http://www.seafarerslog.org/archives_old/files/original/afe2a019d273414128ba3a3bb7e114be.PDF f30576c703f9dc7d8ba7145c53e1fc8b PDF Text Text I'J • ft • 1» V SEAFARERS^LOO OFFICIAL GROAN OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNIQls| • AJLANTjC, QULF, LAKES AND INLAND WATERS DISTRICT • AFL-CIO Seafarers To Get Expanded FaciUties NEW SEAFARERS HALL UNDER WAY IN HOUSTON -Story On Paj:e 8 SlU Wins 3rd Runaway Victory -Story On Page 2 Photo above, ^ shows exter­ ior of building purchased in Houston from pipe fitters union to be converted into new hall for Seafarers. At right, Bob Matthews, Director of SIU Inland, Boatmen's Union, inspects roomy interior of the building which will offer far more space for Seafarers* needs than the present quarters. New property is closer to main Houston piers and will include facilities of Houston clinic, which is at pres­ ent some distance from the existing^ hall. Re­ modeling of the property for Seafarers' use is to begin shortly. (Story on Page 3.) MTD Action, i * .; i'.r Great Lakes region of Maritime Trades De­ partment to fight all runaway shipping on the Lakes, pickets from member unions of MTD are shown at tied up Northern Venture in Duluth. Ship, which is registered under Bermuda flag to escape Canadian SIU con­ tract, was hung up for a month. It got out; last week only after supervisors loaded the vessel following unsuccessful attempts to enjoin the picketing. (Story on Page 9.) �SitA^A^^r t V^ fl \ M i*:. y. '•.I f t NLRB Upholds Union What' NLRB S&id In Yarmouth Case SlU Wins third Runaway Victory WASHINGTON—The SIU won its third straight major victory in the runaway ship field when the National Labor Relations Board agreed that the Union had the right to organ­ ize the crewmembers of the 88 Yarmouth. In doing so, the Board vastly expanded the po­ tential scope of 8IU organiz-"*" "... ... ing in the runaway-fiag field. The August 11 NLRB rul­ r.:•: A«Hit.*im* (The follovAng are significant extracts from the National Labor . Relations Board findings on the SS Yarmouth case) . . The Yarmouth is owned by McCormick, a Panamanian corporation ... At the time of the hearing, the Yarmouth had never been in Panamanian waters ... Of the roaghly $650,000 earned from the Yarmouth's passenger service in 1958, approxi­ mately 95 percent came from the fares of American cltlsens . . . The ship is drydocked in the United States and provisioned primarily in this country ... 95 percent of (its) expenditures were made in the United States . . . ". . . As noted, the Yarmouth is owned by ... a Panamanian corporation, with 95 percent of Its stock held by persons who are neither citixens nor residents of the United States . . . The general manager of McCormick is Frank Fraser, a British subject . . . who . . . owns 50 percent of its stock . . . "Eastern Shipping Corporation ... is a domestic corporation ... In 1954, Eastern entered into a contract with McCormick as the exclusive agent for the latter company . . . "For its services ... Eastern receives one percent of the vessel's gross passage money . . . "It is evident . . . that McCormick and Eastern are . . . engaged in a single Integrated enterprise . . . Further, it is evident that this integrated enterprise . . . has a direct and substantia! impact on the domestic commerce of this nation and ... is directly . . . involved with the foreign commerce of the United States . . . the facts show that McCormick-Eastem enterprise ... is essen­ tially a domestic. United States operation . . . "Thus the business of the Yarmouth is handled mainly out of Eastern's office in Miami . . . and the matters there dealt with range ... from the advertising for passengers to those concerning provisioning and repair of the vessel and the payroll of the ship's erew . .'. the . . . home port of the Yarmouth is the port of Miami, for that is where she is primarily berthed and where her voyages both begin and end ... . •. . The fact that here, unlike the situation in West India, the shipowner and employer of the crew—McCormick—is a foreign corporation does not require a different conclusion." ing, ordering an election on the Yarmouth, held that under certain conditions US maritime unions could organize a foreign-flag ship, even if its ownership was clearly not American. Up until now, the Board's pre­ vious decisions had limited US union jurisdiction to Americanowned foreign-flag ships. It ex­ panded the scope of potential union activity in this field by basing its decision on the vessel's participa­ tion in American trade, rather than on ownership. (See extracts from decision on this page.) The Board called for an elec­ tion to be held within 30 days of the date of publication of its find­ ings. However, the Board did not deal with the question of the re­ Seen in background is the SS Yarmouth IMcCormick) shown instatement of 136 Yarmouth crewin 1958 when she was being picketed by the SIU after crew members who were fired in Sep­ walked off in demand for SIU Union agreement. tember, 1958, for picketing the ^ ship in their demand for SIU union representation. Some of find that the maritime operation of these crewmembers later regained the companies involving the Yar­ Berlin Crisis Impact their jobs, but most of the men mouth possesses those substantial now on the vessel are those who United States contacts which, had been hired as strike replace­ under our decision in the West India case, brings It within the ments. jurisdictional coverage of the Act, Suwanee Buys Ships despite the foreign registry of the A new element was interjected vessel and the non-resident alien into the Yarmouth picture by the status of much of its crew. The sale of the vessel, its sister ship,- fact that here, unlike the situation WASHINGTON—As a result of the present Berlin crisis, President Kennedy has taken the Evangeline and two other run- in West India, the shipowner and several steps to "firm up" the defense posture of the U8. away-fiag ships to the owners of the employer of the crew—McCormick One of these steps is the appropriation of $77 million dollars to break out ships now In, SlU-contracted Suwannee Steam­ —is a foreign corporation does not the nation's reserve fleet. ship Corp. Suwannee, which oper­ require a different conclusion. It However this reactivation now 232 C types in lay-up, most to be scrapped because of their ates a fleet of missile-tracking ships is not necessary, as we pointed on the South Atlantic, also has a out in West India, that all the of retired ships is not ex­ of them trade-ins from subsidized slow speed. But, should the Berlin crisis blow up, they might be use­ number of ships under the Liberian significant contacts be American pected to affect the total employ­ operators. ful as in the Korean conflict. The Federal Maritime Board ment of American ships and sea­ flag. to warrant the application of a do­ has adopted a "wait and see" at­ men at the present time. In its first finding this year in mestic law. . . . The Government hopes to • be titude towards the President's call 'Essentially Domestic' favor of the SIU, the NLRB held in "In any event, as we have found able to work within the active for an "increase In our sea and February that the Union had the right to represent crewmembers that McCormick ... is engaged In fleet, which numbers 990 ships air lift." Secretary of Defense Rob­ of the Liberian-flag Sea Level, an essentially - domestic United totaling 14,001,392 deadweight ert S. McNamara, testifying be•^ which was owned and operated by States enterprise, having a continu­ tons. This is opposed to the 1,923 fore the Senate Committee on Ap­ propriations stated: "I want to an American corporation, the West ing and substantial impact on the ships laid up in reserve. India Fruit and Steamship Com­ domestic and foreign commerce of There are also another 112 make it perfectly clear that no de­ pany. The Sea Level, the former this nation, we can perceive no privately-owned merchant ships cision has yet been made to deploy SS SeatrSin, ran between Miami reason why the foreign incorpora­ in temporary lay-up which could additional divisions, nevertheless, we want to get ourselves in a po­ BOSTON — Veteran Seafarer and Havana, with a largely Cuban tion and ownership of McCormick be quickly readied for service. sition to implement promptly such James Sheehan, widely-known to should be held to bar the jurisdic­ crew. If the present crisis reaches thousands of SIU men as a ship­ Then, last month, the NLRB re­ tion of the Act over that com­ the point where additional ships a decision if it should be made." mate, port agent affirmed its 1958 findings in the pany. . . ." This "getting into position" in­ are needed, the first vessels to be and Union organ­ The SIU originally organized pressed back into service would cludes the suspension of the Lib­ case of the Liberian-flag cruise izer, passed away ship, the SS Florida. The Board the crew of the Yarmouth in Sep­ be C types, over the slower Vic- erty ship scrapping program. Near­ suddenly on Au­ specifically noted that in this case, tember, 1958. When the owners torys and Libertys. There are ly 1,000 Libertys were scheduled gust Ifi from a there were two Liberian corpora­ refused to deal with the Union blood clot on the tions interposed between the Am­ on behalf of the crew, the men brain. He was 56 erican owners and the vessel—in walked off the ship in Washington, years old. other words, there was American DC, and picketed it. The SIU then An active un­ ownership, but Liberian operation. presented contract demands calling ion man since ho This, the Board said, did not essen­ for Union recognition and im­ first went to sea provements in wages and other Sheehan tially change the circumstances. in 1924, Sheehan conditions, Two days later, when Foreign-Owned Ship The SIU Industrial Worker The SIU inland Bootman was one of the group who partici­ the crew returned for her sched­ —Page 10 —Page 4 In the latest ruling, the Board uled sailing, the owners locked pated as an organizer during tho carried the area of US labor law them out. The ship then set sail e founding of the SIU in 1938 and jurisdiction one step further. It with the crewmembers' personal SIU Safety Department 1939. SIU Social Security Dep't —Page 10 recognized that the Yarmouth was gear and payroll still aboard, only In 1944, he came ashore as a —Page 14 95 percent foreign-owned, with a to run into another picketline in patrolman and held various Union British citizen being the largest Miami. SIU Medical Department posts in the years that followed in The Pacific Coost Seafarer —Page 17 stockholder. However, it noted that the ports of New York, Boston Th crewmembers were subse­ —Page 1 the vessel met all of the other quently paid off and discharged. and Philadelphia. He was Philadel­ . • guidelines which the Board had set The SIU then filed unfair labor phia agent in 1949, but then re­ SIU Food, Ship Sanitation up for determining union jurisdic­ practice charges with the Labor turned to sea in 195() with the out­ The Great Lakes Seafarer bep't —Page 15 tional rights, namely, operation out Board. break of the Korean War. In July, —Page 5 of an American port as the home 1951, he was named acting Boston Wage scales on the ship, which fditoriol Cartoon —Page ii port; the carriage of American usually operates out of Miami to agent and was subsequently elected • The Fisherman and cargo and passengers almost ex­ the Caribbean, ranged between $45 to that position several times. A&G Deep Sea Shipping Cannery Worker clusively; the failure" of the vessel and $90 a month. The crew was re­ In 1958* at the expiration of his —Page 8 Report —Page 6 to service the nation whose flag it cruited in various Caribbean coun­ term as port agent, Sheehan went flew (in this case, Panama) and the tries, including the Bahamas, Cuba,' back to shipping. Sailing in the Shipboard News The Canadian Seafarier. servicing and maintenance of the the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, deck department as bosun or AB, —Pages 19, 20. 21, 22 —Page 9 vessel in an American port. Sheehan was last aboard the Over­ Trinidad, Nicaragua, Honduras and seas Eva before his final illness. The Board declared that "we Venezuela. Gov't Ship Breakout Limited To Navy; Strappings Halted Jim Sheehan Dies At 56 INDEX To Departments �Aifwt. U<1, SEAFARERS LOG: New Houston Hall Has Convenient Location New^ Larger r(AP.KtfNG S^s/A/ Hall Slated MAfNPtGPS For Houston TV PPSS&ir HOUSTON—Seafarers shipping out of this fastgrowing port will be assured of comfortable, modem facilities as a result of the Union's action in purchasing a two-story building for a" wide and 62 feet deep. It was last new hall here. The build­ remodeled in 1953 when it was ing will open within a few fully air-conditioned. Fluores­ lighting had been installed months after it is remod­ cent throughout as were asphalt til« eled to include the SIU hir­ floors on a concrete base. Superior Site' ing hall, the Houston clinic The location of the new prop­ ,Cl/A//C NB^MALL fNCWD/PSCl/AliC •=> Drawing shows location of new property purchased in Houston to be converted into hall for Seafarers. The new hall is closer to the main piers and airport than the present hall and will also include the facilities of the SlU clinic. —• - I. I • • . " ' ' ' ' AMMI Front Crumbles As End Of Strike Ban Nears NEW YORK—The American Merchant Marine nstitute's efforl;, to block collective bargaining on the foreign flag issue has collapsed. Fourteen dry cargo companies, includ­ ing such major operators as US Lines, Moore McCormack, Farrell, Lykes Brothers, Grace and others have signed with* ' the Marine Engineers Bene­ panies, which operates two ships, signed with the Pacific Maritime ficial Association on the basis of the contract program put forth by the National Committee for Mari­ time Bargaining. This is the same program which was signed by operators of several hundred ships before the TaftHartley Injunction was issued. Jesse Calhoon, secretary-treas­ urer of the MEBA and chairman of the NCMB, in announcing the settlements, hailed the outcome as fepreseiiting achievement Of the major objectives for which the NCMB was founded, the revitaliz­ ing of the American merchant ma­ rine and the preservation and ex­ pansion of job opportunities for American seamen. Breaking away from the AMMI's refusal to bargain on key issues, the companies involved bargained individually and signed individual contracts outside the AMMI. The companies reached agreement on the two basic issues—that of the runaway flags and of the forma­ tion of a joint union-industry com­ mittee to revitalize the industry— which the AMMI had refused to recognize as appropriate collec­ tive bargaining items. In addition, the MEBA also signed agreements with 15 tanker operators, representing a majority of union-contracted tanker com.panies, in which the latter also recognized the validity of the for­ eign-flag issue as a subject for collective bargaining. Because of the complex interrelationships in the tanker field as far as foreignflag operations are concerned, it was agreed that a committee would be formed to continue dis­ cussions on the issue. If the issue is not resolved, the union has the right to resume strike action against the companies involved. The dramatic breakthrough in the negotiations eame when Moore McCormack, the third largest American-flag operator with 44 ships, and a top policy-maker in the Institute, broke away from the AMMI position and signed with the engineers union. Within 24 hours, all of the other dry cargo operators involved had'fol­ lowed suit. Only one of the com­ signed through the AMMI bar­ gaining unit, with the rest sign­ ing individually. The break came as the Septem­ ber 21 expiration date of the Taft-Hartley injunction was draw­ ing near. It was clear that the engineers would resume strike ac­ tion against the holdouts if they persisted in clinging to the AMMI's position of refusing to bargain on the key issues. The absolute refusal of the AMMI to negotiate on the two points of the NCMB program re­ flects the fear of a handful of privileged companies that other segments of the industry might thereby get Government assist­ ance in an effort to establish a balanced and healthy US mer­ chant marine. In addition, the AMMI's fierce objections to recog­ nizing US union rights on run­ aways reflects the role of major international oil companies at the Institute's top policy level. The National Maritime Union and the Masters, Mates & Pilots had yielded on the runaway issue and dropped that demand. The collective bargaining pic­ ture in maritime had been clouded by the issuance of an 80-day TaftHartley injunction on July 3, put­ ting an end to the strike which started on June 16. At the time the injunction was issued, vir­ tually all SlU-contracted operators had accepted the NCMB program, but the AMMI was clinging fast to its opposition. The NCMB had put forth its program in Junei calling for ac­ tion on the runaway ship issue and on the joint committee as es­ sential to the revival of a healthy merchant marine and to the job securtiy of thousands of American seamen. The engineer's successes mean that the operators have now accepted the NCMB prograrrt as a basis for acting upon the indus­ try's problems. The MEBA agreement, like those signed before the strike, provided for improvements in vacations, with the other companies, provides pensions and other fringe benefits, for improvements in vacations, Previously, tlie MEBA had Association, representing the bujk of the West Coast shipping in­ dustry. SIU Pacific District unions, whose contracts run out on Sep­ tember 30, have notified their con­ tracted companies that they would like to begin negotiations on a new agreement. of the Seafarers Welfare Plan erty is superior to that of tha and other shoreside facilities present Houston hall in that it is for Seafarers. 16 blocks closer to the turning In, other moves to provide im­ proved services for Seafarers as well as to facilitate Union organ­ izing activities, the SIU has ob­ tained a site for a hall in Port Arthur, Texas, and has opened a Union hall in Tampa. The Port Arthur facility, which will hi in charge "of Arthur Bendheim, will be used to organize non-union tugboatmen in the Texas-Louisiana area. Jeff Gillette has been as­ signed as agent to Tampa, which is taking over the shipping list and union activity from Miami. The latter port will continue to operate for organizing purposes. Former Union Hall The new Houston property is located on a 100 by 75-foot plot at the corner of Canal and Nor­ wood Streets. It is a two-story building which was formerly owned by Pipe Fitters Local 2J1 and was used as a union office and meeting hall. The building proper Is 66V^ feet Two Liberian-Flag Vessels Now SIU NEW YORK—Two Liberian-flag bulk carriers have trans­ ferred back to the US flag and have' called SIU crews aboard as a direct result of the new SIU contract terms covering runaway-flag ships. The two* vessels, both "jumboized" T-2 ingly from the Union halls. Under the American flag, the tankers, are the Trans Warren (Transeastern) and the Trans York (Bulk Trans). . The return of the bulk carriers to the American flag followed the signing , of agreements with the SIU and the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association giving the American unions the right to board runaway-flag vessels owned by contracted companies for the purposes of organizing the crews. The owners agreed it would be simpler for all concerned if the ships were put back under the American flag and crewed accord- vessels will have "50-50" cargo privileges enabling them to par­ ticipate in the carriage of US for­ eign aid and farm surplus cargoes. basin and the main city piers, in­ cluding the Longreach docks and the grain elevator. It is also closer to the city's airport. The inclusion of the clinic in the new hall will eliminate travel­ ing now done by Seafarers. The present clipic Is near the Univer­ sity of Houston, some distance south of the existing hall. The need for a new hall In Houston has long been recognized, since the port has been booming as a center of SIU shipping for some time. Heavy export move­ ments of grain and cotton, much of them under the farm surplus program, have contributed to the growth -in ship activity. In recent months, Houston has been second only to New .York in the number of jobs shipped. Long Range Plan Aside from Government cargoes, the Port has become a center for industrial cargo movements as a result of an industry buildup on the ship channel. The acquisition of the Houston property follows upon completion of a new hall for Seafarers in New Orleans as part of a longrange building program. Other modern halls have been estab­ lished in New York. Mobile, Bal­ timore and Philadelphia, while on the West Coast, Seafarers have the use of the modern facilities offered by the Sailors Union of the Pacific. At present, the ground floor of the building Is partitioned off for office space while the second floor is open. Remodeling plans have been drafted and work should start shortly to convert tha build­ ing for use by Seafarers. New SIU Hall In Tampa SEAFARERS LOG August, 1961 Vol. XXIII, No. 8 PAUL HALL, President HERBERT BRAND, Editor. BERNARD SEA­ MAN, Art Editor. HERMAN ARTHUR, AL MASKIN, CHARLES BEAUMEI, ALBERT AMATEAU, ARTHUR MARKOWITZ, STEVE LICHTENSTEIN, Staff Writers. Publishea monTlUy at Tha haadquartara of the Seafarers International Union, At­ lantic Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District, AFL-CIO, 675 Fourth Avenue, Brooklyn 32, NY. Tel. HYacinth 9-6600. Second clais postage paid at the Post Office IhK Brooklyn, NY, under tha Act of Aug. n, 1912. 120 New hall for Seafarers in port of Tampa ^ii at left, In building at 312 Harrison Stree;t. Jeff Gillette is acting agent for the port. �SKArAKERS LOG US Okays Bull C-4 Bid; Plan Confainership Buns WASHINGTON—After considerable delay, Bull Line has finally won approval of its proposal to trade in two Libertys for two C-4s in the Government reserve fleet. The new vessles are to be converted into containerships in an attempt by the company to stay alive in the Puerto Rico trade. ' The company indicated that C-4s to enable them to carry be­ Improve their competitive position tween 48 and 178 containers of accordingly. it would proceed immediately 35-foot length. In addition to the Bull was one of the companies with plans to convert the vessels. The additional ships will m^an more employment for Seafarers on the Puerto Rico run, as well as helping to preserve the company's operations on that run and the .existing jobs of SIU men. Bull had expected to obtain swift permission from the Government to trade in some of its Liberty tonnage for larger C-4 type ves­ sels which could be converted for containership service on the Puerto Rico run. The company has been losing an estimated $2V^ mil­ lion a year in Puerto Rico service and the containership operation is seen as the only way to keep the company solvent and to continue the Puerto Rico run. The company claims that without the C-4s, it would have to end its service. Bull had planned to modify the containers, the newer ships Would be able to carry as much breakbulk cargo as the present C-'2s when fully loaded. They had hoped to make the exchange under the provisions of the Vessels Exchange Act, which was passed to enable unsubsidized operators to upgrade their fleets. The Vessel Exchange Act had been passed last year .to enable independent operators, as well as operators in the domestic trades, to upgrade their fleets. Because of new construction under the subsidy program, the Government is now receiving a large number of C-type ships as trade his, as well as maintaining a number of C-4s in the reserve. These operators who have smaller, slower vessels can exchange them for the C-type ships under the Exchange Act and Maritime Roundup Emergency aid to a damaged ship may have led to the discovery «f a new means to improve water travel. An ore carrier with a full load of 29,000 tons of iron ore hit an uncharted reef off thie Chile coast, tearing a gash of 28 feet long in her bottom near the bow. Divers chopped off part of the hanging hull and fuel oil was removed from her forward deep tank. Water was then partially blown from five other damaged tanks and all were partially filled with compressed air. The ship then sailed to the Panama Canal on this mattress of air. speed freighter service to New York this fall with a ship that cruises at 18.3 knots and can hit 20.5. The ship will be followed by three more by 1964, by which time all Japanese shipping concerns ex­ pect to have a total of about 50 such cargo ships on the run. 4. i t The Esse Research and Develop­ ment Company has announced it iTad designed a mechanical painter. The device resembles a small tank with a pressurized roller at the end. The robot moves on caterpillartype treads with magnets which hold it to the deck. A mechanical i i" 4" chipping device prepares the sur­ A leading Japanese shipping face for paint. The company esti­ company will inaugurate high- mated the robot could paint a medium-sized tanker in 16 mandays compared with 200 manual man-days, and undoubtedly would be used by Esso to reduce employ­ ment. — for SIU MEMBERS! NeBVINS>EAGEA« ANPSHCW WEA«FfiOMATbOlMBftlSH TOASOUWESIERAUATSRECIAL. SeAOIKT PRICES your SEA CHEST SHORE WEAR t SEA GEAR SEA GEAR t SHORE WEAR i i i The Navy has anfiounced it is studying ways of adapting jet en­ gines for marine propulsion. Its Bureau of Ships and an aircraft company are carrying out a pro­ gram with the J-57 jet engine, which powers intercontinental jet­ liners and military planes. The~engine will be modified and com­ bined with other equipment to power hydrofoil craft and to pro­ vide extra power for naval vessels. 4. 4 4 Grants totaling $150,000 have been awarded to three universities by the Maritime Administration to stu^y the effects of sea slamming on ship structures, seakeeping qualities of ships and ship con­ trollability. The grants for' longrange research projects to decrease the damage done by sea slamming to the hull and bottoms and for im­ proved structural design. * 4.. 