heating sys­ tem to be checked; doors to be re­ paired. COR VICTORY (Victory Carriers), February 14—Chairman, K. Hatglmotles; iecretary, O. Casane. Motion car­ ried to concur in communications from headquarters. Motion carried not to sign on until necessary repairs are completed. Discussion held en same. . . OOVERflMEMT CAMP (Cltlec Serv' Ice), February t—^Chalrman, R. Kochs Secretary, W. Hand. No launch serv­ ice in Lake Charles. Patrolman re­ ported launch service was being re­ paired. Ship's fund—$12.39. MoUon carried to concur In communications from headquarters. Ship's treasurer • elected. INES (Bull Line),, February 11 — Chairman, J. Slaven; Secretary. M. Savoy. Library to be replaced by Un­ ion. All members requested to bring up beef at. meeting. Ship's fund, r-; $77.55; No beeft. thlriga^to hd installed. Discussion held on menua;: the excepti(Hi of the head, tail and feet. The lack of hair means it's easy to keep the dogs—and .|he house— clean, which should make these dogs popular pets. The three new arrivals came on January 2. The Fryes also raise toy* Mexican chihpahuas which weigh all of 31^ pounds when ful­ ly grown." Frye at present is on the Young America. His ambition is to go into, the dog-raising business in a big way and to open his own kennels some day. ALCOA PIONEER (Alcea), January 15—Chairman, R. Callahan; Secretary, ALCOA ROAMER (Alcoa), February 19—Chairman, R. Klanast; Secretary, R. Klanast. Captain wants laundry kept cleaner. One man missed ship. No beefs. Motion carried to concur In communications drom headq&arters. Repair list wae turned In. Library wanted aboard. COlUR D'ALBNR VICTORY (Vl«- communications from headquarters. Safety bulletin read and discussed. Discussion about buying a radio. company in port. Some disputed over­ time. No beefs. Vote of thanks -to steward department. Letter to be sent to New York regarding hospital and medical care of agents and patrolmen. January 15—Chairman, L. Movall; Secretary, F. Regan. Washing ma­ chine in bad- shape. One man was in­ jured and taken off ship. Ship's fund. $24.50. No beefs. Motion carried to concur in communications from head­ quarters. Ship's delegate elected. Sinks in very bad shape. OCEAN DINNY (Maritime Overseas), No date—Chairman, H. RInge; Secre­ tary, S. Pierson. Some disp.uted over­ time. No beefs. Motion carried to post communications from headquarters. Crew mess to be painted while in dry dock. I^hip to be fumigated. Crew mail not to "be opened by anyone except to whom it is addressed. BATTLE ROCK (US Petroleum), February 12—Chairman, H. Martin; Secretary, H. Fountain. No draws in American money will be given. Clari­ fication requested, on paying off In Japan. Collection to be taken for ex- ' pense of ship's delegate. RAPHAEL SEMMES (Waterman), January IS—Chairman,' A. Kesien; Secretary, H. Hutchlns. Port holes to be taken care of. Everything running okay. Ship's fund, $22.45. Some dis­ puted overtime. No beefs. Steam boiler to be installed in gaUey. CAMP NAMANU (US Petroleum), February S—Chairman, O'Connors; Secretary, Brown. One man missed ship in Yokohama. Ship's fund, $51.28. No beefs. Motion carried to concur In communications from headquarters. Discussion held on cleanliness of messroom. ROBIN GOODFELLOW (Seas Ship­ ping), Fabruary 5—Chairman, V. Cance; Secretary, F. VanDusen. Crews quarters to be painted this trip. No beefs. Ship's delegate elected. Library and laundry rooms to be kept locked. DEL MONTI (Mississippi), Fabruary 24—Chairman, J. Varford; Sacretary, J. King. Washing machine to be re­ paired. Everylldng running okay. More milk to be ordered. J. Pursalt. Discussion held about, cap­ tain'# attitude toward men. Sou"ie dis­ puted overtime. No beefs. Motion carried to concur in CGinmunications from headquarters. Vote of tbanke to steward department. Food hag Im­ proved. by the case of the Robin Trent (Sea^ Shipping), as crewmembers first advised the Union of a beef on the quarters of the carpenter and bosun the day the ship was due to saii. Due to the lack of time left for handling this matter, a temporary arrangement was made for the voyage, pending the return of the ship. Earlier notice of a similar prob­ lem on the Steel Director (Isth­ mian) made a suitable solution possible. The PO mess is being converted to crew's quarters, and that is expected to end the prob­ lem for good. Can't Perform 'Miracles' "We can't perform miracles," As­ sistant Secretary-Treasurer Claude Simmons pointed out, "especially if the crew doesn't give us any time to work things out. You can't remake a ship overnight. If some­ one is uncomfortable in his quar­ ters and doesn't let us know about it so that we can get to work on it, he's got only himself to blame." The same applies to all repair beefs, he added. "If we're notified about them oa"^arrival, we gen­ erally can get things rolling in time before the ship sails. We've been having a lot of success in handling repairs latriy en this basis. It's all up to the crew. If they just sit and brood about a beef, nothing is accomplished," Simmons added. In a similar vein, he urged all crews to act on each ship's min­ utes bulletin mailed to all vessels every two weeks along with copies of the SEAFARERS LOG and other literature. "Once these are acted upon and returned to head­ quarters, we will have a guide on what the membership wants and can go out and try to get it," he added. "Because of tlje nature of our industry, this is the only means of keeping in touch with the bulk PAIRISLB (Waterman), Fabruary 19 —Chairman, F. Parsons; Secretary, S. Rothschild. Some beefs on delayed sailing. Beef about chief mate. Some disputed penalty hours. Motion car­ ried to concur in communications from headquarters. Vote of thanks to steward department. HASTINGS (Waterman), Fabruary 1$—Cluilrman.wW. Davit; Secratary, J. Wellt. No beefs. Headquarters safety report rOad and each depart­ ment held meeting. Few minor beefs to be straightened out with patrol­ man. MARORI (Ore), February 24—Chair­ man, W. Dawley; Secretary, S. Wolten. Headquarter* report as re'4d f^lo veas^ was^lp pert.,Ship's jd, tzB.'dS. Soma disputed evertliqe. No heefa. beefs. Motion cacidMr.'fel caDgMr.t casfcur; JU . ROYAL OAK (Cities Service), Febru­ ary 24—Chairman, J.- Phillips; Secre­ tary, D. Beard. Repair list is being taken care of. Ship's fund, $41.71. Motion carried to accept commuulc-atlona as read. Ship's Iron to be re­ placed. Radio to be repaired. SBATRAIN GEORGIA (Seetrain), February 24—Chairman, Sir Charles; Sacretary, A. Lambert. Safety suggestions were mailed In. Ship's fund contains SS. No beefs. Some disputed overtime. Motion carried to concur In communications from headquarters. Ship's delegate elected. Elevator shaft needs cleaning. Garbage to be dumped over stern. eSATRAIN NEW JERSEY (Saatrain), Fabruary 21—Chairman, W. Blanton; Secratary, R. Wallace. Ship's fund. $7.03. No beefs: Motion made and carried to concur In communica­ tions from headquarters. Ship's dele­ gate elected. CreW to hold safety meetlngi. SBATRAIN SAVANNAH. (Seetrain), February 22—Chatrman. B. Martin; Secretary, E. Hansen. No be^t. Ship's Meanwhile, the low turnover in jobs that has been felt lately con­ tinued to show itself in the ship­ ping figures, although the past period recorded some improvement over the one before, A total of 198 regular jobs were dispatched over the last two weeks, pkis 14 standby jobs in the deck and engine de­ partments. One example of-the low job turnover these days was on a Far East ship which made the com­ plete run and only shipped three replacements when she paid off. Overall, the port handled 22 pay­ offs, signed 6 ships on foreign articles and had 13 in-transit ships. The "majority of'the payoffs were short trips of one month or less. None of the ships had any major beefs. Lake Charles Jobs Slow Up LAKE CHARLES — Shipping has fallen off some here, pending the arrival of warmer weather when the tanker regulars start pil­ ing off for vacations. In the interim. SIU Port Agent Leroy Clarke urged Seafarers on the beach to throw in for whatever jobs are on the board and avoid waiting out special ships or rum. "It doesn't pay off being too particular when things are slow," he added, noting that there were still enough men on- the beach to handle whatever comes in. Ships calling in the area during the past two-week period included ten* Cities Service tankers, the Val Chem (Valentine) in Orange, Texas, and the Republic (Trafal­ gar), in Port Arthur. Texas. All of the ships contacted .were in good shape. fund, S73.25. One man missed ship. Motion carried to accept communica­ tions from headquarters. Discussion held on union matters, welfare cards and washing machine. ALCOA POLARIS (Alcoa), February 28—Chairman, L. Jayner; Secretary, J. Baxter. Chocolate milk to be put aboard next trip. Ship's fund, $7.49. No beefs. It was su^ested that shower curtains be installed and that deck department prepare rooms for painting by shoregang. ATLANTIC WATER (Metro), Janu­ ary $—Chairman, D. Stone; Secretery, J. Hollen. Ship's delegate elected. No beefs. Motion carried to concur in communications from headquarters. Discussion held on repairs not com­ pleted last voyage. CATHERINE (Dry-Trsnt), February S—Chairman, B. Kyle; Secretary, M. Orochowskl. Ship's delegate elected. Ship's fund. $23.84. Some disputed overtime. Motion carried to accept communications from headquarters. GaUey range to be repaired. CHICKASAW (Fan Atlantic), March 1—Chairman, J. Cole) Secretary, F. ' Robertson. One minor beef was set­ tled. Everything running okay. Some disputed overtime. No beefs. Motion carried to concur in communications from headquarters. Vote of thanks t» previous ship's delegate. Dilcussion held on dress for messhall. CHILORB (Ore), February 29— Chairman, J. Long; Secretary, R. King. Everything running smoothly. No beefs. Ship's fund. 917.98. Motion carried to concur in communications from headquarters. Keys to. be made for each department. Sparks to bo reminded to get marine news en Sunday. CLAIBORNE (Waterman), February 14—Chairman, F. Chavarw Secratary, L. Craws. Library wanted aboard. Beef concerning of breaking of watches has not been settled as yet. Na other beefs. Motion carried t» ac­ cept comnriunicatlons from headquar­ ters unanlmoudy. StUp te he fumi­ gated. ShlpV dUeiiiste elected. �Pare EirM SEAFARERS LOG March 16. 1956 :;->V . Recovering from o bock injury, Seafarer J, Barbaccio is cheered by $21 weekly hospital benefit delivered by SlU Welfare Services Representative Milton Flynn. Looking on Is staff member of USPHS hospital in Staten Island. Nemfued When formertSeoforer James "Scotty" Atkins died last December 24, his last wishes were that his body be cremated and his ashes scattered at sea from aboard an SlU ship. Here crewmembers of the SlU-monned Del Norte stand at attention as the Reverend Edgar F. Hollock of Norman, Oklahoma, a passenger on the vessel, conducted the services on Monday, January 2, at sea. Seafarers Pete Prevas, Mike Sporlch, Eddie Fusilier and Mllford MacDonald served as pallbearers. Ship's delegate Harold E. Crane arranged for the photographs. Boosting himself on water cooler at SlU Brooklyn headquarters for a juvenile "cool one" is Anthony Montemorono, 41/2, son of Seafarer Angelo "Tony" Montemarono. Dad sails as AB on SlU ships out of his home port of Brooklyn. John Gretz, 17 months old, seems bewildered by it all as he views SlU shipping board frpm counter in hiring hall. His father, Michael Gretzj soils as 3rd cook on SlU ihipsi Young iohn already has sea legs, as family came over from Staten Island on the ferry. • •. r.-"• ii'v; ?