http://www.seafarerslog.org/archives_old/files/original/39fc986f98e0811c2d727692b6da6d41.PDF 2bd0009e51a7bffa19327efd1c453ade PDF Text Text Official Organ of the Atlantic and Gulf District, Seafarers International Union of North America Vol. viii. NEW YORK. N. Y., FRIDAY. OCTOBER 25. 1946 No. 43 SlU And Operators Come To Agreement On Contract; Called Best Ever For Seamen MM&P Asks Masters Be Covered By Pact New Contract Wins Seafarers Membership The Best Shipboard Working Conditions; Tribute To SIU Solidarity And Militancy NEW YORK, October 24—Pointing out that British Masters are members of 'unions, and that the principle had been in existence for many years in foreign merchant ser­ vices, the Negotiating Committee for the Masters, Mates, and Pilots have refused to sign a contract which would exclude Skippers from the Union Security clause. NEW YORK, October 24—The provisions for which the Seafarers Internation­ al Union have been holding out, and which will give the members the best conditions ever won by any union of merchant seamen, finally became a reality when nine oper­ ators signed an agreement late on Wednesday, October 23. The Union Negotiating Cofnmittee signed subject to ratification by the membership. The agreement w.as concluded between the SIU and the following operators: American Liberty Lines; A. H. Bull Steamship Company, Incorporated; Seas Shipping 4Company; Smith and Johnson.* Captain William Ash, who*South Atlantic Steamship Com-^^Q headed the Union's Negotiating pany; Baltimore Insular Lines;| O UMllllllla'LvO Committee, said that in asking Alcoa Steamship Company; East­ for Captains to be covered by ern Steamship Lines; and SeaUnion Security, the Union .was train Lines, Incorporated. not asking for a closed shop or Capitulation by the operators for union hiring hall terms for came after a long period of ne­ Masters. NEW YORK—A possibility that of the international body was gotiating, broken by the SIU He made it clear that only pledged at this time. A record total of 73 candidates Strike against the ruling of the preference in hiring would be the present struggle of the Mas­ In the event, however, that the WSB. have been certified as qualified given to the Union, and that the ters, Mates, and Pilots might take employer would still have the on international aspects, was ad­ AFL Maritime Trades Depart­ All terms of the agreement are to run for the 39 Union offices right to hire anyone as Skipper vanced recently at a meting be­ ment calls for a general strike of the best ever seen along the that will appear on the ballot, the maritime industry, in an ef­ waterfront, and in so far as Gen­ according to a report of the Cre-' as long as the vacancy was filled tween the International Trans­ fort to force the shipowners to eral Rules and Departmental dential Committee. 22 were dis­ by a member of the MM&P, in negotiate honestly with the strik­ Working Rules are concerned, the qualified, in the main because port workers Federation (ITF), good standing. ing deck officers, the ITF will Union Negotiating Committee not sufficient sea time was shown. and the AFL Maritime Trades As far as other conditions of also recommend a general strike. received practically everything Department. the contract are concerned, the Fourteen of the candidates are. At the meeting, where the ITF Committee would not state Such a strike would complete- that had been contained in the unopposed. Other offices will, whether or not there was a basis was represented by their Coor- ly paralyze shipping in all ports Union's original proposed agree- have as many as six men run-, dinating Committee, the support and countries where the Federa­ for settlement. Another victory for the Union ning for one position. They insisted that they would tion has affiliated maritime mem­ is in the fact that Standard, Voting wm commence on No­ hold out for inclusion of Cap-' bers. Since the ITF embraces all ment. vember .1 and continue through tains, and that there could be no European marine transport or­ December 31, 1946. The contract will be printed basis for settlement until this ganizations, there is no doubt that The candidates, as approved provision has been agreed to. a general strike would bring a in full in next week's edition by the Credentials Committed, The operators have already sig­ large percentage of the world's of the Log. follow: nified that lesser deck officers shipping to a standstill. CREDENTIAL COMMITTEE Transportation, Foreign Bauxite, CHICAGO, 111—Matthew Woll, 'would be included in the pref­ REPORT Present at the meeting were and Coastwise riders, have been second vice president of the erential hiring clause. inserted right into the body of representatives of the SIU and SECRETARY-TREASURER American Federation of Labor, PRESSURE WORKS JOHN HAWK—2212 has announced that a national the SUP, which organizations are the contract. This has never been The recent talks between the affilated with the ITF, and also done in the past. ASST. SECRETARY-TREAS. campaign among AFL affiliates MM&P and the shipowners have The bonus for crews on vessels Federation representatives from J. P. SHULER—101 been lield in the offices of Frank to raise funds to feed the officers Belgium, Denmark, Holland, and leaders of the "free trade un­ (Continued on Page 6) (Continued on Page 14) J. Taylor, in the American Mer­ France, Norway, Sweden, and the chant Marine Institute. This ions of Germany and Austria" National Union of Seamen of move from where talks were be­ has been launched recently. Great Britain. Food packages amounting to ing held in Washington was made Through the MM&P affiliation necessary when the Union Com­ $1 each were being sent each mittee walked out on the nego­ month to 500 European labor with the AFL Maritime Trades tiations when it became obvious leaders selected by the AFL, Mr. Department, the meeting was that the operators were stalling. Woll stated, and that the Execu­ made possible, and a direct af­ The Norweigian Government's when they gave up. their places That this tactic was successful tive Council of the AFL had filiation of the MM&P with the War Medal—symbol of heroism— in the lifeboats to the Norwegian • was proved when the operators appropriated $5,000 for the pur­ ITF is one of the most important refugees. frantically tried to bring the pose. Other donations of $5,000 subjects on the agenda of the was awarded this week to the The Bacon was part of a con? surviving Seafarers of the crew Union back to the bargaining each have come from the 'Inter­ National Convention voy that left Murmansk carrying sessions, and talks were resumed national Ladies Garment Work­ The action of the ITF in pledg­ of the SS Henry Bacon, sent to approximately 500 Norweigians • ers Union, the Brotherhood of ing support and cooperation at the bottom by an Nazi aerial tor­ at the AMMI a few days ago. fleeing the fascist invasion of Meanwhile, the MEBA has Railway Cilerks and the United this time, and with the promise pedo Feb. 23, 1945. their country, when a storm sep­ The decorations were made in completed negotiations and the Mine workers. that if necessary, they will set arated her from the other vessels. . recognition of the individual and contract is now subject to rati­ Mr. Woll pointed out that "We the wheels in motion for an The crew worked frantically to fication by the membership. De­ hope that every affiliate will international strike, has hearten­ collective performances of valor get the engines working so that displayed by the SIU men in tails of the provisions have not make a contribution and are so­ ed the striking licensed deck of­ she might catch up before dark. been released, but it was expect­ liciting the aid of'every state fed­ ficers no end, and proves again evacuating 19 Norweigians Just as the Black Gang had her ed that they would be made pub­ eration and central body to help the solidarity and unity of hon­ aboard the vessel before she ready to give the slow ahead, the lic at the time the result of the build up a free trade union move­ est maritime unions, not only in went down. Nine of the crew and (Continued on Page 14) MEBA balloting is announced. ment in Europe." U. S., but throughout the world." six officers sacrificed their lives ITF Pledges Aid To Mates In Fight Against Operators Are Certified For '47 Election Asks AFL Help Foreign Unions Norway Decorates The Surviving Bacon Seafarers For Rare Heroism m' J ..51 �"-Vi Page Two Friday, October 25,4946 TH^ S E4f 4Rl^n^ LOG SEAFARERS LOG Published Weekly ky the SEAFARERS INTERNATlONAf. UNION OF NORTH AMERICA Atlantic and Gqlf District Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor At 51 Beaver Street, New York, 4, N. Y. HAnover 2-2784 t It;' HARRY LUNDEBERG 4 4- » *• ------- President 105 Market Street, San Francisco, Calif. JOHN HAWK - -- - - -- - Secy-Treas. p. O. Box 25, Station P., New York CityEntered as second class matter June 15, 1945, at the Post Office in New York, N. Y., uiiuer the Act of August 24, 1912. 267 Out Of Proportion Having no aim in the labor movement other thaii to rule it with an iron hand or else disrupt it so that it will become ineffective, the small power groups in unions have a long history of dishonesty, disruption, and have always operated in such a manner as to do more harm than good. The noise these groups make is out of all proportion to their size of influence. American workers and Ameri­ can trade unions have generally been able to detect the false note in the siren songs with which these labor-fakers try to ensnare the workers. Some unions, have not been able to withstand the invasion, and these unions are the ones having all the trouble. In every union where the minority groups, following a line dictated by special interests, have gained control of a union, that union has seen the fight for higher wages and better working conditions dropped. This abandonment of labor's fight has always been followed by strict adherence to a "party line" which sprejids poison and kills off the honest elements iln the union. There is no objection to union members joining any political party they want to. It is when they attempt to subvert the purposes and ideals of the labor movement to their own dirty ends that it becomes a problem which af­ fects all labor. Therefore, it is obvious that trade union­ ists who follow the communits party line, or the line of any other narrow power-mad group, are a threat to free American labor. One instance will serve to point out this threat. When, during the war. President Roosevelt expressed a wish for a law to draft strikers, all labor immediately howled that this was an act leading to fascism. This, however, did not These are the Union Brothers currently in the marine hospitals, stop certain CIO union officials, charmed by the Moscow as reported by the Port Agents. These Brothers find time hanging line, from going to Washington and supporting the Presi­ heavily on their hands. Do what you can to cheer them up by writ­ dent's stand. ing to them. By no stretch of the imagination can such actions be NEW ORLEANS HOSPITAL CLIFFORD BORNE excused as beneficial to labor. The only possible reason PETER LOPEZ GEORGE FLETCHER these red fascists had was to keep the Soviet Union supplied' JOSEPH WALSH EDWARD CUSTER ROBERT HUMPHREY even at the expense of workers of the United States. | W. BROCE, Jr. MOSES MORRIS Other cases are much the same, and they bear out the LEONARD MELANSON ROBERT PROTHERO thought that there is no place in the labor movement for, LEX FANJOY CHARLES DUNN those who have a "special interest" axe to grind. I L. LEDINGHAM JAMES SCHRODER WAYNE TROLLE There is only one answer to give to those who would MAX SEJDET, L. FRENCH ALFRED PEREIRA use the American Labor Movement rather than serve it. • A. R. M. NOLAN iTell them that if they don't like it, they can get out. Labor ^ A. P. MORGAN & & 4. STATEN ISLAND HOSPITAL can grow strong and powerful without them, but with NORMAN PALLME them, the path leads only to domination by them, or else to A. FERRARI R. G. MOSSELLER E. J. BURKE eventual dissolution. C. W. SMITH Men Now In The Marine Hospitals Setting The Pace American seamen have the best wages and conditions in the world, and members of the Seafarers International Union have the highest wages and best conditions of all American seamen. This statement has always been true, and it is even more clearly brought out in the new contracts recently signed Between the SIU and nine shipping companies. The contracts represent a high water mark in the history of U. S. maritime unions. Only the solidarity and militancy of the SIU made such agreements possible. The future lies bright before the SIU—-the best is yet to come! E. C, BURTON, Jr. CHARLES TILLER J. W. DENNIS ERNEST ROBERTS R. E. NEWTON K. PETTERSSEN F. RADGOLIA % % % BALTIMORE HOSPITAL LESTER KNIKERBOCKEE GEORGE WHITE HENRY WILLETT ROY HAWES RALPH FREY SAM CQLE ROBERT MANGAN W. G. H. BAUSE L. A. CORNWALL W. B. MUIR T. WADSWORTH H. O. BELDE J. FIGUEROA L. L. MOODY H. BELCHER M. DODGE F. GEMBICKI C. L. JACQUES J. G. URSTADT P. GELPI W. F. PARWICZ G. F. WAI^LACE S. MERKERSON N. JEFFERSON Hospital Patients When entering the hospital notify ttie delegate by post­ card, giving your name and the number of your ward. Staten Island Hospital You can contact your Hos­ pital delegate at the Staten Island Hospital at the follow­ ing limes: Tuesday—1:30 to 3:30 p. xn. (on 5th and 6th floors) Thursday—1:30 to 3:30 p. m. (on 3rd and 4th floors.) Saturday—1:30 to 3:30 p. m, (on 1st and 2nd floors.) G. D. C. P. J. P. C. C. PECCHIAR P. ELDEMIRE G. SMITH DEADY J. CRONAN CHEKLIN LARSON KOT.STE 4" 4" S* NORFOLK HOSPITAL LOYD WARDEN JOHN ALSTAT COLON W. WARD H. R. SUMMERLIN JOHN E. HARRISON LARIE L. OWENS JOHN W. CALHOUN RICHARD P. McBRIDE HUGH MCDOWELL % ^ % BRIGHTON MARINE HOSP. H. STONE .E. MAY P. CASALINUOVO N. BOBBINS E. JOHNSTON T. I3INEEN .P. iSERGERON J. CAREY L. WHITN^JY �' *; Friday, Oeiober 25, 184S THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Three '*V f ^>^1 Isthmian Skipper Handcuffs SIU Organizer, Cops Piedge Cards During the recent voyage of* the Cape John, Isthmian Lines, REWARD FOR MILITANCY? that bucko Skipper Ledford lived up to his previous reputation. This bucko individual handcuffed the SIU ships organizer, broke into his locker, took a number of Union pledge cards, and ,log­ By PAUL HALL ged the crewmembers for every imaginable wrong under the sun. If there is one vital lesson that we have learned from all Right from the start of the trip, the maritime strikes—past and present—it is the absolute necessity for the joint termination of the contracts of all waterfront unions. when the Cape John left New The strikes, occurring in a series as they have, have been very York on August 29, Captain Led­ costly to us all, regardless of our affilialiun. Measured in terms ford started in to ignore ordinary of money, energy, and effort the cost has been terrific. In addi­ safety precautions, ran improper tion, the membership of each waterfront union has been beached, fire drills, chiselled on all the and ivecessarily so, while each outfit struck for its demands overtime possible, and otherwise made life as miserable as