4i , 4> A new type of whistle light is being installed on a passenger liner now under construction at the Bethlehem Steel Company. Spar­ rows Point, Md., yard. Based on a recommendation made at the 1960 International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea, the new whistle lights flash a white light whenever the ship's whistle is sounded. The light shines all around the horizon during the entire period the whistle is sounded, with beams projected both inward and outward. IBU Philly Derrick Crew Visited supporting the legislation, as was Alcoa, which indicated it would like to trade for larger ships. The legislation had also been supported by the Slu and other maritime unions. West India Laying Up Last Ship The final chapter has been writ­ ten in the case of the West India Fruit and Steamship Company. The line has announced the shut­ down of the Florida-to-Cuba car ferry system, its last operating run. The line had been hard hit by the dwindling of trade between the United States and*Cuba. The once multimillion-dollar business is now little more than a trickle. Another factor in the company's decision to close up shop was the ruling of the Supreme Court which required West India to deal with the SIU for its unlicensed personnel, and start paying ita seamen Ameri­ can wages instead of the bargain basement Liberian-flag wage scale. An executive of the firm, R. J. Widman, said that the company would go ahead with plans to sell its ships. The vessels, the largest of which could carry 65 railroad cars, have been making the Flori­ da-Havana run for 40 years. The company's statement on suspending operations was simply: "We are not operating and we don't know when and if we will operate again. We do know we have no freight for Cuba." Since the United States severed relations with Fidel Castro's Cuba, the monthly port income from the West India ships dropped from $15,000 in 1958 to $700 this year. One of the ships Involved in the sale is the SS Sea Level, which figured in the SIU's landmark victory establishing the union's right to organize American-owned ships sailing under runaway flags. As a final word Mr Widman ex­ plained that the company had anticipated the shutdown, and for a year had been "retrenching," but the suspension of operations couldn't be stalled any longer. . List 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 ships' crews to the Union's request for these notifications has been very good. Sometimes tho»sh, not all of the above information has been included. Be sure to Ifpt all of this data So that the SIU can act as promptly as possible. Joe Tralnor, IBU Philly rep. (far right) chats with crewmen of Derrick Commerce during servicing visit. From left: F. Saudrag, R. Wazalis, J. Arbs and R. J. Christensen. IBU Wins At Capitol; Signs 2nd Tug Outfit NORFOLK — The SIU's Inland Boatmen's Union scored another significant victory earlier this month when it won an NLRB election at Capitol Transportation Co., Norfolk, by a 7-5 vote. Capitol is an oil--^ transporting firm in this port. agent on the basis of pledge cards The narrow margin by which the Union obtained from the com­ the IBU won was explained by Gordon Spencer, IBU representa­ tive, who said the victory is "sig­ nificant" because Capitol is one of the few non-union outfits in the area which pays union scale wages. At the same time, the NLRB certified the IBU as bargaining agent for the employees of the Curtis Bay, McAllister and Gatco fleets, following the Board's dis­ missal of charges filed against the IBU by the catch-all District 50, United Mine Workers, which was soundly beaten in recent elections in these fleets. It was also reported that Marine Oil Service, Inc., of Norfolk, has recognized the IBU as bargaining pany's 10 employees. Gordon Spen­ cer, IBU representative here, said that negotiations with the firra will get underway very shortly. Another recent organizational ad­ vance made by the IBU came last June when the employees of Cartaret Towing Co., Morehead City, NC, voted 6-0 for the Union. Cartaret, though a small firm, handled most of the ships entering this port during the current year. Plans are being made to expand the port facilities and conse­ quently, Cartaret expects to add new equipment as needed. IBU Meetings BALTIMORE — September 15. 8 P.M., 1216 E. Baltimore St. (licensed and unlicensed). HOUSTON—September 11, 2:30 P.M., 7 <202 Canal St. Welfare Report MOBILE—September 13. 3:30 P.M. 1 S. Lawrence St. NEW ORLEANS—September 12, 8:30 P.M.. 630 Jackson Ave. NORFOLK—September 13, 8 P.M., 416 Colley Ave. PHILADELPHIA—September 11, 7 P.M.. 2604 S. 4th St. (licensed): September 19, 7 P.M.. 2604 S. 4th St. (unlicensed). WILMINGTON, NC—September 20, • Inland Boatmen collected $3,- P.M., Marlon Motel, Ht. 17. July Benefits Total $3,485 .485.06 in welfare benefits during July, according to reports Issued by the IBU Welfare Plan offices in New Orleans and New York. Four of the highest claims paid out during the nmnth went to Brothers Sterling Braun of John 1. Hay Co., Joseph Boyd of Dixie Carriers, Robert Holt of Gulf At­ lantic Towing (Gatco) and Floyd Gaskill, C. G. Willis Towing Co. Braun's welfare benefit of $480 covered his dependent's hospital and surgical expenses, ' while Boyd's check for $350 went toward surgical payments. Holt and Gaskell's identical benefits of $240 each represent sickness and acci­ dent weekly payment of $56-a-week during the month. GREAT LAKES TUG & DREDGE REGION ASHTABULA. O.—September 16. 8 P.M, Ashtabula Hotel. BUFFAI.O—September 27. 8 P.M., 738 Washington St. CHICAGO—September 21. 2 P.M., 9388 Ewing Ave.. South Chicago. CLEVELAND — September 16. 8 P.M., 15614 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, O. DETROIT-TOLEDO — September 11, • P.M., 10225 W. Jefferson, River Rouge. DULUTH—September 20, 8 P.M., 312 W. Second St. MILWAUKEE — September 15, 8 P.M. 2722 A. South Shpre Drive. SANDUSKV. O.—Septemt>er 16, 8 P.M., 118 E. Parish. St. SAUI.T STE. MARIE — September 12, 8 P.M., Labor Temple. RAILWAY MARINE REGION BALTIMORE—September 13, 8 P.M.. 1216 E. Baltimore St. JERSEY CITY—September 11, 8 P.M., 99 Montgomery St. NORFOLK — September 14, 8 P.M.. Labor Temple, N''"'>>ort News. PHILADELPHIA—September 12, 8 P.M., 2604 S. 4th St, �y^gagoMKim SEAFARERS ,F^Ke LOG Riding A Bosun's Chair SlU Wins Detroit Fight; Hospital Stays Open DETROIT—The Great Lakes District SIU has won its fight •to keep the USPHS hospital open despite earlier Govern­ ment plans to close it. Other MTD unions also opposed the Government's plan; In a letter from the Surgeon trade routes through the Great General's office to secretary- Lakes would result in more, rather treasurer Fred J. Farnen, it was ' disclosed that the hospital would have funds for operation, as well as "improvements" next year. The Union began its fight to keep the hospital operating when a Government survey indicated the number of patients had fallen be­ low the minimum and that closing was planned. SIU Appealed In an -appeal to the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, the SIU pointed out that the slow shipping season was responsible' for the decline in patients, but that recent traffic from the St. Lawrence Seaway plus the new Port Reports CLEVELAND — Shipping has picked up considerably and indica­ tions are that things will remain In good shape for awhile. So far 259 off-shore ships have used the St. Lawrence Seaway to here and only six were U.S.-flag . . . CHI­ CAGO—Shipped was described as exceptionally good during last month. Men on beach were there through their own choice . . . TOLEDO—Good shipping with jobs on board for more than one call . . . DULUTH—Slow ship­ ping i»eported with most jobs on a temporary basis. MTD contin­ ued picketing runaway Bermudianflag Northern Venture after Dis­ trict judge threw out injunction motion . . . DETROIT—Seniority Iist.s have been sent to almost every fleet and remaining lists in the process of being distributed . . . FRANKFORT—Good shipping re­ ported. ^Several men have taken re­ lief jobs with other SlU-contracted vessels . . . ALPENA. — Shipping very good, exceeding any other year for same period. Union spon­ sored nine-year-old Larry LaCross, who comes from a family of nine children, for two weeks at AlpSria Boys Club camp . . . BUFFALO— Fair shipping. Beefs settled on the Richard J. Reiss, the Henry Steinbren«er and the Lakewood. than less, seamen's injuries. Also, the SIU said many seamen who needed medical attention but were not eligible because of not having worked to qualify for ad­ mission, were now working and still requiring medical care. The brief filed by the SIU urged the Surgeon-General to re-examine "the cold figures of a statistical report" in the light of the vital service offered by the hospital in the high-accident maritime indus­ try. Great Lakes SIU members wrote letters to their representatives in Washington, urging them to sup­ port the Union's attempt to keep the hospital open. Over the past nine years there have been repeated attempts to shut down USPHS facilities in va­ rious ports, some of which have been successful. At one time it was proposed that the entire sys­ tem be shut down with the excep­ tion of two or three specialix:ed hospitals. This would have thrown seamen on the resources of local hospitals in the various ports. The proposal was vigorously opposed by the SIUNA and its affiliates. It was finally dropped after the late Harry Lundeberg, president of the SIUNA. made a personal ap­ peal to President Eisenhower at the White House. SIU Great Lakes Union Halls HEADQUARTERS 10225 W. Jefferson. River Rouge i8, Mich. Vinewood 3-4741 Fred J. Farnen. Seerelary-Treasurer Stanley F. Thompson, Asst. Sec.-Treas. ALPENA 127 River St. Norman Jollcoeur, Agent. Elmwood 4-3616 BUFFALO. NV 735 Washington St. Roy J. Boudreau, Agent TL 3-9259 CHICAGO . 9383 Ewing Ave. Ernest Aubusson, Agent South Chicago, 111. SAginaw 1-0733 CLEVELAND. 15614 Detroit Ave. (Lakewood) Stanley Wares, Agent MAin 1-0147 DULUTH 312 W. 2nd St. Gerald Westphal, Agent. RAndolph 2-4110 FRANKFORT, Mich 415 Main St. Address Mall to: P.O. Box 287 Floyd Hanmer, Agent ELgln 7-2441 TOLEDO ....120 Summit St. Neil Mahaney, Agent CHerry 8-2431 Great Lakes Shipping July 16,1961 Through August 11,1961 PORT DECK ENGINE STEWARD TOTAL Alpena 42 26 13 81 Buffalo 38 38 16 92 Chicago 34 21 11 66 Cleveland 13 12 9 30 Detroit 106 84 37 227 Duluth 29 23 5 57 Frankfort 24 33 28 85 Toledo 45 39 9 93 331 276 12k 731 TOTAL Seafarer Jim Loe, AB, is dwarfed by fhe bow of fhe LaSalle (Waterman) as he applies a fresh coat of black paint. — * Machinist Union In MTD Tie WASHINGTON—The Maritima Trade Department's position as spokesman for all unions involved in the maritime and related trade# has been strengthened by an­ nouncement of affiliation of tha giant International Association of Machinists. THie machinists, one of the nation.'s largest union<3, have an im­ portant membership in the ship­ building and ship repair industry, as well as in other maritime func­ tions, although the bulk of it# membership is employed in shoreside plants such as aircraft fac­ tories. With the addition of the Machini.sts, the Department now rep­ resents 30 seagoing and shoresid# international unions in maritime, with a total, membership of well over 300,000 workers in the marina field. It is one of the largest of several such specialized depart­ ments in the AFL-CIO. Other major unions in the MTD, aside from the seamen's and long­ shoremen's unions, include tha Carpenters, Operating Engineers, Boilermakers, State, County ami Municipal Workers and others. SlU's Puerto Rico Division , Wins Six NLRB Electiohs SAN JUAN—The campaign of the SIU's Puerto Rico Division among workers on the island has racked up six National Labor Relations Board election victories in the past two months adding some 300 workers to SIU ranks. These latest victories follow on the heels of SIU election triumphs ear• Workers of Royal Bed & hourly base wage for drivers com­ lier this year among workers pared to a $1.05 average on the Spring Co., Hato Ray, voted SIU employed by major oil com­ island. by 28 to 8. panies on the island. Meanwhile, in .still another elec­ tion, the Puerto Rico Division turned back a challenge by the lo­ cal Teamsters Union to its repre­ sentation of Puerto Rico truck driv­ ers. The local Teamsters have re­ peatedly attempted to win over the truckers by a variety of means but have been uniformly unsuc­ cessful. The half-dozen successes are at­ tributed in part to the fact that the SIU is the only union on the island which operates a clinic and provides medical services for mem­ bers and their families, along with other welfare benefits. The Puerto Rico clinic, which opened, earlier this year, also serves Seafarers passing through the port of San Juan. \ In addition, the Puerto Rico Di­ vision has won considerable pres­ tige on the island because of its successes in the oil refining indus­ try, formerly dominated by socalled "independent" organiza­ tions. Workers at Esso, Socony, Texaco and Shell are now repre­ sented by the SIU. Tjie Union has recently won an agreementijp, from Esso of Puerto Rico providing for substantial wage increases and other benefits. The agreement follows the elec­ tion success at Esso in which the SIU displaced a long-standing Es­ so employees' "-association." Among the contract improve­ ments are standardization of wage scales Involving average Increases of $19 monthly for drivers and $15 to $28 increases for inside men, establishment of a $6.32 monthly bonus, meal allowances, uniform and laundry allowances. The cash gains establish a $1.93 Other gains .Include a step-bystep seniority and grievance pro­ cedure in which the Union par­ ticipates -at all levels, three-week to four-week vacations, sick leave, a joint Union-company safety committee and hospital and medi­ cal coverage for which the com­ pany pays half. In the most recent elections the SIU won the following contests: • At Martinez and Sands, a Santurce refrigeration company, the SIU won by a vote of 20 to one. • At the Aluminum Extrusion Corp. the SIU swept the election by 47 to five. •The SIU scored by a 19 to 2 count at Anvil Metal Products Inc., in Barranquitas. • A lopsided 107 to nine victory was won at the Customs Moulder# of Puerto Rico in Caguas. Ther# here 51 "no union" votes. In -addition, the Union defeated a raid against the Puerto Rican International Paper Company where 256 workers are employed. India Shows Low Wages Don't Profit Shipowners Despite the cofnplaints of some shipowners to the contrary, low wages are no guarantee of shipping prosperity. Thera have to be cargoes available and modern port facilities as well. That has been shown by the trade—just like in the US. Lack experience of the Indian ship­ of cargoes for the ships available ping industry. Although India-flag ships pay what are close to the lowest seamen's wages in the world, the Indian-flag fleet has been hav­ ing a tough time making ends meet. A report on Indian-owned ship­ ping shows that the biggest slump lias taken place in the coastwise and poor port facilities which de­ lay loading and unloading are blamed. On the deep sea side, India-flag ships carry less than ten percent of the nation's foreign trade, even though competing vessels have higher wage costs. Stay Put For Jobless Pay Seafarers who are collecting state unemployment benefits while on the beach waiting to ship are urged to stay put and avoid changing their mailing addresses if they want to continue re­ ceiving their checks regularly. Several Seafarers have already experienced interruptions of from three to five weeks in getting their next check after they notified the state unemployment offices that they had moved and changed their mailing address. An average delay of a month is reported in most cases, causing considerable hardship to the* men Involved. �SEAFARERS Pi|Ce, Six Amt, iMl LOC i SEAFARERS ROTARY SHIPPING BOARD (Figures On This Page Coyer Deep Sea Shipping Only In the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District.) From July 1 Through July 31, 1961 It was to be expected that shipping would increase with the end of the maritime strike .on July 3, but the rebound exceeded anything foreseen. The total of 3,594 jobs shipped during the month obviously indicated boom shipping over and above'-the recall of idle crews. For comparison's sake, in December, 1960, the Union shipped just under 2,900 men and December is always the biggest shipping month of the year becaus^of holiday sea­ son turnover. Similarly, the averaging out of June and July shipping totals works out to 2,800, which is far higher than usual. In fact, the 3,594 figure is the highest reported since the job totals went on a monthly basis.. Ship activity was also way up. The 472 ship calls were an increase of 123 over June and the 79 sign ons, reflecting the reactivation of struck ships, was way up from the 30 vessels signed on last month. All seniority cla,sses benefited, across the board, from the red hot shipping, but the biggest gainers were class A men. Almost twice as many shipped in July as in the previous month. The "on the beach" figures for class A—2,619 men—are well under the month's shipping totals, indicating that class A Seafarers should have no trouble spotting themselves a berth. The class 1-S shipping group, covering chief stewards ex­ clusively, enjoyed its best shipping since this separate regis­ tration category was set up, with 65 men shipping as against 52 registering during the month. Ship Activity Poy Sign In Offs Ons Trans. TOTAi: BoOon New York ....37 Philadelphia .. 7 Baltimore .. ..14 Norfolk .... Jackionvilla ... 4 Miami Mobil* New Orleans .15 Houston .... .. 7 Wilmington . .. 1 Son Francisco.. 3 Seattle 0 11 A 7 1 4 0 11 22 6 0 7 4 TOTALS .... 77 8 10 43 7r 35 22 17 . 38 26 31 24 32 6 7 23 11 43 80 75 60 11 12 S IS 7 13 283 472 DECK DEPARTMENT Registered CLASS A Shipped CLASS A Registered CLASS B Shipped CLASS B GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP 1 23 ALL 12 3 ALL 12 3 ALL 12 3 ALL 3 10 2 18 32 1 6 15 2- 23 0 1 4 0 7 8 51 52 23 22 98 32 182 2 39 37 89 30 156 6 19 18 6 11 36 0 27 45 2 11 21 2 4 7 5 6 13 4 95 7 34 59 3 25 23 58 19 13 15 35 17 8 11 11 8 5 21 1 3 4 7 26 2 6 12 9 11 1 14 4 10 18 9 30 2 13 8 4 22 2 6 10 11 10 7 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 17 7 26 81 0 6 18 27 5 2 4 43' 12 24 49 1 51 48 78 20 146 4 22 20 46 51 84 27 162 3 26 22 22 25 10 17 30 30 80 21 131 1 48 55 94 32 181 3 11 3 8 11 3 25 0 4 5 9 5 11 3 19 1 4 30 0 37 2 14 10 6 6 5 12 4 3 7 12 19 5 16 33 2 7 10 3 20 2 5 23 •10 16 7 12 9 1 215 398 107" r720i 20 116 115 1 251i269 488 166 1 923 27 107 123 257' Port Boston New York Philadelphia Baltimore Norfolk Jacksonville Miami Mobile New Orleans Houston Wilmington San Francisco Seattl'TOTALS Shipped TOTAL CLASS C SHIPPED GROUP CLASS 12 3 ALL A B C- ALL 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 7 3 32 8 1 2 8 31 89 182 39 0 1 1 45 13 2 0 2 95 35 0 2 2 26 12 7 14 30 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 13 81 9 4 24 8 16 24 162 51 2 2 30 4 181 6 19 8 1 5 12 4 6 12 37 0 12 1 1 33 42 72 1 121 723 257 Registered Or1 The Beach CLASS B CLASS A GROUP GROUP 123 ALL 12 3 ALL 43 9 3 39 260 79 59 16 1 2 132 35 40 4 2 57 10 14 0 0 0 13 118 29 24 237 55 4 215 61 33 14 6 61 24 12 46 22 1 121 i301'358 21 . 7 168 43 19 10 71 14 5 1 1 19 0 3 27 6 75 1 96 26 5 11 8 16 22 3 37 0 290 5 45 0 120 2 10 0 30 0 3 0 62 0 142 1 183 28 30 0 48 0 47 5 553 136, 11047 41 2 3 26 58 3 7 21 S3 0 5 8 4 0 0 6 1 15 23 40 27 5 8 7 9 23 12 5 89 10 56 5 12 0 7 39 95 13 16 40 152 194 I1387 ENGINE DEPARTMENT Registered CLASS A GROUP 1 2 7 27 77 6 19 4 51 6 6 5 9 0 1 4 22 26 73 16 73 1 14 5 30 17 4 107 398 Port Boston . r.. fJew York ,.. Philadelphia.. Baltimore Norfolk ..., Jacksonville... Miami Mobile New Orleans.. Houston Wilmington San Francisco Seattle TOTALS Registered CLASS B Shiooed CLASS A Shipped CLASS B Shipped CLASS C GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP 3 ALL 1 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 2 10 1 1 2 8 6 5 18 3 8 0 10 2 0 5 11 16 130 8 48 20 21 10 00 17 139 5 53 3 29 19 16 30 0 5 5 9 5 4 43 1 10 0 31 7 0 5 4 61 0 37 8 6 24 13 53 12 73 4 48 2 7 29 15 2 14 0 5 3 8 6 12 3 21 0 8 0 2 4 4 16 0 2 6 10 4 4 16 0 9 3 5 4 9 0 5 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 1|1 0 0 3 29 1 17 11 9 7 75 1 53 11 24 0 8 11 12 17 116 4 36 19 59 29 85 15 129 5 69 1 45 19 15 13 102 8 56 28 166 19 213 6 29 • 19 28 21 55 1 16 2 17 0 2 2 4 0 6 3 7 1 6 0 1 9 1 40 0 5 2 1 3 4 22 11 37 2 6 12 2 4 4 5 26 , 2 10 5 4 4 25 IS 0 34 1 5 0 4 7 77 |~582 24 148 98 1 270 132 569 107 808 29 171 117 1 317 10 85 TOTAL SHIPPED Registered On The Beach CLASS B CLASS A GROUP GROUP CLASS 3 ALL 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL A C ALL 1 ^ 2 B 6 10 17 39 1 3 13 18 -8 13 15 1 1 2 84 33 43 48 139 53 48 240 .50 1.51 22 223 8 29 6 10 57 2 3 32 0 27 4 4 43 10 4 4 86 2 22 21 45 68 18 73 48 18 139 11 7 9 13 3 3 3 9 3 -21 8 32 2 0 3 11 1 8 14 1 3 4 9 32 3 9 2 2 7 16 7 1. 1 2 0 2 0 0 1 1 0 2 1 1 0 46 0 6 5 11 24 14 113 9 33 4 6 14 75 39 82 3 8 17 19 30.129 69 30 228 26 48 14 94 53 15 80 12 120 26 55 17 285 28 0 , 17 213 0 3 2 21 1 2 8 9 7 8 24 5 14 6 13 6 55 0 7 12 56 10 41 4 71 37 7 1 28 36 2 14 12 25 4 13 2 49 7 2 2, 76 171 808 317.171 1296 155 523 69 I1 7.47 47 169 143 1 359 STEWARD DEPARTMENT Registered CLASS A w Port Bos N. Y Phil Bal Nor Jac Mia Mob No Hon Wil.* S.F Sea TOTALS Registered CLASS B GROUP 1-s 1 2 3 ALL 0 2 0 6 8 11 19 23 65 118 3 8 24 1 12 7 15 49 9 21 0 1 4 5 _10 6 4 4 5 19 0 1 0 3 4 6 14 7 22 49 11 26 10 67 114 8 39 21 31 99 0 0 2 1 3 1 13 3 12 29 3 5 1 3 12 ,52 148 85 253 538 i Shipped CLASS A GRAND TOTALS GROUP 3 1 2 215 398 107 107 398 77 200 85 253 522 881 437 Registered CLASS B GROUP ALL 1 2 3 1 720 20 116 115 1 582 24 148 98 22 169 1 538 9 11840 53 286 382 • Includes one 1-s B registered on beach Jn Wilmington, Shipped CLASS C TOTAL SHIPPED iipgistered On The Beach CLASS B CLASS A GROUP GROUP CLASS GROUP 3 ALL 1 2 8 ALL 2 3 ALL A C ALL 1-s 1 1 ~ 2 B 13 1 5 6 0 7 25 3 7 35 2 6 0 1 1 2-1 4 66 6 56 59 36 136 262 4 33 23 211 31 23 155 1 21 1 10 0 9 43 5 6 2 13 26 1 5 29 9 5 0 5 0 7 2 3 17 64' 24 17 105 9 32 18 42 101 2 0 16 1 6 1 7 30 2 3 3 3 13 3 2 14 1 1 0 2 1 8 3 3 39 5 18 2 12 20 7 12 5 5 3 0 11 1 0 0 2 5 2 0 2 1 1 0 3 0 1 1 1 0 1 15 0 15 71 0 0 73 30 0 103 11 0 18 10 32 0 0 37 0 35 38 124 31 38 193 15 35 12 61 123 2 0 4 34 14 17 58 3 82 3 133 21 3 48 45 27 29 122 27 0 0 1 0 3 16 4 3 8 5 3 5 4 3 16 2 0 1 2 39 0 48 4 0 4 4 5 5 28 15 5 12 4 19 0 0 23 2 2 19 23 5 23 39 7 5 2 5 11 5 9 0 • 0 32 166 1 244 7 111 ]1 122 645 230 122 997 117 230 121 357 1 825 46 4 SUMMARY - Registered CLASS A DECK ENGINE STEWARD Shipped CLASS B GROUP GROUP GROUP 1 2 3 ALL 1-s 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL 0 1 2 3 3 8 3 11 25 0 0 3(3 1 8 28 37 14 37 21 83 155 2 33 2 29 0 0 9 9 4 7 5 13 29 0 0 9 9 1 1 15 17 8 16 11 29 64 1 3 20 24 2 0 6 0 4 6 13 1 1 6 14 2 11 1 2 5 8 5 7 3 5 20 0 7 2 5 2 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 18 19 7 18 11 37 73 1 30 0 29 0 2 42 44 9 27 13 75 124 0 31 3 28 1 5 27 33 7 25 8 42 82 2 4 42 48 1 0 2 3 1 3 1 3 8 1 5 0 4 0 0 9 9 2 8 1 17 28 0 15 0 15 0 2 8 10 4 6 3 10 23 2 11 2 7 9 22 169 200 65 168 81 331 1 645 10 18 202 1 230 .fV' • Shipped CLASS A GROUP ALL 1 2 3 1 251 269 488 166 1 270 132 569 107 81 331 1 200 233 1 721 634 1138 604 ALL 1 923 1 808 1 645 |2376 Shipped CLASS B Shipped' CLASS C GROUP GROUP 3 3 AI.L 1 2 1 2 42 72 27 107 123 1 257 7 85 76 29 171. 117.1 ,317 10 7 111 10 18 202 1 230 4 66 296 442 | 804 21 134 259 TOTAL SHIPPED CLASS C ALL A B 1 121 923 257 121 1 171 808 317 171 1 122 645 230 122 1 414 2376 804 414 Registered On The Beach CLASS B CLASS A GROUP ALL 1 2 3 |1301 358 553 136 11296 155 523 69 1 997 347 121 357 1 3594 860 1197 562 GROUP ALL 1 2 3 11047 41 152 194 1 747 47 169 143 1 825 46 32 166 |2619 134 353 503 ALL 1 387 1 359 1 244 j1 990 �Aocntt. SEAFARERS Pige Severn LOG Runaways Run Lakes Shipping; US Ships Virtually Shut Out West Coast Pact Talks Scheduled SAN FRANCISCO — Contract negotiations between the S!U Pacific District Unicns and West Coast shipping com­ panies opened here earlier this month when the three unions sent notification of their "de--^ sire to terminate September conditions, runaways and joint -30, 1961, the agreement en­ labor-management committees for tered Into effective October 1, 1958." All Companies Affected All West Coast companies, in­ cluding those represented by the Pacific Maritime Association, are affected. Wages, hours and working MA Gives Ok For Coastwise Containership SEATTLE—Attempts of Olym­ pic-Griffiths Lines Inc., to revive the West Coast coastwise trade came a step closer to reality when the Maritime Administration ap­ proved "in principal" a company application for a ship construction loan and mortgage Insurance for two roll-on, roll-off containerships. Concurrently, another company, Seattle-Alaska Ferry Line, an­ nounced plans for resumption of passenger service between here and the 49th state using a converted C-2 type freighter to carry 225 pas­ sengers and 150 vehicles. Union Companies Negotiate Both companies and the SIU Pacific District unions have been negotiation over the manning scale of the ships plus other pertinent sections of the union agreements. Barring unforeseen difficulties, Olympic-Griffiths plans to begin twice weekly service by each ship between Los Angeles, San Fran­ cisco and here late in 1962. The ships would be 3,600 gross tons, 430-feet long with a speed of 18 knots, each able to carry 200 8x8x20 containers plus 75 vehicles. Seattle-Alaska plans call for weekly service between here and Haines, Alaska, via Prince Rupert, Britisii Columbia, starting next spring for eight months with a winter lay-up. Service would be different fi-om the type previously offered. All accommodations would be tourist class while feeding would be cafeteria style. Passenger rates would be $56 one way or $100 round trip. Auto costs would be $135 one way. the maritime industry are contract topics. As the Pacific District contract talks get underway, the West Coast companies have already reached agreement with the Marine En­ gineers Beneficial Association, a member union o£» the National Committee for Maritime Bargain­ ing as are the three SIU unions. Two Unions Unsigned The Masters, Mates and Pilots and the American Radio Associa­ tion: have not yet signed agree­ ments with all their companies and their strike has been temporarily halted by an 60-day Taft-Hartley injunction scheduled to end Sep­ tember 21. If the two unions have not reached any agreements by the time the 80-day cooling off period is over, they are then expected to resume their strike. SAN FRANCISCO—MEOW elec­ tion in Septembej. Nominations must be received in headquarters by the 30th. Maritime Trades Department observed the" 27th anniversary of "Bloody Thursday" . . . WILMINGTON-SAN PEDRO Catalina keeping-MEOW busy, 75 relief Jobs shipped last month. Port of Long Beach started using new grain terminal, an­ nounced plans for largest West Coast bulk-loading complex . . . SEATTLE — MCS reports Alaska Steam's 14 ship fleet completely active. Salmon fishing in Alaska reported very good, SUP said . . . NEW YORK—All unions sup­ ported SIU A&G strike. Number of Pacific Coast ships tied up until injunction suspended strike for 80 days . . . HONOLULU—Strike and men returning home expected to crowd beach for awhile, SUP re­ ports . . . NEW ORLEANS—SUP crewed up F. E. Weyerhaeuser, waiting for other vessels to come through . . . PORTLAND—MEBA and MM&P thanks SIU for sup­ port during strike. MCS made emergency loans to men affected by strike. Pacific District Shipping SUP 6/12 to 7/10 Port MEOW 7/1 to 7/31 -MC&S 1 6/29 to 7/27 1 Total San Fran. 580 212 1,090 1,882 Seattle 147 117 62 320 Portland 109 87 36 232 Wilmington 323 (no hall) 116 439 New York 93 81 34 210 New Orleans 52 (no hall) 7 69 Honolulu 21 45 0 66 (no hall) San Pedro Total \ 1,327 I 234 (no hall) 776 1,345 9 .234 j| 3,445 DULUTH—The complete domination of the Great Lakes by runaway shipping at th® expense of American-flag offshore ships has been shown in figures compiled by the Duluth Port Authority. The figures show that dur­ bilities of passenger ship service One foreign-flag line operating ing 1960, the second shipping out of this port on an intra-Lake between Duluth and the North Sea season since the Seaway basis as well as offshore. The ports of Hamburg, Bremen, Ant­ opened, only one American-flag ship was among 243 offshore ves­ sels calling .here. Further, the largest number of runaway vessels calling at the port, 54, were Liberlan-flag carriers. Next to Liberia, the largest users of the Sekway into Duluth were Norway, 47 vessels; Great Britain, 46, and Greece 26. Ships Of 20 Flags All told, deep-sea ships of 20 nations called during the 1960 sea­ son, which ran from April 18 to December 2. Among the 20 flags was one call by a Chinese Na­ tionalist vessel. West Germlh and Swedish vessels were active in the area as well. In addition to the domination of the area by Liberian-registered vessels, the report shows that USflag carriers are neglecting possi- Authority reported heavy interest in passenger facilities with not enough berths available for this purpose. Numerous requests have been reported for passenger serv­ ice to other American-flag ports which would be restricted to American-flag vessels if such serv­ ice was offered. werp and Rotterdam reported so miKh passenger Interest that strong consideration is being given to opening a regular Great LakesNorth Europe passenger operation. None of tha regular transatlantio American-flag passenger ship oper­ ators has indicated any interest in this trade. Dishing it Out For Seafarers Ship Prices On Upgrade; T.