>'•, • Baker Phil Reis (left) was the'designer pf the miniature church which won first prize in a ship-board contest on the Del Sud for the best-decorated lounge at Christmas time. Ship's photographer Joe Goliano admires Reis' handiwork. The Mankato Victory started from San Francisco with a dedc cargo of oil drums but in 48 hours the angry Pacific Ocean had upset the applecart. "Most of the drums were lost, one by one," Seafarer John McElroy reported, "as they became scattered, sprung leqks, drained their contents and were lifted by seas over the side. The bosun, Joe Cash, and his men,. fougKt a cjangerous but fosing. batt[e 4o;4aye tH process, the shifting deck.patigp wrecksdvapatywqljt/that had'^loeenO&uiW-over^rtOv^^^-''- >'• �SEAFARERS Mar<ai 19,195« Profiles of l^OG Award Winners Invitation To Scab The last Issue of the LOG carried short sketches of the three winners of the poetry awards. Below are the thumbnail biog­ raphies of the remaining LOG Award winners. Winner of the award In ship's reporting, Seafarer Luis Ramirez has been an unofficial "roving reporter" for years. A veteran of 23 years at sea, 13 with the SIU, Ramirez has followed his Innate curiosity over strange customs and prac­ tices in all parts of the world. He usually gets a friendly reception except in Russia where his cam­ era was locked up and his movements restricted. His favorite run is to Japan froid where he has re­ ported on such diverse subjects as Japanese tattoo­ ing, GI slang and sukiyaki. He also has a soft spot for Spain where he made hosts of friends In a 23day .visit. A non-drinker, he ^spends his time ashore on Ramirez visits to churches, hospitals, stores and other places of interest. He carries on a world-wide correspondence with many friends he has made on his trips. Ramirez sails as FWT and was last aboard the City of Alma. He has a family of four children in New York City. > ' •^ $ First prize in- the stories and letters category went to Jack "Ajissie" Shrimpton, chief steward and former newspaperman. As the name indicates, Shrimpton was born "Down Un­ der," He first started sailing SIU ships during World War II and joined the Union in Boston in 1945. Shrimp­ ton has been a Lewis Prevas Shrimpton fre q u e n t con­ tributor of seagoing anecdotes to the LOG, his prize-winning entry being an account of a crew's exasperated battle with "zillions of flies" and other unpleasantness accompanying a cargo of live monkeys from India to the United States. The monkeys were subsequently used in testing of the now-famed Salk anti-polio vaccine. Shrimpton just recently returned from Venezuela where he was chief steward on the SS Chester Harding, working on the Maracaibo dredging job. He has a son who is currently attending college in Fngland. 3^ 4" Winner of the second prize for stories and letters. Seafarer Peter Prevas accurately and succinctly defined the duties of a ship's delegate in a letter, appearing in the June 24, 1955, LOG. Prevas has been sail­ ing as a Seafarer for the past eight years, joining the Union on the West Coast in December, 1947. The 28-year-old Seafarer sails in steward department ratings. 3^ \ 4" 4" , Third prizewinner in the "Stories and Letters" category, Seafarer Thurston Lewis has been one of the LOG'S most prolific correspond­ ents through the years. He is an active Union man as well, who has participated in a number- of Union beefs and served on innumerable occasions as ship's delegate, chairman and in< other shipboard positions. Lewis' writings have covered a wide range of subject matter, dealing with Union business and other items, and have included poetry, letters, ship's news reports and short stories. The 38-year-old Seafarer 'is a native of Oklahoma and became a Union member in New Orleans in 1944. He usually sails as bosun or AB. He is currently aboard the tanker Republic. 3> 3> 3i Seafarer Robert Black had a photographer's dream on his hands when the San Mateo Victory ran way up on the rocks of Cheju Island off South west Korea. In the weeks of salvage which followed, he pointed his 35 millemeter camera at the efforts of salvage crews and the reaction of Ko­ rean Islanders to Terracina Black Raynor the big excite­ ment in their lives. The results were condensed into a first-prize win­ ning picture photo spread. Oddly enough. Black won his prize on the basis of his first photo­ graphic contribution to the SEAFARERS LOG. He sails as chief elec­ trician and has been a member of the Union for the past nine years. His home is in Portland, Oregon. 3> 3^ $i Seafarer Oscar Raynor, who hit the jackpot with his photographs of a stowaway transfer between two Robin Line ships, is an avid shutter ,bug. The 27-year-old Seafarer has been a Union member for two years and sails regularly out of New York in the steward department. He made his mark in the SIU by his active participation in the 1954 long­ shore beef in New York. He is now aboard the Arizpa. 3^ 4" ,4' Musician, entertainer, scenic designer, photographer and seaman, Sal Terracina is obviously a man of varied skills. His portrait-type studies of Seafarers aboard ship and of the people and places he visited "often appeared in the pages of the LOG. In between trips Terracina turns his hand to night club and carnival acts. He's also appeared as pianist and organist in a number of clubs and hotels. His "winning entry, a page of photographs of Siam, was one of a whole series of pictures he has taken of various foreign ports on the Middle and Far East run. Pare Nina LOG Seattle Set For Rush; Repair Beefs Ease Up -• .I-', SEATTLE—With good shipping already a fact and five payoffs due over the present tAVO-week period, Seafarers are expecting to enjoy some booming job activity in the next tew days. * The prosperous outlook hing­ es on the hope that the ships Republic Aviation is running these ads after it got court injunction to limit pickets. Int'l Ass'n of Machinists is striking LI, NY. plants. Passenger BR on the Alcoa Run­ ner on a recent trip down to the islands. Seafarer James Terry came home with a handful of testi­ monials from several passengers. "Thank you" one passenger wrote, "for all of your courtesies, kind­ ness and service during the course of this most interesting and en­ joyable trip." ft 4 3^ Things were in bad shape, ap­ parently, in the galley aboard the Seatrain'Texas when steward Wil­ liam Nesta took command. But in short order, to the vast relief of the crew, everything was made shipshape. Crewmembers gave him a vote of confidence for the fine job he did in straightening out the "mess" left in the steward de­ partment before he came aboard. 4' 4" now due are not diverted to an­ other port on the coast. Port Agent Jeff Gillette added. Sudden sched­ ule changes might change the whole picture, he pointed out, since they are far from unusual here. Repair beefs are presenting the only major problem on the ships in this area, with laxity on the handling of repair items reported on quite a few vessels. This situa­ tion is being met head-on, however, and the ships'-officers involved are beginning to get the idea. Gil­ lette said he had received assur­ ances that the repairs, will be made and completed soon. Make Repairs Known Meanwhile, he urged crewmem­ bers and delegates on ships with repair beefs to notify the hall here and/or SIU headquarters in New York if the problem continues. "Make sure the captain and chief know what repairs are needed," he noted, "so they can't make ex­ cuses on that score." The good shipping has not been matched by the weather, although spring is making a determined ef­ fort at an early arrival. Winds coming over the mountains have carried some snow with them, which is a little discouraging to those anxious to get out in the sun after a hard winter. Overall, during the past two weeks, the port handled two pay­ offs and sign-ons, the Topa Topa (Waterman) and Ocean Deborah (Ocean Trans), plus the Marymar (Calmar); Ocean Ulla (Ocean Trans); Choctaw, Wild Ranger (Waterman) and William CaiTuth (Transfuel), all in transit. NAM'S Man Given House Labor Post WASHINGTON — Appointment of a former lobbyist for the Na­ tional Association of Manufacturers as counsel for the House Labor Committee has trade unionists everj'where up in arms. Rep. GrahJim Barden (Dem.-NC), chairman of the committee, recentiy ap­ pointed James M. Brewbaker as committee counsel without con­ sulting other Democrats on the committee. Brewbaker's services with NAM involved specialization in antilabor legislation. He fought for laws to further limit union partici­ pation in political affairs and more recently attempted to organize the "Association for Industrial Mobil­ ization," which was desci'ibed in the press as seeking support from businessmen to restrict union ac­ tivities. The appointment was denounced by AFL-CIO President George Meany as "an insult and affront to workers." Meany urged the full committee to revoke the action. Anti-Labor Spearhead The NAM for years has been re­ garded as the spearhead of busi­ ness effprts to hamstring labor unions, and its activities in this respect have been widely-consid­ ered by both political parties as representing an extreme anti-labor viewpoint. 4" There's no complaint about the The Canadian Minister of Labor feeding aboard has set up a conciliation board to the Ocean Dinny resolve Great Lakes contracts be­ with the over­ tween the SIU Canadian District whelming opin­ and Lakes carriers. The three-man ion being that board will discuss and investigate steward Homer the contract situation and make L. Ringo and his recommendations for a new agree­ gang have done a ment. fine job supply­ ing "wonderful 3^ 3^ 4* food and serv­ Proposed shipping rules cover­ Ringo ice." ing manning of West Coast ships by the Marine Cooks and Stewards 3^ 3^ 4i The crew aboard the Hastings Union are going up before a ref­ was really sorry to see" ship's- dele­ erendum vote. The voting will be gate R. Bumsed leave the vessel. carried on in all ports over a 90 Burnsed "has done a splendid job" day period. The membership will as delegate, they noted, and will also vote separately on a proposed be missed by ali hands. Other one year rule. delegates who got a boost were Jack Farrand on the Chickasaw From now on applicants for and Steve Soneskis of the Steel membership in the Brotherhood of Traveler, who did his job in "true Marine Engineers will have to pass Union style," according to the a physical examination. Purpose gang aboard. of the exam, is to assure that the union can supply the companies 3^ 3^ 3^ Seafarer Danny Piccerrelll of with physically-fit engineers as pizza fame was the membership specified in the contract and to see choice for chairman at the Fe­ bruary 23 Philad e 1 p h i a port meeting. Other meeting chairmen chosen from the rank and file were J. Oliver in Houston: Dave Barry, San Fran­ cisco; R. Simp­ son, Wilmington; Simpson C. C. Lanier, Savannah: G. B. Gillisple. Lake Charles and T. CoimeU« Seattle. to it that unfit men not previously employed on union - contracted ships will not become a burden on the union's welfare plan. 4 4 4" Negotiations between the Sailors Union of the Pacific and West Coast tanker operators are tempo­ rarily stymied on wage and pension issues. The union has asked for a $25 across the board increase, 18 cents an hour increase in overtime rates and a pension plan similar to that on dry cargo ships. The SUP committee is still meeting with the operators. 