pos­ .separately. sible for all of the crewmembers. The saving of our collective energy, money and effort is According to Ed Bolehala, AB, something for us to shoot for. If our contracts all terminated at the Cape John left New York one and the same time, we would not have to go through a whole without being properly secured series of strikes. If a beef arose, every union could throw its re­ Here are the handcuffs thaf Skipper Ledford, Ihe owner of for the sea, and the crew had a sources into the effort to win it as quickly as possible for the bene­ Ihe "biggest log book that ever left the Port of New York," put fit of the entire waterfront. Our striking power would be tre­ tough time lowering booms, se­ on Ed Bolehala, SIU volunteer organizer on board the Isthmian jumbo and covering mendous. Beefs would be short, quick, well-timed and well-aimed. curing Lines' SS Cape John. These cuffs were to have cost Ed $25.00, hatches, and trying to keep them­ There would be no overlapping of strikes. but SIU action had the log reduced, and also put the bucko selves upright in a very strong Skipper into plenty of hot wetter. Isthmian doesn't fare too well wind. Captain Ledford also ne­ The Lesson Learned in this deal, since the company has made it a practice to place glected to set sea watches until So we learned a lesson. What's to be done about it? inefficient, anti-union. Masters in charge of their ships. What the Cape John was six hours at The answer might be in a suggestion made by the AFL Mari­ happened to Bolehala is what has happened, in different ways, sea. time Trades Department. That suggestion is that the- Department to other men on Isthmian ships. That's why Isthmian men want NO OVERTIME call a conference of all its component unions—the ILA, Team­ SIU representation—now! This Skipper Ledford didn't be sters, the SIU and SUP, radio officers, the MM&P, and all the others—to agree on a simultaneous contract termination date. lieve in the word overtime. He lulu, the Captain had the men pumps, and had the 4-8 FireIf this suggestion could be put into actual operation it would mark had the 4-8 watch working after on the wheel washing down the men blowing tubes without the a powerful advance for the waterfront. It would mean a manifold 5:00 p. m., and from the minute bridge and boat deck, chipping payment of overtime. He also increase in the bargaining and fighting power for all concerned. it was daylight until 8 a. m. with­ the boat deck, and on some oc- had the Firemen chipping and Confusion, suffering, cost would be reduced to a minimum. Victory out any overtim.e. He even had casions sent the men back to the scraping floor plates in the firesome of the deck gang chipping for one would truly be victory for all. fan to secure rags and paint. As room while the ship was under and scraping the Deck Dept. for the wheelhouse, the Skipper way. shower between 4 a. m. and 6 Solid Structure painted that himself. Bolehala stated that with the a. m., until the crew beefed that On our own front, it has been fortunate for us that the struc­ they couldn't sleep with all of exception of a couple of anti­ ENGINES NEVER TESTED ture of the Seafarers it as solid as it is. What with the all-out the noise. union men, the entire crew of the Engines in the lifeboats were Cape John was a nice bunch of big beef of our own, and those of the other maritime unions, the Old Man Ledford delighted in never tested throughout the trip, advance preparations we made for such eventualities have served fellows, and that they would be having the men sweep the over­ and never during fire and boat us well. We were able to strike when our strategy called for it, a credit to the SIU after thecrowded decks during a driving drills. Passengers never report­ confident that our machinery was geared for smooth, rapid-fire Isthmian contract is signed and rain, and perform other tasks ed for drills with their life-jack­ everyone joins the SIU. functioning. that could easily have waited. ets, and as a matter of record sel­ While at Cristobal, C. Z. on the With victory in our hands, we emerged from the big beef What did he care. He was up dom even reported to their as­ return trip, the Skipper handcuf­ none the worse for wear. But we had a little more savvy—more there in his litle wheelhouse, signed stations during the fire fed Ed Bolehala to prevent him savvy that we'll use if we have to go after another payoff. The nice and dry while they were and boat drills. from jumping ship, as he stated strain and pressure put on our resources in our own, and the soaking wet. Nice guy! The Chief Engineer was also Later, after Bolehala had broken other waterfront beefs would have had many another outfit creak­ The Cape John had been taken a pretty good man at getting out of the hancuffs, and was hid­ ing at the joii:ts. Not so with us. Our position is solid and secure. over from the Grace Line, and work done without the payment ing on the ship, the Captain went the NMU certainly lived up to its of any overtime. He had the Fire­ in to Bolehala's locker. He went Profits Even Stronger The other day the government gave out figures showing how reputation of maintaining the men and Oilers painting while on through his personal effects, much the dollar has shrunk, the buck lost 20 cents between Jan­ filthiest ships afloat. The topping watch. Firemen going out of the claiming that he thought Bolehala lifts, runners, blocks, and deck fire-room to oil the feed-water uary «1941 and June 1946 and they haven't put out any figures as {Continued on Page 16) gear had never been greased or what happened to it in the last four months, probably because oiled since the ship left the ship­ the value of the dollar won't stand still long enough to be evaluated. yard. About 90 per cent of the While feeling the dollars shrink in your pockets it gripes blocks were frozen completely. guy to read the financial pages. There the big money boys are gloat­ BIGGEST LOG BOOK ing over how much money they are making. Here are a few ex­ On several occasions. Skipper amples taken from the New York Times. "Profits raised 259 per­ cent by National Airlines." "Oil concern shows increase in profit. Ledford openly bragged that he carried the largest log book that "Aluminum company declares extra dividend." Following is the text of a radiogram received by SIU Sec­ Here's a little example of what they really mean when they ever left the Port of New York retary-Treasurer John Hawk which should be self explanatory: say they are losing money: The Lion Oil Company sells stock at and that he planned to use it. $38 a share and they usually declare a dividend of "$2.25 a year. True to his word, he did a swell "Food shortage extremely acute in Puerto Rico and Virgin This year, however, business is so- bad that they can only declare job of logging everybody Islands. Have only four days of food commodities left. Request a dividend of $4.15 a share. Poor boys, only double, 100 percent throughout the trip. you clear Belgium Victory to sail with emergency food and Things go so bad that three higher than last year. medical supplies only. Ship berthed at Mobile. Nine thousand tons of food on dock and track at Mobile and New Orleans. How have the seamen done during the past year? You and crewmembers jumped ship in, the islands. Two others went to the Have clearance from Winstock, Chairman MEBA New York I know that seamen's wages haven't increased one small fraction of Strike Committee for MEBA and Master, Mates and Pilots. this amount and these fat boys cry that the workers are causing hospital, and one boy was locked Winstock will call you. Wire us your clearance immediately as the high prices by asking for more money. It's a hell of a bitter joke. up for attempting a little purloin­ situation is now desperate. ing on the deck. Several others Wages and Prices wanted to jump ship, but Bole­ Jesus T. Pinero, Governor of Puerto Rico The need for a sliding wage scale becomes more obvious every hala talked them out of it, and Daniel Butts, Agent Seafarers Int. Union of N.A. day. Even though the Seafai-ers have just won the highest wages persuaded them to remain on the Kenneth Washington, NMU Representative, San Juan, P.R." in maritime history the daily rising prices pose a dangerous threat. Cape John until she returned to In answer to this radiogram, the following cable was sent Our hard-won gains are rapidly wiped out by these skyrocketing New York. by Secretary-Treasurer John Hawk: prices. If our's and all labor's gains are to be maintained, wage One of the Mates preferred scales must be adjusted periodically to the cost of living. If you charges against Captain Ledford "Received your telegram regarding the Belgium Victory. don't think our conditions are being cut from beneath us, just in Honolulu, but after talking The Seafarers International Union is not presently on strike, walk into any grocery or butcher shop, an try to buy ordinary ne­ matters over with the Shipping and is not holding up the Belgium Victory. When the Engineers cessities of daily living. Find out how far your dollar will go. Commissioner there, decided to and Mates Organizations supply the Mates and Engineers for Yesterday's buck is today's fifty-cent piece. wait until back in this country this vessel and remove their picketlines, the Seafarers Interna­ tional Union stands ready to supply the unlicensed personnel, If the wild advance in prices continue it may be necessary before pressing the charges. The members of the crew in the Deck Department. Please convey for us to demand a review of our wage scales. The Seafarers didn't Commissioner promised to for­ contents of this message to Daniel Butts, Agent Seafarers. go into an all-out struggle for better wages just to see their victory ward a letter to New York for the Mate explaining the complete Seafarers International Union of North America." cancelled out by a pencil mark on the other side of the ledger. matter. John Hawk, Secretary-Treasurer, Somewhere in this dollar-mad dash of the shipowners and bosses there comes a slapping-down point. On the return trip from Hono- Texts Of Radiograms Between SIU And Islands Officials &'-VV :Vi •M - -?l ';'i| �:> '' " THE SEAFARERS LOG Bernard Roll "Would you men be interested in hearing how 1 was initiated into the old ISU in 1916, by An­ drew Furuseth in person?" With this statement, Bernard Boll, Bosun, and deep sea sailor for 51 years, introduced himself to the Log staff. After we had vrelcomed him, and got him seat­ ed in an easy chair, this is the story he told us about his life at sea: Brother Roll started sailing in 1895 when he was only 18-yearsold. First he was on Norwegian ships, but since 1902 he-has sail­ ed only on American ships. In the early days of his life, a union for seamen did not mean too much to him, but finally he met Furuseth and had a long talk •with him. The upshot of the con­ versation was that Roll joined the ISU in San Francisco, and was initiated by Andy Furuseth. His memories of Furuseth are • many and varied. He recalls how, after the failure of the 1921 strike, Furu.seth explained why the dis­ aster had come about, and then he told the waiting men, "We are beat, but we are not dead." "He was sure right," says Brother Roll. "We pioved that by building an even stronger un­ ion for seamen, and then .we were able to call a general strike, and win." later received the Mariners Me­ dal from Admiral Land. Another relic of the torpedoing was a crushed left shoulder. To convalesce. Roll went to Sweet Grass, Montana, where he could rest and take things easy. After two months of inactivity, "I started to get the jimmies," he said, "and I was glad to get a letter from the WSA asking me to report for duty." BACK IN ACTION So, at the age of 67, and after suffering an injury that might have permanently incapacitated an even younger man. Brother Roll went back to the war-torn seas. And right into the thick of things again. By this time the North At­ lantic had been pretty well clear­ ed of Nazi submarines, but the skies over the Mediterranean were still full of Nazi airplanes. This was the run that he took when he returned to duty. From then until the end of the war, ships he was on were under intermittent bombardment. In one action alone, his ship, the William G. Blaine, Eastern Steamship Company, shot down three fascist planes. STRIKE BROKEN But right after the 1921 Strike, conditions went from bad to worse. The shipowners, flushed with their own power, cut sala­ ries to the bone, and ABs were paid only $60.00 per month. A further cut was in the cards, and with three children. Roll felt that he had to make a change in order "to bring up his family de­ cently. Once he left the sea, he moved as far inland as posible, and final­ ly settled in the Rocky Mountain region. For a while, he was hap­ py, but the pull of the sea proved PLAIN TALK too much for him, and in 1930 he returned to his first love. Roll ended the interview with But by now things were dif­ advice for younger members of ferent. There was a growing the SIU. "Young fellows today movement for a seaman's union. should make up their minds Out of the old corrupt and inef­ whether or not they intend to fective organizations had come make sailing a career," he says. "Once they have done so, they some men who wanted to organ­ can really take an interest in ize seamen into honest unions, unions that would fight the bat- their work. We need good men to fight the battles that are fac­ •tle for merchant mariners. Roll wanted to be part of this ing seamen, and young fellows fight, and so when the SIU was have the stuff in them to do a formed, he joined immediately. good part of the fighting. The future of seamen, and the future WAR SERVICE of our Union, depends on the On December 7, 1941, he was younger people who are just com­ in Minneapolis to attend the bap­ ing up, now." tism of a grandchild. The report Brother Roll missed the Gen­ that Japan had attacked Pearl eral Strike because his ship was Harbor came as the gathering still at sea, but when the Wil­ was on its way to the church, liam B. Giles pulled into Bal­ and as soon as the ceremony was timore last week, he made tracks over. Roll headed directly back to New York so that he could to New York for a ship. help out in any way in licensed! Life during the war was dan­ officers' beef. gerous, and Roll was in the mid­ With spirit like that, the Union dle of things right along. Al­ can only go forward. Men like though the convoys he was with Bernard Roll provide an inspir­ were attacked constantly, his luck ation to the younger men of held out until the Waterman ship, thie Seafarers International Union. the SS Hastings, was torpedoed in the North Atlantic on Febru­ ary 23, 1943. The nine surviyors drifted in a lifeboat for days un­ til picked up by a Canadian cor­ vette. / For this, action, Brother EoH Friday, Ociobar 25, ),S.46 Isthmian Seamen Deeply Resent Postponement Of Election Count are not interested in prolonging pledge cards, the NMU never the balloting. They want a con­ could have appeared on the bal­ By this time, most of the SIU tract as soon as possible—a con­ lot. members have heard about the tract which