-2s Sought The present Berlin crisis and all it represents has resulted in a withdrawal of second hand ships from the sales market and the indications are that the prices for ships will rise sharply if the sit­ uation fails to change for the better. An unconfirmed V report from London states that a war-built Lib­ erty was sold for almost $300,000. If this is true it would be the highest price paid for a Liberty since the Suez crisis of 1957. Liberty Prices Up From the beginning of the Ber­ lin crisis, brokers have noted a small price increase fpr Liberty tonnage. But, they have stated, that vessels which owners have offered for sale have been with­ drawn. The hottest buy on the used ship market is in the tanker field, where the price for T-2s has climbed from $310,000 to $375,000 depending on the condition of the vessel. The explanation given for this sharp rise was the increased de­ mand for dry cargo ships of around 21,000 tons. These are the ships which are sent abroad and rebuilt by having a new midsefction ininserted. Urge Early Health Exam Renewal The Medical Department of the Seafarers Welfare Plan urges Seafarers whose clinic cards are expiring to get them renewed in advance and not wait until the last minute. This is particularly true in cases where a man has just paid off a ship and expects to be ashore awhile. If the ejramination at the SIU clinic is taken imme­ diately, then if there is any need for medical treatment it can be obtained through PHS without having to delay ship­ ping out. It is not necessary to wait until the year Is up to get the clinic card renewed at the SIU health centers. This can be done as much as two months In advance of the expiration date. Seafarer Arthur MarianI, MM, gets plat* of chicken 'n ric* from chief cook Ernie Sims on the Robin Locksley (Robin). ICC Again Nixes Raiiroad Raid On Domestic Cargo WASHINGTON—The Interstate Commerce Commission has issued another ruling in favor of the coastvvise shipping industry and shows signs of following a consistent policy of encouraging a balanced na-"*^ tional transportation system. testing companies were again SeaThe latest ruling refuses to Land and also Seatrain, another grant railroads effual coastwise rates with water lines. A major party in the case was Sea-Land Service Inc., an SlU-contracted company. The railroads were trying to put in rates on trailer-on-flatcar serv­ ice equal to rates of domestic water lines on- coastwise transpor­ tation of alcoholic liquors, ac­ tivated carbon and floor coverings, paints, plastic materials, cumin seeds and titanium dioxide. The ICC relied on a decision it handed down in December, 1960, in which rail rates equal to water were barred, and a rail differen­ tial of six percent above water rates was recommended to keep coastwise lines in operation. Reversing its previously held bias in favor of railroads, the ICC in the latest ruling held that in many cases, the proposed rail rates are below cost even if six percent higher than water rates. This spring, the Commission ruled, against cut-rate rail rates on coastwise transportation of var­ nish or paint dryers when the railroads were making an obvious bid to drive shipping companies out of the business. That ruling noted that the pro­ posed rail rates would make it virtually impossible for water car­ riers to attract any business. Pro­ SlU-contracted company. The spring ruling held that tha slashed rail rates would work against a balanced national trans­ portation system. As in the latest ICC ruling, the spring decision re­ ferred to the December ruling which established the six percent rate differential. Water carriers were given the right to establish themselves as the "low-cost" trans­ port medium. Until late last year, the ICC had consistently issued rulings detri­ mental to water transportation and in favor of the railroads. Sen­ ate and .House investigations last year turned up the ICC's pro-rail bias. Paul Hall, SIUNA president, tes­ tified before Congress hearings and laid the decline of the US do­ mestic shipping trade to the ICC's policies. He pointed out that be­ fore World War II there were 139 vessels and 19 companies in tha domestic water trade whereas now there are only two: Sea-Land and Seatrain. with a handful of ships. A report by President Ken­ nedy's special assistant James M. Landis strongly criticized ICC practices. However, the newer rulings in favor of all forms of transporta­ tion may set the stage for a re­ vival of coastwise and intercoastal siiipping. �SEAFARERS Paff^'EUrM Medicine-Makers Target Of Price-Rig indictments Hq Visitors Further evidence of the need for action to reduce drug prices to workers' families came with the indictment of three of the nation's top drug manufacturers on criminal anti­ trust charges involving price-^ fixing on three widely-used will eventually serve an estimated 350,000 union men and their fam­ wonder drugs. The three firms involved, Charles Pfizer & Co., American Cyanamid and Bristol-Myers were accused of conspiracy to fix high prices and monopolize patents on aureomycin, terramycin and tetracycline in vio­ lation of the Sherman Antitrust Act. Last .year, after the Kefauver committee investigations into pric­ ing policies in the drug industry, the SIU and 13 other unions draft­ ed plans to operate their own drug­ store chain in New York's five bor­ oughs in order to reduce the costs of prescriptions and other medi­ cines to their memberships. At that time SIUNA President Paul Hall stated that, "about twothirds of the drug bill is for expen­ sive drugs, the cost of which has become prohibitive for the average worker's family. Unions have been under continuous pressure from their members to do something about this." «The recent indictments point out that there was solid ground for this statement. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy announced that the three firms involved handle about 70 percent of the business in the three "wonder-drugs.' This bus­ iness amounted to $250 miilion in 1959 alone. According to the indictment, Pfizer and American Cyanamid conspired to fix the price of aureo­ mycin and terramycin in 1953. Later that year they made a deal with Bristol to control patents on the new drug, tetracyline. Kennedy stated that because of these arrangements, patients, drug­ gists, wholesalers, hospitals and government agencies have been forced to pay high prices when­ ever these drugs were needed. The Medstore project, in which the SIU is actively participating. ilies in the metropolitan area. With President Paul Hall acting as chairman of the Plan's board of directors, the Medstore pian hopes to set up a yardstick to determine the cost of drug insurance. The ex­ perience of the Medstore operation will enable the unions Involved to negotiate such insurance in future welfare plan modifications. The importance of such a drug insurance plan was realized as,early as last year by the SIU. The situa­ tion was finally brought into a stronger light by the exposure of price-fixing techniques used by the major drug companies to keep' their products selling a budgetbreaking levels. JkngmUltn LOG AFU, Boston Boatowners Agree On Contract Terms BOSTON—The first thoroughly-revamped and written contract negotiated in 15 years has been agreed to by rep­ resentatives of the Atlantic Fishermen's Union and Boston boatowners. The new contract"* is another step forward in re­ vitalizing the union, which af­ Seafarer Teodoro Diangson poses at headquarters with his daughter after signing up for SIU lifeboat school. Hijacked Cuban Ship Figured In '58 Beef NORFOLK—The hijacking of a Cuban merchant ship, which made headlines recently brought a familiar name back to the pages of the LOG. The Bahia de Nipe, which was picketed in .1958, during the" 8, for a Soviet Baltic port, Canadian National beef, is August with a cargo of sugar and tobacco. once "again figuring in the On August 14, the 11 would-be de­ news. Eleven crewmen including the captain overpowered 23 other men, turned the vessel from its in­ tended run, and sailed it into Ches­ apeake Bay. The 11 then requested political asylum from the United States Government. Asylum Awaited The Coast Guard landed the de­ fectors from Fidel Castro's regime at the Norfolk Naval Base. The State Department .stated that they would probably be granted asylum. The vessel shipped out of Havana fectors rounded up the other mem­ bers of the crew. Castroites Locked Up They locked up the pro-Castro crewmen in different parts' of the ship, while the captain radioed the Coast Guard that he was heading for Chesapeake Bay and that he and several members of the crew wanted to defect. The Bahia de Nipe was one of the sbips tied up in 1958, when Cubanflag vessels were picketed in re­ action to former Premier Batista's scabbing on striking Canadian SIU seamen. The Cuban government attempted, at that time to man the struck Canadian vessels. Ship's Future The future of the ship is still un­ certain. The United States Govern­ ment Informed Cuba, through Swiss diplomatic channels, that it WASHINGTON—President Kennedy's tax-reform bill, could have the ship back. But, at which would have given Uncle Sam his share of runaway least five liens have been placed earnings and closed loopholes on entertainment "business againts the 5,805-ton vessel and the US marshal in Norfolk was. au­ expenses," has gone down for* : ^ the third time in this session tration was immediate taxation of thorized by the District Court to seize it. of Congress. overseas earnings of American Congressional observers feel, in firms. The proposal to tax these fact, that the Administration tax runaway earnings was dropped measure will not be revived in the earlier during the consideration next session of Congress. of the bill. Among the items considered by American runaway businesses the abandoned tax bill were lim­ consider the tax advantage a most Seafarers who have taken the itations on tax deductible business important factor in running ships series of inoculations required expense accounts, including tight­ under foreign flags and operating for certain foreign voyages are ening up entertainment expenses, overseas plants. reminded to be sure to pick up tax withholding on dividend and Earnings by runaway companies their inoculation cards from the Interest payments, and provisions of a special credit to companies are not taxed by the US untii they captain or the purser when they to encourage them to invest more are brought to these shores either pay off at the end of a voyage. heavily in new plant and equip­ in the form of dividends or re­ The card should be picked up ment. Also in the tax bill, which turned as profits of the company. by the Seafarer and held so that was dropped late in August, was However, ship and shore runaway it can be presented when sign­ a provision to tax the earnings of operators evade these taxes by ing on for another voyage where mutual and reciprocal fire and leaving earnings of their foreign the "shots" are required. The flag ships overseas, or by "borrow­ casualty insurance companies. inoculation card is your only Another item originally sug­ ing" the profits from their foreign proof of having taken the re­ gested by the Kennedy Adminis- operations. quired shots. The Administration tax meas­ Those men who forget to pick ure, which would have taxed the up their inoculation card when earnings of runaway companies immediately, might have helped they pay off may find that they to discourage American business­ are required to take all the W«ltlS TO men from running overseas to "shots" again when they want escape US taxes and payment of to sign on for another such voywages consistent with an Ameri­ can standard of living. Runaway Tax Bill Buried; Congress Won't Act Now Pick Up 'Shot' Card At Payoff filiated with the SIUNA last year. Copies of the proposed contract have been distributed to all boats and union members ashore for study before union-wide voting on its terms begins. It will go into effect if it is approved at three out of four membership meetings. Increased Fund Payments Contract gains include increases in contributions to the fishermen's fund, paymeiits into the fund for lumpers to provide them with eligibility and same pay rates, for fishermen who discharge cargo as for lumpers on "broker" trips. The contract also clarifies sail­ ing provisions permitting more regular trips. It thereby affording fishermen opportunities for greater annual earnings. It has other clauses delineating working prac­ tices. Gloucester Organizing Activity Meanwhile, in Gloucester, the union has organized the porgy fleet and has secured a contract with the boatowners. Organiza­ tional activities among the whiting fleet have reached the half way mark with 19 boats signed up and working under a union agreement. The contract also provides for payments to boatowner for elec­ tronic devices for fishing. NBFU Signs Confracf In Scallop Fete NEW BEDFORD—Members ol the New Bedford Fishermen's Un­ ion took part in two important events here last month. The first was the fourth annual New Bedford Sea Scallop Festival in which members helped pur­ chase and deliver more than five tons of scallops and, more important, cooked them to per-, fection. Approve New Contract The second was the ratification after a 15-day referendum of the union's new three-year contract which gives members greater job security, welfare benefits and Es­ tablishes a union hiring hall. The festival, which publicizes scallops, the major catch of the union, received national attention this year and drew a record crowd of over 20,000 people including un­ ion, industry and government lead­ ers. Newspaper and television sta­ tions in New England gave the festival extensive coverage and aided the festival in "reaching peo­ ple in the fishing industry and making them aware that New Bcd= ford is the scallop capital of the world and the second largest fish­ ing port in the nation," a festival official said. Search For More Jobs WASHINGTON — The Federal The key part that the city plays Government has liberalized its industry will be application of the fishing boat con­ in the fishing struction subsidy law to encourage highlighted in attempting to get more boatowners to apply for such companies to establish plants in aid. the area and provide more job op­ So far, only three applications portunities for seamen and shorehave been received by the Bureau side workers. of Commercial Fisheries, wfiich Boatowners and union members administers the year-old measure. donated the scallops and together The present interpretation of with th'eir wives helped cook and the act has limited applicants to serve the seafood. Preparing and New England groundfish fisher­ serving the scallops required the man. The liberalization of the law use of 379 gallons of cooking oil, would enable more boats to be cov­ 150 dozen jars of tartar S'auce, 22,ered by the act, and may make it 000 lemon wedges and about five possible for West Coast fishermen tons of potatoes for French fries. to get Government aid. The new contract runs until •March, 1964, and besides setting up a fishermen's registry which will operate as a hiring hall, in­ cludes these gains for members: IS • Increases owner contributions to the Welfare Fund to V/i percent and to the New Bedford Seafood Council to one percent. • Requires annual physical ex­ aminations of all members to In­ sure maintenance of minimum health standards. • Increases maintenance and cure benefits to seven 'dollars per day after March 31, 1962. • Provides greater time off for members—eight days fishing,'five Members of the New Bedford days off or six days fishing, four Fishermen's Union help un­ days off. load the vittles used at the • Establishes a rate of deduc­ fourth annual New Bedford tion for electronic equipment from Sea Scallop Festival. NBFU the vessel's earnings and provides Secretary - Treasurer Howard for such deductions on a dock-todock basis. Nickerson Is at right. Modify Fish Subsidy Law Festival Preview �•wrw PiCtf Nfaw LOG New Shipp New Sailing Board Cut Tourist Duty-Free Allowance WASHINGTON—The gap be> tween what tourists can bring home duty-free and what the regulations allow seamen has been consider­ ably-narrowed as a result of legis­ lation signed by President Ken­ nedy on August 10. The new act cuts the duty-free limit for tourists from $500 to $100. An additional $100 is allowed tourists who. stop at the Virgin Islands. The purpose of the legis­ lation is to halt the drain of Amer­ ican currency overseas and lessen the unfavorable balance of pay­ ments. Seamen have lortg complained about the discriminatory treat­ ment given tourists on purchases abroad while they have to pay full duty. The reduction of the tourist allowance to $100 limits the ex­ tent of such disciimination con­ siderably. On various occasions, legislation has been introduced which would have given seamen the right to bring home some merchandise duty-free, but such legislation has never made much headway in Congress. MTD Rickets Delay Canadian Runaway DULUTH—The Bermuda-flag Northern Venture set sail from here with a cargo or taconite ore after being tied up for almost a month by AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Depart­ ment pickets protesting the^ runaway's undercutting of ning the ship, took this action. The union standards in the Great CBRT has been engaged in raiding Lakes trade. The picketing had blocked load­ ing of the vessel although the ship was free to sail at any time. Load­ ing was finally done August 18 at night by supervisory personnel. Injunction Denied Previously, an injunction to stop the picketing was denied by the Duluth District Court which ruled that MTD union members were within their rights in protesting the runaway's attempts to undermine Great Lakes wages and conditions. "The picketing was part of the Great Lakes Council MTD program to combat low-wage, cut-rate com­ petition by foreign-flag ships in American and Canadian waters. The SIU of Canada is a member of the council. Runaway Owner Is Canadian The ship, which is actually owned by Upper Lakes Shipping, Ltd., a Canadian concern, through a complicated subsidiary set-up, had faced pickets ever since it was crewed by scabs in Port Weller, Ont., on July 15 under the direc­ tion of a former official of the de­ funct Communist-dominated Can­ adian Seamen's Union. Because American law prevented the runaway owgers from filing an injunction motion, the crew and the Canadian Brotherhood of Rail­ way Trainmen, which is now man- In Canada Ports Canadian shipping for a number of years. Original Crew Fired Scabs manned the vessel when the original crew was fired for at­ tempting to contact the SIU of Canada to discuss their wages and conditions. A sister ship, the Wheat King, is being picketed by the SIU of Can­ ada after it too was crewed by scabs when union members walked off in protest against sub-standard working conditions. It wouldn't be nice to have a plain-looking blackboard doing lailing-board duty on a brand new ship like the Del Sol (Delta). Consequently bosun Joe Cot rigged up this ela­ borate sailing board to match the shiny decor on the vessel. Canada SIU Opens Clinic Congress Approves Maritime In Montreal Overhaul, Subsidy Rule Shift MONTREAL—A medical center —the first of its kind for Canadian seamen—was opened here by the SIU Of Canada Welfare Plan. Located on the second floor of SIU of Canada headquarters, the center contains the most modern medical equipment and enables the union to provide unexcqjled pre­ ventative medical service for its members. A nurse is on duty five days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., while on Monday and Friday afternoons the services of a doctor are avail­ able. As the need arises, the., days the doctor Is in attendance will be increased. The plan also provides for specialists' services and hos­ pitalization for surgery upon the doctor's diagnosis. In the first three weeks more than 200 members and dependents have made use of the center. MONTREAL — Parliament has appropriated $350,000 for a channel study project. It seems the water level of the St. Lawrence east of here has been dropping, endanger­ ing the effective operation of the port. July was best shipping month of year with over 500 jobs on the board for new or reactivated ships Canadian Seafarers, members . . . THOROLD—Shipping was open on all fronts. But port re­ of the SIU of Canada ceived bad news that overseas grain are a vital element in the mari­ demand will be lowest since open­ time picture generally and in ing of Seaway. Drought in midwest the SIU family of unions. They and low level of stocks will also man ships under Canadian hurt future prospects . . . HALI­ flag across-the-board—deep self off the Atlantic Coast, on the FAX—Picketing of runaway final­ ly had ship sail back half-load­ Canadian West Coast, on the Great Lakes and the Seaway. ed to Seven Islands where union The Canadian SIU also repre­ will take up beef of SIU crew that originally worked ship. Shipping sents large groups of Canadian tugboatmen, dredgemen and al­ continues good with shortage of men to fill jobs . . . FORT WIL­ lied crafts. The Canadian Dis­ LIAM—Fair shipping due to fall trict works closely with the off in grain trade. Ore trade has other SIU unions throughout picked up somewhat. Foreign-flag North America and the mutual •hipping is down from last year and relationship has been of great with new lag governing domestic advantage to all SIU members. •hipping It may remain at low levels . . . VANCOUVER—Welfare Plan has selected a centralized drug store and SIU members get a 25 percent discount on all drugs and prescriptions. British-flag Can­ 408 Slmpton St. berra, largest liner ever built for FORT wnXIAM Ontario Phone; 3-3221 HALIFAX, N.S 128V^ HoUls St. Pacific service, docked here on Phone 3-8911 maiden voyage. One reporter did a MONTREAL 634 St. Jamei St. Weat Victor 2-8181 different interview—^he spoke to QUEBEC 44 Sault-au-Matelot Quebee LAfontaine 3-1569 crew, most of whom said the Brit­ 82 St. David St. ish National Union of Seamen was THOROlI). OnUrio CAnal 7-8212 872 King St. E. "a necessary evil." Crew preferred TORONTO. Ontario EMpire 4-8719 something like SIU "because they VANCOUVER. BC 298 Main St. m Princa WUIIam St. give you more projection." I ST. JOHN, NB OX a-S4U SIU Canadian District Halls WASHINGTON—As a rfesult of Congressional approval of President Kennedj-'s reorgan­ ization.plans, supervision over the nation's ship subsidy program has been transferred from the old Federal Maritime Board to Secretary of Commerce Luther Hodges. The reorganization did away with the Federal Maritime The Secretary's statement holds tion to the abolition of the Federal Board and revamps the struc­ forth the hope that their long- Maritime Board and the shift of ture of the Maritime Administra­ tion. The FMB formerly handled the subsidy program and other maritime regulation. Under the new .set-up a five-man Maritime Commission is estab­ lished to handle regulatory prob­ lems. The Maritime Administra­ tion will take over subsidy func­ tions and continue to handle pro­ motional activities, with final authority over subsidies vested in the Secretary of Commerce. The Secretary of Commerce promptly announced the appoint-^ ment of a three-man subsidy board within the Maritime Admin­ istration, consisting of Thomas E. Stakem, Elmer Metz and Leonard F. Nicholas. AMMI Has Jitters In remarks obviously intended to reassure the American Mer­ chant Marine Institute group, which is suffering from a case of jitters over the future , of the sub­ sidy program, Secretary Hodges said there would be no di'astic changes in the administration of the program. However, the Secretary also said that his agency would have no favorites within the ranks of the maritime Industry and that there would be speedier handling of pending subsidy cases than in the past. Several Independent operators have had subsidy applications pending for years but have been unable to get final clearance. Among them are such operators as Waterman, Isthmian, Isbrandtsen, States Marine and T. J. McCarthy. stymied applications will get final the subsidy operation to the juris­ action. diction of the Secretary of Com­ The AMMI had led the opposi­ merce. (See editorial, page 11). LABOR 'ROUND THE WORLD TWO RELATIVELY-NEW BUT RAPIDLY GROWING TRADE UN­ ION movements have emerged in formerly backward areas, Okinawa and Turkey. In the former case, the major militarj'- base south of Japan has not had much of a labor movement up until now becausa of the lack of any industry of .consequence other than the job of servicing the military, and the fact that American military rule Im­ posed restrictions on trade union activity. However, the Japanese Trade Union Congress now reports that there has been considerable union growth on the island and much interest in forming unions. So far, only 18,000 out of the 135,000 wage earners on the island have been organized. The JTUC also notes that there are too many tiny, splinter unions. In Turkey, the overthrow of the regime of Premier Menderes by the Turkish armed forces has strengthened the union movement. Tha new constitution adopted by the Turks permits strikes for the first time. The Turkish Confederation of Trade Unions has been permitted to affiliate with the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, and Turkish union leaders have been in touch with American unions as well as others in the frea^ world. Turkish unions have enrolled 300,000 members, but the potential is limited because up until now the country has been mainly agricultural. Dues in most unions average ten to 20 cents a month, with compulsory arbitration being the usual way of settling contract terms. * * * AFRICAN WAGES ARE NOT OVER-GENEROUS as the action of the Southern Rhodesian industrial board shows. The minimum wage for unskilled labor in the transport industry has now been raised to $5.60 per week. Truck drivers' minimums will be $6.58 after si* months' service. These are considerable improvements over previous minimums which were as low as $4.20 per week. » • * THE MARITIME UNION OF INDIA, representing deck officers, en­ gineers, radio officers and electricians on Indian-flag ships, has recent­ ly completed a new agreement with the Great Eastern Shipping Com­ pany of Bombay. Starting wage rates for skippers on the company's ships have been raised to approximately $250 a month, going up t® $400 a month after 14 years' service. Electricians' starting pay is now $64 per month. After 20 years' service an electrician on the company's ship? will be earning approximately $130 per month. There is an addi­ tional allowance of 7Vji percent of base wages when seamen are in off­ shore service. �Fag* Tea SEAFARERS IMl LOG Sea Land Buys Six Vessels for lnter€oastal Operations The SlU-contracted Sea Land company has purchased six additional yessels in its drive to develop the intercoastal trade. Two of the ships have already gone into service out of the West Coast, with a third due to sail shortly. The remaining three vessels are being conVerted into full-fledged con-"^" tainerships at the Alabama Steamship Company, last remain­ boxes. The T-28 will have a capacity ing operator in the trade, discon­ of 196 trailer bodies as compared Drydocks in Mobile. tinued the run because of railroad Sea Land entered the Intercoast­ rate competition. Luckenbach had al service when the Luckenbach suffered heavy-losses in the trade with conventional cargo ships. The SUJ-contracted containership operator also expects to take some losses in the trade until it In order to keep Union rec­ gets containerships on the run. The ords up to date and to fuliy- latter vessels, being more econ­ protect Seafarer's rights to omical to operate, would have a welfare and other benefits, it is better chance of competing success­ important that all ship's dele­ fully with the railroads. gates mail a complete SIU crew C-2s To Be Used list in to headquarters after the The ships purchased and manned sign on. The crew lists are by Seafarers include three C-2s, particularly valuable in an the Short Hills, the Chatham and emergency when it's necessary the Fanwood. These are the ones to establish seatime eligibility currently being used in the service. for benefits on the part of a The remaining three vessels are Seafarer, or a member of his T-2 tanker.s formerly owned by family, particularly if he should Gulf. They have been named the be away at s^a at the time. Summit, the Westfield and the Crew list forms are being Ridgewood. The conversion work will consist mailed to all ships with this issue of the LOG and can be of rebuilding the midbody of the obtained from Union patrolmen ship to handle container boxes and the installation of a traveling crane in any port. for loading and discharging the Mail Crew Li^ts To Union Office Joe Algina, Safety Director Another Labor Day: Make it Safe! Organized labor in the AFL-CIO helped to make the celebration of Labor Day last year one of the safest in the past ten years. The goal this time is to make the 1961 Labor Day weekend the safest and most enjoyable one we can. Every Seafarer and every union member has an important part in achieving this goal. This is the theme of the third annual Labor Day Safety Campaign. Labor's national holiday was never intended to be celebrated by smashing up cars on the streets and highways and killing and maiming hnndrpds of .Americans, It was never intended to result In sorrow and grief for hundreds of families from carelessness on the beaches ... at picnics ... or in small boats. Each Seafarer is urged to make this national effort his personal campaign—to see that neither he nor his wife and children get hurt during the coming Labor Day holiday. If you're ashore and maybe planning on doing some odd jobs around the house, take it easy. Working around the house sounds safe enough?