4* 3i> 4 Alaska fish and cannery workers affiliated with the SIU of NA in several unions are plugging for legislation which would give the territorial government the right to regulate fisheries within the three mile limit. The salmon fishing industry has been in a poor state in many areas and the fishery unions hope that proper regulation will revive it. -uv �F«*e Ten Money Exchange Rates Listed The following, is the latest available listing of official ex­ change rates for foreign cur­ rencies. Listings are as of March 15, 1956, and are sub­ ject tO' change without notice. (Continued from'page 3) and first aid kits and fire extin­ suggested that something along the guishers in the galley were other line of a welder's mask would be proposals. far superior for such purposes. In general, steward department Deck department men also men felt that more spacious gal­ England, New Zealand. South Af­ rica: S2.Cil per pound sterling. suggested that catwalks be pro­ leys would be a great help in avoid­ Australia: S2.24 per pound sterling. vided over all deck cargoes and ing bumps, bruises, burns and cuts Belgium: 50 francs to the dollar. Denmark: 14.45 cents per krone. around the wheelhouse for wash­ which derive from working in the France: 350 francs to the dollar. ing windows: that stages have crowded quarters typical of most Germany: 4.2 marks to the dollar. Holland: 3.7-3.8 guilders to the guard rails on them: that some galleys. doHar. kind of windbreak be supplied the Ships that have not yet met and Italy; 624.9 lire to the doUar. bow watch for rough weather and acted on the safety questionnaires Norway: 14 cents per krone. Portugal: 28.75 escudos to the dollar. that men standing night watches are urged to do so as soon as pos­ Sweden: 19.33 cients per krona. should always be equipped with sible. In the event a crew has not India; 21 cents per rupee. Pakistan: 21 cents per rupee. flashlights. received the forms that were air­ Argentina: 18 pesos to the dollar. Brazil: 5.4 cents per cruzeiro. Proper Maintenance mailed to all ships, the men can Uruguay: 52.63 cents per peso. Venezuiala; 29,85 cents per bolivar. Many crews came out for a ban get them by contacting any Union on using air or electric hammers port office. for chipping overhead and others asked for platforms for securing lifeboat covers. Proper mainte­ nance of all deck gear was strong­ ly emphasized, with a great many deck gangs suggesting changes in the ship's cargo-handling equip­ collect money owed him by Nick Elwood Read ment. This gear varies from ship Contact Newton Paine at RFD Bartlett, electrici^, by writing to ship so that the problem will have to be taken up on a company No. 2, Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Bartlett c/o Seattle SIU hall. Important. by company basis. The following men who have Some deck crews thought it Robert J. Peters small packages in the mailroom at would be a good idea for ships to Contact your mother, Mrs. W. J. SIU headquarters for over 90 days have inflatable rafts in addition to Rizzo, Natalbany, La. are asked to send in a forwarding boats as emergency life-saving address or call for same; Victor William R. Dixon equipment. Menar, B. L. Lippincott, B. RuttaContact your wife as soon as kay, F. D. Bentley, Joseph H. A widely-endorsed proposal for engine room men called for dark possible at 1502 SW 30th, Okla­ Meyer, Nicola N. Bathia, W. L. glasses to protect firemen's eyes. homa City, Okla., or telephone Brabham. Black gangs also called for insu­ Melrose 4-4511. The US savings bonds listed be­ lated steam Ifnes, appropriate H. C. "Flash" Gordon low have been returned to SIU markings on steam lines and Contact your brother at once at valves, emergency lighting and first 2816 Staples Ave., Key West, FU. headquarters undelivered and can be obtained by sending the SEA­ aid kits in all engine rooms, use FARERS LOG a correct address: Sidney of non-skid shoes and good house­ keeping on floor plates, ladders Your little Ann is here okay. baby, Reginald A. Davis, father, John A. Davis of Prichard and rails to keep these surfaces Shaley Little. Lane, Mobile, Ala.; baby, Jacque­ dr}' and clean at all times. Lady would very much like to The major safety problems of correspond with nice young sea­ line Gay, father. Ronald F. Gay of 1722 7th St., New OrleaiTs, La.; steward department men are slip­ pery decks, reefer doors, overflow­ man over 42 years of age. Write baby, Lula K. Bell, father, Robert Ann Schmidt, 82 East Main St., H. Bell of Rt. No. 1, Flomaton, ing coffee urns and hot oil or Port Jervis, NY. Ala.; baby, Joanne Carol Phifer, grease splatters. Hooks, or better father, Robert D. Phifer of 470 E. still, automatic catches were Ex-Crew MV Farallon, MV Monsuggested for securing reefer doors tauk Point, MV Point Cabrillo - 9Srd St., Brooklyn, NY. Checks arising out of salvage while open, with, two men to go Joseph M. McFaU to the reefer boxes in rough operations on the above-named Mrs. Mary McFall asks you to weather. It was also proposed shijis some time ago are being held contact her in reference to income that light switches and door re­ for the following men by S. E. tax papers at 2412 Annar Court, leases be placed inside the boxes Sampliner, 301 Caxton Building, Baltimore 30, Md. as well as outside, in the event of Cleveland, Ohio, and can be ob­ William J. WoUe a man accidentally being locked in tained by submitting proper iden­ Contact your sister at 117 Jef­ tification and a forwarding ad­ the box. ferson Street, Savannah. Telephone dress: See Hot Grease Danger Joseph A. Liverman. Frank P. Preston, 4-1716. Unable to get mail to you. Jr., Marvin L. Carder, E. L. Kaler. Henry Like everybody else, the stew­ W. Martin, H. E. Miller. John Merkel, Ex-SS Bienville Crew ard men are concerned about bet­ Carl M. Peterson. Ernest Sidewitz. Ralph R. Stein, Delgado, Francis Gerter footing on ladders and decks. sic, EmoryOswalda Crewmembers who went aboard D. Hicks, Glenious Charles Burns caused by grease splatters Lawson, John F. Maguire, Ernest R. Bienville in Seattle and" had to Morris, S. George Neilsen, Robert J. could be largely eliminated, they Pendergast, George R. PoweU, Robert L. stay aboard until Houston to ^et believe, if fixed electric deep-fat Waiser. relief can collect transportation ex-SS Jean Lafitte fryers were installed. Overflow back to Seattle. Apply to Water­ Oiler on trip discharged in San man SS Company, Arctic BIdg., valves on coffee urns, better place­ ment and insulation of hot pipes Francisco on Aug. 12, 1954, can Seattle. PERSONALS AND NOTICES .*- r- SlU, A&G District Ss: iifc" ir-: i rii-- fr.- WILMINGTON. CaUf 505 Marine Ave. Reed Humphries, Agent. .Terminal 4-2874 HEADQUARTERS 675 4th Ave.. Bklya SECRETARY-TREASURER Paul Hal] , ASST. SECRETARY-TREASURHIS J. Alglna, Deck C. Simmons, Joint J. Volpian, Eng. W. Hall, Joint E. Mooney, Std. R. Matthews, Joint PORT COLBORNB.. Ontario TORONTO, Ontario 103 Durham St. -Phone: 5591 372 Kins St. E. EMpire 4-9719 VICTORIA BC.,... 817M Cormorant St. . Empire 4531 VANCOUVER, BO. 298 Main St. Pacific 3468 SYDNEY, NS 304 Charlotte St. Phone 6346 BAGOTVILLE, Ouebeo. 20 Elgin St. Phone: 549 THOROLO, Ontario....^52 St. Davids St. CAnal 7-3203 QUEBEC :.....85 St. Pierre St. Quebec Phone: 3-1589 SAINT JOHN 85 Germain St. NB Phone: 3-9233 BALTIMORE . 1218 E. Baltimore St Earl Sheppard. Agent EAstem 7-4900 BOSTON 276 State St. James Sheehan, Agent Richmond 2-0140 HOUSTON . 4202 Canal St C. TannehiU. Acting Agent Capital 7-6558 LAKE CHARLES, La ... 1419 Ryan St. Leroy Clarke, Agent HEmlock 6-5744 MOBILE 1 South Lawrence St. Cal Tanner, Agent HEmleck 2-1754 NEW ORLEANS 523 BlenvlUa St. I^dsey WlUiaias. Agent UagnoUa 8112-8113 NEW VORK.:.. 875 4th Ave., Brooklyn HYacInth 9-6800 NORFOLK 127-129 Bank St. Ben Rees, Agent MAdison 2-9834 PHILADELPHIA. 337 Market St. S. CarduUo. Agent Market T-183S PUEBTA de TIERRA PB PetayoSl—La9 Sal CMla. Agent Kone MSSP SAN FRANCISCO ... 458 Harrison M Leon Jriinsan, Agent Douglas 2-5475 Marty BroitheS, Wesf Ceast Bepresemative SAVANNAH ...... 3 Abercora 8t E. B. McAuley. Acting Agent Phone 3-1725 ALPENA.......v.... 1210 N, Second Ave. Phone: 713-J NEW YORK 875 4tb^AvS!!"lretklro 180 Main St KYaclnth 8-8185 BUFFALO, NT Phone: Cleveland 7391 CLEVELAND......734 Lakeside Ave., NB Canadia^n District Phone: Main 1-0147 HALIFAX, NB. ....laSU HoIRe W. OETKOIT....... 1038 3ld St Headouartera PBeae: Woodward 1-6857 tAMPA FORT ynUJAM ... ^aw-isu M. Tein Banning. Agent Menk it. itii SEAFARtk» 10^ Pbww 3-1323 SUP HONOLULU 18 Merchant St. Phone S-8777 PORTLAND 211 SW Clay St. CApltal 3-4336 RICHMOND, CALIF. .518 Macdonald Ave. SAN FRANCISCO SEATTLE WHJUINGTON MONTBBAI.,-- Ontario . 450 ^arriso^St Douglas 3-8383 2505 1st Av# Main 0290 SOS Marine Ave. m m. .138 -- Graat Lakes District MARITIME TRADES DEPARTMENT RENIREPMT DIRECT-TIMWIPS SHIPS'WIROESS / 7 r~^ \ ROUND-THE-WORLD \ EVERY SUNDAY 1915 GA<T \ EVERY MONDAY 0315 GMT (2:15 PM EST Sunday) Europ* and North America —WCO-IJOIO KC (10:15 PM EST Sunday), Australia WMM 25—15607 KC East Coast South America —WOO. 16908.8 KC West Coast South America --WCO-22407 KC Northwest Pacific —WMM 81—11037.5 All of the following SIU families will collect the $200 maternity benefit plus a $23 bond from the Union in the baby's name: Samuel Matos Velez, born Fe­ bruary 10, 1956. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Matos Velez, New York, NY. Miguel Angel Napoleonis, bom January 3, 1956. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Julio G. Napoleonis, Brook­ lyn. NY. Zenobia Edvarda Andreh, born November 1, 1955. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Allie Androh, Brooklyn, NY. Ida Lea Jartin, born January 26, 1955. Parents, Mr. and Mi'SDomingo Jartin, Brooklyn, NY. Joseph Saez, bora February 4, 1956. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jos­ eph Saez, Woodside, NY. Jay W. Barnett, born January 28, 1956. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. James W. Barnett, Mobile, Ala. Rodney David Burroughs, born January 24, 1956. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd D. Burroughs, Loxley, Ala. Georga Ervln Henderson, born November 26, 1955. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. James W. Henderson, Citronelle, Ala, RosAnn Biondo, bora January 19, 1956. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Salvatore L. Biondo, Baltimore, Md. Susan Dixie Nichols, born Janu­ ary 26, 1956. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry E. Nichols, West Point; Ga. Laurg Lee Shaffer, bora Decem­ ber 27, 1955. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. William V. Shaffer, Seattle, Wash. Ralph Chris Burnsed, born Janu­ ary 22, 1956. Parents, Mr, and Mrs. Ralph F. Burnsed, Jackson­ ville, Fla. Fellcifas Darley, born November 24, 1955. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Milburn Darley, Panama City,'Fla. Erlinda Msoya, bora Februaryi 4, 1936. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Eligio Lasoya, Texas City, Tex. Angela Flora Greaux, bora Fe­ bruary 10, 1936. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Louis F. Greaux, Texas CiLy, Tax. ' -Siiirfd'LaTfrao-Friiielai'• bdrn' January 21, 1956. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Willard A. Francis, San Pedro, Calif. Darlene Mary Cheramie, bcirn January 13, 1958. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jack B. Cheramie, Gretna, La. Cheryl Theresa Brown, born December 5, 1955. Parents, Mr. i-nd Mrs. Joseph B. Brown, New York, NY. Joanne Carol Phifer, bora Fe­ bruary 8, 1956. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Phifer,'Brooklyn, NY. ; Judith Ann Waldrop, born Fe­ bruary 9, 1956. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Waldrop, Panama City, Fla, : . ; Michael Stanley Stocker, bora January 27, 1956. Parents, Mr. and Mrs, Harry J. Stocker, Jack;^on, Miss. j Rhonda Elaine Carl, born Febru­ ary 6, 1956. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry L. Carl, Chickasaw, Ala. , Phillip Bruce Richardson, born February 7, 1956. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hubert E. Richardson, Sulphur, La. Theodore Guidry, Jr., born January 24, 1956. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Guidry, Lake Charles, La. . Cheryl Ann Ryals, bom Febru­ ary 4, 1956. Parents. Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood R. Ryals, Norfolk, Va. Deborah Elizabeth Wallen, born January ,30. 1956. Parents. Mr. and Mrs. Albert W. Wallen, Audobon, NJ. George Alexander, bora Febru­ ary 10, 1956. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nick Alexander, Jr., Texas pity, Tex. M Sharon Schumacher, born De­ cember 24, 19S5. Parents, Mr. and : J^rs. Francis J. Schumacher, An- ' spnia, Conn. Dinah Bernardes Ferreira,. born i February 4, 1956. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Antonio Ferreira, Flush­ ing, NY. Sandra Janei Rosa Olmo, born January 22, 1956. Parents; Mr. K alnd Mrs. Evwisto Rosa, -Saint Just, i, Puerto Rlcb. .. . .. ... �Mu^h IC 1956, SEAFARERS Pace Elevepr- LOG 'Proof Of The Pudding,,,' iSFINAL::./ ilSPATiii Profit From Logging $ The deaths of the foltotmng Sear farers have been reported to the Seafarers Welfare Plan and the SIU death benefit is being paid to their beneficiaries: Joseph S. Kornek, 48: Brother Komek died in the explosion of the Salem Mari­ time on January 17, 1956. Place of burial is not known. He joined the union in Lake Charles in 1955 and had been sailing in the dedk department. He is survived by his wife, Ann Kornek of New Orleans, La. Seafarers who perform aboard ship and are logged by the captain accordingly tfre only enriching the shipo^er. But if the forfeiture, of wages is for the more serious charge of desertion, the money goes to Uncle Sam for tlie benefit of disabled seamen. Crewmembers of the Yaka got this information from Captain J. D, Craik of the US Coast Guard, Merchant Vessel Personnel Divi­ sion, after a coffeetime session on loggings prompted Seafarer-"Jack Guard to write for more informa­ tion on the score. Here's how the logging pro­ cedure works: Where a seaman is guilty of disobedience or other misconduct specified under the navigation laws of the United States, the master has a right to impose fines. Such fines are not necessarily binding as the seaman has the right to appeal the logging. Decision At Payoff Appeals from loggings are ordi­ narily settled before signing off a ship. The US Shipping Commis­ sioner has the power to arbitrate tlie loggings provided both the skipper and the seaman agree in writing, in advance, to accept his decision. If either party is unwilling to let the shipping commissioner settle the matter, the seaman then has a right to go to court. When doing this he is expected to take his wages at the payoff "under protest" and make note of the protest over The SIU's new steward department policy his name when he signs off the articles. has been approved by the membership in all ^ In practice, it is rare for a log­ ports, making it the accepted policy under ging dispute to wind up in the which shipboard steward departments are to courts as the usual procedure is operate from now on. The new policy was to decide everything b,efore the submitted to the membership only after six payoff. Union intervention has months of the most detailed discussion, study been sufficient in many instances, ill getting captains to lift loggings and action by SIU steward department mem­ that were hastily applied in a mo­ bers on ship and ashore. Every effort was made by the Union to give every Seafarer ment of Irritation. sailing in the steward department an oppor­ The more serious charge of de­ tunity to participate in the making of the sertion is handled differently. At one time before 1572, wages for­ new policy, which includes revision of the feited as a result of a seaman's working rules for the department. Conse­ desei;tion reverted to the ship­ quently the report should reflect as closely owner. This led to serious abuses as possible, a cross-section of views of stew­ as it was in the interest of the ard department men as to how their depart­ shipowner to mistreat the seaman ment should be run. and cause him to desert ship. Of course, all the reports, resolutions and Money To US Treasury studies do not offer a guarantee that stand­ Now, a deserter's wages are ards of performance will automatically im­ turned over to a United States District Court by the shipping prove of themselves. The report is a frame­ commissioner of the district where work and a guide which its writers believe the voyage ends. If the desertion is will contribute toward improved perform­ subsequently held to be valid, the ance. The true value of the new policy re­ money goes to the US Treasury for benefit of disabled seamen. Guard wrote the LOG that he made the inquiry "to promote a lively discussion on the subject When it comes to the US merchant marine, which seems an important phase it's always open season in some Washicgton of daily lives. Few brothers are quarters, particularly within the State De­ aware of their rights of appeal in partment. Not content with making the regard to loggings. "Men on the beach," he suggests, US-flag fleet the scapegoat of the farm sur­ "may take advantage of their free plus headache, the State Department now time and go to any public library wants to re-open the Ship Sales Act of 1946 and read the various statutes and peddle further tonnage on generous touching on this subject in Title terms to foreign maritime nations. 46 of the United States Code." When the Ship Sales Act was first Written 4" t port will be determined by how it works out in actual practice aboard ship. Given the cooperation of the men in the steward department, and of the other de­ partments as well, the Union is optimistic that the new policy will make a valuable contribution to maintenance of high stand­ ards of feeding and performance, as well as smoother operation within the department. Copies of the steward department report are being mailed to every SIU ship. Chief stewards and department members who have not yet studied the report as it appeared in the February 17 SEAFARERS LOG should make a point of doing so now so that they can adjust departmental procedure to conform with the instructions of the membership. For its part, headquarters intends to take up with the shipowners suggested changes in the department's operation which involve revision of the working agreement with the operators. These changes, like those incor­ porated in the report, are also geared to im­ proved services and fair distribution of work among members of the department. Favorite Fall Ouy Meeting Night' Every 2 Weeks Regular memtiership' meet­ ings in SIU headquarters and at all branches are held-every second Wednesday night at T-PM.' The schedule for the next few meeting^is as follows: March 21, April: 4,:April 18. in 1946, the foreign maritime nations were in poor economic shajpe^and the sales were deemed necessary to help revive them. Now the shoe is on the other foot as far as mari­ time is ccmcerned—foreign shipping and for­ eign economies in Western Europe are boom­ ing and the US merchant marine is wallow­ ing in troubled seas. Yet the State Depart­ ment blandly recomm,ends that another, shijpping bargain counter be opei^ .shftJtjr;; Qwner^,!^ Trieste findf^W 4' 4 Cnllen E. Nye, 68: A heart at­ tack proved fatal to Brother Nye at the USPHS Hospital in Balti­ more, Maryland, on December 23. Brother Nye had been a member, of the union since 1947, joining the SIU in the Port of Baltimore and sailing in the engine depart­ ment. Burial took place in Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Baltimore, Md. Brother Nye is survived by a cousin, Howard Nye of Redlands, California. operators. State reports it has received a number of inquiries from foreign nations, and it has "no objection" to sales abroad. It's easy to understand why foreign ship­ owners lick their chops in anticipation of getting ships from the US reserve fleet. As reported in the last issue of the SEAFARERS LOG, foreign operators bought 1,113 Libertys under the 1946 act at the bargain price of $544,506 each. They have run the ships for eight to ten years. Now, if they so desire, they can peddle them for $1 million apiece. Bargains of this kind aren't available every day. Of course eyery ship that goes abroad at less than cost to Uncle Sam has the poten­ tial to put a US ship out of business—an­ other good reason for the eagerness of for­ eign operators. Why the State Department ,§hould encouragg^tl3;g53i4s „ one of those unan-^ " " " . , - • tf.'st'nC) y.T 4 Purvis M. Blackwell, 52; Brother Blackwell died in the explosion of the Salem Mari­ time on January 17, 1956. Burial took place in the Antioch Ceme­ tery, Jasper County, Missis­ sippi. "Brother Blackwell had been sailing aboard the vessel as an oiler when the accident oc­ curred. He joined the Union in 1951 in Lake Charles. Brother 'Blackwell is survived by his wife» Christine Blackwell of Gulfport, Mississippi. 4" 4" 4: Lesley Courtney. 50: Brother Courtney died of gun shot wounds on September 30, 1955. Burial took place in Bethel Baptist Cemetery in Robertsdale, Alabama. Hejoined the Union in Mobile in 1947 and had been sailing in the en­ gine department. Brother Court­ ney is survived by his wife, Reggne Stokes Courtney of Robertsdale, Alabama. 4 4 4 Warren W. Currier, 58; January 14, Brother Cur­ rier died in the VA Hospital in Houston, Texas of a heart attack. Burial took place in Rosewood Park Cemetery in Houston, Texas, Brother Currier had joined the Union in Houston in 1946 and was sailing in the black gang. He is survived by his sister, Edith Taylor, of Houston, Texas, 4 4 4 sterling CulUson, 37: While sail­ ing aboard the SS Emilia enroute to Puerto Rico Brother Cullison died of a heart ailment on Jan­ uary 9, 1956, Place of burial is not known; Brother Cullison had been sailing in the steward department. He had been a member of the Union since 1947, Joining in New York. He is su&vj%ei^by his brotkfr^ jphii Cul^ m �Pat* Twelra SEAFARERS 'Rules Of The Road' Recalled Galley Gang On Sandcaptaln Spruced up for a special dinner as their channel-digging job in Maracaibo, Venezuela, nears an end, members of the stew­ ard department on the Sandcaptain lineup. Pictured (I to r) are Andy Messana, Richard Geiling, Jim Golder, Tom Harkins, Frenchy Demuth, Frank Prezalar, George Costa. EVA ACCORDS A-1 BURIAL TO DEPARTED SHIPMATE Funerals and burials overseas are usually dismal, matterof-fact affairs, but no one can say the SIU crew of the Ocean Eva didn't go all-out to do things right for one of their recently-departed shipmates. Although the sad event oc­ arrangements for the funeral," re­ curred in as far-off a place as called W. S. Michael Collard, ship's Split, Yugoslavia, where the reporter, "as there were no facili­ offcial state policy is to look on such religious activities with dis­ favor, services for Seafarer Genaro Mendez, wiper, followed his own Catholic faith, complete with a Holy Requiem Mass. * Mendez had died on arrival in Split after work­ ing below almost until noon while suffering what was then assumed to be indigestion. After everything Mendez possible had been done for him pending the arrival of a doctor, he died of what was diagnosed as a heart attack at 1:15 PM. "Captain M. Meyers, the agents and the crew swung into action on m rju- wlw-- USPHS HOSPITAl. GALVESTON, TEXAS V. P. Anderson N. A. Longtim* Alexander P. Copa John E. Markopolo Jean V. Dupre Fred D. Peterson Jasper D. Farr Paid J. WUkinson 6TH DIST. TB HOSPrTAL MOBILE, ALA. David M. Baria USPHS HOSPITAL NORFOLK. VA. Francis J. Boner Olav W. Rosenberg Fred M. Harrell USPHS HOSPITAL SAVANNAH, GA. Wm. B. Aycock Frank G. Delgado Maximino Bernes Edvrard Hamilton Birdie W. Biggs Jimmie Littleton USPHS HOSPITAL SEATTLE, WASH. L. Bosley A. Scharf USPHS HOSPITAL FORT WORTH, TEXAS Frank E. Anderson Rosendo Serrano B. F. Deibler WUlie A. Young Joseph J. Fusella VA HOSPITAL KERRVILLE, TEXAS Billy R. Hill VA HOSPITAL WITCHITA, KANS. Frank S. Stevens USPHS HOSPITAL NEW ORLEANS, LA. C. D. Anderson Durwood B. Dees Thomas R. Bach Chas. F, Dorrough William Barnett WiUiam E. Evitt Jaime Fernandez Merton Baxter Carl W. Berg Joseph Fitzpatrick J. T, Gehringer Claude F. Blanks J. L. Buckelew John C. George Clarence Graham Gaetano Busciglio James Carter Kristian Gundersen Julius D. Hale Arthur M. Caruso Earl P. Hardemes . Theodore Cieslak Cloise Coats Wilson Holland Albert T. CooptSr. Charles , Thomas L. Crosby Martin KeUy Since safety IS everybody's business, and these precau­ tions cannot be emphasized too often, Seafarer C. "Scotty" Ramsey has asked that the LOG reprint the "Rules of the Road" as a sort of refresher course for all hands. Ramsey admits that he'd like to have this published in the LOG mainly "lor the benefit of the young seamen - who are applying for licenses," but they can surely help everybody else as well. The old verses run as follows: Rules of the Road When both side lights You see ahead. Port your helm and show your red. For green to green— Or red to red Is perfect safety, go ahead. And when upon your port is seen Another's starboard light of green There's isn't miich for you to do. Green to port keeps clear of you. t Mmh It,' UM LOG 3» ; When in safety and 'in doubt Always keep d pharp lookout; Strive to keep a level head Mind your lights 'n heave your lead. '?