will guarantee to Left take another look. The latest Isthmian' stall. How the them the same wages, overtime Seafarers Log over the past sev­ ballot counting was scheduled to rates, working and living con­ eral months has carried innumer­ take place last Friday, October ditions as what Seafarers now able stories about company guards j 18, and through the teamwork enjoy under SIU contracts with keeping Logs off the ships, about of the National Maritime Union the shipowners. That's what Isth­ Isthmian crews holding SIU style and the Isthmian Steamship mian seamen want! meetings against expressed com­ Company the election termina­ Throughout the Isthmian or­ pany wishes, and about the many tion date was postponed until ganizational drive and the elec­ militant battles put up by SIU November 18. tion, the NMU has constantly representatives and Isthmian de­ Both the NMU and Isthmian shown up in the sorry role of partmental delegates against Isth­ aparently have bad cases of company stooge. Isthmian sea­ mian tyranny. All of these things bleeding hearts for the two Isth­ men have seen this time and helped to sell the average Isth­ mian ships which have not as again, and have made pointed mian seaman on the advantages yet voted — the Pere Marquette reference to the NMU's stooge of being a Seafarer. and the Atlanta City—and will role on numerous occasions. It's well to remember that move heaven and earth to see This latest evidence of their Isthmian ships must still be kept that these poor guys have a right outright collaboration with the solid, and that those members to vote for the Union of their Isthmian Company in deliberately who have been doing such a swell choice, or no Union. stalling the election counting has job within the Isthmian Fleet The Seafarers International given Isthmian seamen more food should continue to work for the Union is interested in seeing that for discussion, and you can bet same ends. This month's delay every eligible Isthmian seaman your bottom dollar that these means that it will be at least has a chance to vote. But in the men blarqe the NMU much more another month before the SIU can case of these two vessels, one is than the Isthmian SS Company force the Isthmian SS Company stuck in the Far East with a low for the delay. to sit down across the bargaining priority cargo and has been lay­ table and negotiate an SIU con­ THE RECORD SPEAKS ing around for the past seven or Take a look at the record. In tract. eight months waiting to be un­ During this period of delay, the direct contrast to the NMU's rec­ loaded. The other ship is sched­ SIU must continue to do the job ord of company collaboration, uled to return to this country of making Isthmian an A No. I dozens of Seafarers have been sometime within the next three Union outfit. Until Isthmian signs fired by Isthmian for their or­ weeks. an SIU contract, there must be ganizational efforts in behalf of no letup in the efforts of the SIU. the Isthmian seamen. Were these MEANS NO CONTRACT men sorry? Did they stop their Delay in the termination date efforts at organizing Isthmian? of the election mean delay in the Hell, no! This only made the SIU start of SIU contract negotiations members fight that much harder, with the Isthmian SS Company. and certainly the results speak This the company wants, but not better than all the words that we the Isthmian seamen! The com­ can print. pany is interested in preventing Let's look at the record some Isthmian seamen from having more. Didn't the NMU fool an SIU contract for as long as around for five years or more By E. NORDAAS possible. The sooner the election trying to organize Isthmian? It DULUTH—Now that the SIU terminates, the sooner Isthmian took the SIU six months to se­ wil have to stop their viciously cure enough pledge cards to pe­ has won a resounding victory anti-labor practices, and treat tition for an election. Then, the over the Midland Company ves­ their seamen like human beings NMU butted into the picture to sels on the Great Lakes it proves —not slaves. appear on the ballot as intervener. that the seamen here on the Isthmian unlicensed personnel If the SIU hadn't secured the Lakes want a democratic union, free from political interference. They rejected the NMU (which withdrew) for that reason, and allied themselves with the only democratic union on the Great 1. Secure a postcard application from your Union Special Lakes. ^ Services Department, Maritime Commission office. Shipping Likewise they rejected the Commission office, USS clubs, or Seamen's Institutes. company sponsored Lakes Sea­ men's Unipn, as that organiza­ 2. Fill in every item on card, printing your name, name of tion is not even a union, but your ship ctnd operator, address to which ballot should be sent, only a front to keep real dem­ and then sign your full name under oath. ocratic unions from operating on 3. Mcul the postcard (airmail postage free in U. S. mails) the Lakes. to the Secretary of State at the capital of the State in which They chose the SIU because you have a voting residence. they know that it is for and by the membership and has none of 4. After receiving State absentee bkllot, fill it in in accor­ the political and company taints dance with instructions. Where permitted by Stsis la'W, as in­ found in the other two. dicated on ballot or instructions, the oath may be taken and at­ tested by Masters, First Officers, Chief Engineers, and Pursers STICK TO SHIPS of vessels documented under the laws of the United States. The Duluth branch of the SIU 5. If the State. ballot material is so firmly stuck together thanks each and every one of when received that it has to be opened forcibly, open it in the the men on the Midland ships for manner least injurious to the material. After completing the the cooperation given us in or­ ballot, seal the envelope in the most practicable way and write ganizing this fleet into the SIU. the following statement on the back of the envelope: "Envelope It is still important that you flap was stuck when received, requiring forced opening before brothers stick to your ships, hold voting." This statement should be signed by the voter and the meetings, discuss proposed work­ person administering the voter's o^h. ing rules, and job security. It is important also to explain to those 6. Mail the completed ballot (and oath if on separate paper) men not yet members of the SIU in the return envelope provided, free of U. SI. postage including the benefits of organization and airmail, to the addressee named on the envelope or in the the security gained by coming instructions. under the banner of the SIU. 7. An application for a State absentee ballot may also be You'men of the Midland fleet made by means of a personal letter mailed to the Secretary of do not only have the SIU to fight State in which the applicant has his voting residence, or in such: for you, but the AFL Maritime other manner as may be prescribed by. the law of such state. Trades Councils in the port cities Further information may be secured by any member of the are there to help you. The Mari­ Merchant Marine regarding registration, or his eligibility to vote, time Council in Duluth will get by writing to the Secretary of State in the State in which he under way about November 1 to has a voting residence. unite all maritime workers un­ der the AFL into one solid front. By EARL SHEPPARD Lakes Seamen Want Democratic Trade Unions How To Obtain Absentee Ballots �f Oetabtfr 25. 1^5 fUMSlEAPARERBt&O VV''''' Page Fi79 /, ITF -- What It is And What It Does For Lahor The American representative of the International Transportworkers Federation has his of­ fices in an old historic building at 5 Beekman Street, New York City. The main offices are in an­ other old historic building at 60 Eton Place, SW 1, London. But the locations of the offices arc the only things , old and stodgy about this organization that has weathered two m^jor world con­ flicts, and has come forth stronger than ever. To American seamen, especial­ ly those of the Seafarers Inter­ national Union, the ITF has been know 11 fur a long time as an or­ ganization of transporj. workers' unions which has constantly gone to bat for constituent members in particular, and the broader labor WILLY DORCHAIN movement in general. ITF U. S. Representative When the SIU General Strike against Wage Stabilization Board States. However, by 1898 Railobstinacy was in full swing, it waymen's Unions of various Eu­ came as no surprise to the Union ropean countries had also entered when the ITF isued a statement the ranks of the ITF, and by the of full support of the action, and turn of the century, memberehip the longshoremen of foreign had grown to over 200,000. countries, notably Great Britain, It must be remembered that stated that they would not work during the early days of the ITF, cargo loaded by scab labor in the trade unionism was everywhere United States. This was what still a new growth. Certain Eu­ trade unionists had come to ex­ ropean countries, namely Britain pect of the ITF and its affiliates. and Denmark had flourishingly la­ bor movements, and the unions HELP IN TIME in those countries gave invalu­ The passengers and crew of the able aid to the movements emerg­ French liner SS Athos II were ing in France, Belgium, Holland, in dire straits when their vessel Scandinavia, and Germany. reached the U. S. during the Shortly thereafter the shoe was same strike. But through the in­ on the other foot. When the transtervention of the SIU and the portworkers unions became firm­ ITF, the passengers were taken ly established in Germany, it was off the boat, and the crew was the German unions which did a provided with decent quarters great deal to promote the growth since they refused to sail the ship of the ITF both in Europe and until the SIU had settled its in other parts of the world. beef. The purposes of the ITF was And now with the Masters, in those days twofold. First, to Mates, and Pilots out on the pick- unite transport labor unions in a etlines, the ITF again has come common struggle to raise condi­ through with a pledge of full tions. This was undertaken at a support, including a general time when employers resorted to strike of all affiliates, if neces­ any means to crush workers' at­ sary. tempts to organize for better con­ What is the ITF? How did it ditions and higher wages. Sec­ start? What has it accomplished? ond, it was hoped that the ITF These answers are well known to would promote solidarity between the European labor movement, countries with firmly established where the ITF had its start, and Transport Workers' Unions and where it was confined for the countries where such unions were first formative years of its life. non-existent or were struggling But here in the United State.s, for life. where it is liable to play an im­ WAYS TO AN END portant part in the years to come, little is known about this or­ These objectives were worked ganization which is not only the out in a number of ways, and biggest, but the best organized the help took various forms. international trade union, and is There was an exchange of in­ recognized as having developed formation about labor conditions by far the greatest activity in which enabled unions to benefit trade unions and social problems. from one another in the framing .Since there was so much ques­ of their policies; granting of tion as to the make-up, history, financial aid to unions involved and function, of the ITF, one in struggles to organize; and day this week a Log reporter when needed, offering assistance visited Willy Dorchain, American of a moral and instructive na­ representative of the ITF, and ture where industrial disputes ^ found out the information which were taking place. is recounted in the following The demands for which unions paragraphs. It is a story well fought in those early days have worth telling, and one that proves in large measure already been that free labor can triumph over achieved. But it was the un­ any obstacle. Th story of the quenchable spirit of those early ITF i$ a milestone in labor's fight pioneers which helped bring it for a better world. about within the lifetime of most of the founders of the ITF. To BEGINNING them we owe the universal appli­ In an effort to bring about cation of the eight hour day; closer cooperation between the minimum wage standards in a transport workers of all countries large percentage of countries en­ of the world, the ITF was form­ joying a free labor movement; ed in London in 1896. The first provisions for security for aged unions to join were those in Eng­ and infirm; and compensation for land comprising Dock arid River­ workers injured on the job. As the ITF grew, various trade side Workers, Seamen, and then Carters, or Teamsters as they sections were set up to take in are known here in the United the classes of transport workers which had affiliated. To date, there are sections for Railwaymen; Road Transport Workers, including Street Car and Bus Workers; Longshoremen and Warehousemen; Inland Water­ way Workers; Merchant Seamen; and Deep Sea Fishermen. No section has yet been established for Air Transport Workers, but that is now only a question of time. And in this growth of the ITF the American Federation of La­ bor, then under the leadership of Samuel Gompers, played a not­ able part. Very few individual American TTninns joined, hut the AFL gave unstinted support to the international body. In 1904 the headquarters was moved to Germany, and up until the outbreak of the first World War, the organization experienced a steady growth, counting clo.se to 1,000,000 members. By this time it was already more active than the other international labor organizations, due to the fact that strikes in the transport industry until his death in 1942, was the usually have international reper­ cussions. The war . stopped further growth and completely paralyzed international trade union acti­ vity, but the ITF managed to maintain emergency contacts alive through the establishment of a temporary headquarters in neutral Holland. And in 1919, when the war was finally at an end, the ITF was the first inter­ national trade union organiza­ tion to resume operations. Amsterdam was the scene of this meeting, and there it was decided to continue the activi­ ties of the organization in Amster­ dam, and to' draft a new set of rules for the body. But the ITF that arose from the ruins of war was far different fropri the one that existed before. A le.sson had been learned which gave a new conception to the task of so im­ portant an organization as a trade union international. Edo Fimmen, who from 1919 brilliant General Secretary of the ITF, summed up the change in this way. "The ITF immediately upon its reconstruction broke with the view generally held be­ fore the war," he said many years later, "that the trade union move­ ment should confine itself to pro­ tecting and improving the canditions of its members within the framework of the capitalist so­ ciety, and should not therefore, concern itself with questions of a" "11 general political character. To its activities in connection with matters lying outside the sphere of trade union activities in the narrower sense, the ITF owes la considerable measure the posi­ tion it now occupies in the Inter­ national Labor Moyernent. Its propaganda and efforts against militarism and warmongering, against Fascism and reaction of all kinds, have given the ITF a reputation far beyond the ranks of organized transport workers." (CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK) RESCUE IN SIGHT Passengers of Ihe French Lines' SS Aihos II wailing to be taken off during SIU Strike ITF COORDINATORS • The Masters. Mates, and Pilots stepped into the limelight when their strike was discussed by the Coordinating Committee of the International Transportworkers Federation at a meeting held at the SIU Hall, 51 Beaver Street. Around the table, from left to right, are: Morris Weisbergetr, ITF-USA; Willy Dorchain, ITF-Belgium; John Hawk, ITF-USA; Harry Lundeberg, ITFUSA; N. Roherg, ITF-Sweden; E. Johansen, ITF-Norway: E. C. Mitchell and H, N. Flagler, MMSTP? Paul Hall, ITF-USA; J. Scott, ITF-Britain. and F. Clausen, ITF-Denmark. -T/ll �;Page Six Fziday, OcioboE 25. 