^ if you exercise the same caution you should use on the job. It's a fact, however, that more people are killed by home accidents than at work. Almost one-half of all deaths in homes results from falls. When you're around the house, do a little checking. Are there any pails, toys, loose carpets on the stairways? What about your ladder? Is it in a safe condiiton? Have you got a rubber bath mat in your bath tub? Are there any dangerous medicines, tablets or chemicals lying around the house within easy reach of small children? If you're driving, whether on a long or short trip, remember you're on a long weekend, a holiday weekend. Everybody wants to get where he's going; try to get there with everybody in one piece. Most fatal accidents involving automobiles occur within 25 miles of home. That's something to think about when you start out on the road, .Start out early too—and take your time. Don't violate ordinary safe driving rules that you wouldn't think of breaking on any other day.. Above all, play it safe. Seafarers will be aboard ship for the holiday —and have the same responsibilities for their own safety and the safety of their shipments. Try to avoid accidents and carelessness on the holiday the same as you would ashore. 4- t 4" 4" Another safety training institute sponsored by the AFL-CIO's Stand­ ing Committee on Safety and Occupational Health was completed in Washington recently. Students from eight international unions and representatives from other labor groups, including the undersigned, attended these sessions. They are jointly planned by the AFL-CIO Committee with the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Standards, and are very useful in mapping out an overall safety program. These training courses were pioneered in large part by George Brown, secretary of the AFL-CIO safety committee until recently and now deputy director of the Bureau of Labor Standards. They are a practical demonstration of what labor is trying to do in the field of safety. After many years of cooperating in strictly management or Government programs, labor is moving out on its own by sponsoring training and safety programs for its members. 4" We've mentioned before some of the problems regarding the trans­ portation of radioactive materials aboard ship and the need to insure adequate protection and emergency provisions for the vessel and crew. Proper information and training can help us handle radiation hazards just as well as any other hazard related to seafaring. We are now preparing material for distribution to all SIU vessels which will give some basic information on how to handle radiation hazards. HIghwayp UIW To Negotiate Pact to the 226 carried by Sea Land's present trailerships. They will also operate with one traveling crane as compared to the two fore and aft traveling cranes on the converted C-2s. The split design of a T-2 tank­ er, with the house up forward and the engine roOm back aft makes It possible to concentrate all the load­ ing and unloading in the center area of the vessel. The conversion should be com­ pleted some time early in 1962, when the ships will enter the inter­ coastal trade. 'Switch' Ships Facing '50-50' Cargo Curbs WASHINGTON — Owners who are switching ships formerly under runaway flags to American-flag registry, or who are building, or rebuilding ships abroad to grab off Government-financed "50-50" car­ goes will have their way blocked if a new Federal bill (S. 1808) is passed at the end of the month. The measure, now getting quick Congressional action, will bar ships that have been built or rebuilt abroad, or ships re-registered under the American flag, from hauling government cargoes, for a period of three years after US documentation. Some Ships Exempted The bill doesn't apply to ship­ owners who have contracted to have- their ships rebuilt abroad If the ship was originally constructed in the United States, and if-they have notified the Maritime Admin­ istration. Vessels that have been documented under US registry on their first visit to a US port are also free of the three-year ban. The "50-50" statute was adopted by the Government to encourage the development of an Americanowned and American-built mer­ chant marine, manned by American seamen. It states that at least 50 percent of Government-financed cargoes must be carried in US flag vessels. More Ships Than 50-50 Cargoes Today there are more US flag vessels than their are "-50-50" car­ goes to be shipped. This hurts the shipping market and the seaman, and cuts construction of new unsubsidized ships for US flag reg­ istry. Recently many shipowners oper­ ating under foreign flags have transferred to the US flag for the purpose of qualifying for Govern­ ment-financed cargoes. Foreign shipping markets have been quiet, and so the reasoning has been that the ships could be run at a greater profit under US registry because of the "50-50" cargoes. These foreign ships, or the rebuilt ones, usually have a larger bulk freight capacity than the older American-built Libertys, Victorys' and C-types. They can therefore under bid and cause the lay-up of American built unsubsidized ships. The bill was submitted by Sen­ ator Bartlett (Dem-Alaska). It will probably be passed by the end of the month. Frank ZawtskI (left) and Rocco Longo work on trailer axle at Highway Trailer Industries, Newark, NJ. Contract talks at plant will follow recent UIW election victory. Philly Area Reports Organizing Activity PHILADELPHIA-^Two area plants—with a total poten­ tial of some 300 jobs—are prime targets for United Industrial Workers organizers, who are in the midst of an intensive campaign, reports Steve Car-"^ dullo, UIW national director. called for a stepped-up organiz­ ing drive in the ranks of indus­ The two firms are Seico trial workers who are presently Boat Building, Toms River, NJ, and Airoil Burner Co., Inc., Phila­ delphia. Seico currently employs around 100 men but expects to add at least another 150 to its payroll due to peak orders for its primjfry products—pleasure boats. Airoil, which manufactures pil burners, gas burners and furnace equipment fqr commercial plants and homes, currently employs 34 production workers. Union's Goal Cardullo also emphasized the fact that the UIW's present organ­ izational goal is about 5,000 new members. This, he noted, should be attained by next December. The UIW also has extremely heavy organizing activity under­ way in the Trenton, NJ, area, where there are a great number of non-union industrial outfits. For this reason, a UIW branch office will be established in that city so that the growing ranks of UIW members will receive speedier servicing from the Union. At pres­ ent, the contracted shops in the area are being serviced out of Philadelphia, which is seme 40 miles away. The energetic UIW organizing activity in the Philadelphia area, as well as elsewhere in the Union's jurisdiction, reflects the decision of the UIW's convention earlier this year. The convention UIW Meetings BALTIMORE — Wednesday, Sep­ tember 6, at 7:30 P.M., 1216 E. Balti­ more St. NEW YORK—Tuesday, September 8, at 0 P.M., UIW Hall, 675 Fourth Ave., B"klyn. PHIL.4USLPHIA — Tuesday, Sep­ tember B. at 7:30 P.M., UIW Hall. 3604 S: 4th SUcet. without union reprcscntationi or who are not represented by a legitimate AFL-CIO union. Aug. Benefit At $8,521 NEW YORK—During the first half of August, the United Indus­ trial Workers Plan paid 74 claims to UIW members or their families for a total of $8,521.99. In the pre­ vious full month, 93 claims amount­ ing to $9,273.15 were paid out. According to the Welfare Plan office, the fact that so many claims were handled during the first half of the month indicates that UIW members are becoming more aware of the benefits to which they are entitled under the Welfare Plan. The Plan office said that it was contacted by numerous shop stew­ ards during the month who were making inquiries or processing claims for members. In addition, the Union's suc­ cesses in the organizing arena have added to the numbers of workers receiving UIW Welfare Plan cov-. erage. The highest benefit during Aug­ ust went to Roger McCaslin, of Wilson Marine Lines. Brother Mc­ Caslin received a total of $1,141 for disability benefits and hospital care. Other benefits totaling $200 or better went to: Catherine Lane, V. J. Spellman Co., $698.98; Robert Stamm, Mallard Mfg. Corp., $437.25; Joseph Kleinwichs, Schaevitz Engineering, $274, and Willie Nash, Airmaster Corp., $222.30. �AvrntKim SEAFARERS fagg BleMo LOG 'Maybe Now They'll Let Us In..,' Rajr Mnrdock, Director JAPANESE MARITIME EXPANSION—A recent shipping white paper by the Transportation Ministry of Japan expressed the hope that Japan would enlarge her fleet in a bid for a larger share of revenue. The Ministry indicated that this move was necessary to curtail the outflow of foreign currencies. In 1960, Japan's 683 seagoing vessels hauled 52,540,000 tons of goods to earn $530 million in both domestic and foreign currencies. The Japanese, however, spent $300 millioti paying foreign vessels to carry a sharply-increasing amount of trade. The Ministry of Transportation feels that these payments could have been averted had Japan possessed a larger merchant fleet. A week following the Ministry of Transportation's announce­ ment, the Mitsubishi Shipping Company, one of Japan's leading maritime transport companies, an­ nounced that it will launch the first -of four high-speed freighters this fall that will serve the New York run. The HAMPTON MARU, the first of the high-speed cargo vessels, will be completed October 18. The three sister vessels, all constructed by the Mitsubishi Shipbuildihg Company, will be launched between 1962 and 1964. The HAMPTON MARU has a maximum speed of 20.5 knots, and an average cruising speed of 18.3 knots. It is estimated that Japanese shipping concerns will have about 50 high-speed cargo vessels on the New York run by 1964. 4^ 4, 4> FREE PORT—Tangier will again become a free port starting January 1, 1962. King Hassan,.the Moroccan monarch, announced recently that Tangier will inaugurate a construction program to extend port fa­ cilities at a cost of 10 million francs, or about $2 million. Since losing its status as an international free zone on April 19 of last year, Tangier has suffered economically. The plan proposed by the Moroccan monarch is expected to bring new iife to the port city. Under the plan, monetary exchanges inside the free port will be free from restriction, modern shipyards will be built, and new plans to industrialize the area will be carried out. * The reorganization of the maritime agen­ cies, which had been requested by President Kennedy and approved by Congress, is now imderway. The details of the administrative changes involved are not of great concern to seamen, but what is of Importance to them Is the fact that new management is taking charge of the subsidy program. The American Merchant Marine Institute had strongly opposed the maritime reorganiration for one obvious reason: The compa­ nies which control the Institute, the major subsidized operators, wanted no change in the status quo. They knew what they had— a cozy arrangement in which all of the Gov­ ernment's financial aid Was channeled to a lew selected operators. Naturally, they weren't interested in upsetting this arrange­ ment. Now, these companies will have to contend with a new structure and new people. The basic change involved gives the Secretary of Commerce authority over the subsidy program, taking it put of the hands of the relatively autonomous Federal Maritime Board. Clearly this means that the Adminis­ tration is going to play- a much moref direct and significant policy role in the subsidy program than has been the practice in the past. , The new management —the Secretary of Commerce—is undoubtedly going to take a close look at the operations of the program , with a view toward making it more effective. It has been the position of the unions in the National Committee for Maritime Bargaining that the subsidy program to date has not be^n effective in maintaining a strong Amer- ^ lean merchant,marine. The NCMB has also maintained that the ineffectiveness of the^ subsidy program has bfeeri due, in large part, to the fact that the benefits have been lim­ ited to a narrow area of the industry, while other segments of the industry, including the bulk trades, have been left to wither away. Seamen's employment has suffered accord-* ingly. Obviously, the kind of decisions that would involve fundamental alteration in the sub­ sidy program and overhauling of Govern­ ment aid generally, would have to be made at the top level and would have to be con­ curred in by Congress. At least now, Ameri­ can seamen, who depend on the industry for their livelihood, and the American ship op­ erator, will have assurance ihat xheir prob­ lems will be dealt with at the Cabinet level by a Cabinet officer responsible directly to the President. Changes are in the offing and the maritime unions of the NCMB are de­ termined to fight for changes which will be for the betterment of the entire industry and the seamen in its employ. t 4. t Houston Next The program to provide Seafarers with mod­ ern halls in all major ports has taken another step forward with the purchase of property in the port of Houston. The need for new facilities in Houston has been recognized for some time. Anybody looking at the registration and shipping figures for the port can see that activity out of the North Texas Gulf area has been steadily increasing. More and more men have been passing through the port, strain­ ing the facilities of the present hall to the bursting point. A good part of the rise in Houston activity involves the shipment of wheat and cotton overseas under the farm surplus program, which looks like it will continue for some time. The new facilities at Houston will as­ sure that Seafarers using the port wijl have & building available to them which will be ample to meet their needs. ' 4 TITLE XI INSURANCE CONTRACTS—MA has announced that under Title XI oT the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as amended, approxi­ mately $468 million in Government mortgage kisurance and commit­ ments to insure mortgages is now in effect. An additional $12T million in mortgage loan insurance on 29 deep and 72 shallow-draft vessels is also pending before the Administration. This makes a total of ap­ proximately $595 million in effect or pending on projects involving 164 vessels. Under Title XI, MA is authorized, to insure mortgages up to 87.5 percent of the actual cost of the construction or recon­ struction of a ship that is designed to be not less than 3,500 gross tons measurement and capable of a sustained speed of 14 knots. On smaller vessels, and on vessels constructed or reconstructed with con­ struction subsidy, MA is authorized to insure loans and mortgages to the extent of 75 percent of actual cost of construction or reconstruction. 4 4 4 LEGISLATIVE ROUNDUP—The Senate has confirmed the nomina­ tion of Rear Admiral John Harllee to be a member of the FMB. Admiral Ilarliee will be appoiiitud to a four-year term which will expire June30, 1965 . . . The House Merchant Marine Committee has ordered S. 881 to be reported favorably to the House. The bill permits documentation of vessels sold or transferred abroad . . . The Senate Commerce Com­ mittee has ordered S. 1808 favorably reported. The measure seeks to encourage the construction and maintenance of American-flag vessels built in American shipyards. It provides for exclusion from participa­ tion in the Cargo Preference Act (50-50) of all vessesi which after en­ actment of the bill are built, or documented abroad until such vessels have been documented under US laws for three years . . . S. 2187, a bill to implement the provisions of the International Convention for the ably reported to the Senate by the SCC. A similar bill, H.R, 8152, has been ordered favorably reported to the House by HMM . , . Hearings are currently being held before the SCC on H.R, 6775, the dual-rate bill. The objections of American-flag and foreign-flag steamship lines to the proposed legislation have been formalized in the nature of ammendments following the recommendation of Senator Engle (Dem.), California, Two bills, S. 2313 and S. 2314, the first seeking to unify apportion­ ment of liability in cases of collision between vessels, and related casualties, and the second designed to lin>it the liability of shipowners, were introduced in the Senate by Senator Magnuson (Dem.), Wash­ ington , . . Spokesmen for the American Steamship Industry have asked Congress to approve HR 6971. The purpose of the measure is to permit the owners from whom vessels were acquired under Section 802 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, to reacquire the same or sub­ stitute vessels from the Government upon release from Government service at substantially the same basis as the ships were taken by the United States, plus an additional allowance for war service depreciation computed at the rate of three percent per annum. Representative Sibal (Rep,), Connecticut, has introduced a bill which would direct the Secretary of Commerce to initiate steps leading to a redefinition of a national transportation policy. The measure, HR 8364, was referred to the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce . . . Under the terms of S. 1983, the proposed Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, the transportation between foreign countries of goods purchased with foreign currencies acquired under the bill and under Public Law 480, is exempt from the 50-50 shipping require­ ment, Section 603 of the bill, entitled Shipping on United States Vessels, provides that: "Ocean transportation between foreign coun­ tries of commodities and defense articles purchased with foreign cur­ rencies made available or derived from funds made available under tliis Act or the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, as amended, and transfers of fresh fruit and products thereof under this Act, shall not be governed by the provisions of Section 901 (b) of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, as amended, or any other law relating to tlie ocean transportation of commodities on United States flag vessels." •ir; �ja:wffi»sv«T«tv;.>;^?:ir'.; -i •i--,T'K.H'/;'..-^.-v... ,j j.,<y • SKAWAnEKS LOG m -•. V 1- • .1 I » ) 1 AmsmA, INt -v:v Seafarers On The Job Aboard SlU Vesse/s Bosillo Estrella, FWT on the Prances, Bull Line C-2, was working on an air injecter valve when photog came along. . Checking stores list for the Robin Gray (Robin) is SlU Food Plan representative Leon Hoii (left) and Tex Goodhlon, chief steward. Menu-planning is on the mind of Roy SedowskI, chief steward on Robin Hood (Robin), shown working ijp day's meal listing. Som Gronde, wiper on the Hood, talks with en. jine room via ship's rphona from main deck, were being pumped aboard at the time. �SEAFARERS LOC How many boxes of cereal, cans of peas, pounds of bacon does if fake fo feed a crew? Fronc*!* ifeward Corloi Dia is figuring it out. Fag* TUrhtm If was lunchfime aboard the Frances and chief cook Frank Antonetti as well as crew messman Jose Ross ore busy in the galley getting the orders out fo unlicensed crewmembers. Good appetites were keeping Steward Diaz (pnoto left] busy on stores lists. i\ i Ship's delegates get a crack at coffeetime too. This one Is Richard Voughon, OS, who handles Robin Hood crew beefs. Happy to be aboard a brand new ship, steward department members aboard the Del Rio (Mississippi) were all spruced up for the maiden voyage. They are (left to right) Pot Gorzo, chief steward Woody Perkins ^nd J. A. Werseiowich. Remember the snows of last winter? Unidentified deck gang crewmembers aboard the Robin Groy are shown in process of securing the gangway after the vessel docked at its Brooklyn pier. Photo was taken before sunshine melted hugs accumulation of sneW from winter storms. Crew pantryman Julio Nopoieonis performs a daily chore as he scrubs a load of dishes aboard the Robin Hood. �i ,rM» Pearteee 8EAPARER5 ZaC lAtfKWlrlMl -\ If h• Seafmvrs' Cash Hospital Benefits Top $ 2 Million BiEW YORK—Launched modestly 11 years ago, the inhospital benefit for Seafarers has now topped the $2-millionmark in cash payments. This represents one dollar of every five paid in cash benefits by^ to $3 per day last year to avoid the Welfare Plan to date. losses in benefits due to sjplit Now pegged at $3 daily, on October 1. 1961, the regular bene­ fit rate will jump to $56 weekly to cover the first 39 weeks of hospitaliTiation. The increased amount for hospitalized Seafarers is part of the new accident and sickness benefit program just negotiated by the Union. The benefit amount will revert to $3 per day In the event hospitalization exceeds 39 weeks. Still retained is the unique fea­ ture of the SIU Welfare Plan which assures Seafarers hospital benefits for an unlimited time, a key provision in eases of serious, chronic illness. Started as one of the two basic benefits of the Plan back in July, 1950, the in-hospital benefit pro­ gram originally provided $7 weekly. (The death benefit, now $4,000, was $500.) This became $10 weekly in May, 1951, and $15 a week that November. The $21 weekly figure was instituted May, 1955, when the family benefit pro­ gram began. The rate was changed weeks. Under the sickness and accident prograni beginning this October, eligible Seafarers will qualify for $56 weekly whether they require hospitalization or outpatient treat­ ment for an illness or injury. Out­ patient benefits will be limited to 39 weeks and will not apply to men on maintenance and cure. Bring Discharges For PHS Service Seafarers seeking medical care at the USPHS facilities at Staten Island or Hudson and Jay Streets, Manhattan, ..can insure better servico by presenting properly - completed Masters' Certificates or dischar^s show­ ing 60 days of seatime. An ap­ pointment system has also been instituted to help avoid long waiting periods and to assure the chances of being seen on a particular day. Call, write, wire or radio ahead for an'appoint­ ment and, when necessary to cancel, do so in advance. The phones are: Hudson & Jay Out­ patient Clinic, BArclay 7-6150; Staten Island Hospital, Gibral­ tar 7-3010, ext. 415 or 416. Receives SIU Hospital Benefit Vacation Rise Is 6fh Since 1952 $$ NEW YORK—The SlU vacation pay increase for continuous serv­ ice, effective this coming October 1, will mark the sixth major cash boost in Seafarers' Vacation Plan benefits since 1952. The original rate of vacation benefits was $140 per year. Liberalization of the vacation program will enable a Seafarer who spends a full year on the same vessel to collect benefits of $800 a year if he pays off the ship. Any time in addition to the year's serv­ ice will be pro-rated at the $800 rate. The new continuous service benefit will not affect the existing $400 annual vacation schedule cov­ ering service on several vessels or with more than one company.. This amount remains the same. Seafarers who receive the con­ tinuous service benefits of $800 cannot ship out again for 60 days from the date of payoff, except in cases where a vessel may otherwies sail short-handed. However, they may register immediately after the payoff. SIU men who prefer to remain aboard the same vessel longer than a year have the option of waiving the extra $400 and will collect the regular $400 benefit. Under rules being set up for the continuous service benefit, temporary layoffs of ten da.vs or less, in accord with the shipping rules provided by the SIU contract, will not constitute a break in continuous service. K'^ow!. rotHBuJS H. Trulock, oiler, receives week!) hospital benefit from welfare reps Tom Gould (at right) ana John Dwyer, at Staten Island USPHS Hospital. Joseph Volplaii, Social Security Director New Benefits: Frosting On The Cake There Is oonsiderable Interest among Seafarers these days in the new Welfare and Vacation Plan benefits set to go into effect on Oc­ tober 1. They all represent significant gains from the recent contract negotiations, and will round out the well-charted program of benefits for Seafarers and their families which began so modestly in 1950. It is no secret, of course, that improvements in so-called "fringe bene­ fits", apart from direct wages, continues to be the trend throughout the labor movement. The most welcome gain, from all accounts, appears to be the estab­ lishment of a funded pension plan for Seafarers which guarantees benefits of $150 upon retirement at age 65. This has been a longsought goal under the overall SIU Welfare program, as the UnIoh~"and the general membership has advanced in age over the years. Now, with the accumulation of 15 years of seatime (5,475 days), a $150 monthly pension becomes a matter of routine at the age of 85. At the same time, the special disability benefit program will continue, to assure the same $150 monthly payment- upon proof of permanent disability at any age. The seatime requirement in this instance is unchanged at 12 years (4,380 days). With US Social Security Benefits, as they apply in each case, SIU pensioners today have a fairly com­ fortable cushion for their future security. US benefits apply at age 50, in the case of disability, and now start (at reduced rates) begin­ ning at age 62 for regular retirement. Together, these pension