• S. If a dozen lights you see ahead. You're surely, dnink— So off to bed. Hot Fireman ties for embalming, etc., in Split. "The Mass was said by the Rev. Fr. Jerome Eterrovich and three sacerdotes of the Blessed Mother of Health Church in Split. Others present," Collard added, "were Greek crewmembers of the Liberian freighter Chryssi SM, which was also in port, a representative of the Greek Seamen's Union, plus several Yugoslav Communist of­ ficials and representatives of the Commissar of the Yugoslav Sea­ men's Union. "The latter accompanied the cortege as far as the church, but would -not enter, as all Yugoslav state officials are forbidden to en­ ter any church.. . But despite the adversities of the general circum­ stance, the entire crew and of­ ficers were satisfied with the con­ summation of the whole affair." Stripped down -during hot spell in fireroom, Seafarer C. Landa, fireman, is shown changing burners in a boil­ er on the Royal Oak. J. W. Henry, oiler, took the photo. E. G. Knapp Randolph RatclUt Norman L. Krumm Edwin Ritchie Antoine Landry MltcheU Rodriguez Leo H. Lang Emlle Roussell Earl B. McCoUam Harold P, Scott Carl McCranie West A. Spencer Minzloni Marionl Ruful Stough Joseph Martin Charles Summerell Jerry Miller Fredsnnand SzobUlk Alfonso Olaguibel Lonnie R. Tickle A. J. Panepinto Luciano Toribio Michael Papusha James E. Ward Jerry Pontiff David A. Wright USPHS HOSPITAL MANHATTAN BEACH BROOKLYN. NY Edmund Abualy Mike Lubas Manuel Antonana Joseph D. McGraw Eladio Aris Archibald McGuigan Fortunate Bacomo David Mcllreath Wm. C. Baldwin Harry MacDonald B. -Baterna Michael Machusky Nils C. Beck Albert Martinelll Frank W. Bern rick Vic Mllazzo Robert L. Booker Melvin O. Moors Tim Burke Joseph B. Murphy Frank T. Campbell Eugene T. Nelson Wm. J. Conners Joseph Neubauer E. T. Cunningham James O'Hare Walter L. Davis Ralph J. Palmer Emilio Delgado George G. Phifer Walter W. Denley James M. Quinn John J. DriscoU F. Regalado Robert E. Gilbert D. F. Ruggiano Bait E. Guranick G. E. Shumaker Talb Hassen G. Sivertsen Joseph Ifsits Henry E. Smith Thomas Isaksen Karl Treimann John W. Keenan Harry S. Tuttle John R. Klemowlcz Fred West Ludwig Kristiansen Norman West Frank J. Kubek Vlrgll E. Wilmoth Frederick Landry Pon P. Wing James J. Lawlor Ches K. Zai Leonard Leidig USPHS HOSPITAL STATEN ISLAND, NY Oscar J. Adams C. J. Caropreso Edgar C. uAnderaon, Josgpi; .pabkoSl^iii George CarlsonHoraclo DaSilva John DeAbrou John R, MarshaU luan DeNopra Richard J. Mason Frank Fandino Ahmed Mehssin Frank R, Farmer Alonzo W. Morris James H. Fisher Herman Nungzer Samuel Ginsberg Jose Qulmera EsteU Godfrey G. H, Robinson Luis E. Gutierei Jose Rodriguez Britton F. HaU Kasslm B. Samat Alfred Kaju Stanley C. Scott F. Kazlukewlcz David Talbot OIus J. McCann Domlnlck Trevlsano John McWilllams Samuel L. Vanclal Angelo Maciel C, L. Yearwood Jose Maisonet NAT. INST. OF HEALTH BETHESDA. MD. Linus E. Twite SEASIDE HOSPITAL LONG BEACH; UALIF. Harry G, Reynolds USPHS HOSPITAL BOSTON, MASS. Paul R. Albano Harry S. Murray Joseph H. Bibeau Jeremiah O'Byrne Donald G. Hodge Edward J. Whelan USPHS HOSPITAL SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. Marcelo B. Belen Max Felix Kermit Bymaster W. J, Oaks Edward E. Casey John S. Sweeney William J, Clegg Wm. F. Vaughan " Charles Dwyer USPHS HOSPITAL BALTIMORE, MD. BaUr Allison L. E, Gregory Harry C. Bennett Albert Hawkins Edward Blevlns Edward Huizenga ' James H. Brown A. R. Jarrell Leon C. Brown Alfred Johnson Carl Chandler Rolf Karlsen Jessie A. Clarke J. N. McFarlin Victor B, Cooper Ebble Markin John C. Drake William Nickel John Fay Fred Pittman Louis M. Flrlie Aaron Sasser Donald'Forrest Mariano Seano Arthur Fortner Joseph Snyden .. ,j Gorman T. Glaze M. t Wh>thheaf4: ^ James W. Gordon ' Albert L. Willir Lively Debate Stirs Marore many aMre yaari titan fc* tvo^ «ara to admit. It has baefe Ills privUega to have been aaaiielatad with soma of tha fnait . To tho Editor! Greetingg from tho Marort who hava given their all so that (Ore). Just finished 0 somo* we fallows who oama silong what uneventful voyago from later could hava the best of everything. Still I' prize the standpoint of excitement. We had about a day and a membership In the SlU inora half of cold weather in Balti­ than anything I can nama, more and a half day of hot David E. Jones weather in Venezuela (wo loaded * » 3) overnight). About fen hours of rough weather enroute back to Baltimore marked the only un­ comfortable days of the voygge; To the Editor: . This being an election year, I think this is. an excellent time to remind those brothers who haven't registered and who hava a residence in a state that allows absentee voting that this Is an important year for organized labor in general, and the SIU In particular. ^ ' Witness the danger to the "50All letters to the editor for 50" law, the fights of past years publication in the SEAFAR­ over the proposed closing of the ERS LOG must be 'signed by marine hospitals, and other the writer. Names luill be Government action detrimental withheld upon' request. to American shipping! not to the rest was. ideal sailing mention ,the fact that organized labor's friends as a rule are not weather. At the ship's meeting tonight, • to be found in the Republican. the engine delegate, Brother Party and that this same party Lane, made a motion to have will again be in power unless every possible vote can be mus­ a radio installed in the recrea­ against them. tion room, which set off a lively tered I also believe it might be of . debate in which almost every­ benefit to list in the LOG thebody took part. states which allow absentee vot­ Some suggested" a TV set. ing, with the length of time one Brother Fowler, 12-4 quarter­ must be a resident in order to master, and the champion stor>'- qualify to register and the rules teller of the PO mess, was on absentee voting for each plugging for a motion picture state. outfit. After a lengthy discus­ Edward G. Keagy sion, both the radio and TV SS Neva West "' were turned down and Brother (Ed. note: The LOG—as in Fowler's "show" also fell by the the pas'.—will carry a .story in wayside. a coming issue on absentee vot­ . It seems now that if he wants ing for merchant seamen.) to see a movie he will have to 3) 4" 4 buy a ticket. , , •John J. Yendral Ship's reporter Big Labor Vote Urged This Year Letters To The Editor 3) S) 4" Membership In SIU Seen Tops Warrior Finds AF C^ub Dandy To the Editor: . The Air Force Enlisted Men's Club ill Izmir, Turkey, is a flng set-up. We were invited there and had a nice time. The assistant, manager explained to me and others that as' long as merchant seamen behave and obey the rules they are very welcome. But if one member of a ship Is out of order, the entire crew of that ship wiR be barred from the club. It has a beautiful lounge, dance floor and a band, pool tables, shuffle board, and a long bar. The prices are very reason­ able for Scotch, rye and bour­ bon, and the beer is American, canned stuff like Schlitz, Pab.st and Budweiser. The entire crew of the SS Warrior would like to thank the club for its hospitality during our stay at Izmir. Anthony Saladlno Ship's reporter To the Editor: Since the birth of the SIU -of North America in the latter part of 1938 we have seen many changes, each and every one of them for the betterment of our conditions. Without a doubt, the mem­ bership today is as pleased as we were then by the strong character of our brothers and officials, and over the achieve­ ment of the principles we fought so long and hard to ob­ tain. Today we have good wages^ decent living conditions and a proud heritage as a democratic rank and file union which has gone out of its way to see to it that none of the subversive ele­ ments which were endeavoring to cause disruption In the labor movement ever got a chance to 4 4 4 .endanger our American way of life. The honesty and character above reproach which have been and are an integral element in To the Editor: I've never seen anything like the SIU have carried this Union to its high pinnacle. They are the way the fellows on the what make its members proud three Delta Line passenger to state to all that they are a ships (Del Norte, Del Sud and part of this wonderful organiza­ Del Mar) came to the aid of a tion for, as we all know, our friend when Ralph, who worked Union has been the originfffor on these ships in Buenos Aires of 90 percent o£ the benefits for the guys in the steward de-J and gains made by all seafaring partment, was killed while aboard the Del "Mar. men. The money that was collected It has also never at any time from all three ships was turned let its members down, or re­ fused aid and succor to other over to Ralph's wife. She asked bonafide unions in distress. me , to write this letter to the That creates a marvelous feel­ LOG so that all of the SIU ing In the hearts of all true brothers involved could know union men the whole world that she appreciated it from the bottom of her heart. I am the over. This writer can delve a long longshore boss* on the dock at way^back. in labor^circle?; yes, BA.. Leon Marlasis Lauds Kindness Of Delta Crews �Mafeb If, 195« tIATRAIN LOUiaiANA (tMtraIn LhM), Pabruary ta^halrman, V. Wtillnayi faerMary. •. Kaafman. All baafa yayaff to -be aatUad with -patrolman aftar payoff. Sblp'a' fund. . 8.80. Motion carried to ' concug in conpnunicationa' from . headquarters. Extra set of keys wanted for ceko maddne. it was decided that no aseney from ship's fund will be lent te anyone. BTBBL APPRBNVICE (Isthmian). Nevember 12—ChairMan. J. Puiiiami Secretary. Warrinsten. Captain is givtag everyone a hard time. Collection ef $1 to be made for ship's fund. No beefs. Motion carried to concur in communications from headquarters. Motion carried to send letter to head­ quarters regarding the way the cap­ tain sailed from Wilmington—not secure or safe. Dismission held on steward department. STEEL DESIGNER (Isthmian), Feb­ ruary 27—Chairman. E. Ott; Secretary. SEArFARERS hoadquartora. Now washing machine needed. MANKATO VICTORY (Victory Car^ riers). February 18—Chairman. C. Rice; Secretary. J.