1346 THE SEAFARERS LOG Shipowners Pet Magazine Spews Usuai Anti-Trade Union Poison By LOUIS COFFIN QUESTIONWhat do you think of the SIU Strike Kitchen? M F-. H. J. SWARTJES. AB; Having a strike kitchen of our own is a wonderful idea. Our kitchen is run well, and the pre­ paration and serving of food is very well organized. Of course, there is some waiting around, but that can't be helped when so many men are being fed at one lime. The thing that impresses me most is how clean everything is. Another point that I would like to bring out is that the meals are all well balanced, and there is plenty for all. My only sugges­ tion is to keep it ready for all emergencies. i- NEW YORK—I've just finish­ ed reading the editorial in the October issue of the Marine News in which his shipowner's yellow sheet goes all out for the curbing of labpr and labor unions. The editors give out the view­ point that strikes should be ta­ boo and that the President of the United States should be empow­ ered to call out the armed forces to break strikes. This isn't all they want, how­ ever, as they ask for the immedi­ ate repeal of the Wagner Act, There is no doubt who is put­ ting the words into the mouths of these prostituted journalists; their proposals are so ridiculous that they hardly rate an answer. However, I thought that I should express myself on these subjects. SLAVE LABOR Using the armed forces to smash strikes is nothing new, and was employed extensively in Germany, Italy and Russia. When the dictators came to pow­ er their first act was to smash the JOSEPH MALAZINSKY. OS: unions, thereby being assured of I haven't eaten in the strike slave labor. Without unions they kitchen because I can eat at home, knew that the workers would be and I don't think it would be fair easily controlled. to take food unless it *is abso­ Fascism in Europe rode to pow­ lutely necessary. There are many er over the broken ruins of trade mouths to feed, and one less helps unions and unorganized v^^orkers, out somewhat. I have seen the and the shipowners in their mag­ food, however, and it all looks azine Marine News propose the good and appetizing. The men same fate for you and me. They seem to like it. I can tell that come out and ask for these because I have heard no com­ things, well knowing that the re­ plaints. and they would gripe if sult will be Fascism. they had any reason to. One way of telling is by the coffee, and I Any Americans who propose can vouch that the coffee is swell. such a program are strictly Fas­ cists and 100 percent unAmerican. There are plenty of such people in this country and they are working overtime to break the labor movement by any > means that can be mustered. Af­ ter all, it was Huey Long, the JOHN MARTIN. OS: home-grown fascist, who once said, "Fascism, when it comes to The whole idea is swell, and it America will be wrapped in the makes a fellow feel good to know that he has a place to feed if his funds run low. Food is expen­ sive on the outside, and it can­ not compare in quality with what is being served in our own kit­ chen. Our kitchen is clean, and the dishes and glasses and cups are always spotless. Of course, we have the advantage of having the food prepared by SIU cooks, (Continued from Page 1) and they know their business. Our strike kitchen was another cariyiiig explosives has been reason we won our beef. jacked up to 10 percent of the base pay, and the pay for work­ ing explosives has been upped to $5.00 per hour. The same terms go for carrying and hand­ ling penalty cargoes such as EARL B. GOOSLEY. MM: bones, green hides, caustic soda, iililiiB I am fortunate that my home etc. is in New York so that I can eat . Representing the Union in the most of my meals with my fam­ , negotiations with the operators iiiBI ily. But the few times that I have were John Hawk, Secretary% eaten in the strike kitchen, I Treasurer; J. P. Shuler, Assistant found that the food was fine. In Secretary- Treasurer; Paul Hall, fact, one plate of stew I had there , New York Port Agent and Di­ was the best stew I have ever rector of Organization; and Rob­ eaten in my whole life. The ap­ ert Matthews, special delegate paratus functions very smoothly, for Engine Department problems. and the men who are running the food department deserve a great I No other union of merchant deal of credit. No other union 1 seamen has ever received the that I know of has the good set­ same gains in any one contract. up we have for feeding men who The militancy and solidarity of are on strike, or who are honor­ the Seafarers has paid off again, ing picketlines of striking unions. and this time with a contract that will give other unions a mark to shoot at for some time to com.e. Contract Wins Seafarers Best Conditions Ever t'tFv-v ¥• . r-. Flag and be called pure Ameri- paid for all this? No one but us workers. canism. WE PAID THEM These people want the Wagner Act repealed because it gives you and me, the average worker, a voice in relations with our em­ ployer. This is a sore spot to the big money boys who wish to run their business in their own way, even if it means trampling un­ derfoot any one who voices a protest These include the Ship­ owners, who at present are be­ ing investigated by Congress for the exorbitant profits chiseled out of the taxpayers during the war. These tremendous fortunes, amassed from the labor of sea­ men, were gained without the operators having to sacrifice their soft, comfortable offices. In ad­ dition, they did not have to in­ vest a nickel of their own money, as all these profits were handed to them on a silver platter. Who WISHFUL THINKING The fact that their bankrolls are swelled doesn't mean a thing to these leeches. The fact that the Wagner Act was passed for the benefit of .the majority does not matter either, as they believe the monied minority should rule. These people should be classed along with the commies and fas­ cists who have the same ideas. The Marine News is food for these home-grown fascists. They lap it iqp and dream wishful dreams of a broken American la­ bor movement. They will continue to remain dreams as far as the seamen are concerned, for the rights we en­ joy today have been too hardfought for to relinquish; and as long as the majority in this country is for democracy, we will not have to worry about these power-mad bosses running oveius. By JOE VOLPIAN For the benefit of those who did not have the opportunity of perusing the first note on tuber­ culosis which was published in the last issue of the Log. let me state briefly that tuberculosis is not inherited. Children may in­ herit a weakness toward the di­ sease and at times of Ipw resistence the germs become active, increasing rapidly, resulting in T.B. The body loses its resistence due to inferior economic condi­ tions; meaning small wages, poor food, overcrowded living quar­ ters, overwork, poor working conditions, anxiety, improper clothing and inability to get proper medical attention, damp­ ness, lack of fresh air, dust, ex­ tremes of heat and cold and sud­ den changes of temperature, also burning the candle at both ends. MANDATORY LAW In connection with clothing and working conditions as ex­ posing one to T.B., the law has made mandatory upon vessel owners or masters that they carry on any foreign voyage ex­ ceeding in length 14 days, at least one suit of woolen clothing for each seaman. Every vessel in the foreign or domestic trade must" also provide a safe and warm room for the use of seamen in cold weather. I A penalty is provided for non­ compliance with these require­ ments which incidentally do not apply to fishing or whaling ves­ sels or yachts. Furthermore, violation of the above provisions regarding a safe and warm room for use of sea­ men has beeh held to constitute negligence as a matter of law. On one occasion it was held that evidence that a seaman as fur­ nished with sleeping quarters in which air was so moist because of escaping steam that bunks be­ came damp, showed violation of this section requiring that the seamen be furnished with a warm and safe room. COMPANY RESPONSIBILITY The fact that a man passes a physical examination by the com­ pany doctor at the time he signs on articles is not conclusive proof of the company's negligence should he become tubercular on the voyage. On the other hand it is to be kept in mind that a shipowner is liable to a seaman for aggrava­ tion of a pre-existing TB condi­ tion, resulting from violation of the shipowners duty to abstain from negligently injuring a sick man; this is true even thought *the illness might not have re­ sulted but for pre-existing ten­ dencies of the seaman for TB. Bear in mind that it is a ques­ tion of fact at all times whether ; TB contracted by a seaman is the : result of sleeping in a fo'c'le in which air was dangerously moist because of shipowners negligence so that bunks became damp. SEE UNION In one extreme case, the Court held that the refusal by a Cap­ tain to furnish a warm room for the use of seamen in cold weath­ er as required by law after a complaint was properly made to him was such bi'each of the ship­ ping articles that the seamen were justified in leaving the ves­ sel before the expiration of their term of service. On the other hand where no complaint was made under sim­ ilar conditions, leaving the vessel was not condoned. In conclusion, if you happen to have been stricken with this particular illness, bem- in mind that your Union officials are qual­ ified to advise you concerning your claims and rights. Do not hesitate to contact your Special Service Department in New York or your local Union Officials. .• �Friday^ October 25, 1946 THE SEAFARERS LOC Page Seven Seafarers Win First Fieet From The Lakes Carriers Asso. By HERBERT JANSEN Seafarers, Mates Strikes Prove NO NEWS?? Great Education in Unionism By C. J. BUCK STEPHENS Silence this week from the Branch Aginls of the follow­ ing portit CHARLESTON PORT ARTHUR " PHILADELPHIA MOBILE ^ TAMPA MARCUS HOOK CHICAGO—It has happened on the Lakes. The first Heet to be organized from the i.,ake Car­ riers Association has gone SIU by five to one, gaining <0r us the first breach in the lines of that organization. This is the opening gun in our drive on the Great Lakes and we won't stop until all the ships plying the Lakes are under the SIU banner. I wonder what the commies are thinking now after all their dirt slinging and after the NLRB threw nut their beef of collusion. Collusion is something they're past masters of, but I never thought they would attempt to pin such charges on soineuiie else. Well, any way, it's a job done and there is plenty more work to be done by all staunch SIU men, so let's get going. MARITIME SOLIDARITY The strength of the Maritime Trades Council was "demonstrat­ ed here in Chicago last week when Fred Farnum, SecretaryTreasurer of the Great Lakes .District, and myself were at the went the Seatrain N.O. for & few weeks. The SIU was granted the riders and again the Seatrain, old but proud, again sailed out of N.O. on her regular run. But again it Fitzsimmons and Connell Dredge looked like fate would not have and Dock Company's office nego­ tiating for a new contract for The membership is taking it her mate over two trips, for on her their number 6 Dredge, which like veterans and there' is no return from the second trip she carries two men in the Stewards beefing whatsoever going on in was tied up by the SIU strike and remained there until the Department. the Hall. The men are being is­ strike was over. sued meal tickets and tickets for During the negotiations they The old gang went back, and beds, and this satisfies all hands. came out bluntly and stated that The younger members have prov­ all hands in N.O. and in Cuba they would under no circum­ By JOHN MOGAN felt that at least there would be en their mettle and have not let stances sign a contract as they one regular ship in and out every BOSTON—Things are slower by the enemy on February 23, felt that they would not require out any whimper, although they week. But again after one trip than last week—if such a state 1945. have not been through the mill any cooks aboard their dredge, this time she ran smack right in­ is possible—with no immediate as often as the older members and even went so far as to say The boys are quite naturallj' to the MM&P and MEBA strike, prospects of an early settlement that they would tear down the and so the SS Seatrain N.O. now of the strike. A lot of men are proud of this recognition, and it crew quarters. is difficult to refrain from mak­ rests down at Belle Chasse piling up on the beach here, many We immediately returning to amongst the willows along the of them in straitened circum­ the office and called on the Mari­ banks of the Mdddy Mississippi stances. time Council .for action, which river. The pros and cons of opening was given at once. OLDTIMERS GALORE the soup kitchen and the dormi­ Returning the next day for New Orleans is now witness­ tories were weighted carefully, another meeting the cards were ing more oldtimers on the beach with a list made of those who put on the table by the full Mai'than ever before. They are com­ would be forced to request as­ ine Council. When the company ing in from all ports to spend sistance. To date, the list does saw the full solidarity of the the winter or the sweating period not warrant the expense essen­ Council they bushwashed around between ships in the balmy cli­ tial to the reopening of the kit­ for a little while and came to mate that New Orleans is so chen; therefore, arrangements terms by signing the contract. famous for. have been made with the Sea­ Among the oldtimers here are: man's Club to feed and house REAL SUPPORT who in the hard days, sweated Frenchy Michelet who is looking our members on a mutually sat­ This is the kind of support the Hall anywheres from 3 to 6 for a ship so he can really get on isfactory basis. which will be given to any of the months looking for a ship. ing the observation that foreign the beam and start canning crabs unions involved in any differ­ Until the list of members re­ governments are less hesitant Our strike helped educate