features can be expected to cover the ex­ panding needs of SIU oldtimers for years to come. No small achievement either is the start of a sickness and accident benefit program providing $56 weekly for a period of up to 39 weeks. This improvement means a considerable rise in the basic in-hospital benefit for Seafarers besides plugging a long-standing gap in the wel­ fare program. Now, Seafarers who become ill or injured while not employed on" a vessel and who previously would not have been eligiblo for any type of ca.sh benefit during a period of outpatient treatment, qualify for the $56 a week for up to 39 weeks. After October 1, those who go into the hospital have the $56 to fall back on for 39 weeks and then. If longer hospitalization is necessary, qualify for the existing $3 daily hospital benefit for as long as they may be laid up. ' Improvements In SIU vacation pay also provide for major change in setting up a continuous service benefit amounting to better than two months base wages for most ratings. Those who take advantage of this new benefit by accumulating at least a full year's time on one vessel can collect $800 if they pay off and do not ihlp again for 80 days. Any time over "a year will be pro-rated at the $800 rate also. In addition, a Seafarer can remain on a vessel for more than a year, -as long as he likes, merely by waiving the extra $400. Those who do not wish to stay on one ship for a full year also still qualify for vaca­ tion benefits of $400 annually Just as before. There's ample choice hero of Jobs as well as vacation benefits for every man. (Comments ond suggestlona ore invited by the Department and can be submitted to this column, care of the SEAFARERS LOG.) 10 More SIU Pensioners Approved NEW YORK—The third lady Seafarer to qualify, plus nine other veteran SIU seamen are now receiving weekly SIU disability-pensions following trustee approval of their benefit applications. The number of applicants approved so far this year totals 31, boosting the roster of active pensioners to a record high of 215. Sister Trilby G. Safford, 61,1 former .stewardess on the Al­ 'A steward department veteran with the SIU since 1951, coa Corsair, joins M. Laurence shipping Brother Curry last sailed on the Chopin and Edna T. Johanson, who have been on the disabled list since 1958 and 1959, respectively. Others just approved for the $35 weekly benefit are : James E. Curry, 73; Fred A. Delapenha, 68, a veteran of the American Coal beef; Ricardo Garciaa 62; August Jensen, 61; Mai Curry Robin Kirk-in 1960. He sailed with Ore Line for many years out of his home port of Baltimore and currently resides there with his wife, Carrie. Heart disease has beached him for good. Sailing US ships since 1918, Brother Delapenha readily earned a berth on the Liberty ship Thomas Paine during the 1957 American Coal beef. His SIU time goes back to 1942 in the steward department. He had to call it quits in Novem- McAlister Mondesire ber, after a voyage on the Steel Designer, due to generalized ar­ teriosclerosis and diabetes. Ho and his wife, Ella, live in New York City.. Delapenha McAlister, 71; Favras J. Mondesire, 67; Falemino Palume, 65; Mariano B. Polpuiiu, 65, and Donald D. Whittaker, 69. Gdrcki Jeii$ea Pdiwil* Polpollo Safford Whittaker The only black gang representa­ tive in the group. Brother Garcia has been sidelined by a heart con­ dition after shipping SIU since 183&. He last sailed on the Massmar in May. He and his wife, Juana, are residents of Newark, NJ. With 25 years of foreign-flag sailing plus SIU seatime since 1943 behind him. Brother Jensen is now permanently unfit for duty due to a bronchopneumonia condition. He and his wife, Marie, live in Hunt­ ington, NY. Jensen's last ship was • (Continued on page 16) �FMT* wtete UtEA^AREnS tOG Congress Votes 3 More Years Of Farm Surplus Shipments ^ Cliff Wilson, Food and Ship Sanitation Director Food Pofsonins Is Year-Round Hazard There are certain ailments which are associated with summertime. One of them is food poisoning. While outbreaks are more prevalent during the summer, this can be a year-round problem aboard merchant ships which may be in and out of sub-tropical or tropical waters any time of the' year. Nor is moderate weather a guarantee against such outbreaks. Food poisoning can take many forms. At its mildest, it is an un­ pleasant and unnecessary nuisance. More severe cases can lead to prolonged hospitalization or can even be fatal. Careless Food Handling At Fault It's been clearly established by the medical men that most instances of food poisoning are the product of careless, unsanitary food handling. (We're not talking about special circumstances such as poisonous mush­ rooms, or botulism which is the result of improper canning or pre­ serving of food.) The difference made by warm weather is simply that the warmer the surroundings, the faster the bacteria multiply. Refrigeration is one important weapon which can help prevent food poisoning. Refrigeration won't kill the disease-bearng germs but it will keep them inactive. Consequently, it is most important to re­ frigerate certain foods when they are not actually being served. Salads Very Susceptible Particular care should be taken with respect to any food containing milk, cream, mayonnaise or other dressings, or any salads using cold eggs or cold meats, or desserts and pastries, especially with a custard or cream filling. The bacteria will breed very rapidly in these foods If they are left standing in a warm messroom or galley. Mayonnaise seems to be especially susceptible. If you ever read news stories about food poisoning, in most instances they seem to be traced to such items as chicken salad, tuna salad or potato salad prepared with mayonnaise. These foods should not be put out on the table until meal service begins. Heated foods can also be carriers of food poisoning, especially if they have just been warmed up and the heat has not been high enough to destroy the bacteria. Warm gravies, for instance, can do the dam­ age if they have not been brought to a boil. The SIU Food Plan's program of cooking and serving to order does much to minimize this kind of problem. Under the old system, where a roast was cut up in advance of a meal and left standing out in a gravy, the possibility of food poisoning was far greater. Even if the foods have been properly refrigerated, and not left stand­ ing around, they can still become carriers of food poisoning if the coQk or messman who handles them has not been careful to keep his hands plean, of if he has a cold or skin infection. Once the food has been removed from the refrigerator and exposed to dirt or cold germs, the bacteria which cause food infection receive large-scale reinforcements. They can multiply to the point of causing serious illness. The daiigcFs of food poisoiHiif aboard ship are multiplied by the close and crowded confines of ships' galleys and messrooms, by the relative lack of ventilation as compared to shoreside facilities and by the greater exposure to heat. Consequently, steward department men •board ship should exercise great care as to prompt refrigeration of food, personal cleanliness and cleanliness in the galiey to avoid out­ breaks. WASHINGTON—American ships and seamen were assured three years' additional em­ ployment in the bulk cargo trades as the result of the renewal of farm surplus legislation by Congress. This is the first time the surplus shipments have been authorized for a longterm period. The act, which "cleared both In some instances, depending on ing a serious dent in the US food Houses of Congress on August the individual circumstances and stockpile. 3 and was subsequently signed by President Kennedy, authorizes the shipment of 4.5 billion in surplus comm.odities to needy nations such as India, South Vietnam, Pakistan, Korea, Turkey, and Egypt. Since the shipment of farm surplus^ cargoes which are actually gifts of the US taxpayer to the nations involved—are covered by the "50-50" cargo preference act, it means that US ships wiil be as­ sured of sizable cargo offerings for the three year period. regulations involved, US ships will carry 100 percent of specific cargo allotments. The farm surplus program, which is designed to reduce US farm surplus stockpiles, and to assist food-short nations, was orig­ inally scheduled on the basis of $750 million worth of cargo an­ nually. The act has been renewed several years running, and the amount of surplus donated to for­ eign nations has been doubled to $1.5 billion annually without mak- The last three Textile Workers union's executive board has for­ Union of America officials jailed bidden members, who work as film for "conspiracy" to blow up a cameramen, laboratory technicians, struck mill in North Carolina were editors or in other related crafts paroled earlier this month. The from striking or assisting another three, Boyd E. Payton, Lawrence union's strike without expressed Gore and Charles Auslander, had permission from the international served the legal minimum sentence president who, in turn, must have and Gov. Terry Sanford (Dem.) prior approval of the executive ordered a three-year reduction in board. their term, making them eligible 4" 4* for parole. Requests for executive The National Labor Relations clemency had come from business, .Board has struck down the effec­ labor"^ Government and civic lead­ tiveness of "super-seniority" prom-, ers after the star witness against ises made to strikebreakers. The the union officials, a state under­ Board, in a case between the In­ cover informer, was involved in a ternational Union of Electrical Virginia gun charge. Workers and an Erie, Pa., company t t 4 ruled that it was an unfair labor An unusual picketline was used practice to arbitrarily award 20by the American Guild of Variety years "seniority" to strikebreakers, Artists in an attempt to organize or strikers who return during the Bourbon Street strip joints in New strike and then to apply this "seni­ Orleans' famous French Quarter. ority" in determining labor layoffs. The pickets were led by two im­ "Super-seniority effectively divides pressively-shaped strippers and the the strikers against themselves," lines will continue until all strip tlie Board said and sets up two clubs are unionized. Public (male) groups, "those who stayed with the sympathy Is on the side of the union to the end and lost their pickets. seniority and those who returned before the end of the strike and S* 4" 3^ The International Association of thereby gained extra seniority." Theatrical Stage Employees has t 4. 4> laid down a policy which safeguards In spite of previous decisions (Comments and suggestions are invited by the Department and can against strikes by union members against its anti-labor policy. Sears at US missile-launching sites. The ^e submitted to this column, care of the SEAFARERS LOG.) Roebuck & Co. has continued its anti-union activities with the re­ sult that Department Store Local 1207 of the Retail Clerks Union has filed charges against Sears for unfair labor practices with the National Labor Relations Board. The company, according to the charges, agreed to union security verbally but refused to put it in writing, failed to put agreements on sales commis.sions in writing, attempted to bypass normal griev­ ance precedures and refused to meet with union representatives. The company's previous actions have resulted in a union-sponsored "Don't Buy Sears" campaign which it is continuing. Prize-Winner Samples Reamer's Cookery 4^ 4^ 4^ Winner of a 16-day cruiie to the Caribbean, MIs< Rosalva Rosas of Brownsville, Texas (left) samples the fare being offered by Seafarer f, J. Lineh, saloon MM. Looking on is Miss Rosas' traveling companion, Miss Gloria Perez. Miss Rosas won the free trip in an essay contest on the US merchont morine, and soiled on the Alcoa Roomer. Employees illegally discarged or laid off received back pay of $1.7 million in fiscal 1961, the National Labor Relations Board reported on reviewing the unfair labor prac­ tices cases it handled during June, 1960, to June, 1961. This sum was up 20 percent over fiscal 1960. The board also reported the following in its review: The number of work­ ers offered reinstatement after il­ legal discharge was nearly double, and of this total 67 percent ac­ cepted reinstatement. The total number of eases handled increased slightly, but was below the all time record set In fiscal 1959. The agen­ cy cut down the time of litigation, enabling it to handle more cases. The three-year extension, while setting a $4.5 billion ceiling would authorize as much as $2i/i billion •worth of shipments in a single year. The US has recently been con­ cluding long-term agreements with such countries as India and Pakis­ tan for shipment of essential food­ stuffs. Consequently, the prior year-to-year renewal of the act was modified to cover these longterm commitments. Since ship operators now hav» assurance of such cargo shipments for the next three years, they are expected to accelerate conversion of vessels into bulk carriers for the surplus trade. Movie Union's Pact Would Expand Jobs NEW YORK—Member unione of the International Association of Theatrical Trades Employees have agreed to new contract terms which will increase job opportunities for motion picture technicians. The agreement, which is de­ signed to expand the motion pic­ ture industry here, bypassed wage increases and made other changes in contract terms which would encourage producers to make more films in New York. In addition to the increased job opportunities involved, the motion picture unions won a contract pro­ vision giving them a 16 2/3 per­ cent share in the producer's gross profit on each of the films in­ volved. An immediate result of the new agreement will be the production of five low-budget films in the metropolitan area, with consequent employment for directors, pho­ tographers, wardrobe attendants, film editors and other crafts. A major reason for the contract agreement was the eompetition being offered by low-cost Europsan film makers. SCHEDULE OF SIU MEETINGS SIU membership meet­ ings are held regularly once a month on doys indlcoted by the SIU Con­ stitution, ot 2:30 PM in the listed SIU ports below. All Seoforers ore ex­ pected to ottend. Those who wish to be excused should request permission by telegrom (be sure to include registrotion num­ ber). The next SIU meet­ ings will be: New York Philodelphio Boltimore Detroit Houston New Orleons Mobile Sept. 5 Sept. 5 Sept. 6 Sept. 8 Sept. n Sept. 12 Sept. 13 �Labor Book Cites LOG Runaway, Clinic Stories Four selections from the SEAFARERS LOG are included In an anthology of articles taken from labor publications en­ titled "Labor's Story," a new book published recently. Compiled by the editors of* three union newspapers, the Retirement part of the same sec­ book tells "labor's story as re­ tion. Notify Woifaro Of Changoo The SIU Welfare Services De­ partment reports that it has had difficulty locating seamen's families because the seamen's enrollment or beneficiary cards have not been kept up te date. Some death benefit payments have been delayed for some time until the Seafarer's bene­ ficiaries could be located. To avoid delays in payments of wel­ fare benefits. Seafarers are ad­ vised to notify the Union im­ mediately of any changes In ad­ dress, changes in the names of beneficiaries or additional de­ pendents by filling out new en­ rollment and beneficiary cards. The anthology, which contains ported by the American Labor some 305 news stories, articles, Press." The anthology gives prominent editorials and features from 85 treatment to the runaway problem leading trade union publications, facing unions when ships or com­ was published by the Community panies start runaway operations in Publishers, 43 Franklin Ave., Glen foreign countries or relocate in Cove, New York and costs $5.50. non-union southern areas. An article from the July 1, 1960, LOG highlights the problem of runaway ship operators. In the article—entitled "We Treat The Natives Well!"— the LOG said that a "glossy, expensive booklet" put out by a public relations front for runaway ship operators tries to convey a picture "of a benevo­ lent, smiling shipowner dispensing the benefits of food, clothing and shelter to the 'starving natives out of the bush'." But these operators, the LOG points out, "will go to any extreme to keep their seamen from being contracted by US unions," because The following fa the latest available list of Seafarers in the hospitals "if these seamen got the idea they around the country: were entitled to American wages, Norman Lightell USPHS HOSPITAL Tobias Thompson 'morale' would take a nose-dive BALTIMORE, MARYLAND Ethel Messonnler Frank Travis Robert Montcalm R. Trlppe particularly in cases where ships William Brewar David Nelaon Eddie A. Patlngo Aimer S. Vickers Clymer Domingo Orblgoso are manned by Asian seamen who Russell Roland Reed Harold Westpball Jose DaCosta William Pussinsky Charles Simpklni Sidney White •sign articles of agreement pre­ Andrew Flaherty Vincent San Juan Murray Smith Roland WUcos Chester H. Green Fennick Sawyer scribed by their government'." Lorenzo Strip* Dewey York" Lawrence Haibrook John Schock Percy Thompson Anthony Zanca Other articles excerpted from Henry Karpowlcz Carmine Tufaro USPHS HOSPITAL John Webb the LOG include the Digest of Dee Kimbrell STATEN ISLAND. NEW YORK Bruca Webb Ship Meetings, July 1, 1960, in the Frank Nappl Victor Alcaraz Fleming Higgason tlSPHS HOSPITAL Victor Almojera Eirio Joseph section on Trade Unions in Action; GALVESTON, TEXAS Faustino Ayson Charles Kinnk* the October 23, 1959 article on Robert Bujan William Odum K. Bincminis Leonard Kropp Gomaire Bioeman Thomas Lauer "SIU Clinics Winning TB Fight" Ernest A. Daniela K. W. Olson Ralph Palmer Jesus F. Garza Robert Brennan Mai McAlister In the Health and Medicine por­ Daniel Hutto Benjamin Rucker William Cameron Herman Meyer James M. RelHy Daniel Cerment G. SUkalopoulos tion of the Serving the Family and John T. Hanson Dixon R. Stroup Juan CoUazo Pat H. Jones Alex Padu Community section and Sidney Bernard Kaminsky Raybon Threatt Herbert CoUlns Eugene Plalm Louis Colon C. Reyes Margolius' "Your Dollar's Worth" Archie Milne Wm. J. Connolly Isaac Romero USPHS HOSPITAL column of June- 3. 1960, in the Troy Cousins M. Ronda SEAFARERS IN DRYDOCK 10 Seafarers Get Pensions (Continued from page 14) the Seatrain Georgia as AB cardeckman in November. Brother McAllister also got a permanent "not fit for duty" as a result of a chronic bronchial ail­ ment and last sailed a year ago aboard the Kenmar. He's an SIU steward department oldtimer with service since 1939. He and his wife, Helen, make their home in Philadelphia. One of the early members of the SIU in 1938, Brother Mondesire is another steward department vet­ eran idled by heart disease. His last ship was the Santa Venetia in March. He's a resident of New Orleans. Similarly disabled by a heart condition. Brother Palume has shipped on deck since 1942 and made his last trip in March on the Yaka. He lives in Brooklyn. Another member of the deck gang, Polpello made his final voy­ age aboard the Del Santos a year ago. He's been beached by general­ ized arteriosclerosis and heart dis­ ease and now lives in New Orleans. He began shipping SIU in 1942. Sister Safford began shipping as an SIU stewardess during 1946 and sailed steadily until the Corsair laid up last fall. Slie's disabled by a heart condition and lives at South Slldell, La., near New Orleans. A resident of New York City With his wife, Mary, Brother Whittaker shipped SIU with Calmar practically straight through from 1951 while he had to quit as messman on the Texraar in 1959. A heart ailment has beached him for good. mi SEAFARERS £0« Ac* SiztMB NEW ORLEANS, LA. Sidney Anderson Dennis Qomez Goiee Andrews Luis E. Guadamus Felipe Basalda Wade B. HarreU Thomas Blackledge Leon Jordon Herman A. Carson Ben Kaszuba Ciiurics Cooper Edward Hnapp Philip Cordinala Leo Lang Thomas Dailey Theodora Lee John P. Doyle Tineiman J. Le* Joseph Fltzpatrlck Clyde Leggett Welfare, Vacation Offices Moved Seafarers are urged to note a change of address for the SIU Welfare and Vacation plans. The two Plans, were shifted to 17 Battery Place, New York 4. The move pro­ vided more space for the ex­ panding services of the two benefit programs, which have paid out combined cash benefits of over $25 million to Seafarers and their families. The new telephone number is WHitehall 3-5950. SIU Blood Bank Inventory New York-June, 1961 Pints Contributed .... 62 Pints Rejected S Pints Credited 28V& (Under a standard arrangment with the Brooklyn Donor Center Inc., 50% is alloted for service, processing and storage.) Previous Balance 82 llOV^ Pints Used 89 Balance On Hand July 1, 1961 71V4 Geui'ge Crabtre* Raymond Ruppert George Djian Jose Saavedra Jerry Donovan Aaron Sasser Pedro Esteban A. Sato Angeio Favazza Oscar Smith Paul R. Foy Harold Spicer ¥/. A. GUI 'i'eircU SiaRuiii EsteU Godfrey M. H. Truiock Bjork Granberg Frank Viilacort* William Guether George Waas James B. Harris David RusseU Fred Harvey USPHS HOSPITAL SEATTLE, WASH. Charles Conahan David Proffitt H. Gawkoski Andrew Smith John H. Murray Edward Violietto Gittis Lightfoot JERSEY CITY HOSPITAL JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY Chester Gawrych LONG BEACH MEMORIAL HOSPITAL LONG BEACH, CALIF. R. H. Bunce, Jr. HARBOR GENERAL HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES, CALIF. Eric R. W. Dahl USPHS HOSPITAL SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. F. A- Cueliar George B. Littl* Adolf Heinsaar Henry D. McRori* Cecil C. Hughes Chas. Neukirchner L. Knickebocker Milton R. Reeves B. Kosmaczewskl Eugene W. Bent Harry Lowther W. W. Worthlngton USPHS HOSPITAL BRIGHTON, MASS. Peter King Stephen Scevlolur USPHS HOSPITAL SAVANNAH. GEORGIA C. Rollins TRIBORO HOSPITAL JAMAICA. LI, NEW YORK James Russell PINE CREST HAVEN COVINGTON, LA. Frank Martin US SOLDIERS- HOME WASHINGTON. DC WUliam Thomson VA HOSPITAL KERRVILLE, TEXAS WUlard T. CahiU VA HOSPITAL TEMPLE, TEXAS WUUam E. Nelson USPHS HOSPITAL FORT WORTH, TEXAS J. R. Alsobrook Max Olson Benjamin Deibler Herbert Young Thomas Lehay Davis Danoa VA HOSPITAL WEST HAVEN, CONN. John J. Driscoll Henry E. Smith SAILORS' SNUG HARBOR STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK Henning Bjork Thomas Isaksen Alberto Gutierrez . USPHS HOSPITAL HOUSTON. TEXAS Thomas Manion USPHS HOSPITAL NORFOLK. VIRGINIA Wesley Chadwick Tamladge Johnson F. C. Damian S. H. Nicholson William Grimes Henri Robin. Jr. Crews Pack Food Beefs In Dry Ice HOUSTON—Food beefs on two ships here were speedily settled to the satisfaction of the crews, thanks to the SIU Food Plan, the US malls apd dry ice. The two ships the Penn Exfdorer (Penntrans) and the Overseas Joyce (Ocean,Carriers) were stored with "bacon" by a local chandler, which, upon examination, looked more like sliced fatback than any­ thing else. Since both vessels were scheduled to go offshore, the crews figured that the best way to get fast action was to airmail the bacoa to the SIU Food Plan in headquar­ ters. The bacon, such as it was, ar­ rived in good condition. Food Plan representatives immediately got in touch with the home offices of the. two steamship companies involved and arrangements were made to replace the inferior bacon with a better grade, something fit to go with breakfast eggs. Physical Exams—All SIU Clinics Month Of Juno, 1961 Port Seaman Baltimore rrs:r«. .xvfsss 120 Houston * f txx 58 Mobile .. t. .rrtyc*'*«s 77 Now Orleans ..TTSTTSS 216 Newf York ........., 873 TOTAL 844 Wives Children TOTAL 17 7 144 6 4 68 7 18 102 20 42 27826 12 411 76 83 1003 An SIU Blood Donor Certificate (sample above) is given to every person donating to the SIU Blood Bank, which is maintained through the SIU Clinic th Brooklyn. The bank supplies Seafarers or members of their families anywhere in the United States and has been in operation since January, 1959. Through an arrangement with V national clearing house, blood can be supplied on short notice in any emergency. Donors can arrange appointments on the 2nd deck at SIU headquarters, one block from the Clinic, The whole procedure takes only a short time. SIU Welfare, Vacation Plans Cash Benefits Paid June 19-Jul/ 16, 1961 Number Of Benefits Hospital Benefits (Welfare).... 5511 13 Death Benefits (Welfare) Disability Benefits (Welfare) .. 822 30 Maternity Benefits (Welfare) .. Dependents Benefits (Welfare). 242 Optical Benefits (Welfare).... 62 Summary (Welfare) ....... 6680 AMOUNT PAID $19,836.77 36,013.71 28,770.00 6,000.00 45,169.39 470.75 $136,260.62 1525 $257,826.68 TOTAL WELFARE, VACATION BENEFITS PAID THIS PERIOD... 