- McElrey, Jr. Ship's . delegate elected. No beefs—good crew. Warning was given that anyone missing wateh in coming ports will be legged. Motion carried to accept communications from headquarters. Ship's secretary-reporter elected. MONARCH OF THE SEAS (Watei^ man). February 11—Chairman, J. Kailey; Secretary, none. No beefs. Steward suggested that crew keep mesfhall and pantry clean at night. Discussion'held on baker's work. MORNING LIGHT (Waterman), Jan­ uary 11—Chairman, R. Evans; Secre­ tary. H, Carmlchaei. One man missed ship in Genoa. One man was left in hospltaT-in Naples. Everything run­ ning okay. No beefs. Some disputed overtime. Discussion held on reasons for second electrician requesting to become oiler aboard ship. NORTHWESTERN VICTORY Vic­ tory Carriers), February 28—Chair­ man, C. Hemby; Secretary, S. Araies. Ail departments are in good shape. No beefs. Letter to be sent to head­ quarters regarding bus transportation in Sunny Point. Washing machine needs • repair. Chief cook to repair pipe leak in galley. More night lunch for watches requested. OCEAN ROSE (Ocean Transporta­ tion), February 12—Chairman, E. Gretsky; Secretary, J. Meyerchak. Foc'sles to be painted.. No beefs. Ship's dele­ gate to be elected. Washing machine to be repaired. Ship's fund, $10. W. Pedler. Everything running okay. Motion carried to concur in communi­ cations from headquarters. Ship's delegate elected. No noise in pas­ sageways. To keep laundy room clean. STE^L FABRICATOR (isthmian). February 24—Chairman, H. Hutchin­ son; Secretary, L. Jones. One man hospitalized. Very smooth trip. No beefs. Lockers have not been in­ stalled as yet. Poor ham and bacon aboard. Vote of thanks to steward. VENORE (Oral, February 24—Chair­ man, M. Kid; Secretary, C. Ogisby. No disputed overtime in deck depart­ ment. One man was fired". Discussion 'held on repair list. Discussion held about cleanlinesa of washroom and night pantry. ROBIN MOWBRAY (Seas Shipping), February 18—Chairman, P» Guoxditch; Secretary, A. Smith. CapUin refused to lift logs this trip. One man missed ship. Ship's fund, $34.65. One man was logged. Some delayed saUing time. Repair lists to be turned in. ARAPAHOE (Marina Transpart), January 22—Chairman, B. Wiiihaimsen; Secretary, F. Baron. No beefs. Some disputed overtime. Voluntary donations . td' ship's fund was sug­ gested to be made at payoff. Captain, efficars. and crew in good spirits. ALCOA PILGRIM (Alcoa), January 28—Chatrman, R. Frazer; Secretary, E. Yancey. Some disputed overtime to be paid at next payoff. Ship's sec­ retary-reporter elected. Ship's fund— $7.90. One man missed shib- No beefs. Motion carried to concur in communications from headquarters. ' February 1$ — Chairman, Pierce; Secretary, Biuitt- No beefs. Motion carried to accept communications from headquarters unanimously. Dis­ cussion held regarding new safety questionnaire put out by SIU. STEEL SCIENTIST (Isthmian), Feb­ ruary 27—Chairman, R. Hunt; Secre­ tary, E. Laws. No beefs, exceptional trip. Ship's fund, $48.12. Few hours disputed overtime. Slopchest did not have proper sixes, washing machine and toaster are in bkd shape. Chairs needed for recreation room. Vote of thanks to steward department. WARRIOR (Pan Atlantic), February 24—Chairman, J. Madden; Secretary, M. Elliott. Ship's fund, $11. Some disputed overtime. No beefs. Motipn carried for steward to turn in to patrolman any shortage at storing time. Discussion held about food. Quality to be improved. Repair list to be turned in. WILLIAM A. M. BURDEN (Wastorn Tankers), February 12—Chairman, T. Lacey; Secretary, C. Lailement. No beefs, some disputed overtime. Ship's treasurer .elected. Crew is not satis­ fied with chow. No Lava soap aboara.DE SOTO (Pan Atlantic), February 12—Chairman, G. Haga; Secretary, E. Cppici. Beef concerning bosun's work will be handled in Tampa. Ship's fund. $31.72. Some disputed overtime. Motion carried to concur in com­ munications from headquartersr Poor hot water system aboard. EVELYN (Bull Lines), February 24 —Chairman, E. Brondeiebo; Secretary, McKinstry. Ship's fund, $13. No beefs. Motion carried to accept communi­ cations from headquarters; It was sug­ gested that TV set be .raffled. Unless he can get a quick answer on a query to Emily Post—or Grace Kelly, for that matter—what does a guy do when he meets up with a real prince? This ticklish situation presented itself recently to Seafarer A. E. Auers, ship's reporter on Steel Maker, but he appar-i^ ently handled it in a fine, dip­ cool enough to walk a mile to the their table. It seems he was an Airport Hotel," Auers continued. interpreter for the gentleman next lomatic style. ALCOA RUNNER (Alcoa), March 4 —ChaiKman, J. Jones; Secretary, M. Laureano. Everything okay. Repairs have been taken care of. Ship's fund -^20. No beefs. Two men missed ship. Motion carried to concur in communications from headquarters. Not enough milk bought. Vote of thanks to steward departmeiit. AMES VICTORY (Victory Carriers), February 2—Chairman, F. Fulibrlght; Secretary, G. Frank. Captain will try to get US currency in next port. No beefs. Some delayed sailing time. Motion carried to concur in commu­ nication fron^ headquarters. Discus­ sion held regarding food situation. Steward to requisition everything that is short. Engine room to be painted. ARLYN (Bull Lines), February 24— Chairman, E. Dakin; Secretary, G. Waiter. Ship's delegate elected. Ship's reporter elected. No beefs. Notice was given about time change and discussion held on supper. AZALEA CITY (States Marine), February 18—Chairman, 'D. Butts; Secretary, N. Flowers. Everything running okay. One man missed ship. Ship's delegate elected. Motion car­ ried to concur in communications from headquarters. All portholes and crew's quarters scupper to bo re­ paired. Vote of thanks to night cook and baker. "It was the best place in Basrah to him, who was a prince, no less. to have a quiet beer, I was told, " 'Hallo, Prince,' I said, or some­ and when I got there, I found a thing to that effect. ^ place by the window and watched •Then, after the planes landing. exchanging a few "Some time later, I noticed four compliments, I re­ gentlemen sitting at the next table, turned to my three in an Arab dress and one in a table and my blue suit. beer, and sat "The fellow in the' blue suit ad­ there thinking a dressed me and I moved over to while. "I don't meet princes, kings and —By Seo/orer Robert 'Rod' Fink queens often in Auers my sailing life. This was the first time. What to do? "At the time I was reading 'Waterfront' by Budd Schulberg.^ — I left that for the prince ... I hope he enjoys reading." Winter Sports » o/f Hovi/ rgg »r\ Aff I yI.. LOG-A-RHYTHM: ^Soyci Noya' By M. Dwyer On the "Sweatbox Run" with the SS Chpster Harding down in Venezuela, Seafarer Robert "Red" Finic and shipmates gloat a bit over the cold-weather miseries of others. Skipper Of His Own Boat, Seafarer Finds Life Okay One of. many Seafarers who have taken leave from bigship-living to try a hand at skippering their own craft. Bill "Dutchy" Moore is making his way hopping around the Caribbean these days m says "Dutchy"), the boat enables trim 46-foot Diesel crosier. its two-man crew to take on a lot Based in Florida City, Fla., of interesting excursions. WorldMoore and his partner, Frank famous as fishing grounds, the Florida Keys and .Williams, pilot the "Sun Sport" all nearby islands over the Islands, taking charter we an angler's parties as far south jts the Isle of paradise of blue Pines. The boat has an 800-mile or white marlin, cruising radius and sleeps six. tuna and sailfish. Equipped with gear for spear The "Sun fishing, "underwater photography Sport" has also and treasure-hunting ("We'll pro­ been called in vide everything but the maps," on occasion for a n underwater Moore salvage and dem­ olition job"^ and, since it's fully equipped for this work, the usual bonus arrangement that applies to these jobs makes them popular. "Dutchy" adds that if there are any Seafarers interested in making a trip with him, they elm contact him at 500 SW 3rd Ave., Florida 'City, phone 2869-J. He stands his lonely watch tonight. Recalls a scene, in mem'ry bright. Of a distant land across the sea And a maiden neath a cherry tree. He remembers well two almond * eyes As he gazes now at starlit skies And seems to hear, across the sea. An echoing "Come back to me." Her hair toas dark as a raven's wing. Her voice like silver bells that sing. Her ruby lips a rare delight, Her eyes tivo lanterns in the night, A magic spell at last was cast But a seaman's life is not steadfast And he cursed the day when he had to say, "Go min-a-sigh" as he sailed away. And she r^alled, ivith a little tear, "Go-tnin-e-sigh" means "forgive me, dear." Then her echo bletw 'cross waves and sky, * Whisp'ring "saya noya." which means "goodbye." Singled out for their gener­ osity, Seafarers on the Steel King have been praised for their kindness in presenting a radio for the use of the Cath­ olic Mission at Bihar, India. News of their gift reached the LOG in a letter from "Fr. Alex," the Rev. Fr. Alexander Bombera, T.O.R., of the Mis­ sion staff. The presentation was made in Calcutta last January 27, while the ship was in port. The mission itself is at Godda, PO, Santal-Parganas, Bihar, India. NAME CALMAR (Calmar), January $ — Chairman, H. Mesford; Sacrelary, T. Jackson. No beefs. Ship's treasurer reports there is $36.86 in the ship's fund. Some disputed overtime.' Ship's delegate' elected. To install hook for engine room door. STREET ADDRESS ..." ....^. ^^IT^^ .................. 2i^^NE ...... ST^^TE- ...... Signed Angler is- dwarfed by size. of this big one caught from Seafarer "Djutchy" Moe.ro's "Sun'SpOl^a't '• TO AVOID DUPLICATION: If you arc an old tubscribar and hava a changa •f addraM, plaata giva your formar addrau baUwi ADDRESS 4 lataoaaaaaaoaaaaaoaa* i P* - ;-V "• 4( * • * •» ii Steel King Crew Hailed Edifor, SEAFARERS LOG. 675 Fourth Ave., Brooklyn 32, NY I would like to receive the SEAFARERS LOG—pleose put my name on your moiling list. (Print Information) BEATRICE (Bull), March 4—Chair­ man, H. Ricci; Secretary, M. Kaminski. Everything running okay. No beefs. Some disputed overtime. Mo­ tion carried to concur in communica­ tions from headquarters. Crew pantry to be kept locked in port. GEORGE A. LAWSON (Pan Oceanic), February 27—Chafrman, C. Lawton; secretary, L. Cevette. Ship's delegate elected. Ship's reporter elected. No beefs. Motion carried to concur in ^ NATIONAL LIBERTY (National Ship communications from headquarters. A Trading), January 15—Chairman, J. Discussion held about 50-50 law. Vote Harraison; Secretary, W. Murphyl of thanks to steward department. Some disputed overtime. No beefs. Motion carried to concur with com­ JEAN (Bull Lines), FebiVary 24— munications from headquarters. Ship's Chairman, J. Buieiawski; Secretary. delegate and secretary-reporter elect­ T. Meiior. Ship's delegate elected. No ed. A line te,be stretched from amid­ beefs. Everything going well. Motion ships te $ft for safety of men at made to accept communication from night. I I The event occurred In Basran, Iraq, a city on the Shatt al Arab River, about 50 miles from the Persian Gulf. It was Sund.'iy morning, and the ship Just tied up. "I put on a collar and tie and took off," Auers relates. "In some foreign countries you've got to have a collar and tie even to buy a beer," he noted. "The sun was shining and it was OREMAR (Ore), February 25—Chair­ man, H. Zurn; Secretary, J. Martin. No beefs. Ship's fund. $13.21. Discus­ sion held en night lunch and wash­ ing machine. ROBIN LOCKSLEY (Sees Shipping), February 11—Chairman, R. Hall; Sec­ retary, W. Marcus. Ship's delegate elected. Ship's fund, $7.15. No beefs. Shortage of water aboard. Discus­ sion held regarding restriction to vessel in various ports. It was re­ ported that company refused to issue travelers checks or US currency in Bangkok. Ship's delegate to send wire to New York regarding travelers checks. Ship's delegate elected. Ail refrigeration boxes to be checked before leaving Bangkok. Whaddya Do K You Meet A Prince? OLYMPIC GAMES (Western Tank­ ers), February 18—Chairman, L. Seiix; Secretary, F. Weinberg. One man was hospitalized in Guam. Everything okay. Motion carried to concur in communi­ cations from headquarters. Motion carried te have various men work together concerning crew because there is a shortage of SIU men. Mo­ tion carried to write letter, to Marine superintendent regarding inadequate mail service. Vote of thanks to stew­ ard department. STEEL TRAVELER (Isthmian), Fabruary 24—Chairman, W. Harris; Sacratary, M. Sosplna. One man hospital­ ized. Matter of repairs to be taken care of soon. Some disputed over­ time. Vote of thanks to all unlicensed personnel for Rood cooperation aboard this vessel. Vote of thanks to ship'a delegate. JEFFERSON CITY VICTORY Vic­ tory Carriers), February 2t—Chaii^ man, A. .Caideira; Secretary, C. LiHIa. Pace Ttalrteea LOG JON€ ..'