these in full swing, after he returns; ences with the bosses when they maintenance grows than our own to give credit to younger m.embers, so that there is Moon Kouns is sweating the quiring try to tear down any affiliate of no question in their minds as to bgach waiting for the strike to larger, the Club will be able to merchant sailors for their valor the Maritime Trades Council. the outcome or the ending of the end so he can go back to the handle the problem at a reason­ and service in war time. As the shipping here in Chica­ strike, except to back the strikers SS Dolcalle; Make-a-motion Gil- able cost. At this writing the World Ser­ go has slackened down some­ up 100% in their demands and lanzia is again smiling, now that The crew of the SS Henry Ba­ ies is over. St. Louis has copped see the strike ends victorious for he doesn't have to live in the con, largely fi'om the port of Bos­ the flag and the Boston Red Sox what. I am going to take a vaca­ the MM&P and MEBA. They lean-too that Joe Lecke rigged up ton, has been awarded individual have given us nothing to c^eer tion. Hope I can catch a few big feel that if the officers fail in fgj. j^jj^ while he was waiting for War Medals from the Norwegian about. So, until we have some­ ones. In my absence Henry their strike, then surely the day the people to move out of the Government in recognition of thing to get optimistic over—a re­ Chappell, who was up in Duluth will come when we, too, will fail house he had bought. their services in connection with turn to normal shipping, for ex­ doing some swell organizational without the 100% support of all Leroy Clarke is pinch hitting the evacuation of 19 Norwegians ample—we'll put the pen in stor­ work, will hold down the fort in hands. We are all in this to­ around the Hall while he is wait­ when the Bacon was destroyed age. my place. gether, Brothers. ing for a ship—where too? Frank 'Flat Top' Kendricks is also DOCKSIDE SHIP sweating the beach waiting for Among the ships tied up here the strike to end, as is Joe 'The in New Orleans is the now fa­ Brow' Martello, ex-piecard and mous 'Dockside Ship,' the SS running mate of Bill Higgs of Seatrain New Orleans. The Sea­ the MV Manrope Knot. And and with the SIU behind them visit. Prices are high in Shang­ By JOE ALGINA train N.O.- can surely boast of ;^arl River is well represented 100 percent in their beef, if any hai, but that is true about every having been alongside the dock by the Craddocks, Crawfords and NEW YORK—During the war, company tries to move ships with more than any ship we have un­ Ffierson's. place now. So far I have not the Coast Guard spent all its hnk officers on deck, the AFL been able to collect any informa­ der contract to us. She now looks One of the Brothers turned in time in disciplining merchant seamen will really give them a tion about the Chinese women, like a permanent fixture down at the following— seamen who may or may not hot time. Belle Chasse. but as soon as I do, this import­ The day is long. have stepped out of line. Now ant news will appear in the Log. There is no pay at ailIDEAS EXCHANGED I would like to mention her that shipping is at a standstill So you stay in the Hall Men who go to hospitals in past record briefly. Back in De­ Our strike kitchen is in oper­ and they have no seamen to bring Awaiting each call. cember, 1945, she was tied up before their karigarob courts, I ation, and is being used also by foreign ports are still creating over a longshore beef that lasted guess the boys in "blue arid the MM&P. Lots of times we get something of a problem when over 6 months. This beef was brass" are learning how to play the idea that Skippers and Mates they finally get back to the settled to the satisfaction of all are tough guys and not worth the States. gin rummy. hands and the ship proceeded on A few limes before we, have We feel sorry for those men powder to blow them apart. But her voyage to Havana, only to after eating with a few of them, warned men to get a record from because they have a lot of train­ be tied up there by the Cuban and talking to them, I found out the hospital so that they won't ing bfehind them in intimidating longshoremen who also wanted seamen; setting officers against that they donT like the "chicken" be logged for missing duty. This a raise. This beef was settled by still goes, and" you can say your­ the unlicensed personnel, and any more than we do. the granting of a subsidy to thd They feel that when they win self a lot of headaches if you just general spying and stooging. longshoremen to take care of the Now they can't do their work, Union Security thfey won't have take a little time to keep the men unemployed, and all hands and all that training is being to resort to bootlicking to get a records straight. felt that she could continue on wasted. When the strike is over, job, and then they will be able to Some SIU men are sailing on her weekly N.O. to Havana run; these gu.ys mdy have to go back treat the union men more square­ unorganized ships on which there Btit this was not in the cards. td school td learn all over again. lyis no organizational carripaign Aftfer two trips the crew was Several Waterrrian ships are in going on;—yet. Intorrriation about While- the CG takes it easy, the dissatisfied with the rider oh the members of the SIU have had to from China after a three rriorith these ships should be sent to the •Articles as wCre the crews btt do the saine thing. Very few trip. The rhdrt say that the New York Hall, care of Paul Hall, quite a few SIU ships at the ships are moving because of the Chiha voyage is a good run, and sb that action can be taken when, time) So alongside the dock again effectiveness of the .MM&P strike. that the Orient is a flhe place to: the; cbfrect time comes. NEW ORLEANS — Another week has come to and end; and the port still is , tied up as tight as a drum. There are 20 Sltl and 10 SUP ships tied up in the port of New Orleans because of the strike of the MMP and MEBA. Port Boston Takes Good Care Of Members Beached By Strike Striking Masters And Mates Close Port New York, So Seafarers On Beach Rest For Future Action ^11 �THE SEAFAREItS LOG Page Eighl Great Lakes Sec'y-Treas Reports By FRED J. FARNEN GOOD ADVICE DETROIT—On August 23, 1946, NMU officials know more about Now lhal Draft Regulations eight days after the NMU began creating dissention and foment­ have been liberalized to allow ing new ideas along political its Great Lakes shipping tie-up in men with 18 months of sub­ j lines than they know about true an organization campaign thinly I unionism. stantially continuous sea time disguised as a strike, the NMU Doesn't such a program as I've to leave the sea. many men president, Joe Curran, signed an mentioned above convince you have taken shoreside jobs. It agreement with the Bethlehem that someone 'was bought off, is a good idea to retire your , Transportation Company agree­ and the entire membership of the book if you decide to make a ing to end all picketing of the NMU in the Great Lakes District similar move. In that way you ' companies vessels and to cease was sold down the river? can insure yourself against any interference with the opera­ This agreement was agreed to tion, loading or unloading of their and signed by the so-called union having to pay a whopping vessels. officals who accuse the SIU lead­ amount of back dues if you At the time this agreement ership of collusion with lakes ever want to ship out again. was signed, the NMU picketlines steamship companies, and who You can retire your book in consisting of NMU members and labeled men as finks and scabs unorganized seamen were still when they did not walk off their any SIU Hall. picketing Lake Carrier ships and ships on August 15.. halls on the Great Lakes. When the unorganized seamen At this time the members of read this they can ask the NMU the Bethlehem ships were allow­ members who pounded the pave­ ed to go back to their ships, as if ments and the seamen who quit no strike was in progress, leav- their ships in sympathy with the ,ing the NMUers and the men who NMU just what the score is on walked off ships in sympathy this bit of ham-stringing. By RAY WHITE with this phony organization high GET THE SCORE and dry on the beach, pounding NORFOLK—Seafarers in this The SIU is inaugurating an or­ port are taking a lively interest ganizational campaign on the in the strike of the licensed offi­ REAU.V, Lakes this fall and o'ur program cers against the shipowners. SIR, AfJyCOMTRACT is under way now. Before you WIUL DO,"SIR./ unorganized seamen decide for Aside from the practical support SIR .'SIR.' or against joining a seamen's un­ they are giving the men from the ion, contact an SIU official at one bridge, these Seafarers realize of our Halls located at Buffalo, how closely bound their inter­ Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit and ests are with those of their strik­ Duluth. Talk it over and get ing brothers. the score. Norfolk Backs Strike To Hilt pavements for a cause that the officials of the NMU knew was already lost" and was phony to begin with. FORFEIT GAINS In addition to signing this agreement, the NMU agreed to forfeit all previous gains they had made with the company, and set a new all-time low in in­ stigating a voluntary checkoff of dues—something new in Mari­ time, Unions. By .this method of collecting dues, a crewmember, if he wishes may have the Captain deduct from his wages any specified amount of money he sees fit to pay towards the Union each quarter. They did manage, how­ ever, to include the point that this authorization may be re­ voked by the crewmember upon written notice to the Captain. The NMU also agreed with the company that, as long as they complied to a government agency in all matters pertaining to crow­ ing their ships, accommodations and equipment, everything would be agreeable. Also agreed to was, employees who lay up their ships for the winter shall be given preference in employment when the fit-out begins in the spring, regardless of whether or not they had decided to sign the blank allowing the company to deduct union dues the previous year. SOLD OUT Ifc,-- All of this is very interesting, • but what kind of protection does an agreement like this provide for a union crewmember? The Bethlehem crews were allowed to sail eight days after the NMU organizaional drive began on August 15. What kind of an outfit would allow one company to operate its ships, when other ships are being picketed at the same time? This proves beyond a doubt that the Friday/October 25. 1946 Savannah Harbor Packed Tight With Ships Tied Up By Strike By ARTHUR THOMPSON SAVANNAH — This past week know is what the crew told us was a heavy one for the Savan­ and that isn't much. We had a meeting here last nah Branch." On Monday we paid Wednesday to make some provi­ off, and that's all for awhile. sions for our members who are I don't know of any other ships in a bad way due to the current due in. In fact, I won't know strike. Hard times are on our whei-e in the hell they'll put them members, most of whom wei-e if they come in. There are 26 broke when our strike ended. frei^ters in port at this writing. We're hoping this one will end The port is not able to handle soon. When it does we'll be hard many more. As for the payoffs they went along okay. No holdups occurred, and the crew delegates were lOU per cent cooperative. There are a couple of beefs pending and Ihey will be taken care of in a few days. We had a hearing yesterday on the unfair labor practice charge, and we are awaiting a decision now. It looks good for our side, and I'll give you the score as soon as we get it. Ewoyid Van Vliet, bet­ ter known as "Dutch," was just relased from the hospital. After three months of confinement he's rarin' to gp, but it looks as though none of us will be going for awhile longer. Harry Galphin is in again, out again. He's still being worked on and we hope he'll be okay While the strike proceeds with soon. We are affiliated with the American Federation of Labor full effectiveness, the Norfolk W. J. Brantley, who was deck and we do not have the backing SIU Hall's "stew pot" is kept go­ engineer on the SS Bertram of any political party, as is the ing under steady steam. Satisfied Goodhue, was left in the hospital case with the NMU; or the Lake stomachs file off the chow lines in-Glasgow, but we haven't heard Seamen's Union which is fi­ daily. Arrangements were made anything from him yet. All we nanced and controlled by the for the feeding of the Masters, Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company. Mates and Pilots membership, Our Union is composed of sea­ too; so our chow hall is getting men and run by seamen. The en­ a pretty good play. Provisions The U. S. Patent Office an­ tire membership votes on vital have also been made for sleep­ ing facilities for the men who nounced last week that it had is­ issues pertaining to the welfare need quarters. sued Patent No. 2,406,779 for a of the Union, and the officials fabric, that can be used for men's TIED UP carry out the decisons of the suits, that is both fire-resistant membership. Such is democratic It was There is a growing number of and water-repellent. vessels tied up in the port by the quickly discovered that this was trade unionism. strike, with quite a few ships of no use to striking union sea­ coming in every day and laying men. What they were looking for was a suit that would keep then! up. from being stabbed in the back With shipping at a standstill by the Wage Stabilization Board recreation facilities figure more and at the same time being kick­ Seafarers Sailing prominently. This week, seafar­ ed in the teeth by the ship op­ ing billiard enthusiasts got a As Engineers erator.