8205 $394,087.30 Vacation Benefits None of the figures in the above summaries indicate the amount* paid for various other Welfare Benefits for SIU men and their de­ pendents, such scholBrshlp payments, meal books, tralnliig fccilitlei, medical examinations, and similar items. �Utl SEAFARERS LOG Traveler Seafarers Curb Fire; Five-Day Fighf Saves Vessel Tage Serenteav Blind Children On SlU Excursion SAN FRANCISCO—The battered Isthmian vessel Steel Traveler was due in here shortly after surviving a near-disastrous fire in the porj; of Inchon, Korea. Crewmembers of the vessel, with the assistance of military personnel, succeeded in confining the blaze after two days of round-the-clock firefighting. They then spent an­ might be endangered by the in­ July 13. Emergency flre-flghting other three days pumping out tense heat of the prolonged Are. action was taken, but the crew ex­ the affected hold, Jettisoning the cargo and then subduing a flare-up of the blaze. The effective action of the crew succeeded in confining the stub­ born blaze to the No. 4 hold. There had been concern that the ship An additional cause for worry was the wheat cargo being carried in the lower part of the burning hold. It was swelling from the water poured into the hold and might have cracked the pjates. The flre broke out at 0150 on Joseph B. Logue, MD, Medical Director Gout: A Chronic Disease Gout is a disease cailsed by a disturbance of metabolism In which there is an increase in the production of uric acid. Gout Is character­ ized by hyperuricemia (increased uric acid in the blood), and by de­ posits of urates in the joints and other areas of the body. The cause of gout is not known. There is considerable evidence that heredity is an important Jactor. There is difficulty in tying a heredity factor to clinical symptoms of gout because many individuals who have Increases in uric acid in the. blood do not develop clinical symptoms. Gout occurs more frequently in males, in a ratio of 95 percent to 6 percent female. In cases of gout, the prognosis is best in those cases that develop clinical symptoms late in life. The condition is more pre­ valent in the temperate zone. The acute manifestations of gout are often precipitated by excessive food and drink, and for that reason, we think of gout occurring in those persons exposed to gastronomic indul­ gence. It is not believed that food and drink can produce gout per se. A person may actually have gout, show an increase in uric acid in the blood, for years but the condition will not be recognized until clin­ ical symptoms develop. Any male, middle age or later, who develops an acute attack of arthritis in one of his distal joints, that is not the result of a specific infection, probably has gout. The hyperurieemia (increase in uric acid in the blood) Is comparable to diabetes, which shows a hyperglycemia (increase sugar in the blood). Similarly both conditions may be controlled by diet and medication. However, once an individual has gout or diabetes, he always has gout or diabetes.. » Gout is most frequently recognized when the patient, usually male. In middle life or later, develops an attack" of acute gouty arthritis. There may be prodromal symptoms, but they will probably not be recognized as gout. The prodromal symptoms are usually irritability, melanchblia, vague musculai symptoms, nausea or sometimes euphoria. In the early stages of acute gouty arthritis, the arthritis usually in­ volves the distal joints of the feet, ankles, hands or wrists, the knees and elbows less frequently, and the other joints seldom. There is often inflammation of the bursa over the elbows and the tendon of achilles. The acute attack usually develops rapidly. The pain may be mild but frequently severe to such an extent that the touch of the bed clothes, or the slightest vibration of the bed, is unbearable. The affected part may be swollen and tender; bright red or dusky in color. Edema may be present. As swelling subsides, there may be itching and desquama­ tion. Recovery usually takes place in a few days. An acute attack of gouty arthritis may be precipitated by rich food, those of a high purine content, and drink in excess, by trauma, certain drugs, or a hunting trip where such food as venison or grouse and liquor are consumed to excess. Other manifestatfons of gout are the deposit of urate crystals in the tissue producing subcutaneous nodules called tophi. The tophi are fre­ quently palpable in the ear cartilage; over the elbow and about the peripheral joints of the hands and feet. Urates are also deposited in the bones, kidneys and blood vessels. Following the initial attack of gouty arthritis, the attacks recur with Increasing frequency, and unless- controlled by proper diet and. medica­ tion, tend to become chronic and progressively more severe. Attacks of gouty nephritis, myocardial infarction or, apoplexy may ensue. Effective Treatment Done By Drugs, Diet The acute attacks of gouty arthritis may be controlled by the time honored drug colchicine, which is specific to such an extent that if acute arthritis is controlled by colchicine, then the diagnosis is gout beyond question. In recent years, phenylbutazone has been used as a substitute for colchicine in the treatment of acute attacks of gouty arthritis, although It is not specific for gout* When acute arthritis is superimposed on chronic gout, the attacks are prolonged and may not respond to the above drugs, in which event they may respond to ACTH. Probenecid (Benemid) will reduce the blood uric acid and should be used in conjunction with drugs for the acute gouty attacks of arthritis. In this way, the total uric acid of the blood is controlled in a manner similar to the use of insulin in diabetes. A person with gout should follow a strict regimen. He should control his total caloric intake of food. He should avoid foods of high purine content; avoid alcoholic excess, trauma to the affected part and have a liberal fluid intake. This, with the drug regimen for the control of blood uric acid, has to be followed the rest of the patient's life. If fol­ lowed, there is no reason why a person should not live a relatively nor­ mal life to a ripe old age as far as the gout is concerned. (Comments and suggestions are invited by the Department and can be submitted to this column care oj the SEAFARERS LOG.) hausted the ship's supply of C02 without being able to subdue the blaze. ^n emergency radio mesisage was sent to Yokohama, requesting the assistance of a Navy vessel to fight the fire. However, before the vessel was dispatched, the crew, assisted by Navy damage control parties and Inchon-based Army fire-fight­ ers equipped with chemical firefighting equipment, brought the blaze under control some 46 hours after it started. The hold had been flooded in the process. Another three days was then spent pumping out the hold, which was flooded to the upper 'tween decks. When the water level was lowered, the fire flared up briefly but was again subdued by chemical fire-fighting equipment. In the meantime, the crew and the mili­ tary worked day'and night to jet­ tison the water-logged wheat. Navy Hails Zephyrhills Seafarers NEW YORK—Crewmembers of the . SlU-manned tanker Zephyrhills (Pan-American Overseas) have been commended by the US Navy for successfully participating in nu­ merous transfers of cargo at sea to US Navy vessels. The commendation for the crew was the result of 14 sea refueling operations during the period of September 3 to October 15, 1960 in support of the sixth fleet.-There were two other tankers involved in the operation, both of them MSTS manned by Navy crews. William (Blackie) Hunt, deck delegate, on the ship, wrote the LOG that in all, the Zephyrhills had refueled Navy vessels at sea 20 times with no injuries or mis­ haps of any kind. In reporting on the fuel trans­ fers, top officers of the Sixth Fleet commented that "The service pro­ vided by these tankers was con­ sidered excellent ... No essential difference in the calibre of the service provided by the TAO's (Navy auxiliary oilers) and the MSTS charter vessel was noted... ship-handling, appearance and adaptability factors made these ships welcome additions to the fleet . . The commander-in-chief of US Naval Forces in Europe added that "These are sound, useful ships manned by competent, willing mariners. SIU Sea Chest Goes Shoreside The SIU Sea Chest has dis­ continued its service to ships' slopchests, but is continuing to operate retail stores in various SIU halls, supplying Seafarers with sea gear and shore wear. Ships' slopchests are now be­ ing supplied by private ship chandlers, so that the Union has no connection with the prices, quality, quantity or variety of stores placed aboard in the slopchest. Seafarers can assure them­ selves of top quality needs in shipboard gear by purchasing their supplies at the hall before shipping out. Blind children from Boyer Greaves School are shown on deck of Sea Belle (Wilson Line) enroute'to Riverview Beach ei guests of Philadelphia Seafarers. Philly Seafarers Entertain Blind Children At Outing PHILADELPHIA—A group of blind and retarded children from the Royer Greaves School for the Blind in suburban Poali were guests of the SIU Philadelphia hall on an excursion. The SIU provided bus trans-^ amusement rides at the park. portation from the school to Crewmembers of the Sea Bell# the excursion vessel Sea Belle and Seafarers who ' accompanied of Wilson Line. After enjoying dancing and music on the trip, the group went ashore at Riverview Beach where the children had lunch and were taken on the the group assisted the children throughout the trip. The Phila­ delphia hall was informed that the excursion was the highlight of the year's activities at the school. By SIDNEY MARGOLIUS How To Pay For Air—Hot Or Cold Working people no. longer can brag that at least air is free. It's finally happened. They've found a way to sell us air. And we're buy­ ing it by the boxful. There's a money-saving lesson behind the Food & Drug Adminis­ tration's seizure of packages of Puffed Wheat and Puffed Rice in Camden, NJ, and Baltimore, Md. The Government agency said the Puffed Wheat packages were as much as 15 percent short weight, and the Puffed Rice 6 percent. The reason for the short weight is what's fascinating. The manufac­ turer—the Quaker Oats Co.—has developed a process for puffing grains of wheat and rice to greater volume than previously had been the practice. The increased volume resulted in packages containing less of the food product than the declared weight. You see, they didn't change the boxes. What's really of concern is that the public is going for dry cereals in a big way, and paying a large price for them. In recent years the average person has increased his consumption of dry cereals by 30 percent but has cut his use of hot cereals 35 percent, the US Agricul­ ture Department reports. We can all save money cooking our own cereals. Your best buy in breakfast cereals is the cooked type such as oatmeal, farina. Cream of Wheat, etc. Depending on the brand or type, these generally cost you 1.2 to 1.5 cents per one-ounce serving. But the dry cereals cost you typically, about three cents an ounce. That's only half the story. The puffed-type cereals like Puffed Wheat cost 4.5 cents an ounce, and individual-serving packages cost as much as seven cents. Furthermore, the cooked cereals provide more nourishment. A cup of a cooked wheat usually provides about 37 percent more protein than a cup of dry wheat cereal, about 70 percent more iron and almost six times as much thiamine. The cooked cereal also provides about 50 percent more calories than the comparable dry cereals. That's important to children and hard-working people, if not to weight watchers. Corn flakes are the cheapest of the dry cereals, but also provide less nourishment than some of the other dry cereals, although more than puffed rice. The exploded rice cereal is lower in both calories and protein. One of the most-reasonable dry cereals turns out to be Wheat Obex at a cost of about 1.8 cents an ounce in the 18-ounce package. This manufacturer gives you just cereal; no premiums. Shredded Wheat is another reasonably-priced dry cereal. You pay significantly more if you buy dry cereals already sugared. Sugar-coated corn flakes, for'example, cost about three cents an ounce. You can buy supermarkets' own brand of corn flakes for 2 cents an ounce. You save by buying the larger sizes as well as the private brands. In one instance. Rice Krispies, we found the large package saves 34 percent of the cost per ounce. In the "high-protein" cereals, the Quaker Oats Company's "Life" is relatively reasonable. Some look-alike packages contain eight ounces, some nine and some 12. The "puffed" cereals come in much the .same size boxes as the more solid cereals; but have only four ounces compared to eight or more. �Pace Eiffhteea SEAFARERS All of the following 5IU families have re­ ceived a $200 maternity benefit plus a $25 bond from the Union in the baby*s name, representing a total of $6,600 in maternity benefits and a maturity value nf-$$25 in bonds: . " Theresa Squires, born April 13, Christy O'Neal; born June 17, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Curtis 1961, to Sefaarer and Mrs. Edward O'Neal, Lowland, North Carolina. P. Squires, Brooklyn, New York. 4 4 4 t 4Lawrence Croft, born May 25, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Robert G. Croft, Galveston, Texas. i' ti i Linda Narvaez, born June 23, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Pliillip Narvaez, Houston, Texas. 4 4- 4- Cheryl Ann Gibbs, born 3015^12, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. "Leslie Gibbs, Galveston, Texas. 4 4 4 Doris Ann Sharp, born Decem­ ber 1, 1960, to Seafarer and Mrs. Charles Sharp. Dundalk, Maryland. 4-4 4 Sabra L, and Loretta J. Wilson, Robert Charles DeHarde, born born May 15, 1961, to Seafarer and June 16, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Orie A. Wilson, Mobile, Ala­ Mrs. George DeHarde, Galveston, bama. Texas. 4 4 4 4 4" 4" Kurt Martin Leiter, born July Eric Pettersen, born July 8, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Norman Pet­ 12. 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Alexander Leiter, Ocean City, New tersen, Brook'.yn, New York. Jersey. 4 4 4 4 4 4 Morgan Harris, born June 18, Clara Jean Moore, born June 9, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Morgan 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Carlton Harris, Conro'e, Texas. E. Moore, Baltimore, Maryland. 4 4 4 4 4 •4 Mary Dickinson, born June 28, James A. Keno, born May 4', 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. James 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. James Dickinson, Mobile, Alabama. Keno, New York, N. Y. 4 4 4 Deidre Latrice Booker, born 4 4 4 Kennan W. Wix, born June 14, June 20, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Marshall Booker, Houston, Texas. 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Robert Wix, Freeport, Texas. 4 4 4 Robert Price, born May 22, 1961, 4 4 4 Milagros Rivera, born July 26, to Seafarer and Mrs. Lawrence A. 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Jose P. Price, Baltimore. Maryland. Rivera, Bronx, New York. 4 4 4 John Reeves, born July 8, 1961, 4 4 4 John W. Hardee, born July 18, to Seafarer and Mrs. William 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. John Reeves, Mobile, Alabama. W. Hardee, Evergreen, Alabama. 4 4 4 Rachel Donahue, bom April 6, 4 4 4 Robert Dale Long, born June 24, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. James 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Horace Donahue, New Orleans, La. O. Long, Baltimore, Maryland. 4 4 4 Howard Doyle, born May 31, 4 4 4 Jill Bigby, born July 48, 1961, to 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Edward Seafarer and Mrs. Bill Bigby, Doyle, Chalmette, Louisiana. Houston, Texas. 4 4 4 Susan Kittrell, born July 12, 4 4 4 Charles R. Branch, born July 20, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Elwood Kittrell, Mobile-, Alabama. 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Charles R. Branch, League City, Texas, 4 4 4 Gorman W. Seymour, born July 4 4 4 14, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Gor­ Mary Lou Zehner, born July 15, man Seymour, New Orleans, Louis­ 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Charles iana. Zehner, Upland, Pennsylvania. 4 4 4 4 4 4 Thomas Rogers, born July 17, Edward Jiminez, born July 17, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. William 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Patrick Rogers, Brooklyn, New York. Jiminez, Brooklyn, New York. 4 4 4 4 4 4 Shirley Mendez, born July 13, Robert Myers, born November 12, 1960, to Seafarer and Mrs. 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Hector Robert Myers, Jacksonville, Flor­ E. Mendez, New Orleans, Louis­ iana. ida. I ' . A.. SEAFARERS WELFARE PLAN i i' -• • ikt The deaths of the following Seafarers have been reported to the Seafarers Welfare Plan and a total of $48,500 In benefits was paid. (Any apparent delay in payment of claims is normally due to late filing, lack of a beneficiary card or necessary litigation for the disooeition of estates.) Charles L. Stevens, 64: A heart condition caused the death of Brother Stevens in New York City on July 9, 1961. He had been ship­ ping with the SIU since 1941 in the steward depart­ ment. Surviving is his widow, Mrs. .Vlaria O. Stevens, jf New York City. Calvary Cemetery, Long Island City, was the place of burial. Total benefit: $4,000, 4 4 4 Duggan H. McCrary, 62: Brother McCrary passed away due to a kidney ailment on June 14, 1961 at the USPHS Hospital, New Orleans, La'. He had sailed with the SIU since 1952, shipping in the stward de­ partment. His widow, Mrs. Velma S. McCrary, of Marrero, La., survives. Greenwood Cemetery, New Orleans, was' the place of burial. Total benefit: $4,000. 4 4 4 Joseph Fernandez. 63: A heart ailment was the cause of death to Brother Fernan­ dez at Harlem Hospital, New York, NY, on July 4, 1961, He joined the SIU in 1952, shipping in the steward depart­ ment, and had 3 e e n receiving special disability benefits since 1957. His widow, Mrs. Olivia P. Fernandez, of New York City, survives. Burial was at Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, NY. Total benefit: $4,000. 4 4 4 Benjamin Balcer, 44: Brother Balcer died of heart failure at the Church and Home Hospital, Balti­ more, Md., on July 2, 1961. He had sailed with the SIU since 1951 in the en­ gine department. A friend, James Naperstek, of Bal­ timore, survives. Holy Rosary Cemetery in Balti­ more was the place of Interment. Total benefit: $4,000. Benefit Increased » I ' < - LOG Action by the trustees of the Seafarers Welfare Plan has in­ creased the death benefit paid to Mrs. Margarite Archibald, widow of the late Seafarer Manuel J. Archibald, to the full amount of $4,000, The original benefit paid to Mrs. Archibald, as reported in the July, 1961 issue of the SEAFARERS LOG, amounted to $500. (The sup­ plemental payment of $3,500 is reflected in the total heading this column.) Brother Archibald, who began shipping in the SIU steward department in 1946, died on May 24, 1961. Charlie Johnson, 63: A heart con­ dition was fatal to Brother John­ son on June 27, 1961 at Norfolk, Va. He had shipped with the SIU since 1947, sailing on dedfc. Surviving la his widow, Mrs. Anne Johnson, of Nor­ folk. Forest Lawn Cemetery in Nor­ folk was the place of burial. Total benefit: $4,000. 4 4 4 William O'Dea, 49: A tubercular condition was the cause of death to Brother O'Dea on May 10, 1901, at New Orleans, iLa. He had ship­ ped with the SIU since 1944 In the engine depart­ ment. Surviving is his father, Pat­ rick O'Qea, of New Orleans. Memorial Park, New Orleans, was the place of interment! Total bene­ fit: $4,000. 4 4 4 Harold Plunkett, 4St Brother Elmo L. Vance, 66: Brother Plunkett died of a heart ailment on Vance died as the result of a May 24, 1961 at drowning acci­ the USPHS Hos­ dent at New Or­ pital, New Or­ leans, La., on Oc­ leans,. La. He had tober 6, 1960. Ho shipped with the had shipped with SIU in the stew­ the SIU in the ard department engine depart­ since 1951. Sur­ ment since 1938. viving is his His brother. mother, Mrs. J. Reed Vance, of Mauer, of New Salt Lake City, Orleans. Interment was at St, Jo­ Utah, survives. Burial was at seph's Cemetery, New Orleans, Provo, Utah. Total benefit: $4,000. Total benefit: $4,000. 4 4 4 4 4 4 Alfred S. Cuadra, 62: A liver ail­ Fred Kagelmacher, 62: • Heart ment caused the .death of Brother disease was the cause of death to Cuadra on June Brother Kagel­ 20, 1961, at San macher on July Francisco, Calif. 7, 1961 In Hous­ He began ship­ ton, Texas. He ping with the SIU had shipped with in 1938, sailing in the SIU since In the steward 1939, serving in department. His the deck depart­ brother, Jose R. ment. Surviving Cuadra, of San Francisco, sur­ l.s a friend, Dud­ ley Rozas, of Lake vives. Burial was at San Francisco. Charles, La. Burial was at South Total benefit: $500. Park Cemetery, Houston. Total 4 4 4 benefit: $4,000. Woodrow W. Tomlinson, 45: A throat ailment was the cause of •Jf -t ^ death to Brother William M. Murphy, 50: Brother Tomlinson on Murphy passed away as the result July 16, 1961, at of a heart ail­ Galveston, Texas. ment on Juno 9, Since 1938 ho 1961 in County had been^ ship­ Donegal, Ireland. ping with the He had sailed SIU in the deck since 1954 with department. Sur­ the SIU in the viving is a sister, deck department. Mrs. Cleo Pierce, His sister, Mrs. of Jacksonville, Fla. Burial was at Fannie O'Doher- Evergreen Cemetery, Jacksonville. ty, of Malln, Total benefit: $4,000. County Donegal, survives. Inter­ ment was in Couijty Donegal. Total benefit: $500. Paul Signorino 4 4 4 Nelson Norwood, 61i Brother Norwood died on March 12, 1961 at the US Naval Hospital, J a b ksonville, Fla., as a result of pneumonia. H e had sailed in the SIU steward de­ partment since 1953. His daugh­ ters. Naomi E. N 0 r vv o o d and Mrs. Mary Norwood Moore, both of North Berwick, Maine, survive. Interment was at Southern Crema­ torium in Jacksonville. Total bene­ fit: $4,000. A "Departure" notice in the June, 1961 issue of the SEA­ FARERS LOG unaccountably listed a "Mrs. Dorothy Smith" as the widow of the late Seafarer Paul Signorino, who died of a heart condition on January 19, 1961 at New Orleans. The LOG offers its apologies to Mrs. Dor­ othy Signorino for the error. Brother Signorino had sailed in the SIU steward department since 1955. He was 46. �SEAFARERS Seafarer's Son Graduates; Receives Honors In English Dressed in mortarboard and gown and posing in front of his Brooklyn home, Joseph A. TOPA TOPA (Watarman), July 14 —Chairman, Ramon Farralra; Sacre»ary, Frank L. Bartlatt. Everything running smoothly. Motion made for ship's delegate to see boarding patrol­ man about fumigating ship for roach­ es and sliver fish and to sea about some 16" fans In rooms that only have one man to a foc'sl. Suggestion made to turn all soiled linen on a Friday so It can be counted for sending ashore. by department delegates. New ship's delegate elected, Frank Cake. CITIBS SERVICE BALTIMORE (Cities Service), June II—Chairmen, Prank Albore; Secretary, Arthur Cllllland. No beefs reported by depart­ ment delegates. Vote of thanks to steward for good work and meals. Motion to Inform patrolman about delayed sailing. ANDREW JACKSON (Waterman), May 38—Chairman, Harry Jones; Sec­ retary, James PurseU. Everything run­ ning smoothly. A vote of thanks to the steward department. A few hours disputed concerning overtime. , June I—Chairmen, Sidney Segree; YAKA (Waterman), Chairman, O. Troche; Secretary.DlmltIr Cotieff. No beefs except a few hours in over­ time. Request to put another cluster light on aflerdeck for safety. Peanut butter and strawberry jam exhausted; .steward .sa.vs supply was regular but consumption unusually heavy. Men B.sked to take care of wa.shlng ma­ chines. Some brands of cigarettes run out in sea ehest asked for ieiiliieement In .lapn.a. Pantryman refuses to attend meeting, says "I'm not in­ terested." \ MARYMAR (Calmar), July 9—Chair­ man, Jobs Mullne; Sscratary, Cuttav V. Thobe. No beefs reported by de­ partment delegates, some dt.spute In OT. Man on wheels send word that the steward should see that stronger cots were ordered. Steward stated that he has given the man two cots already. Sugpe.stion made to get the carpenter to build one out of 2 X 4's. BEAURECARO (Sea-Land), August "—Chairmna, H. W. Johnston; Secre­ tary, C. W. Cothran. No beefs report­ ed by department delegates. Request made that no shorts are to be worrt In' messhall. NEVA WEST (Bloomflald), July 2— Chairman' James H. Bales; Secretary, W. R. OSIs. 820 In treasurv. Milk was reoiiesied in Le Havre thl.s vovage esstbound. It was found to be up to US regulations and was purchased westbound. JACOUELINE SOMECK (Penlntulsr Nsvlqatlon), July 22—Chalrmsn, R. Hsnnlnoar; Secratarv, o. B. Sachar. JI0.2.'! In trea.siiry. No beefs reported by dcoartment delegates. Request something to be done aoout the lack of ice. Also suggestion made to have all rooms painted. Vote of thanks to the steward department. HEDGC HAVEN (Hftdq# Hiven Ftrmi), July 6-^Chalrminf W. J. Barnes; Secrefarv, Joe Trawlck. No beefe reported hv deperfment' d5»legates. .T. P. LeRlanc elected ship's delegate. Reoppst «hlp's delegate to noflfv hq with reference to transnoriatlon befe. Request something to be done about the roach situation. PENN VAYACER ("enn Shlaotna), June 3—Ch'trmsn, Frank Lsansrd; Secrefsrv, chartes Keller. No beefs reported bv department delegates. Mnfinn to a"k headnimrters What is commdsory OT on freighter. CITIFS FPPVICF NORFOLK (CIHss Service). Feb. 25—Chairman, T4d Jones; Secretary, rtan Beard. »''..'i2 In fre.a-^prv. No beefs reported by de­ partment delegate.*. Roqueot no more arguments In me««hall. Fifteen pair of rubber boots have been ordered. EDITH (Bull), July 14—Ch-lrmsn, Geo. Rots; Sscretary W. Thomas. *'60 In treasurv. No heefs veported Pa*« Maeteca Seafarers At Work From The Ships At Sea Scattereci items from SIU ships at sea reveals the follovifing: A glance at the crew list of the Jacqueline Someck (Peninsular) cJiscloses some inter­ esting news, namely that "Frenchy" Michelet has switched from cooking oil to fuel oiL Michelet, who shipped for^j ^ many years as a chief stew­ ard, is now oiling engines in­ Grajaleg Is all smiles—as well he might be. The son of Seafarer Eladio Grajales, who sails In the steward department as a chief cook, Joseph graduated in June from St. Leonard's High School in Brooklyn, winning a medal for excellence in English. Eladio, who joined the Union in 1944, was elated as he told his shipmates about his son. The home, by the way, is j)n President Street, not far from the Union's Brooklyn headquarters. Secretary, James Pursell. Request for Ice tea glasses. Vote of thanks to steward department. Repair list to be made up. LOG PENN EXPLORER (Penn Shipping), July 9—Chairman, J. P. DIckerson; Secretary, A. Bernard. SI In treas­ ury. Dispute In overtime, ^umagatlon for rats, mice and roaches. Request information on SlU Food Plan. ROBIN LOCKSLEY (Moore Me mack), June 9—Chalrmne, Allen Lake; Secretary, Paul M. Math. SIO.OO paid for ship's library and S8.29 In treas­ ury. No beefs reported by department delegates. Elected Modesto Vallez as new ship's delegate. Crew requested not to use the washing machine after 10 PM. Slot chest to be open between 3:30 and 4:30 PM. However the steward said he would be glad to open up any time to accommodate the men. MERMAID (Metro Petroleum), June 25—Chairman, Sink; Secretary, Murrah. Delegate will consult patrolman on OT equalization in deck departecnt. It was suggested that patrolman check slopchest prices, also on viola­ tion of agreement by master by not having American money on board. Pumpman requests that when equip­ ment for crew Is Ordered that it be specified what quarters they are for. as on last trip fans that were prob­ ably ordered for crew went to oHlcers.-Also what is proper ventilation. Food not up to par due to storage of stores. stead of frying pans. The unan­ swered question is: Was the switch voluntary, or by request? 4» i" i Edward Skonipeki, who won a four year SIU college scholarship and graduated from New York Uni­ versity in June, is now on the bulk carrier Tamara Guilden (Transport Commercial) a newly contracted vessel, and sent the fol­ lowing report to the LOG:, "The ship was built in Germany' in February, 1961, aa part of the reparations agreement with Israel. It made one trip under the Israeli flag and was then sold to Trans­ port. "the ship is ultra-modern Bulk carrier Tamara Guilden (Transport Commercial) shown with one man to a foc'sle, com­ with hatches open for loading. pletely air-conditioned, windows instead of portholes, tiled floors, crew still owes $50 for installation on the latest news. The crew, in mahogany cabinets, lockers, and of the projector and they have turn, gave him a vote of thanks, formica paneled bulkheads to cut voted to take out $75 from the 4 4 4 ship's fund to pay for It plus s^are down on rust." An award of some sort should go belts and lamps "if the machine to the Yaka (Waterman) for dis­ One of the best ways of relaxing will wfirk." Just to be on the safe cussing the most subjects under at sea at night is to watch movies side, they are keeping the old good and welfare. It seems that —the seagoing version of the late, machine as a spare. the crew discussed 13 subjects in­ late show. Del Norte (Mississippi) cluding extra lights for safety, 4" 3* t had some trouble with its nighttime Nothing can be quite as isolated beefs on OT, supplies and ship­ show. Seems the crew purchased a as a ship at sea as far as learning board activities at Its shipboard new projector, but once the ma­ the latest news in the fast chang­ meeting, according to the ship's chine was brought aboard it ing world situation. But isolation minutes. One unusual item: "Pea­ stopped working. The crew vows was not the story on the Portmar nut butter and strawberry jam ex­ to "make the man who sold us the (Calmar) where a hustling radio hausted; steward said supply was machine run it on the ship." The operator kept the crew up to date regular but consumption unusually heavy." Paddy Sails On One Like That JOSEFINA (Liberty Nsv.), July 9— Chairman, Alton M. Bell; Secretary, yinesnt J. pitigsraiH. fja fssfj ported by department delegates. One mattress needed for foc'sle. One man rode ship back from India with leg in cast, unable to work. 4 PENN TRANSPORTER (Penn), July 2—Chairman, Wm. J. Anderson. Lost one man in Port .Said, Egypt, wiper. Will get fresh storse in next port. No beefs concerning food; new wash­ ing machine for deck department. All ladders to be painted and hand rails. Other repairs to bo done going home. STEEL TRAVELER (Isthmian), June 24—Chairman, J. Rivers; Secretary J. L. Hodges. No beefs: everything running smoothly. $21.18 in treasury. Ship's delegate resigned, Kenneth S. Singh was elected new delegate. Discussed charges against bosun, which beef was to have been settled by Leon Johnson. Crewmen referred to hq. Copy of Coast Guard hearing will be sent to hq when received. COASTAL CRUSADER (Suwannee) July 15—Chairman, Clifford E. Taggart; Secretary, Glenn C. Bedue. 