•aooBtdqataa*. STATE - eeeaeoaoeaeoGGGG .•;S �Pace Foniieea SEAFARtiRS Seafarer Poses Query: Are You A 'Union Man'? What's a union man? "Unionism is not just the idea of carrying a union card, pay­ ing the required dues and Hving up to the mutual contract in your field of labor," says Sea-^ ^ farer John F. Wunderlich. check to see if he was hiring un"Unionism is a way of life," io" labor for the job. Was the he points out. The good union man does a lot of things to help his shop- or shipmates or another labor organization, because he knows that in the long run, it's good for him also, Wunderlich adds. "Do you call yourself a good union man?" he asks. "Are you sure you're a good union man? "When you had the contractor put up the sunporch, or that awn­ ing or the extra room, did you 'Fair Fishing' Loaded down with day's catch" during a stay down near home in Tampa, Fla., Seafarers Joe Barron (left) and Charlie Simmons •how off the results of their day's work. Fishing's good around Tampa these days. material used from a union shop? "When you pick up a pack of cigarettes, do you make an effort to find out if they are rolled by union labor? "When the airlines were on strike, did you use other means of transportation or, if you could, put off your trip for a while until the strike was over? Remember Phone Strike "When the telephone operators struck for improvements in their contract, did you make a fuss over the lousy service the scabs were giv­ ing you and keep your long long­ distance calls and extras on your bill to a minimum? "When you saw a retail clerks' picketline, did you buy what you needed elsewhere or wait until the beef was over? , "When a scab taxi came cruis­ ing by when you were in a hurry, did you conveniently grab it, or did you faithfully wait for a union driver to appear—or take a bus? "When you take your wife, girl­ friend or others out for lunch and see a picketline outside the cafe or restaurant you were heading for, do you proudly proclaim you're no scab and go elsewhere for your nourishment? Help On Picketline "When your union calls for help on the picketline, whether- for your own trade or ip assistance of some other labor group, do you shirk away from the job, or do you glad­ ly give freely of your time and ef­ fort? "Are you a good union man? Aris you?" Sun-Baked 'Warriors' Out in the sunshine while the Warrior was in Istanbul, Turkey, erewmembers give the "big squint" to the photographer, Larry Young, BR. They are (I to r) Saladino, Maga, Brown, Mutsy, Sobcszak and Souza. Saladino, the ship's reporter, sent it in. niwciii^ isSi LOG Finds A Good 35c Sea Story To the Editor: I just read a wonderful novel entitled "The Eternal Voy­ agers." • It's one of those 35cent Signet books. I thought it was so good I'd like to have the gang get a copy of it. The book is the best 35 cents I ever spent, and was writ­ ten by an old salt all about a T-2 on a year's articles from the Persian Gulf to Japan. If you like good stories about Letters T« The Editor ways a big consideration with the companies. There would also be lower costs for shipyard service, drydocking, canals, etc , all along the line, since the ships would be new and paying their way per ton of cargo better than they are now. You only have to compare the Ore Line's Venore and Steelore types to get the idea, and see how much more payload can be handled and faster by the speedier class of the two. It's all a case of simple arith­ metic, with most of the compa­ nies sitting on their hands cry­ ing for help,, instead of doing something about boosting up their fleets to meet modern con­ ditions and competition. That's how I see it anyway. Herbert Gardner ^ Hails Welfare Aid For Son All letters to the editor for publication in the SEAFAR­ ERS LOG must be signed by the writer. Names will be withheld upon request. To the Editor: I want to thank everyone inthe SIU Welfare Services De­ partment for the help given to my son, Mario, when he was hospitalized. He is getting along very well how. I am very proud to be as­ sociated with such a fine Union. Without the help of the SIU, I could never have taken care of my boy properly. God bless the SIU and thank you again. Armando Leon our kind^f people, pick up a copy. There may even be one lying around the hall. Cholly Wright ii) Says Fast Ships Pay Own Way To the Editor: On January 17, 1956, the Salem Maritime exploded in Lake Charles, Ea-The first official news that we received came from the SIU, in the form of a personal tele­ phone call from Toby Flynn, SIU welfare representative, in­ forming us that our father, Leo J. Kennedy, the 2nd cook aboard the ship, was among the missing. On the morning of the 19th, Toby Flynn paid a personal call on our family, to offer his con­ dolences and the help of the SIU. The shock of our loss was lightened by his sincerity .and understanding. During the diving operation to recover the bodies still aboard the tanker, Toby kept us fully informed on the progress by telephone. Within minutes after our father's body was identified, we were notified. Retired Member As a retired bookmember of the SIU, I am really proud to know that the SIU's first con­ cern is its members and their families. The SIU's untiring efforts and devoted service to the members and their families is commendable beyond mortal words. I wish to take this opportuni­ ty, on behalf of my mother and my family, to thank the SIU for all it has done to ease our burden, and to thank the Sea­ farers from the Boston hall for their beautiful flowers and sympathy visits. I would also like to thank Jimmy Sweeney, Boston patrol­ man, who was a very personal friend of ijiy father, for his help, sympathy and understanding. • Dan Kennedy to The Editor: The more I hear about some of these shipping companies t 4. 4 balking at building 18-knot minimum speed ships to meet New Orleans Bar Government specifications, the Run By Seafarer sillier they all sound. To the Editor: Most of the operators say the Enclosed is a photo of an fuel consumption of an 18-knot SIU member who owns a bar ship is too high to make them in New Orleans. pay. The man Essen Johnson, I say, on the other hand, that SIU Book No.isJ-21, oldtimer if you look at it from a very in the SIU and theanowner of practical viewpoint, they are go­ La Chatta Bar located at 607 ing to be saving on just about Decatur Street. everything else, particularly 4^ 4^ 4» The bar is 100 percent since most of them will get "union" and is a gathering Halls SIU Help some sort of Government help In building the 18-knot ship with On Wife's Death so-called "national defense fea­ To the Editor: tures." My deepest gratitude and The companies would benefit ' many thanks to the best union first being able to offer faster in the world for the manner, in freight service, which would which the SIU -helped my fam­ certainly give them a better ily and I in our time of need chance at competing with the due to /the hospitalization and railroads and the trucking In­ death of Mrs. C. Sweeney. dustry on coastwise and intercoastal runs. They would also I only changed from the probably be able to get a freight MAW to the SIU in May, 1955, rate increase because of the so it was wonderful that the added cost of the faster ship Union was- able to accomplish and improved service provided. this in behalf of the writer and In turn, they would be able his family. Words cannot prop­ to make more trips per year erly carry my sincere thanks to and thus carry more payload the leaders of the SIU and to Seafarer Essen Johnson each year. Faster ships would our officials in New Orleans. and Mamie, the bar­ also mean they could offer the Many thanks also to Mrs. maid, behind the bar of same service with fewer ships Spencer, who is secretary to (this we don't like of course, Port Agent Lindsey Williams in his place on Decatur St. but have to meet it halfway), New Orleans, and to my broth­ in New Orleans. er members and shipmates on and haul the same amount or more cargo. place for many SIU men when the Del Mar, my last ship, espe­ Wages would work out to be they are on the. beach in New cially to Brothers T. McLees, less per trip and cargo than now Orleans. Cosby Linson, P. Arena and to because of the added speed, I hope you can run this item each and every one who came since the saine coniplement as in the LOG when you have to help during our family's sad now or only slightly larger space for It. bereavement. H. E. Crane C. "Pop" Sweeney would be needed, and that is al­ Burly That Explains It I. 'AhlDVlHEr4 7H£VL^MEGO'lW4& A FEW VBA^ J ...LATEmSOT TEN rHBN-l TOOK UFSWlFm TIN J mrER.\NeM]LK THAT CHAl4SlhlS CUP& F#20M S7fi.BE1^F>BeiSAR&,,../VJEf4Tr0SCI400LK\VS,^ lABBlSOhlF^ f=COPCAM9».. - By Bernard Seamam SEE,MUTBf-UKEI TOLD You 'IZ^AIN'TTHEMATE!^ .FAULT. 1 r T- •r>] •ttl'-r Appreciates SIU Aid To Family i«li �v.j;-'rf r.y^ SEAFARERS LOG Fage Fmewi •/i.-'g I By Seafarer Pat Coviey, SS Amerocean For the past ten years Americans have occupied Jo pan as victors, . The occupation has been just and gentle, reflecting credit on each nation; but from now on Seafarers who visit Japan will do so as guests of a sovereign nation. Thousands of Seafarers have fallen in love with J apan during the past ten. years. If you are lucky enough to take a ship, to this country you will find in Japan a land of rare beauty and a nation of people dedicated to its civilazation. From great Fujiyama down to the twisting, rocky coastline, the terraced hillsides and the tiny plains, you will be captivated by the sensitive artistry of the Japanese. You may not understand the ways of these people, but if you go among them you are in for a deeply re­ warding experience. I kotatsu table she places a large charcoal brazier and on top of this a big low-edged skillet. While it gets red-hot she brings in a large China tray on which are piled, in perfect design, green vegetable weatherbeaten on a street of leaves, a silvery, slippery kind of dreary dwellings. noodle, mushi-obins, white leeks, Japan likes to quartered onions, little chunks of hide Its inner bean curd, squares- of suet—all beauty from the topped by long, thin slices of red streeti so that meat. By Seafarer William Ctdefato, SS Citrus Packer when you enter Heady Aroma A trial cockroach race was secretly held aboard the SS Cit­ the quiet home Mrs. Sato draws in her breath the effect of tran­ rus Packer recently after an attempt to arouse the crew's as the guests compliment her on quility and beau­ sporting blood to interest in such a contest failed to arouse the attractiveness of the- ingredi­ ty will be height­ ents. Then she pops the suet into even a heated^ discussion at coffee time. ened. the skillet. As it sizzles-she pours Conley Most of the crew never heard of racing the insects, although At the doorway in soy sauce and sake. When the it was a respectable and favorite-* —-————^ is Mrs. Sato, a dainty little kimobroth seems right, she places the