^. boost. XXX All members—retired mem­ Two vessels which had been bers and former members— out about eight months tied up The Natl. Association of Manu­ in Norfolk. The men off these facturers every so often takes of the Seafarers Internation­ ships being ardent cue artists be­ time out from sponsoring legis­ al Union who are now sailing moaned the fact that-we had but lation aimed at "protecting labor as licensed Engineers: Please one pool table. Promptly they from itself." Last week its chair­ report as soon as possible to decided to ease the strain on it. man, Ira Mosher, in an address at the Seafarers Hall at 51 Bea­ They took up a collection for the Columbus, Ohio, proved condAipurchase of another table for the sively that we don't know which ver Street, New York City. secuiicl floor recreation room. side our bread is buttered on. Your presence is necessary in The table for which they do­ Said Mosher: "CPA is not price a matter of great importance. nated should be on the floor control; it is profit control." Bat­ ready for operation very shortly. ters Up! Whad'ya Know Attention Members! No PLACE TO PESTMEwtARY ^OGGlhJ pressed for crews, but at least the boys will be back at work. That's about all we can give you for this week, and if some­ thing doesn't break soon we'll have less to report next time. The Patrolman Says: Clarification NEW YORK—In last week's is­ sue of the Log I pointed out the practice of corporations in Ala­ bama deducting State Unemploy­ ment taxes from the wages of seamen shipping out of Mobile. At that time I said that Alabama was the only state practicing this and that I would* see just what the score was in this matter. Well, I got together with our Special Service Department and we looked up the law covering unemployment insurance. We found that the states of Rhode Island, California and New Jer­ sey in addition to Alabama are deducting this tax at the rate of one-tenth of one percent from the wages of all seamen working ships belonging to companies in­ corporated in those states. The fact that the amount de­ ducted is so small makes it un­ necessary to carry a fight against it, as after all the purpose of the fund is for your benefit while unemployed. In the case of California and Rhode Island this money can also be used for sick benefits. We are not just dropping this beef be- Thanks Those Who Made Lakes Victory Possible By S. R. BOULANGER SAULT STE MARIE—To all the men who helped organize the Midland Company into the SIU on the Great Lakes I want to say, a good job well done. Brothers. It took, all of us working to­ gether to pull down Midland and a great deal of the credit goes to those men who went aboard Mid­ land ships and talked SIU to the crews. % The fact that we represent the best Union in the maritime in­ dustry doesn't mean a thing un­ less the word is passed along to all unorganized seamen every­ where, and that's what these men did so well. This victory on the Midland ships is only the beginning, as already we have several other lines to organize, and with the already proven ability of you or­ ganizers working ojn these ships they will soon be in the SIU. THANKS TO ALL I also wish to extend our thanks to the SUP for their sup-: port here on the lakes during our campaign; also a bouquet to the men from New Orleans and. New York who gave us support when we needed it. It gives one a fine feeling to know that sup­ port is in the offing when it ask­ ed for, and usually the support is forthcoming without even ask­ ing for it. That's real maritime solidarity! We were able to get the Logs aboard the ships as they passed through the Soo only through the aid given by the tugmen here. As every ship or barge, passed through the Canadian Locks, the tugmen were always there to put the Logs aboard, thereby passing the word of the SIU to the Lakes searden. Thanks to all of you from the SIU Great Lakes District. cause the sum deducted is so small, but because the advan­ tages of the fund far outweigh its disadvantages. I hope this will clarify the mat­ ter for those brothers who have been complaining about these de­ ductions. Maybe someday you will be in a position to take ad­ vantage of the small amount of money deducted today and it will come in handy then. James Purcell / �-:J- -v-^r,.•r,r^^j:rrpa.~r. ^ HE SEAFARERS LOG Friday. Oclober 25. 1946 Page Nine Ballad Of The Sea Buzzard, Or The New Flying Dutchman Now gaiher around, all you bug-ridden swabs, and I'll spin you a yarn of the sea. About a rusty old scow and a cudstricken crew like the yarn was un­ folded to nte. She was a rusty old scow, not fit for a sow, and she boasted as grizzly a crew As were ever shanghaiied after being supplied with mothballs, dropped in their brew. The gyro was sv/apped for a bottle of booze by the Third Mate (a hell of a guy). Who was known to all hands as "The Flying Scotsman," because he was always high. Tadpoles swam in the drinking casks and scorpions dwelt in the galley. The roaches were big and were fore and aft rigged, and oysters grew in the shaft alley. Now the grizzly skipper of this plaguetaken tub was a man who was fre­ quently plastered. And his nose was as red as the port running light and he was known to the crew as a bastard. Some barnacles grew on his wooden leg, he was mean and tattooed and disgusting; He was rough and plumb filthy from head to his foot and his bilges with . rotgut were rusting. The Bosun was as wild as a turpentined cat and his starboard eye was blind. He loved to hustle his lard-tailed crew with a starter of eight inch line. He wore a ring in his portside ear, and the scurvy his teeth it had taken. His back was scarred with the marks of the "cat," and he was a man god­ forsaken. The Skipper loved to come on deck, when the noon watch work was done To watch the crew keelhaul some guy (all in a spirit of fun). He slept in his boots and he stayed full of hootch and alwiys carried a rod. For well he knew that his jailbird crew would guzzle his booze, by God! The grizzly crev/ was fed each day what looked like raisin bread. But the raisins all of them had legs, and none of them was dead. The scullery hand he bayed at the moon and never came down from the crosstrees. He swore he was chased by a purple baboon for he had contracted the DTs. The Steward they hung from the main crosstrees; the first cook died of the itch. The Chief Mate they said was an old sea dog, so they called him a son of a bitch. The second Cook was an unwashed soak who smelled of stable manure. His cooking stunk, like the stern of a skunk; he looked like he'd crawled from a sewer. Chips was a goof who looked like a moose, and seldom a bath he took. He guzzled shellac from the Bosun's stores and lemon extract from the Cook, For the Deck Engineer had stole all his beer, and he was in a hell of a fix. Yes, Chips was a jerk who never would work, and he also had sporting ticks. ' Toj'i^ mo KOACH. QOT WHAZZI5? Now the starngest yarn of this grizzly ship is the way that she disappeared. She left Glasgow with her holds full of scotch and was lost with all hands it is feared. But the tales they come in from old sailor men of a ship they have seen in the night Which looms through the fog without signal or hail ad passes with never a light. She comes so close that collision is nigh and makes no move to avert it. But the midwatch can see the crew on the deck and this is the way that I heard it. Flying Dutchman-like she comes up like a ghost and with shudders the sailors tell Of a demon crev/ which dances over her decks and screaming like mad raise hell. The reports still come in, now and again, from the Grand Banks to the Horn, Of a phantom ship and a monster crew and many a lookout has sworn Tliai the smell of whiskey is born on the wind long before you can see her. The Sea Buzzard was loaded with a hold full of scotch—I wonder—could the Phantom Ship be her? ^ •YEGOZfS.; ^LOW\UG TLUtS E. L. (Fleetfoot) Deal Jn 1. 5- i. 5. i i. Salvation In the bug-bitten herd, which lurched 'round the deck, it seems that a pair of ABs Had died of frustration and some dis­ sipation and a touch of a social dis­ ease And the bedroom Steward drowned in the still which was run in number two hold By the dim-wit three on the twelve to four watch who didn't give a damn, I'm told. They steered by the sun in the daytime; they steered by the stars at night. For the compass juice had been drunk by the goof who broke the binnacle light. The Second Mate tried to navigate, but plotted a zig-zag course. He suffered with rungut and St. Vitus' Dance, and looked like the stern of a horse. The Chief Engineer had Been drunk for a year, and the First Assistant was dead— For failing to laugh at the Skipper's jokes the jerk he was knocked in the head. The Second and Third, very seldom were heard for in the bilges they loved to sport. Where they swam and played and went slowly insane 'til the crummy old scow made port. The Black Gang, one and all, were as lousy a bunch as ever mistreated a boiler. If the coal ran low and they needed more steam the Firemen would throw in an Oiler. The Wipers were punks and the Fire­ men were drunks and were usually found in their fleabags. They were nasty and snotty and hun­ gry and mean and kept dead rats in their seabags. By ERNEST KAPRALL They've preached salvation to your soul Since Adam was a pup. And all the time they've preached it They've held the victim up. They tell you you're a sinner And that is all that's wrong. Then they hand you. for your dinner— A prayer book and a song. They drive a mortal to the wall And wonder why he steals; They wonder why he's not a saint When run down at the heels. They spout about salvation To the tramp who steals or begs. When what the victim really needs Is good old ham and eggs. I figure that when food is plenty And grub adorns the shelves That salvation will be plenty And souls will save themselves And I don't give a tinker's damn. For creeds that claim to save But let a human freeze and starve Until he hits the grave. I The bye end bye may be ail right, I'm willing to allow But what we are interested in Is the right here and now. And it takes a blooming hypocrite To swipe your bread arid meat. While he tells you that in Kingdom Come You'll live on easy street. |j J �Page Ten THE SEAFARERS t^OG Friday* Octobwt 25, 1946 SHIPS' MINUTES AND NEWS Joliet Men Offer A Log delivery Plan A practicable method to insure regular and adequate delivery of the Seafarers Log to SIU crews aboard vessels plying up and down the South and East African coasts has been advanced by the crew members of the SS Joliet Victory. The plan was offered as an ..improvement over the present system of mailing the Log di» rectly to bars and places freI' quented by Seafarers, which, say I the crew, has its failings. f Delivery, says the recommen•' dation, would be made via the vessels making regularly sched­ uled runs to the ports in ques; tion. The suggested plan was . evolved after considerable dis•; cussion during the return voyage of the Joliet, and was prompted . by the crew's desire to remedy a situation wherein Seafarers on • the African runs were unable to . get their hands on the latest copies of the Log. GREAT POSSIBILITIES The recommended delivery plan was made in the form of a written statement, attached to a copy of the ship's minutes and signed by Eugene F. Howlett and Leo Stephenson, chairman and secretary, respectively acting for matters of direct interest to them the crew. It was submitted to in the maritime field. the Log where it was received The plan, discussion of which favorably as offering great pos­ was precipitated when the crews sibilities. of three vessels met the Joliet The Joliet men would have the men in Capetown, Durban, and Delegates on Robin line ships— Lourenco Marques and asked for one of which leaves New York copies of the SlU's publication, could also very well be applied to -THE LOGS all the world's ports visited by ARE / Seafarers, the Joliet crew be­ CoMlMC' lieves. Though the Log has repeatedly asked member to submit names and addresses of bars and hang­ outs in various foreign ports, and it has mailed copies to these places when furnished with this information, it recognizes the su­ perior worth of the Joliet crew's plan. Aside from reducing mail­ ing costs, it would hasten de­ weekly for the South and East livery and insure more regular African ports—carry sufficient distribution, factors of prime im­ bundles of Logs. The bundles portance. would be distributed at the var­ NEED DELEGATES' HELP ious bars and other spots fre­ It is hoped that Delegates of quented by Seafarers in several Robin line vessels making the of the larger African ports, after run to South and East Africa will receiving approval from the man­ realize the value of this im­ agers or owners of the places. proved method of Log distribu­ Ports mentioned as among the tion and will make every effort key ones in which to leave the to see that the plan is put into Logs were Capetown, Durbin efficient operation. Realization and Lourenco Marques. of their role in carrying out a plan devised to increase the SIU's KEEP THEM INFORMED efficiency and prestige should Then the boys sailing up and prove gratifying to these dele­ down the coast would be able to gates. stop in at these places both on the run down and on the way Meanwhile, to the men of the jback, and get the latest Logs— Joliet, for their heads-up Union , thus keeping informed of all up- thinking—a pat on the back from to-the minute developments on the Log, and a big, "thanks;" . ...}• W%««v i Perfect harmony reigned eboard the Grout making its rfecfent voyage to France a model trip. So shipshape were conditions that at the final meeting the Delegates were in­ structed to make special men­ tion of the fact. "On the high seas, aboard ship* in port and off duty in the towns of Franco the crew was a credit to the SIU." says the Delegates report. Every man was a "perfect shipmate." Early in the voyage a com­ mittee was appointed to draw up a list of rules and regula­ tions to govern the members . for this trip. The Delegates happily report "a clean sheet at the end of the voyage." The crew parted in Mobile hoping all would meet again. ABOVE: Democracy swings into action on the high seas as the men of the Grout hold their Union meeting. Everyone had his say, beefs were ironed out and all hands came away con­ scious of their personal stake in the SIU. Even Mamie the pup barks his approval. LEFT: Ellis Crooks, the Gout's 2nd Cook and Baker, Stops making dough to pose for this photo. RIGHT: Always getting into the act is Brooklyn, USA. It's easy to see that Brooklyn looks bigger to the Grout crew than most other places. Posing alongside this signpost at Le Havre's port of embarkation is a crewman and that pup, Mamie. Pictures are by Stewards Delegate Harold E. Kirton. Union Booklet Saves Day For Seafarer Stranded Abroad With Broken Shoulder A little booklet weighing less than three ounces which fits easily into any pocket should be part of a Seafarers gear when he ships out, if he wants to be on the ball. Chief Steward Thomas De Fazio, at least, will never be found without his copy of this important piece of literature— the.booklet containing the agree­ ment between the Seafarers In­ ternational Union and the vari­ ous shipping companies with which it has contracts. A series of tribulations experienced while he was beached recently in Ant­ werp as a result of a broken The Nordhoff Is Refloated The Alcoa steamship Charles Nordhoff was refloated early this week after being aground for a week off Trinidad. The vessel is now undergoing inspection in Port-Au, Spain. The floating operation was performed by the salvage vessel Killrig which was dispatched from New York after two at­ tempts by Army tugs had failed to float the Nordhoff. The Nordhoff ran aground while on a voyage from British Guiana to Canada with a cargo of bauxite. shoulder were successfully cli­ maxed only because De Fazio was able to produce evidence of his Union-gained rights in the form of the agreement book at the right moment. As he related his story to the Log, De Fazio urged all Seafarers to "make certain they carry the agreement book with them when leaving the States if they would avoid possible difficulties." BROKEN SHOULDER De Fazio's moral-producing ex­ perience began aboard the SS Bernard D. Redman when he sus­ tained a broken shoulder. The vessel's Skipper, F. S. McMurray, cognizant of De Fazio's need for hospitalization, stopped the Rod­ man at Flushing, Holland, in or­ der to debark the injured Chief Stewdrd. Surmising that the Dutch hospitals were short