4 4 4 It's kind of late for this year's summertime repair list, but for future reference the Steel Architect (Isthmian) suggests that some sort of system be Installed to cool off the "cold" water system—wash water, line to showers, etc»»—dur­ ing the summer iinitn the system's water is almost always too hot to use. Shukur Mohammed, who sails as a chief pumpman, shows the ship model in SIU Brooklyn headquarters to his son Thony on a recent visit. 4 4 A stronger breed of Seafarers may be sailing these days. At least, that seems to be the case on the Mar}-mar (Calmar) wher* the "man at the wheel"—un­ identified—sent word to th» steward to get some "stronger cots." The steward explained that he had given the man two cots already. It was suggested that the carpenter build him one out of two-by-fours. Kyska Bosun Aids Injured Sea Gull Everything running smooth and effi­ ciently. $2 in treasury. H.' M, Murranka was elected ship's delegate. Request that all damaged linen should be returned so that It can be re­ placed. FLORIDIAN (Bull) August 1—Chair­ man, Lee de Parller; Secretary, Van Whitnsy. Willis Addison elected new ship's delegate. Request to have over­ time paid for all work performed in any port between the hours of fl p.m. and 8 a.m. due to quick turnaround with contalnershlps. CITIES SERVICE BALTIMORE (Clflet Service) March 21—Chairman, C. Mettlng; Secretary, Wm. Allen. No beefs reported by department dele­ gates. Motion . to get a better grade of toilet paper. Beef with steward because of poor menus, serving left­ overs, and request more fruit Juice. Also request name brand soap. CHOCTAW (Waterman) July 21— Chairman, C, Wilton; Secretary, c. Bortz. No beefs reported by depart­ ment delegates. $1.00 in treasury. Re­ ported that lemons and oranges ran out and they are not available In Japan. Sllex coffee-makers requested. Last LOG was received In April. DEL SUD (MIstlsslppI) June 18— Chairman, Dowling; Secretary, Dunn. $124.00 ill treasury. No beefs reported by department delegates. Geo. Nuss elected to movie director. Seafarer Drew Clcmons Gay, bosun on the Kyska (Waterman) Is shown holding an unusual passenger the ihip^ carried in March. The sea gull was drydocked for a few days when it flew into the ship's rigging and broke its left wing while the vessel was sailing near Yokohama, Japan. Say Lui't a cage on dock for the bird, patched Its wing, fed and cared for it and then let it go when it was able to fly again. The photo was taken by Stan Kolasa, third cook. ^ '"ili �1 I ^ "• Fare Twentr SEAfAkgkS LOG 'Xm^jMi Mermaid Sads 'Round World; Two Seafarers Become Heroes by Wllllani FMrow$U (The follotoing article on the 'round-the-worlct voyage of the Mermaid voas submitted to the LOG by radio officer D. M. Gatanas.) Our trip aboard the T-2 tanker Mermaid (Metro Petroleum) started in Philadelphia, February 10 and after picking up wheat on the West Coast, delivering it to Japan and India, loading oil in the Persian Gulf and unloading it in Greece by way of the Suez Canal, ended in Galveston, July 12 after | crossing the Atlantic Ocean For myself, the trip taught me collapsed from the extreme heat In that real heroism is not corporal the Persian Gulf and how Georgas on ballast. Great Experience The round-the-world trip was a great experience not only for new Seafarers, who visited so many places in one trip, but for all of us —one which we will not forget and I personally will remember becauseof the SIU crew which showed skill and discipline and faced all diffi­ culties with courage. The Mermaid went through mis­ haps and hardships, encountered and fought storms, sailed through the lowest and highest tempera­ tures recorded in some areas and underwent delays and mechanical failures which, if combined, could have made the ship a real mer­ maid. strength or supremacy, it is the ability to think quickly and cor­ rectly in emergencies and to act accordingly. I especially remember how a man fell overboard and how a doz­ en others were looking at him with­ out being able to offed any assist­ ance. It finally took an ordinary seaman and the ship's pumpman to'save the man. Quick Thinkingr The man who went overboard was Raoul Cabrera, a fireman watertender, who Is alive today be­ cause Steve Georgas, OS and Fay Langley, pumpman, were able to think fast and save him. I also remember how four men Twin Falls Victory Now On Missile Riin rushed back and forth again and again with ice applications to re­ vive the men. The dangers and difficulties that the ship went through will be for­ gotten after a while. But the heroic action of the two seamen will re­ main as an example of what men can do in emergency situations to become true heroes. 'That'i on* runaway I'd like to organize." Books-For-World Plan Supported ers on the West. Coast for the past nine years. Again, I thank all for their thoughtful acts and kindness on' To the Editor: To the Editor: The Book-for-the World Plan my sad loss. I wish to express my deepest Car! C. Lawson suggested by Brother Harry N. appreciation to the Union for Schoor in the July LOG sounds i 4; their aid to me due to my disa­ like a worthwhile project which bility. The support they have could-be easily handled by the given me make me very proud Seafarers and the Union. and happy to be a member of 'such a wonderful organization The LOG could spread the To the Editor: story of the Book-for-the-World Would you please put our new . as the SIU. I hope all officers and mem­ Plan. It would make book col­ address in your file so we may bers carry on the good work lecting easier. The Union halls they are doing and I wish all would be depots for assorting great success for their efforts and bundling. in the years to come. The patrolmen can bring the -Darnley D. Whittaker bundles of books aboard ship 4 4 4 and put it in the care of one of i To The Editor the delegates. At the same time the Union could send a letter to the ship's company All letters to the editor for agent in the foreign port ex­ puolication in the SEAFARERS To the Editor: The very kind and sympathie plaining the plan and suggest­ LOG must be signed by the ing that he contact local groups writer. Names will be withheli letter was received together that mgiht be interested in re­ upon request. with the welfare check for $400 upon the death of our son, Wes­ ceiving these books. The groups that would be interested can continue receiving the LOG. ley O. Cunningham. We appreciate the service the meet the ship and pick up the We just moved back to good old books directly. New Orleans, after being away Union has given us and we are very grateful. This program would express three long years. Mrs. Fannie Cunningham to our foreign friends the good I also want to take this op­ 4 4 4 will of the American people and portunity to thank the SIU for of the American merchant sea­ all the benefits bestowed on our men who visit their ports and family whenever it was needed. could be mutually beneficial. It's good to know we have the John Szypaiiiskl Union backing us in a time of To the Editor: It seems, to me that after need. Words can never express my reading the articles in the LOG husband's and our family's deep about the benefits that the SIU appreciation for everything. has won for us. a vote of thanks May God continue to help the is due to the Union and its lead­ ers. (Ed. Note: The following let­ Union grow. An example of the advances Mrs, William H. Olds ter was received during the re­ made for Seafarers is the $800 cent strike.) 4 4 4 annual vacation pay for one year To the Editor: of continuous service and $400 We, the crew of the Steel annual vacation pay for broken King (Isthmian) would like to service. This benefit is option­ go on record and inform the To the Editor: al, for if I decide to continue membership that we are in ac­ My husband, William A. sailing, I can do so and still cord with and offer our fullest Cooper, passed away unex­ have additional benefits. This cooperation to the Union in the pectedly on June 18 of a coro­ optional feature strikes me as present strike for job security nary occlusion at our home In being in the best interest and and for the curbing of the run­ Miami. Needless to say it was a welfare of the membership, foraway ships and their return terrible shock. we have a choice and are not back to the American flag. While he came ashore in 1947, compelled to take one plan or Even though we are at sea, he was a seaman for about 25 the other. For years I personally have we sincerely offer our fullest years and I am sure there are support and sympathy to "our some Seafarers who still re­ dreamed of how wonderful It would be to have a pension plan fellow brothers bearing the member him. brunt of hardship^ in this fight. I have enjoyed reading the for retirement that would really give Seafarers some security. Peter Matovick LOG while we received it. Now, this too is no longer a Mrs. William A. Cooper dreaih but a reality. These are 4 4 4 just a few of the things that the Union has fought for so faith­ fully. We should all join In a very hearty thanks for the many To the Editor: 'To the Editor: I would like to extend my benefits we now enjoy and will I wish to thank the captain, officers and crew of the Coeur thanks to the crew of the Steel enjoy even more as years go by D'Alene Victory (Victory Car­ Artisan (Isthmian) for the dona­ due to the efforts of the Union. riers) for their kindness and for tion and kind words of sym­ Supported by every member, the wreath they donated upon* pathy upon the death of my the SIU has fought along, hard learning of the death of my wife father Martin Sierra. Their and willingly for our benefits on July 17, while we were at thoughtfulnpss was deeply ap­ and, we can have full confid­ ence, It will continue to do so. sea near Hokkaido, Japan. She preciated. Frank Szwestke Martin Sierra, Jr. was known to many SIU broth­ Disability Aid is Welcomed Past Aid is Appreciated Thanks Union For Service Cites Union For Benefit Gains Pledges Support For Strike Goals Wiiiiam Cooper Dies In Miami The missile-tracking ship. Twin Falls Victory (Suwannee), now sailing the South Atlantic down-range tracking and re­ covery area, underwent a rigorous inspection before leaving " for its first stop, Puerto Rico, and ship's reporter Rudy DeBoissiere, messman, informed Boost Safety In Mobile MOBILE—The SIU safety pro­ gram in this port received a big boost when Bernard A. Maret, an OS who sails out of here,- was one of the winners in the Union's re­ cent safety program cartoon con­ test. Also adding to the safety conscienceness of the port was the record of 1,500 accident free days that the crew of the Alcoa Roamer (Alcoa) chalked up recently. Tlie Roarrier's record is expected to stand for quite a while. The sucess of the program has led to the broadening of its appli­ cation to the small boat field as there have been a rash of acci­ dents in that field lately, it was re­ ported. the LOG that the vessel scored 100 percent. The •21-man steward department, under chief steward James N. Naylor, also scored 100 percent on its inspection. Other members of the department, some of whom are shown in the two photos sent in by Rudy, are Terrell Nlckerson, storekeeper-clerk; John J. Lynch, chief cook; Herbert L. Smith and Otto Tlmm, second cook; Harry Larson, third cook; Paul E. Reed, baker; Richard Sher­ man, galleyman and Angelo Cinqucmano, Eugene Black, Walter W. Chancy, Thomas Hodges, John Ep­ person, James R. Douglas, Ruben Stokley, Gary V. Cain, Roy Ander­ son, Juan A. Camera and Frank Cannella, messmen. The Victory's passengers are missile-tracking technicians and frogmen who re­ cover the missile nose cones. Ship Thanked For Offering Grew Praised For Sympathy �SEAFARERS Relaxing. LOG f Seafarer Turns Entertainer; Has Alligator Wrestling Act Seafarer Charlie Bramble, whose credentials include expert horseman, zebra trainer and alligator wrestler as well as AB, has temporarily givenjup the life of a sailor for the life of an entertainer and is now per--* forming at the Willow Grove SIU in 1956 on Bobbin Line ships. Amusement Park in Philadel­ On a stopover in Africa he de­ Beating the heat down Pan­ ama way on the Erna ElizabeHl (Overseas Naviga­ tion) with an air condi­ tioner, hi ti stereo set and television (shown at the upper left) is chief steward Al "Ike" Isaac. Utilityman Rickey Motika sent in the picture. LOG-A-RHYTHM: I Dream About Love By J. F. Wunderlich i dream about love: When winds blow hard With whistles through the riggings And seas with roaring crests Come breaking 'cross the decks. I dream about love: When the passion winds blow 'gently And the trade winds cool my cheeks With the southern cross above me In a glossy tropic sea. I dream about love: When my ship rolls lazylike In the deep swells of the coast As my ship heads homeward And soon I'll embrace the one I love. OeeAN EVELYN (Mariflm* Over­ seas), Apr. 30—Chairman, Arthur C. HarrinBton; Sacratary, Louis A. Cardier. No beefs reported. One man ho.spitalized in engine department. W. Taylor elected new ship's delegate. Vote of thanks to steward department. phia. Bramble's show at the park, which is under contract' to the SIU United Industrial Workers' Union, features an alligator wrestling act 'see sequence photo's). The match between Bramble and three alli­ gators consists of having Charlie enter the pool occupied by the unpredictable 'gators and, one at a time, pull them out of the water onto the ground where he pins them down and opens their jaws to the delight of the audience. Tame Zebra Act Another act stars the only tamed zebras in the world, two six-year-olds named "Sweet Cakes" and "Sugar." Charlie has taught both animals to dive from a 30-foot platform into a tank of water. This act features a diving pony named "Sunset" (see photo, right). Bramble is also training a goat, "Kelly" to dive upon com­ mand for this act. Bramble is also working on an act in which he mounts a horse backward and makes a 30-foot dive with the animal into a water tank. Charlie says this act "is wet going." Down On The Farm Between engagements^ Bramble keeps the animals at his home in New Gretna, New Jersey, where he has set up a sort of animal farm for his menagerie. It has grown from the original two zebras to all the animals he uses or is training for his shows. Bramble got his start on the animal acts while sailing with the gale gave vote of thanks to each dei>artment delegate and the crew for the cooperation that was given. (20 in ship's fund. AZALEA CITY (Sea-Land), May 4— (Chairman and secretary's name not given.) $7.70 in ship's fund. $2 for library. Discussion on variety in night lunch. Feeding feU off. More sand­ wiches requested. Delegates and steward to speak with patrolman. COTTONWOOD CREEK (Bulk), Apr. 21—Chairman, S. A. Smith; Secretary, P. P. Naravo. Ship's delegate report­ ed draw list to be given to depart­ ment delegates. All native laborers to be kept out of living quarters and passageways. No beefs reported. Mo­ tion made that every member of crew give 50 cents to ship's fund, and tiiat ship's delegate be treasurer. ROBIN SHERWOOD (Robin) Apr. 30 —Chairman, DiMaggio; Secretary, STEEL DESIGNER (Isthmian) May 3—Chairman, D. Butts; Secretary, L. none. $23 on hand in ship's fund. No beefs reported. P. Daniel elected ship's delegate. Everything running smoothly. Sua res. Had discussion on repairs which were not completed in New NATALIE (Maritime Overseas), Apr. S3—Chairman, Ci Bellamy; Secretary, Joe McLaren. Ship to pay off in Gulf. Captain requests patrolman in San Francisco. To have patrolman explain the agreement to the mate. Deck de­ partment has considerable trouble. Ice cream very poor (condemned). I.incn is threadbare. Must combat roaches. ACHILLES (Cargo A Tankship), Apr. 23—Chairman, S. P. Drury; Sec­ retary, L. B. Bryand, Jr. No beefs reported. Crew request more juices put on menu. BENTS FORT (Cities Service), Apr. 10—Chairman, D. Newsome; Secretary, R. Relman. Ship's delegate reported that the captain was pileased on no foul-ups. No beefs reported. B. Mlgnano elected ship's delegate. Vote of thanks to steward department. May 7—Chairman Bob Relman; Sec­ retary, Anthony Nernandez. Captain •well pleased with crew. No beefs re­ ported. Quality of face soap to be checked, along with evaporated milk, fans, wind chutes and screens. Qual­ ity and taste of steaks very poor. ALCOA PARTNER (Alcoa), Apr. 72 —Chairman, H. Blerrlng; Secretary, E. W. Auer. It was reported that one man was left In the Azores due to illness. Headquarters notiled. Man's gear is being held by the ship's dele­ gate to be turned in to him in New York. No one logged this voyage. Vote of thanks to steward department. MARGARET BROWN (Bloomfield), Apr. 30—Chairman, A. Abrams; Seecretary, W. W. Christian. Ship's dele- York or on the new voyage. New lockers and mattresses, were ordered. Discussions on draws. $16.63 in ship's fund. No beefs reported. One man missed ship in San Francisco. Crew a.sked to keep washing machine in shape. Eeach man should clean the machine after using it. HASTINGS (Waterman), Apr. 37— Chairman, George Clarke; Secretary, John E. Weils. Smooth payoff. Most repairs taken care of. Messman sent to hospital in Houston. No beefs re­ ported. Delegate of each department to act as safety man. Safety meeting will be held April 29. Members asked to turn over any suggestions to their delegates. ORION COMET (Orion), Apr. 30— Chairman, Ralph TIndeii; Secretary, C. V. Berg. Present ship's delegate to resign, due to paying off .ship in Japan. New ship's delegate, Paul Luteman. Four men missed ship in Subic Bay. One man paid off on medical. No beefs reported. HURRICANE (Waterman), Apr. 30— Chairmi.it, Thomas Hill; Secretary, Eugen;,' Ray. No beefs reported. Mo­ tion made that headquarters stated cided to make use of his knowl­ edge of animal lore and trap some beasts. He caught some zebras but' just-caught zebras and shipped training them. Since then, between was unable to ship them home. them home on another vessel, set­ trips with the SIU, he has worked On the next trip he bought some ting. them up at his farm and on his act. Pliotos sitow flow Charlie Bramble prodi an alligator fo come close (top, left) so he can grab 'gator (center, right), bring him onto land (bottom, left), pin him down and finally open his Jaws (right) for the audience. that a crewmember wrote a letter stating that the steward has been changing men in his department from one job to another, and that the let­ ter be produced stating the same from headquarters. CAROLYN (Bull), Apr. 30—Chair­ man, H. Libby; Secretary, A. Ackerman. No beefs reported. Jeff Sawyer elected ship's delegate. Discussion on setting up arrangements for cleaning laundry. library aboard to be held for sea, radio to be purchased by crew and raffled at end of trip. Ladders to be made for men in upper bunks, cols to be ordered, washing machine to be repaired. — DEL SOL (Mississippi), May 2— Chairman, Watson W. Steckman; Sec­ retary,* Ramon Irizarry. Ship's dele­ gate reported everything OK. Not many repairs done in New Orleans as ship is going to lay up. Brother Ed­ ward Avraro resigned as ship's dele­ gate and given a vote of thanks for job well done. Elbert Salomon elected new ship's delegate. Suggestion that laundry room be eleaned according to schedule. Delegates and safety rep­ resentatives to see mate about build­ ing catwalk over deck cargo. CHICKASAW (Waterman), May 6— Chairman, Howard F. Menz; Secretary, Homer Harris. Engine and deck de­ partment foc'sles painted. Locks on doors to be fixed in Mobile. Hospital supplies and hospital will be checked by patrolman. $13.05 in ship's fund. Slopcliest improperly stocked in rela­ tion to sizes and variety. Need more complete stock of toilet aiTices. Crew asked to return coffee mugs tg pan­ try and not left on deck. Vessel needs to be fumigated. ELIZABETH (Bull), May 17—Chair­ man, P. Sernick; Secretary, R. Her­ nandez. Looks like a clean payoff. All departments should try to straighten out smalt beefs between themselves to avoid waste of time during payoff. $15 in ship's fund. Repair lists to be turned over as soon as possible in or­ der to get same completed as soon as possible. OCEAN DINNY (Maritime Overseas), May 13—Chairman, Paul L. Whitlow; Secretary, Nathaniel Muse. Plan to pay ship off in Seattle. $12 in ship's fund. Treasurer will collect rest of unds at draw or at payoff. So far the expenses are $20. Some disputed OT in each department. Suggestion that no garbage be dumped forward of the house or out of the portholes. Suggestion that medical supplies be checked. Suggetfion that the patrol­ man see the mate on the proper procedure for posting call backs, sail­ ings, etc. Suggested that when deck cargo is carried, a garbage barrel be moved aft of house for garbage. PANDORA (Epiphany), (no date)— Chairman, A. Bankston; Secretary, I. Durnlng. Two brothers missed ship. No beefs reported. Motion made that the two brothers who missed ship be excused due to improper posting of sailing board time. PETROCHEM (Valentine), Apr. SBChairman, V. Swanson; Secretary, Wil­ lie O. Barron. Second cook mis.sed ship in New Jersey, had to take wife to hospital. Called ship three hours before sailing time. .Motion to inves­ tigate New Jersey unemployment tax. Jim Hart was elected ship's delegate, and F. Corcoran, ship's treasurer. No beefs. IBERVILLE (Waterman), May 20— Chairman, Tom Keisey; Secretary, William Cameron. All accidents, regardle.ss of nature, to be reported to the chief mate immediately. Enough money to be drawn before arrival in Korea. US currency is not available In Korea. $3.66 in treasury. Vote of thanks to steward department. Mem­ bers asked to return coffee cups to the pantry and to keep recreation room back aft clean and free of trash. PENN TRANSPORTER (Penn Ship­ ping), May 14—Chairman, C. Briton; Secretary, V. G. Harris. J. Farsberg elected ship's delegate. No beefs re­ ported. Ship's delegate suggested that no member of the crew open ship's delegate's mail as this may cause of­ ficial business to be misplaced. No library brought aboard in Baton Rouge. No repairs have yet been made in ship's stack. JEAN (Bull), May 22—Chairman, W. L. Hammock; Secretary, E. F. Armstrong. Repair list turned in. Most repairs finished. No beefs reported. Suggestion to have ship fumigated. Vote of thanks to steward depart­ ment. Need new washing maehine, for crew laundry. MAR ((Bull), May 13—Chairman, W. Hlghtowar; Secretary, W. Morris, Jr. $3 In ships fund. No beefs reported. 5ANTORE (Ore Nav.), Apr. 23— Chairman,' N. GIno; Secretary, R. Evans. No beefs reported but to h'ave a discussion on food. Not enough juices put out. Not enough green veg­ etables on menu, also running out of food which is on menu. East man on standby each watch asked to clean up !he recreation room. Pantry needs ash­ trays and rubbish cans. MONTECO SKY (Standard Marine Ltd.)—Apr. 23—Chairman, W. Lawton; Secretary, D. O. Coker. Ship sailed short deck engineer. Nothing in treasury. No beefs reported. R. R McLeon elected new ship's delegate as P. Pedersen resigned. Steward depart­ ment was given a vote of thanks for doing a good job. Chief engineer is to be,seen coneerning the shortage of hot water. LOUISIANA (Seatrani), July 25— Chairman, F. Dicculo; Secretary, E. Berman. $121.80 in treasury. Request made to stop throwing garbage in stainle.ss steel sink. Clothes missing from clothes line. Request made to replace a stainless steel sink in butcher shop. PENN EXPLORER (Penn Shipping), July 29—Chairman, John F. Dlckei^ son; Secretary, A. Bernard. $1 in treasury. No beefs reported by de­ partment delegates. Suggestion made to have the seaman also to receive a medical report of his iline.ss in for­ eign ports, which is not required now. James Philip elected ship's delegate. BULK LEADER (American Bulk Carriers), July 11—Chairman, Hughes J. Towns; Secretary, Robert Spencer. $11.40 in treasury. No beefs reported by department delegates. Wallace J. La Nasa elected ship's delegate. Everything running smooth. AMES VICTORY (Victory Carriers), July 27—Chairman, Jack Famand; Secretary, Ceroid Eriinger. Steward requested crew turn in extra linen. Deck foscle's need port do.as over­ hauled. Toilet not working in deck head. Decks in passageways need to be refinished. July 14—Chairman, Eugene R. Hail; Secretary, Ceroid Eriinger. No beefs reported bv department delegates. Ship's delegate to see captain about replacing coffee urn. People taking sanitary gear without permission. PORTMAR (Caimar), July 30—Chair­ man, Joseph A. Blake; Secretary, A. Streeter. No beef reported by de­ partment delegates. New deck dele­ gate elected, Frank GliPiil. fl . I �Pass !rirenfj-,T«g| SEAFARERS L0€ First American Sword Knot Steward Had Excellent Fishing Master, A LOG Contributor, Voted Into Cape Homers Chief steward Frank Napoli strikes a proud pose—and with good reason. That's a 12%foot blue mako shark he caught while on the Retired skipper Captain Rudolph J. Peterson, a frequent contributer of sea stories to the LOG, was the recipient of an unusual honor recently when he became the first Ameri­ can admitted to membership*" in the Association Amicale In­ head of the association, an 89ternationale des Capitaines year-old Frenchman, who did It missile-tracking vessel Sword Knot (Suwannee) durIn April. All told, Napoli and Henry Mnrranka, AB, caught over 1,000 pounds of dolphin and other edi­ ble fish to keep the ship well supplied with seafood. Napoli rfaid his blue mako shark, which tipped tho •cales at close to 500 pounds, was landed near the Ascension Islands using a regular fly and rag lure. It was brought aboard ship by lowering a rope around the fish and then hoisting away. NapoU's only fishing disappointment was losing a manta ray, estimated to weigh about 1,000 pounds, that he had speared from the fantail. At the same time, two other Seafarers helped keep down the shark population for the frogmen who are used to aid in recovering missile nose cones. Frank Hickox, wiper, and Roy Elford, BR, caught four more makos and three white tips. In between sessions with the rod and reel, Napoli and the other 23 crewmembers took part in play­ ing "Monopoly," the favorite pastime of the crew, either as participants or onlookers. Ih Ith — i- Eating Irons iiilii ZJ Master Mariners—Cap-Horniers, The International Association of Master Mariners—Cap Homiers, with headquarters in Saint Maio, France, • is composed exclusively of masters who have been "round the Horn" at the southern tip of South America at least three times under sails, either as offi­ cers or seamen. 