pastime among seafaring men since a roach, but since you ain't, there noed woman of forty. She kneels vegetables in, one by one, with the Spaniards launched their first is another way to do it." on the floor and bows till her strips of meat on top. As the dish galleon. The oldtimer went on by explain­ sizzles and its aroma rises, Mrs. The modern seamen on the SS ing that the loop should be laid in Sato ladles in several spoonfuls of Citrus Packer thought it was fan­ sugar, some salt and large pinches tastic and that if there was a man the path of a roach so it could be of Aji, a remarkable condiment with a white coat aboard, he would pulled and tightened as the victim which enhances all true flavors. snare the wiper who started the walked into it. In that manner all While this has been going on you idea. In spite of adverse opinions movements could be observed and have been whipping a raw egg in the wiper finally found a messman no injury caused. "Splendid idea. Then we could your individual bowl. You dive brave enough to bet five. dollars use the end of the lasso to hold a your chopsticks into the .skillet and on a private race. come forth with some meat, a bit After two promising roaches tag with a racing number instead of onion and a chunk of bean curd. were hunted and captured, they of painting the poor things. Rop­ These go into the egg sauce for chose racing colors for them. The ing is better because paint could cooling and then into your mouth. -wiper dabbed the back of his roach be poisonous to them and slow Sukiyaki is an ^specially admir­ with silver paint and the messman them down." able dish because of its pervading painted a red dot on his racer. Today's Roaches Fat and Lazy aroma and fellowship of pitching Then they drew a circle on the The roaches that homestead head touches her knees. Her two into the common pot for what you forecastle deck. In the center ships might be too well fed these beautiful daughters, 17-year-old like best. they place their principles and days where as those that sailed Akira (Beautiful Sun) and ll-yearCozy Evening covered them with an empty can. during Columbus' day were content old Yasuka (Peace Of Mind) are After dinner, Mrs. Sato and her That was the paddock which, with, a more staple diet, so they clothed in gold and silver klmo daughters—who did not eat with when quickly raised, gave the were more agile and ferociousnoes. They, too, bow to the floor the guests—climb into the kotatsu. roaches sudden freedom. The one bigger too. and rise to take your wraps. Conversation becomes animated. passing out of the circle first would , Thereupon the wiper fed his Mr. Sato, a 47-year-old professor, You ask what a brilliant kimono be the winner. latest captives bread and water js dressed in Western clothes. He like the one Arika is wearing costs, "They're Off And Running . . / and seriously considered the ad­ greets you with a sturdy hand­ and Mrs. Sato tells you; "for the shake. In the annals of maritime his- vice from the old sailor. The latter outer kimono, $35; for the inner toy, the bets made^.on roach races mentioned how sportsmen trained You kick off your shoes and one, $25; for the flowered coat, were equal to those of big (poker roosters so that when they were step across the threshhpld—never $35, and for the brocaded sash, games and the looks in the eyes of pitted for a fight, they were in on it, for that is bad luck—onto $100." one of the flnest of floors: tatami the wiper and messman would peak condition. But the most that Soon it is bedtime and Mrs. have been the same if they were could be done to train a stupid mats^6x3 feet, made of two-inchSato shows you to your room. In at Santa Anita or Belmont race roach was to poke it with a stick thick rice straw filler covered by to excite more running ability. an exquisite woven white reed , of the dining room door^ with the the middle Of the floor a thick bed­ tracks. the I plant and edged with a one- trays, drops to her inees and roll has been spread. "Which is faster, the male or The wiper lifted the can and the In the morning when you leave female roach?" somebody asked. inch maroon and blue cloth binder. crawls forward daintily with each two roaches were off. They zig­ dish. Shinto Shrine Like all good discourses, that zagged in opposite. directions, Dishes Art Objects Above^ the doorway hangs a turned to meet, then the one one was interrupted, this time by length of rice-straw rope—a com­ Before you she places a small painted red crossed the line while a fireman coming off watch. mon sight in Japan. From the lacquered table of exquisite art­ "Why not ask the steward if he the other slowly travelled within rope hang strips Of white paper. istry. On it she arranges six or the circle. The wiper paid the has any weevils in the storeroom. This is the sotos — the Shinto seven lacquered dishes, each a messman reluctantly. Some^thing They make very good racers and shrine and here reside the benev­ work of art that has been passed must have gone wrong, he thought, are less repulsive than roaches." One by one the crewmembers down through many generations. olent spirits of the house. and doggedly set about to find left the scene in the messhall Mrs. Sato, bowing, leads you to They are Jet black with a tinted what it was. your room. It is 14 tatamis large gold design,^ The chopstltks are He dismissed the possibility that until only the wiper and an oiler —room size is always indicated ivory, the ceramic block on which the messman drugged his roach. remained. That impassive group thus—and is cut off from the rest they rest came from Korea cen­ He did not look smart enough to bore evidence that roaches, and of the house by twelve sliding turies ago and the soki cups are mix DDT with the silver paint so racing them, is of little interest doors made of thin stripes of wood fragile china. he decided his racer could have to Seafarers. Excitement is usually lacking to which have been pasted 'sheets Each dish contains one item of had an injury like a spi-ained leg, of strong opaque rice paper. food arranged to emphasize its incurred when captured. Fragile aboard some ships, unless some Your room has no furniture. color and design. The clear this beautiful and simple home, creatures like roaches, especially undaunted roach creeps near one's There is an alcove where a pic­ brown soup contains one piece of Mrs. Sato is out front polishing if they ate to race, should be han­ plate to steal a snack or sample the chief cook's latest concoction. ture haiigs on a brocaded scroll beet, one wedge of onion and one your shoes and her daughters are dled with gentleness. over a vase with one flower. thread of meat. Even the sushi, bowing low in respect to the part­ "If you want to be sure of a So, perhaps a seaman's life was For the clothing you unpack, the which you might; expect to be ing guest. Then Mrs. Sato hur­ perfect specimen, you got to race more colorful in other eras, like Sato girls bring in low trays, thrown together, has been care­ ries in to help you on with your it with a minimum of handling. that in Eugene O'Neil's tales, for which they place on thj floor. fully designed with bits of fish ar­ coat. Mr. Sato shakes hands vigor­ You lasso it with a piece of thread example. Those guys knew how to have When your bags are unpacked the ranged artistically. Mrs. Sato has ously and you are back on the dark instead of picking it up with your girls whisk them away and you left nothing to chance in the four and ugly street. fingers," he was told by an old fun in their spare time and wiire not benumbed by long voyages, stand in the middle of a com­ hours spent in preparing this meal. If you had never stepped into Seafarey. pletely unfurnished Japanese "You mean like a cowhand the wiper insisted. The oiler got At dinner, Mrs. Sato serves you the Sato home you could not have UD mumbling something about go­ roora^! J. :... .• ; sukipaki, the second of Japan's na­ had the slightest idea of what dell- catches a steer?" Noijv '^e family leads you «to tional dishes, and by all mei "9wt,?-59' .yo" to be ing up to ask the r?dio operator to ip 'Hobokeh. their ^l^hartelrs, and again there is the b##4n, the CBme with me on a visit to the home of Takio Sato in Morioka. As you approach his home you will be disap­ pointed. It is impainted and no furniture. Thin cushions line the wall and you alt on one. Many nations have the custom of sitting cross-legged, but the Japanese double their legs directly under themselves and sit upon their an­ kles. Charcoal Heat After sitting for a short time you begin to feel the cold, for although this is winter there is no househeat. But your discomfort is of short duration. Ih the center of the floor is a deep hole,., five feet square, its edges lined with old bed quilts. It's called a kotatsu. At the bottom is a small iron braz­ ier of burning charcoal. From the edges of the table hang three thicknesses of heavy blankets. You wriggle under them, sit on the floor and dangle your feet against the brazier. In a moment' you are glowingly warm. As pleasant as lounging is in a Japanese home, dining ig a greater delight. For this you go to an­ other room where sushi, Japan's national dish, is served. 'To a bowl of rice, flavored with salt, sugar and vinegar, Mrs. Sato adds bits of fresh fish and flakes of dehydrated fish that look like black, petrified wood, but which taste better than any fish you've ever eaten. On the side we have soup, bits of vegeta­ ble and other condiments. Mrs. Sato, of course, does not eat with 'heif guest. She approaches I Where Are The Ship Sportsmen? .v.. (I J •,', >I '3^--^1 i -•••* % �••FR". h- f' 'C-^ : . * SEAFARERS^ LOG AWARDED FIRST PRIZE • GENERAL EDITORIAL EXCELLENCE • ItH • INTERNATIONAL LABOR PRKSM OF AMERICA • OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION • ATLANTIC AND GULF DISTRICT • AFL-CIO • ffi. fe' fe:' fl . r/A^ Ea4utg1h£> SuAdUn Aeeideni Every day somewhere In the US the wife or youngster of a Seafarer Is hospitalized. The SiU does all It can to relieve the anxiety and worry of the Seafarer — especially If he Is at sea. And, the Seafarers Welfare Plan helps to relieve the Seafarer of another heavy burden—^that Is, paying the medical bills. The Seafarers Welfare Plan has assisted hundreds of Seafarerfamilies by the payment of thousands of dollars for hospital rooms, surgical fees, hospital extras and doctor visits. These payments to Seafarers under the hospital-surgical benefits of the Seafarers Welfare Plan now average more than $ 150 In each case—and aH at no t^ost to the Seafarer or his family. /;. ONE or t3 NO-COST BEMEriTS OF � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 1950-1959 Description An account of the resource Volumes XII-XXI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource March 16, 1956 Description An account of the resource Headlines: ’50-50’ NEARS VOTE IN SENATE STRONG RESPONSE TO SAFETY QUIZ LAUNCH CITIES SERVICE SUPER TANKER ISTHMIAN SOLD; SEE NO CHANGE IN SIU PACT MEMBERS VOTE APPROVAL OF NEW STEWARD RULES 69 NOW ON SIU ROSTER IF DISABLED PROPOSED CUT IN CG BOAT CHECKUPS FACES SIU FIRE EASE RESIDENT ALIEN CURBS, UNION ASKS TAMPA SIU RALLIES AID FOR ’50-50’ BACK UNION BAR DRIVE, BALTO URGES RUNAWAYS COST SEAMEN 12,000 JOBS SINCE ‘52 ILA STYMIED IN BID FOR TEAMSTER $ ALL SAFE IN ‘MIRACLE’ SHIP RESCUE AFL-CIO SHIFTS TO BALTO HALL HQ. ACTION EASES QUARTERS’ BEEFS SEATTLE SET FOR RUSH; REPAIR BEEFS EASE UP QUIZ SHOWS NEED FOR OVERALL SAFETY PROGRAM SHIPOWNERS PROFIT FROM LOGGING $ ‘RULES OF THE ROAD’ RECALLED SEAFARER VISITS JAPANESE HOME EASING THE BURDEN OF ILLNESS AND ACCIDENT Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 3/16/1956 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. XVIII, No. 6 1956 Periodicals Seafarers Log