on coffee, sugar and soap. Captain McMurray foresightedly provided De Fazio with a small supply of each when he left the ship—a gesture greatly appreciated by the Seafarer. In the three weeks he spent at the hospital there was no sign, smell or taste of any of these essentials, De Fazio said. At the end of three weeks, De Fazio was discharged from the Flushing hospital. He went straight to Antwerp where he re­ ported immediately to the United States Line's agent. The agent sent him to a merchant marine THOMAS DE FAZIO center, telling him that he would receive food and shelter there. But when De Fazio reached the center, there were no beds. lilstead he found dormitories with bunks stacked one on top of the other. With a broken shoulder he Couldn't sleep in one of these bunks, much leSs cliihb into it. A complaint to the director Of the center brought results, howevfer. TO THE LONDRES He was sent to the Hotfel Londrfes where he was furnished a large bed, so that he could rest without impeding the healing of his shoulder. De Fazio felt fair(Continued on Page 11) �Friday, Qciober 25, 1946 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Eleven Digested Minutes Of SlU Ship Meetings OUACHITA VICTORY. July ' I—Chairman Cohon; Secretary Lerner. Minutes of previous minutes meeting read and ac­ cepted. It was suggested that in as much as the cow-hands aboard cattle-carrying vessels enjoy the same privileges as union members aboard, they should be given permit cards issued to them by the Seafarers International Union. % X X Draw One ! — Make It Hot The lukewarm water situation was warmed up considerably during a heated discussion at an SS Zachary Taylor shipboard meeting. Boiled down to its simplest terms, the water wasn't hot enough to brew a good cup of coffee, nor was it hot enough to properly wash and rinse the dishes, so the crew members passed a motion calling for the matter to be straightened out. • This dilemma on the Taylor sort of gives rise to the que.stion: Could the guys have been getting the dishwater in their coffee, and the coffee in their dishwater? Aw, beans. XXX HIBBING VICTORY. Sepl. 18—Chairman Rockey Benson; Secretary Henry B e c k m a n . New Business: Mglion carried to prefer charges against the Chief Steward. Charges read to the Steward. Charges signed by five book meinbers. All to stand-by until each department is ready to payoff. Three Dele­ gates to see Patrolman about two men who deserted the ship at last minute before sailing in Port of New York while offi­ cials of the Union were in ne­ gotiations. Repairs requested are: Glass in porthole instead of wartime steel, screen doors for all foc'sles, wind scoops, new double door lockers, a properly supplied medicine chest, repair drain in engine room shower, .repair radio, in­ stallation of speaker in P.O. mess, clock in P.O. mess, lock on vegetable box, new hot plate, percolaters and master toaster. One minute of silence for Brothers lost at sea. XXX tions carried: that Delegates inspect and check with Stew­ ard for stores and determine if they are sufficient for the voy­ age; that Delegates check over the medical supplies with Cap­ tain. Members were instructed to pick up their cups from messhall tables. One minute of silence observed for Brothers lost at sea. XXX Don't Get Caught In The Revolving Door stay in, and stay out. So say two motions passed at a recent membership meeting aboard the SS Cape Sandy; Confused? Well, just hold on to your soojie. It's all quite simple. The motions apply to the cook, and to all those Who are not cooks or a steward. In other words, one motion carried saying that There's A Hitch the cook is to stay in the galley Aboard The Hitch until meals have been served. Any day now the boys in the The second motion says that galley of the 'SS Diamond Hitch every one beside the cooks and expect to hear; "Cook, line those the steward should keep out of pots up at attention." the galley. It seems that the Chief Stew­ The Brothers on the Sandy ard has told the cooks that he is just don't want the chow ma­ an officer and wishes to be re­ chine to break down, so they are spected as one, both aboard and taking all precautions to keep it ashore, according to the ships running smoothly. Can ya blame minutes. them? This "officer" is not getting the XXX re.spect that he thinks is his due, the minutes say; in fact, the men HIBBINGS VICTORY, July n all three departments have 20—Chairman and secretary branded him as a company stiff not noted. Delegates reported and think he is overstepping his that crew has had lousy chow authority somewhat by pulling up to the present time. Motions such antics. carried: that Chief Steward Come on "Stew" take those make out menus instead of scrambled eggs off your hat and Chief Cook preparing meals on put them back on the griddle. his own; that cablegram be sent to Union Hall to learn outcome XXX of cutiiracl negoliaiiutis: thai DE SOTO, June 25—Secre­ Delegates call a special meet­ tary K. Morrell; Secretary R. ing whenever they think it nec­ Lipscomb. Minutes of previous meeting read as accepted. Mo- ' essary. Union Booklet Saves Day For Seafarer Beached In Europe With Broken Shoulder (Continued from Page 10) ly satisfied. The next day he re­ turned to the company agent and reported what had happened the previous night. The agent sputtered and fum­ ed, insisting that Do Fazio live at the merchant marine center. De Fazio fumed right back and was off in a cloud of smoke to the office of the American con­ sul. Just to make sure that De Fazio's claim of injui-y was a valid one, the consul sent him to an Army doctor. The doctor ex­ amined the shoulder, then ap­ proved of De Fazio's complaint. Back again to the company agent went iDe Fazio, who by this time, in addition to having a bum shoulder, was suffering from a slight case of dizziness induced by the mad merry-go-round. The agent, too, appeared slightly dizzy when he learned that the Army doctor recommended that De Fazio have a larger bed. However, in the face of this or­ der, he agreed to pay the Sea­ farer $3.50 a day and take car^ of the hotel bill. \ At this point in his story De Fazio paused to tell how ii, was next to impossible to sustain himself on , $3.50. Prices were sky-high and there was nothing to buy anyway. Continuing with the tale of his trials, De Fazio said that after two weeks of trying to keep him­ self alive on his allowance, he was sent by the agent to Rotter­ dam to catch a ship that was headed for the States. MORE TROUBLE "In Rotterdam, the agent's of­ fice was miserable, De Fazio said. "They refused to give me money DIDTOO I SIR? YeAH.Jttv'BS, PRAW ME A TOB! to support, myself until the ship came into port." He was sent to the Hotel Regina. The agent's office was to pay for his room and food until such time as he was able to leave. But a surprise was in store for the harassed Chief Steward when he got to the hotel and saw his "room." It couldn't have been more convenient. Hot and cold run­ ning water, mirror for shaving. All he had to do was put his hand out and everything needed for his toilet was in reach. In fact, the "room" was right in the washroom; set up there because the hotel people said there was no room available, though a va­ cancy was expected within a few days. "Well, 1 spent my nights in that 'room' until the ship dock­ ed," De Fazio said with a sigh. The daily menu was a beaut, too. "For breakfast 1 had two slices of bread and a cup of tea. That was my ration for the whole day," De Fazio said. "These conditions sent me back to the agent's office where 1 com­ plained again. 1 asked him for my subsistence money in cash, saying that 1 would take care of my food and hotel myself. " 'What do you think this is— a bank?', the agent hollered back at me." A LIFESAVER But here, De Fazio, whd" avails himself of the protection which his Union provides for him, was prepared. "Lucky for me," he said, "1 had a copy of my agree­ ment in my bag, and 1 showed it to the agent, pointing out where it stated that 1 must be provided first-cla.ss transportation and four dollars a day whenftravelling. "With that, 1 convinced "him he was wi'ong. The little book saved the day for me." The rest came easy enough for De Fazio. He caught the ship and got back to the States with no more trouble. But he strongly advised "all SlU members when leaving the United States not to forget to carry the copy of the agreement between the company and the Union." That little book, it appears, is an item to be respected. 5Q{JE SPECIAL SE«V/|CES DE.PARTWAS SBTUPTo-H'eiP VDO WHFAJ iKiTpajBUr. GoTA ?RdBlEM ?—IEJ3AL, f ASK Ti-iE SmC/ALW^OLAVlfs/ -F Youfee iM A/EW/ WRITE AMD iooU RECEIV/E A pRcMPTf^EBY. CUT AND RUN By HANK Well, it's better to have the Mates and Esgineers real Union men and thereby closer to us brothers, than have them remain the unhappy and complete slaves of the shipowners. That's why this big beef keeps our American ports frozen and safe for the sake of honestly militant and justified union labor—from topside to down below . . . Well, Johnny Meghrian is sure glad to be in New York after going broke on the West Coast from his three-month trip to Japan. Next trip, Johnny, will be different—but it never is . . . Buddy Gold, one of our Tampa Brothers, just came into town. How's New York's .strike chow in comparison? One of humorous shipmates. Tommy Taylor, who did a fine job organizing Isthmian ships, just came into town from his home town of Tampa. Brother Bill Higgs was glad to see him, too. Anyway, Tommy, we'll take your advice not to ride a bus to Tampa. Not a chance for a cold glass of beer all the way up. Well, Tommy, sailing those taxis every day down there must have got monotonous, anyway—so you're better off up here . . . We won't mention the names of the happily guilty brother who told us—but Bill Thomas has a nickname—and it's Windy. Well, Bill, good luck—if you hit Mobile ... In this town of tall buildings it's good to see that familiar black mustache and tall fram.e of "Tex" Morton, who wears coins in his ears and buys roses now and then when he's happy. Where were you, Tex? Meet Joe Tennent: It seems bad luck hit Joe again after he was beached in lhat hole called the Persian Gulf, due to a leg injury. When he came home he shipped out on a vessel which sailed with hardly any stores aboard—not enough meat, no razor blades, no cigarettes, etc. But little Joe, who may be old in years but is as livelj' as onyone, still keeps his sense of humor aboard in the galley or ashore in the crowd. Say, Joe, isn't Russell Saun­ ders, known as Chips the Boxer, lucky? Some bartender of a saloon where Rocky Graziano hangs out, felt sorry for Chips and his pugilis­ tic map—and gave him a ten spot. Gee, why ain't we got a punchy face and those ears. Look all the beers we could buy for our beachy brothers who look at us with those wishful faces. 5, J. s. i. Woody Lockwood was dreaming about the time he, John Lincoln and Red Morgan were dreaming about the Texas Bar while they were accidentally given a few days sentence. Woody -says he wishes Brother Merchant, a youngster who lives in Long Island and is a fine artist, could have drawn a picture .of them. An(/way, Woody tells us that Beachie Tom Murray lost his bartenders job and that Blackie Vince Kane should leave San Juan to taste some of this fine New York chow. Verrill Swearingen and Frank Devlin are in the Great Lakes right now. Fred Flash Fannin, Arthur Arvanites, Valentine Nnnez, Vincent Segesta, Andre Quinones, Charles Stokely and Ernest Raid are down in New Orleans. "Blackie" Daniel Boyce is in Phillj^ Henry Pruitt and William Jensen are in Norfolk. . •' �Page Twelve TttE S E AF AREnS to G Priday, Ocfober 2S. 7946 rOE MEMBEBSmP SPEAKS THE FOC'SLE FROLICS SS Montezuma Castle Crew Are Good Will Ambassadors i I know our crewmembers will be welcomed any place we have Just a line to let you know been. Among them are our Bo­ that sailing is back to standard sun, Jim Hammond, known up andr we don't see many of the and down and all over as a con­ 40-day wonders. This is the first genial, efficient Seafarer; our ship I have sailed since the war Black gang Delegate, Alvin A. wit](i so many full book members. VanDevonter, known as Vandy; We have six in the ^lack gang, Chief Cook Milton Theodore six in the Deck, and one in the (Teddy), an artist in the galley, Stewards department. and a Greek of the finest order. We have just completed a 70Then we have the Chief Stew­ day voyage that carried us from ard, a West coast man, John E. Baytown to Hull, England. We Hollywood hi-jinks? Could be, but it isn't. This scene is Cuthrell who has performed the shuttled from there to Trinidad, aboard the SS Cuba Victory. Goings-on were part of the Nep­ loaded for Antwerp and then almost impossible task of pleas­ tune party held as the vessel crossed the Equator. ing the crew as well as the of­ home. ^ ficers. Our Second Cook and When the ones who perform Stewards Delegate, Walter the labor are not properly com­ Blezer (sh, he's from Brooklyn), pensated and often exploited to has also done a fine job by pre­ furtlier gains and profits of the cept and example. privileged few it is time for ac­ We were very fortunate in We can't be naive enough to tion. Too frequently the daily Dnar Editor: having a First Mate who was a press, which, by the way is fre­ believe that a mere constitution I wonder how many of the will stop the stooges and pimps quently owned or at least con­ first class seaman. He seemed to sense the other side as well as boys caught Paul Hall's recent of the National Association of trolled by the privileged class, take care of his own job, but un­ column warning of the anti-labor Manufacturers, the Iron and plays up the loss to the public by the actions of the Unions in de­ fortunately he developed an eye legislation being cooked up for Steel Institute or any other of manding and fighting for their trouble that made it imperative introduction to Cdhgress when the big money coalitions from rights and blaming them for it. that he be left at Antwerp for they reconvene? His warning pushing one of these plans treatment. We all wish him a should not be glossed over, as through with the aid of their But the reverse is the case. speedy recovery. His name is any guy with half an eye can boys on Capitol Hill. It is not the Unions which are C. E. Daly of Los Angeles. see that the "stop strikes" chorus causing the public inconvenience Too fresh in our memories is is raising its voice again, and Duke Himler and annoyance, but the owners the action of the Missouri finkevery nut in the country has his who will not agree to grant us herder last May when he nearly own guaranteed, patented plan what is just. Sometimes the MOTHER ANXIOUS put such a bill through. Hopping to stop strikes and padlock labor. price to be paid seems hard, but up and down like Hitler with a Especially amusing are the dif­ the end justifies the means, and I OVER LOCATION case of DTs he called for the ferent plans put forth by various am .proud and glad wc cooper OF SEAFARER SON draft of workers into the Army professors of political science. Al­ ated and won. Yes, it has been where they could pull down 50 though none