'Round Horn' Seven Times Peterson, who admits to "nearing 70," has sailed the Horn seven times, beginning in 1909 as a 17year-old AB. The record for going round the Horn under sail is held by the They're serving tip food a new way on the Marymar (Calmar Steamship Co.). At least, that's the way it looks from this picture of messnu. . Moon Mullen sent to the LOG by Ship's Sec­ retary Gustav V. Thobe. Buys ShoesSoles Fall Off For want of nail a shoe was lost—and maybe the same thing happened on the Jean LaFitte (Waterman). The crew of the ship wants a patrolman to check out the slopchest after the following incident occurred: One crewman, needing a pair of shoes, waited for the slopchest to open. When it did, he bought a new pair. Three hours later the soles fell off. It must have been a hard voy­ age for that Seafarer. TDiys / LOOj Cite Persian Guif Run As Hardest To the Editor: I am writing this letter to try to show how hard the Persian Gulf-Far East run is on seaman; I have been on this run since 1948 and I think it is one of the hardest we have today. When a tanker crews up and signs on one year articles, most of the crew doesn't know what they are getting into. First of all, they most always keep you out here your full year, and in this time you make about ten shuttle trips on the run. It takes about 36 days to make one round trip from the Gulf to the Far East and back again; out of these 36 days, a watchstander gets only about 14 hours ashore —and this only in the Far East. We never spend more than 24 hours in port so a watchstander has to stand two four-hour watches, which comes to eight hours plus one hour to go and come from the shore, so all the time ashore is just 14 hours. We only hit port In the Far East ten times a year; the total time ashore is only about five days in a year. In the Persian Gulf we have a little movie down on the dock in Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia, but in Bahrein we are not even al­ lowed on the dock. Most of the time- is spent at sea, as is evident. If someone wants to make money and save it, this is the run, for you cannot get ashore to spend it. We have been out here nine months (at the time of writing) and we have lost half of the crew with which we left the States. When the ship gets short this many men and they can't get American sea­ men, they put foreigners on and when we get back to the States, the alien seamen can't get off, so there are less jobs for SIU members, to fill. One of the ways to help this situation, I believe, would be to permit crewmembers to leave after six months, but those that remain would have to stay for the other six months. Another suggestion: when­ ever anybody gets off other than after six months, for what­ ever reason, a fine should be r i All letters to the Editor for publication in the SEAFARERS LOG must be signed by the writer. Names will be withheld upon request. put on them. The only possible exception should be illness, but such cases should be verified to stop faking. Finally, if something could be done to have at least a sea­ men's club built in Bahrein, it would be a great help. It sure is hard on a seamen to have to make a 36-day run from the Far East to the Gulf and then have to go back again before he can go ashore. Don Bartlett 4" 4» t Letter Gives Faith When Needed To the Editor: I wish to extend my thanks to the SIU for the Welfare benefit check sent me upon the death of my husband, John Lukas. I especially wish to thank the Union for the kind letter which gave me faith in my time of need. Mrs. Irene Lukas Pubiic Education On Strike Needed (Ed. Note: The following let­ ter was received during tha ship strike.) To the Editor: Jn the past I have sailed as an SIU member. I received the Union paper and today still follow Union activities. In the future I hope to do some type of union work. My reason for writing this letter is a conviction that the general ^public is not familiar with' the basic issues of the present strike. With the pos­ sibility of the Taft-Hartley Act being invoked, some effort at public education should be made. Only yesterday at the university I heard three teach­ ers (who admitted they knew nothing about the merchant marine) strongly support the ship ownebs on the unionization of US-owned foreign-flag ships. They also" spoke of "effective control" but did not note how effective this control was dur­ ing the Cuban-Russian oil deal. My idea is briefly this: Be­ fore WW II the seamen's unions got coverage in "Life" that drew the public's attention to living conditions on US-flag ships. If the SIU could do the same thing today In regard to US-owned foreign flags I think that it would have a good ef­ fect on the strike and its out­ come. Perhaps the network news programs would accept TV films showing the plight of these foreign seaman as they did in the case ot the migrant workers. I want to wish the Union and its members every success in your current en­ deavors. Wayne J. Senn 30 times, Peterson said. Father of Seafarer Henry Peter­ son, who ships out of Brooklyn headquarters, and a member of the Nevr Vork iocal of the Masters, Mates & Pilots for the past 16 years, Peterson's articles in tho LOG recall his many years before thb mast as a seaman. Barefoot Bucko Mate Of his voyages round the Horn, Peterson remembers one trip ho made as a "barefoot bucko mate in the four masted baraque Juteopolis. There were 24 ABs before the mast on her, working four hour watches on and off." The ship was "running before a gale," he recalls and "as I stepped down the poop ladder to windward to go forward to brace the yards in the shifting hail squall the captain Captain Peterson —a hymn singing Welshmanlaughed and shouted to me: " 'That's right, Mr. Peterson! Spend your money on Sydney bar­ maids, now go round the Horn in your bare feet'!" Form American Section Peterson has been asked to form an American section. As a member, Peterson Is en­ titled to all three names used to describe Cape Horner mariners: Albatrosses for ship masters who have sailed the Horn; Molly Hawks, those who went round as mates, and Cape Pigeons, seafarers who sailed the Cape before the mast. In addition to going round, tho treacherous Horn seven times un­ der square-rigged sail, Peterson has also been round Nord Kap, the northern tip of Norway, four times and the Cape of Good Hope three times, all under sail. One adventure which Peterson hasn't gotton around to writing for the LOG as yet concerns* a trip to Siberia during which ho helped smuggle guns into czarist Russia. All he would add to this is that "we were spotted and ran with the czarist patrol after us. We had a narrow escape." �Vu<f Tweiif#-1fae# r "/y - ^ FINAMCIAL REPORTS. Th« constitution of the 8IU Atlsntlc, Gulf, Lakes and InIsnd 'fsters District makes specific provision for safeguarding the membership's money and Union finances. The constitution requires a detailed CPA audit every three months by a rank and file auditing oonmlttee elected by the mem­ bership. All Union records are available at SIU headquarters in Brooklyn. Should any member, lor any reason, be refused his constitutional right to in­ spect these records, notify SIU President Paul Hall by certified nail, return receipt requested. TRUST PimDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall consist equally of union and management represent­ atives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursemepts of trust funds are made only upon approval by a majority of the trustees. AH trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. If, at any time, you are denied information about any SIU trust fund, notily SIU President Paul Hall at SIU headquarters by certified mail, return receipt requested. 0 4" CON":. copies of all SIU contracts are available in all SIU halls. These ^iitracts specify the wages and conditions under which you work and live aboard ship. Know your contract rights, as well as your obligations, such as filing for or on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, any SIU patrolman or other Union official, in your opinion, fails to protect your contract rights properly, contact the nearest SIU port agent. In addition, notify SIU President Paul Hall by certified loail, return receipt requested. .svXv it ifli PAY?tENT OF MONIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in the SIU unless an official Union receipt is given for same. Under no circuiistance should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given such receipt. If in the event anyone attempts to require any such payment be mads without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment and ^ given an official receipt, but feela that he should not have been re­ quired to make such payment, this should iamediately be called to the attention of SIU President Paul Hall by certified mail, return receipt requested. I'*' CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTTS AND <«LIGATI0N3. The SIU publishes every six months in the SEAFARERS LOG a verbatim copy of its constitution. In addition, copies are available in all Union halls. All meabers should obtain copies of this constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any tims you feel any member or officer is attempting to deprive you of any constitutions! right or obligation by any methods such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well ss sll other details, then the member so affected should immediately potify SIU President Paul Hall by certified mall, return receipt requested. Jack Gervais 44" 4^ Get in touch with Mrs. C. Ger­ Anyone interested in acquiring vais, Route 2, Box 151, Moravian a five-room cottage on Peacock Falls,, NC. Lake, Hiawatha National Forest, 4. 4i 4> Michigan, is asked to contact Ed­ Claude Jcssup win F. Kosetzky, 1612 Tenth Ave., Important you contact Mr4 N., Escanaba, Mich., STate 6-7225, Charlie Roy Smith, Route 5, Box The lakeshore site is 100' by 600' 245, Fayetteville, NC. and is In the midst of an excellent hunting and fishing area. 4. 4. 4. Arthur Hero 4^ 4. 4. Harry H. Green would like to Jeremiah O'Neill hear from you at 3817 Palmyra Please contact James Ahearn, Street, New Orleans, La. 113 Quincy Street, Brooklyn 16, 4< 4< 41 New York. Income tax refund checks are 4^ 4^ 4^ being held for the SIU men listed Marty Hammond below by Jack Lynch, Room 201, Contact Charlie Brinton, care of SUP Building, 450 Harrison- St., his mother, 27 SW 17th Street, San Francisco 5, California: Joseph A. Alves, Adolph T. An­ Richmond, Indiana, concerning derson, Margarito Borja, Samuel where to mail a check. S. V. Carubba, Dao King Chee, Richard Dunfee, Bernardo S. Favila, Irving Futterman, Dominic Graziano, Ho Yung Kong, King Sea Koo, Charles W. Lane and James Lear. Milledge Parker Lee, Harry Lowther, Francisco A. Martinez, Alll Nasroen, Sheffield Nerkitt, An­ SIU Atlantic, Gulf thony Nottage, Potenclano Paculba, Gordon Parker, John J. Reardon, Lakes & Inland Waters James G. Rodder, Arthur F. Smith, District William L. Strike, Raymond PRESIDENT Triche, Grover C. Turner, Ying Paul HaU Ming Wei, Ah Sal Wong, Chin Chi EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT Wong and Ding Hal Woo. DIPBSGTOBY I 4> C5 Revamping Three T-2s 4i 4. Jerry King Please contact Mrs. Barbara King, c/o Mrs. J. Von Rosberg. 241 West Main Street, Bayshore, LI. 4" i 4" BALTIMORE—Seafarers have crewed the first of three Cities Service T-2 tankers which James Terry are getting the jumbo treatment here. An SIU crew went aboard the Fort Hoskins on Please get in touch with Mrs. August 7 after she emerged from the Maryland Shipbuilding yard with a brand new mid- E. Y. Terry, 3738 22 Street, San , •section, adding about 9,000 Francisco 4, Calif. 4i; 4- 4more tons of deadweight ca­ David Wood pacity. Urgent you get In touch with In addition to the Fort Hoskins, the company is having the Can! tigny and Council Grove remod­ eled. The total cost of the conver­ sions, listed at $7i/i> million, Is far J less than the cost of a single tank­ er, in the 25,000-ton class. When the current conversions are completed. Cities Service will have in operation under the Ameri­ can flag three supertankers in the 35,000-ton class, the Cities Service J Baltimore, Miami and Norfolk, * three "jumboized" T-2s, the Fort Hoskins, Cantigny and Council Grove, and tliree conventional T-2s, with Bome 16,500 tons of ca­ pacity. .11^ jlllii (hint hhrmat^) TO AVOID DUPLlCATtONs if you «rs [ of atlc}i*s». q?Vfl your foriiiAr tiAva s ^ i 4< 4' 4' SIU HALL m RETIRED SEAFARERS. Old-time SIU members drawing disability-pension b«n«r Xits have always been encouraged to continue their union activities, in­ cluding attendance at membership meetings. And-ITEe' all other SIU members at these Union meetings, they are encouraged to take an active role in all rank-and-lxle functions, including service on rank-and-file committees. Because these oldtimera cannot take shipboard employment, the membership has reaffirmed the long-standing Union policy of allowing then to retain thoir good standing through the waiving of their dues. 4» 4" 4' 4' EDITORIAL POLICY—SEAFARERS LOG. The LOG has traditionally refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any individual in the Union, officer or member. It has also refrained from publishing articles deem­ ed Jiarmful to the Union or its collective membership. This established policy has been reaffirmed by membership action at the September meetings in all constitutional ports. The responsibility for LOG policy is vested in an edi­ torial board which consists of the Executive Board of the Union. The Exec­ utive Board may delegate, from among its ranks, one individual to carry out this responsibility. e 4" Richard P. Bowman James S. Helgath Your sister Rose will be in Cali­ Contact your wife, Jean, at 8021 Harrisburg Blvd., Houston, Texas. fornia from September 24 to Octo­ ber 7. Call DA 6-8612 or write to 4. i 4. her at 22909 Broadwell Avenue, Thomas Ellsworth Smith Get in touch with Mrs. Beulah Torrence, Calif. Smith, c/o South Trailer Court, 8803 South Main, Houston, Texas. Robert Powell 4" 4" 4" Oct In touch with John Granoff, Harold Kommet Contact Abraham Kommet, 966 claims representative, Pennsyl­ Southern Boulevard, Bronx 59, vania, Threshermen & Farmers Insurance Co., 1842 Derry Street, New York. Harrisburg, Pa. SHIPPING RIGHTS. Your shipping rights and seniority are protected by the con­ tracts of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District, and by Union shipping rules, which are Incorporated in the contract. Got to know your shipping rights. If you feel there has been any violation of your ship­ ping or seniority rights, first notify the Seafarers Appeals Board. Also notily SIU President Paul Hall at headquarters, by certified mail, return re­ ceipt requested. i:» ODie Pniidy Fred Anderson,' Frank Armenia, Please contact Mrs. Bertie Pun- Ralph "Scotty" Blair, Edward a dy, 2043, Field La., South Norfolk, Colman, C. Conrad, Tom Cranglu^ Va. Frank M. Gallick, Edward Gorman, Michael Halpin, David W. Heizman, ^ X ^ Norman Hagburg, Thomas M. Man. Yiro R. Tallberg Jlisregard last letter. Please con­ ley, William H. Marsey, Delbert L. tact your wife at once at 116 Ever- McGee, Leo Milosevich, Michael ton, Apartment 2, Houston 3, Texas. Nadd, Gilbert Rlegel, Armas Sappi, Franklin Webb and Richard Whit­ 4. t ney. Fred J. Reppine Urgent you contact your Aunt 4^ 4» 4" Lena concerning your father. William John Miller, Sr. 4> 4, 4> Urgent you contact your wife at Harry C. Scott 17 Elm Street, Tilton, New Hamp­ Please write your wife as soon shire. Anybody knowing the as passible, or call ANdrew 8-6215, whereabouts of the above is asked Westport, Washington, after 10 PM to contact Mrs. Miller. any evening. Mrs. David Wood, 512 E. Elm Street, Tampa, Fla., concerning the children. Anybody knowing the whereabouts of the above please contact Mrs. Wood. 4" 4- 4' Harold S. Leland Please get in touch with Lucille Leland at 50 Willow Street, San Jose, Calif. 4" 4' 4< Jack Procell Contact Bennie Lowderback at 3608 Lowden Street, Kalamazoo, Mich. 4" 4" 4" Mall Is being held in the Chicago oflice for the following members: Cal Tanner VICE PRESIDENTS Claude Simmona Llndsey WlUiamt Earl Shepard A1 Tanner SECRETARY-TREASURER Al Kerr HEADQUARTERS REPRESENTATIVES Bill HaU Ed Mooney Fred Stewart B.ALTIMORE 1210 E. Baltimore St. Rex Dickey, Agent EAstern 7-4900 BOSTON 276 State St. John Arabasez, Agent Richmond 2-0140 DETROIT 10223 W. Jefferson Ave. VInewood 3-4741 HEADQUARTERS.. . .675 4th Ave.. Bklyn. HVarinth 9^6600 HOUSTON 4202 Canal St. Paul Drozak, Agent CApital 3-4089; 3-4080 JACKSONVILLE 2608 Pearl St., SE., Jax William Morris, Agent ELgin 3-0987 MIA.MI 744 W. Flagler St. Ben Onnzales. Agent FRanklin 7-3064 TAMPA 312 Hairison St. Jeff Gillette, Agent 24-3471 -MOBILE .1 South Lawrence St. Louis .Ncira. Agent HEmloik 2-1754 NEW ORLEANS 630 Jackson Ave. Buck Stephens. Agent .. Tel 529-7546 NEW YORK 673 4tb Ave.. Brookiyn HVacinth 9-GfOO NORFOLK 416 Colley Ave. Paul C.onsorchik. Agent MAdison 7-1083 2604 S 4th St. PHILADELPHIA DEwey 6-3818 S. Carciullo. Agent 450 Harrison St. .SAN FR.ANCISCO Douglas 2-4401 Leon Johnson, Agent SANTURCE. PR 1313 Femantiez J uncos. Stop 20 Phone 2 5990 Keith Terpe. Hq. Kep. 2505 1st Ave. SEATTLE Main 3-1334 li'il C.iiiKowskl, Agent WILMINGTON, Calif 503 N. Marine Ave. Reed Humphries. Agent Terminal 4-2528 �LOG SEAFARERS OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION • ATLANTIC, GULF, LAKES AND INLAND WATERS DISTRICT • AFL-CIO Can America Afford To B Russia Set To Pass US As Major Shipping Power (The following survey of the Soviet Union's plana to surpass the US in mari­ time strength was drafted by the SIUNA's Washington Office. It reveals, in detail, how the USSR will soon rank ahead of US as o leading maritime power and what the consequences are for our prosperity and military security.) On February 15, 1961, Vice Ad­ miral Wilson, then chairman of the Federal Maritime Board, stated in a speech that according to an official Soviet publication, containing an article entitled, "Prospective Plan for the development of Naval Transportation from 1959 to 1965", the USSR envisaged by 1965 a merchant fleet 100 percent greater than Its present fleet. This means, In effect, a fleet of approximately ten million deadweight tons. The Rus­ sians, according to the article, planned to Increase their dry-cargo fleet by 120 per­ cent and their tanker capabilities by 80 per cent. If past performance is a guide for predicting the future, there can exist little doubt of their ultimate success. In 1954 they had 581 vessels, totaling 2,284.000 deadweight tons. By December, 1960, they h-ad increased their number of ves.sels to 873, and their deadweight ton­ nage to 4.939,000 tons. This is an increase of 2,685,000 deadweight tons, or more than double their 1954 tonnage. During the same period, the number of vessels In the privately-owned United States mer­ chant fleet dwindled from 1,138 vessels of 14,340,000 deadweight tons to 1,008 ves­ sels of 14,088,000 deadweight tgns. VESSEL CONSTRUCTION — In Janu­ ary, 1961, the USSR had on order, or under construction, vessels amounting to 1,583,000 deadweight tons. On the same date, the United States privately-owned fleet had only 1,029,000 deadweight tons on order, or under construction. This means that the USSR had 54 percent more tonnage on her order books than the United States, and that she recorded a net order book gain of 92.5 percent, or 761,000 dead­ weight tons, in 1960. This was the largest order book increase of any major mari­ time power. Among some vessel construction an­ nouncements recently made are the fol­ lowing: (1) The Scandinavian Shipping Gazette of June 14 reported that the Finnish Rauma-Repola shipyard had launched the 4,000-deadweight ton motor tanker AKSAJ for Soviet account. The periodical indicated that this was the first of 23 vessels which were to be built for the Russians under the terms of a five-year trade agreement (2) la early July, The New York Times reported that Moscow had placed a ship­ building order for 50 small ice-strength­ ened dry-cargo vessels, costing approxi­ mately $30 million. These vessels were to be built at Komarno, In land-locked Czechoslovakia. The vessels were believed Intended for coastal and high sea service in the Baltic. The report further noted that the USSR had been building exten­ sively in its own shipyards, and had or­ ders In the shipyards of East Germany, Poland, Finland, the Netherlands, Den­ mark, West Germany, and Japan for car­ go and passenger vessels, medium-sized tankers, and specialized craft. The So­ viets have recently acquired four large tankers of 24,700 to 40,000 tons through Greek shipowners in London, after the vessels had been completed by Dutch and Japanese shipyards. Italian and Japanese shipyards are also building large tankers for the Russians. The USSR, therefore, is not permitting a standstill in its vessel construction pro­ gram, nor is she allowing her merchant fleet to deteriorate. She is, on the con­ trary, rapidly becoming a seapower of the first order. PASSENGER-CARGO — On January 1, 1961, there were 48 ocean-going passenger vessels of 603,000 gross tons on order in the world's shipyards for the major marltime countries. Twenty-one of these, total­ ing 113,000 gross tons, were being built for the Soviet Union. The United States, on the other hand, had only 55,000 gross tons on order, or one-third as much as the Russians. Adding this new construotion to the existing passenger-cargo ton­ nage of each country, Increases the USSR passenger-cargo fleet to 480,000 gross tons, and the United States fleet to 582,000 gross tons. Russia will thus have Increased her gross tonnage by 34 percent since 1954. In number, the Soviets already have many more active passengercargo vessels than the United States. In 1960 they had 73, while the United States had only 32. FREIGHTERS—The Soviets had 288 freighters of 1,291,000 deadweight tons in 1939. Today they have 666, with a dead­ weight tonnage of 3.3 million tons. This Is an Increase of 156 percent in dead­ weight tonnage, and a 131 percent in­ crease in number since 1939. Since that time the dry-cargo fleet deadweight ton­ nage of the major maritime countries has increased by only 49 percent. This means that the Soviet rate of expansion was more than three times greater than the expansion rate of the major maritime nations. At present Russia has 150 freight­ ers of 1,143,000 deadweight tons on order, or 8.4 percent of the world total. On com­ pletion of this construction, the Russianflag dry-cargo fleet will total 4,459,000 deadweight tons. The US privately-owned. dry-cargo fleet, although representing 8.2 percent of all the world's freighters, had only 534,000 deadweight tons of dry-cargo vessels on order in January of this year. Even Poland, a minor maritime nation, had more freighter tonnage on order than the United States. Bulk Carriers Crucial Dry-cargo bulk carriers, a segment of the freighter fleet already discussed above, should also be examined. Our reliance on bulk carriers is clearly understood when we realize that 90 percent of our as­ bestos, 86 percent of our bauxite, 90 perment of our chromite, 89 percent of our manganese ore, and 100 percent of our natural rubber come from foreign sources. History has proved- that we cannot rely on foreign-flag tonnage to carry these critical materials during a national emer­ gency. Yet the United States since 1954 has only Increased its bulk carrier fleet from 46 vessels of 616,000 deadweight tons to 57 of 805,000 deadweight tons. The USSR, however, which had only 16 bulk carriers of 46,000 deadweight tons in 1954, now has 98 of 520,000 deadweight tons. Therefore, the Russians have pro­ gressed more than twice as rapidly as the United States In the acquisition of bulk carrier tonnage, and have increased their bulk carrier tonnage by 1,030 percent since 1954. TANKERS—In the past we have re­ mained ahead of the Russians In tinker construction. On January 1 we had 46i,000 deadweight tons of tankers on order as opposed to 322,000 deadweight tons by the Russians. This would place the potenti-al future size of the United States privately-owned tanker fleet at 7,239,000 deadweight tons, and the Russian fleet at 1,690,000 deadweight tons. Events, however, such as the Cuban cri­ sis, lead us to believe that the Russians have recognized the value of a strong tanker fleet, and can be expected to launch an ali-out tanker construction pro­ gram. In fact, their order book In Janu­ ary, 1961, showed more than three timea as much tanker tonnage on order as in the previous year. In the meantime, Russia is chartering vessels from our allies to implement its foroign policy. Recently. Londnn and ' Overseas Freighters Limited announced that they concluded an extension of their present contract with the Sovracht Agen­ cy for shipping Soviet oil to the West. This means that about 75 percent of that company^'s fleet is now carrying Soviet oil to Western Europe, Japan, Cuba, and other parts of the world. The company reported that the- Norwegians were also concluding a similar deal with the Rus­ sians. On August 7, The Washington Post reported that the USSR Is even supplying some of the oil used to run NATO's milt tary operation. In Iceland, all petroleum used is Imported from the Soviet Union. In Greece, a refinery controlled largely by the government, but 10 percent owned by Socony-Mobil, processes about 9,000 barrels of Soviet oil per day. After re­ ceiving this information, need we doubt that the Russians will build more tankers? 500 Submarines The recent demonstration of naval strength at Leningrad shows that the Rus­ sians are implementing a long-term pro­ gram to modernize and strengthen 'their sea power. It is estimated that they hav» about 500 submarines. While some ar» missile-firing types, most -are conventional types, designed to sink as much merchant shipping in wartime as possible. This may be some indication of the value placed on merchaht shipping by the USSR. She has come to a realization of the.,value of a strong merchant marine and foresees its usefulness in the economic struggle with the West. By grasping the real signifi­ cance of a merchant fleet, she has recog­ nized an instrument for Soviet economic penetration. It is Ironical that a country like the United States, which spends $47 billion annually in peacetime to remain prepared for possible war, does not ap­ pear to recognize the value of a modern and swift merchant fleet in an economic conflict with the USSR. This, year the US Congress has appropriated only $308 million for all maritime functions. While the figures given in this report are subject to error because of the un­ reliability of information coming out of the Soviet Union, they are, nevertheless, the figures used by the United States Government. It is hoped this report suc­ ceeds in awakening us to the fact of So­ viet progress in the field of water trans­ portation. We must remember that their feats are not limited to space explora­ tions. Control of the seas still remains the necessary goal of a nation seeking eco­ nomic and political domination of the world, even as it was many years ago. -(Reprints of this page are availablt for distribution through the SEAFARERS LOG, 675 4th Avenue, Brooklyn 32, NY) TOMPARISONS OP THE'U.S. PRIVATELY-OWNED FLEET AND THE SOVIETFLEET FOR 1939,• 195A, AND 1960 (Ocean-going veasels oC L,000 gross tons and over) TONNAGE ON ORDER OR UNDER CONSTRUCTION A3 OF JANUARY L, 196L (In 000'• dvrt) Number oC Vessels 1250 TABLE II TABLE Z 2000 u.s: U.S.S.R. U.S. U.S. 1600 1000 U.S.S.R. 750 1000 600 U.S.S.R. 600 250 W" 1939 1954 1960 U.S. 1 � 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 1960-1969 Description An account of the resource Volumes XXII-XXXI 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 August 1961 Description An account of the resource Headlines: NEW SEAFARERS HALL UNDER WAY IN HOUSTON SIU WINS 3RD RUNAWAY VICTORY AMMI FRONT CRUMBLES AS END OF STRIKE BAN NEARS US OKAYS BULL C-4 BID; PLAN CONTAINERSHIP RUNS IBU WINS AT CAPITOL; SIGNS 2ND TUG OUTFIT SIU’S PUERTO RICO DIVISION WINS SIX NLRB ELECTIONS RUNAWAYS RUN LAKES SHIPPING; US SHIPS VIRTUALLY SHUT OUT MEDICINE – MAKERS TARGET OF PRICE – RIG INDICTMENTS RUNAWAY TAX BILL BURIED; CONGRESS WON’T ACT NOW CONGRESS APPROVES MARITIME OVERHAUL, SUBSIDY RULE SHIFT SEA LAND BUYS SIX VESSELS FOR INTERCOASTAL OPERATIONS SEAFARERS’ CASH HOSPITAL BENEFITS TOP $2 MILLION LABOR BOOK CITES LOG RUNAWAY, CLINIC STORIES RUSSIA SET TO PASS US AS MAJOR SHIPPING POWER 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 08/1961 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. XXIII, No. 8 1961 Periodicals Seafarers Log