of these birds have Dear Editor: ever done a day's labor in their bucks per while doing their jobs Recently I had someone phone lives, they are all ready with with a bayonet at their throats. AI4,VES,THI0SE I you concerning the whereabouts ingenious schemes to curb labor Remember how the anti-labor of my son, Chester Skszyski, who unions. These professors of poli­ boys applauded his actions and is a member of your Union. We tical economy are ingenious in how the House of Representa­ were told to write to the hall. finding various theories that tives almost broke their necks The story is as follows; prove strikes are unconstitution­ My son sailed aboard an Isth­ al. mian ship on a trip which took IVORY TOWER HOT him to San Diego, San Francisco, One of these professors wrote Portland and Olympia. At Olym- a long letter to the New York pia he was to enter a hospital Times calling strikes "criminal with an injured knee. That was conspiracies" and demanded the the last time I heard from him. imprisonment of striking union Due to an illness, I have been leaders. I never thought an ivory a wonderful object lesson, loo, and we have used it fully to in­ confined to my home under doc­ tower could get so excited. This tor's orders. I worry very much bird's resentment can probably doctrinate our young friends. We have several hign type and about my son's whereabouts, and be traced to impatience for a new outstanding men in our crew worrying doesn't help my condi­ car. aboard the Montezuma Castle, tion any. The most famous labor-baiter, who by their advice and example I wish you'd be kind enough Donald Richberg, offers one of have set up a pretty high stand­ to tell how 1 can learn of the the most common plans. He hurrying to pass the thing? They ard. They have tried to incul­ whereabouts of my son, and also wants all labor disputes settled weren't thinking of constitution­ cate a high American attitude in please tell him to hurry home by the courts; evidently thinking al rights then. their relations with our foreign when he arrives in New York. all stril^s are crimes. The for­ V/E HAVE ANSWER neighbors, and from their advice Mrs. Caroline Skszynski mula is very simple; if you don't I've alwajys kind of wished agree with the judge; you can they had passed it. I'd have think it over in the pen. loved spitting in the General's ISTHMIAN MEN This is indicative of the new eye and breaking the Lieuten­ line being taken by the giant ant's jaw. Then what? A firing corporations. Having failed to squad for "insubordination?" Oh, crush labor with goon squads, yeah? tear gas,- and special police, they If they ever try one of these are now going to try "legal" plans, American labor can beat methods; s^ch as fines an.l im­ it overnight with an idea our prisonment. Strike committee came up with: RIGHT TO STRIKE A general strike of all organized Actually there is no way they labor in the U.S. with ships, fac­ can stop strikes by "legal" means. tories, mines, etc., all stopped The right to stop work when one cold until the phony law is re­ feels like it is undeniable. Any pealed. Victory would be in­ action to the contrary would stantaneous. constitute slavery and the con­ Like it or not, America has en­ stitution forbids involuntary tered the laUor age. These poli­ servitude. Any attempt to force tical stooges trying to hold down the coal miners or seamen to work against their will is plain a giant with their paper plans and simple slavery no matter are nuts. They can't do it. Let's A few of fhe crewmembers aboard the Isthmian line's how well they wrap the whole hope they don't have to learn it recently acquired SS Archer, which is on a run to the Near thing in the flag and call it pure the haird way. and Middle East areas. "Steamboat" O'Doyle Americanism. Deab Editor: America Enters Labor Age: 'Steamboat' Warns Big-Wigs I 1 Log'A'Rhythms • A Trip To Sea By VIC COMBS 'Twas the night we were sailing, the crew was all set To start for the islands, but the ship said not yet. It was Wednesday eve, they were raising the boom When the damn thing let loose with a screech and a zoom. It took three hours to make ready to make everything free To be ready to sail her on our way to the sea. We finally left port, we were on our way. And that was the end of our troubles that day. The first day was clear, the skies were so blue I sat around mooning, I had no­ thing to do. The second day brought trouble, the engines conked out. It look fifteen minutes to get back on our route. This trip spelled trouble, twice more on our way She stopped with a shudder, boy, what a day. We fixed her finally, did those engines hum. Stepped up to full speed, we made up mileage some. Well, we got in Monday, to San Juan at dawn, I woke up at six, I let out a yawn, I worked like hell for the rest of the day. So I could go ashore for a little play. I went to the King Bar, the Texas and Don Q To see all the women and how 1 would do, I met them all, the women of San Juan, Before I left them it was darn near dawn. This island is beautiful, the sun shines all day But man, give me Brooklyn, where the Dodgers play. Sailing's for me to travel e'er the world. But I'll take home, m.aybe I'm spoiled. For home is America, it's the place of my birth Where the girls are priceless, you can't figure their worth. % X The Old Man To The Mates By JAMES STEWART The times are hard, the low. We'll leave her mister, - her, I guess it's time for us to We'll leave her mister, her. wages leave go. leave I just now heard the crew all "We've fought our fight won the day, "Seafarers help us to get pay;" So - - - - het: mister, leave say, and our her. �Friday. October 25. 1S46 THE SEAFARERS LOG Bandwagon Begins To Roll; Orson F. Is Now In A Race Ropeyarn's Man Proposes Harem For Each Seaman with him on the voyage, for com­ fort and satisfaction." He said that "the company would be re­ quired to pay for the marriage li­ cense in case the seaman had to marry his voyage wife." Page Thirteen THE TANKER TONTO Farfy Opponent Emerges From Brew Session Well Ed you know them oldDear Editor: New York City timers like yourself they have a Oct. 21 1 see in the October 11, issue of wife in every port, and that "li­ Dear Editor: cense and marriage" business the Log that Ropeyarn is furth­ Our candidate and fellow citi­ didn't size-up very well with ering the campaign of one Orson zen, the Honorable Orson Farfuf- them, so they organized them­ Farfufnick for President. In this nick is still campaigning in the selves a committe to see our particular issue Farfufnick is South. From all of the latest re­ friend Orson Farfufnick. pictured on a street comer soap The Pacific Tankers' SS Tonto which tied up at Maftnis ports. our candidate is making box preaching his doctrine to a Hook, Pa., recently before receiving orders to proceed to Bal­ Ed, they proposed that llie fair progress. crowd of dogs. timore for repairs. Orson didn't go over so hot companies furnish each seaman 1 don't have anything personal Ed with the "Cajun's," but his with six wives and if there was against this Farfufnick character, cpccch to the seaman was gob- any divorcing required before ob­ but I hardly think he is the type, taining more, that the shipping bled-up faster than you and commissioners be authorized to seamen would back for the presi­ could down-the-hatch with some issue it • at the pay-off or sign- dency of the U. S. good Jamaica rum. The o^her night Brothers Larry on. This of course was to give He said, "Brothers if I am elect­ Woodward, Shorty Wtson, Slick them the chance to get rid of the ed I'll not only see that a seaman Davis, Red Lewis and myself will receive $5 an hour for over­ unwanted ones and 1 guess to went deep into this subject. We keep a good supply of nice young time whether he works it or not; all work at the same place trying fresh wives always on hand. The I will have a law passed requir­ would to make a few honest dollars, so ing the Captain to serve a drink shipping commissioner really be made the goat, as it when we had finished our days' to the watch before going on would be his job to herd all of work we were sitting around dis­ duty." cussing the merits of the local Ed, this really gave some of the the old undesirabli! wives off the brew when someone brought up oldtimers something to laugh ship. Damn Ed, ii feller's really the subject of politics. After wad­ about. They could just picture got to go some to figure out what ing through local politics and a COVERING SHIPS IN NEW YORK the 'old-man,' tripping down the a seaman is liable to think up case of beer we arrived at the next. pa.s.sageway with a tray filled stage where someone suggested A BIG JOB FOR PATROLMEN with glasses, knocking on the Well Ed, Orson Farfufnick digging up a good candidate for Before our ship, the SS Laredo Victory, left New York door and saying "eleven-thirty— didn't go much for this new presidenlj as we had unanimously hrior to the recent General Strike, we asked for a Patrolman to would you gentlemen care for "deck-board;^'.^>He is sorter relig­ agreed to oppose Ropeyarn's be sent down to the vessel. We waited patiently, but the Pa­ Rye or Bourbon?" That would ious anyway. And to cop it all choice, Mr. Farfufnick. trolman never showed \ip. Perhaps through the Log's Beef Box realty be the berries ... Eh Ed? off, Ed, his wife Melinda was Along about this time we were we can learn why a Patrolman was not dispatched to our ship His next proposal to be incor­ present when this Committee down to our last few cabbage after his presence was requested. porated in the deck-boards for presented their demands. Mrs. leaves and some of us were down Crew of the SS Laredo Victory seaman gave the boys something Farfufnick is a big worker in the on the floor. We were discussing to really get excited about. Ed Answer:—With the large number of ships entering and the possibilities of offering some­ it damned near caused a riot. leaving New York daily, it is a difficult job for the Patrolmen one of local talent our indorse Old Orson proposed "that each to get to all of them. In fact, it is sometimes impossible for them ment, when in walks this bird seaman when signing on be pre­ to cover all ships in one day. If there was a major beef aboard and sits down at our table. This sented with a wife to take along your ship that needed immediate attention, the wise thing character is not timid you can would have been to send a delegate to the Hall so that the guess by the fact that he bimsts FIGHT TO STAY matter could have been squared away then. into our nice sociable party loudly announcing that his name ON TOP is Filthy McNasty and just cal MUST GO ON ^CYCLE MISHAP Easy Life him "Dirty" for short. Dear Editor: Rusty gives me the eye, and Beckons Brother PUTS SEAFARER As 1 sit down at this typewrit­ we are getting ready to heave IN HOSPITAL er 1 find I haven't got the slight­ this character into ehe alley when Dear Editor: est notion as to what I am going he digs into his pocket and brings I expect to take some time off Dear Editor: to write about, and as I look up a load of kale that would from the sea and take things I've been following all the de­ church and Til bet she turned about me and listen I hear voices make the Statue of Liberty dance easy for awhile, so to keep in velopments and happenings of all sorts of colors when these fel­ and see men; they are talking to a jig, so naturally we begin to see touch with the Union and what the SIU in the Log and 1 was lers made known how they want­ one another while others are just a little logic in the guy, and after is happening I would like to have very glad to see the strike and ed this wife business settled. sitting and thinking. All have he pays for a few rounds of beer the Log sent to my home. 1 do negotiations carried out in typical Well, 1 was talking to Blackie his logic becomes plainer anc not intend to retire my book, be­ one thing on their minds—when SIU style. am I going to get a ship? Well, Hymes who was Chairman of this plainer. He says he can speak cause 1 know that 1 won't be able Tnx sorry 1 missed all the fun, He for one 1 would like to see this Committee on "wives." to stand this shore-side life too but I've been laid up for over five beef over in a hurry, because 1 grudgingly admitted that Mrs. long and one of these days Til be weeks with a fractured leg and know at the end of this dispute Farfufnick returned with reenback in the Hall looking for f internal injuries suffered dn a we are coming out of it with forcements later in the day and ;hip. In the meantime keep up motorcycle accident. It'll be an­ made a raid on the Committee. flying colors. :he good work, and steady as she other month before 1 get my feet It is a wonderful feeling to They .say them women was arm­ goes! back on deck again, but when 1 know that you have a friend; a ed with mops and brooms and C. R. Bourlanc' do walk out of here 1 know that friend who helps you when you when they went into action it Duquoin, I'L Til be as good as new. are down. Do you know the looked like the charge of the friend to whom I am referring? "heavy brigade." I'm in the Williamsport City About half way through this Siu-e you do! It's th^ SIU. This Hospital and conditions here are 1 think Blackie's wife was one bottle the local gendarmes de­ club of ours, and I will call it a of the ring leaders in convincing similar to those in the Marine cide to pay thir respects and of­ club because we are all for one the Committee that one wife was hospitals. The building was built fer us their hospitality. Not wish­ and one for all, is really going sufficient. Anyway, Blackie saya in 1889, and the heating and airplaces. I think we have the best he ain't interested any more and any language in Europe except ing to let it be known that we conditioning systems are very representation of any union in that the Committee on wives is Greek so 1 ask him to speak a are nominating a future president poor. There are seven other pa­ we make a h^asty exit out the the world. That means an awful now disolved. little French. He says French is back door. We didn't have time tients in the same room with me, lot to you and 1, and in the fu­ Greek to him, but I figure he is Ropeyarn to find out what platform Mr. but they're charging me for a ture when we go to work on ust a little tipsy and French is McNasty will run on, but we feel sem-private room The meals are whatever ship we decide we tard to pronounce when your average—some good and some sure it will be a good one with want, we will know that we Looks Forward tongue feels like a roll of sausage. bad—Some hot and some cold. plenty of campaign juice for pax'have really won. However, there To The Log A few more times around and The treatment is the best con­ is one thing to bear in mind; just le still pays so we ask him if ched throats. sidering the shortages of nurses, Dear Editor: 1 saw Brother Woodwai'd today but when a guy is discharged because we are as strong as we he would like to run for presi­ are, we cannot stay there imless 1 would like to have the Log dent against this guy Farfufnick. and he agreed to write the Log from here he knows he is cured. each and every one of us does sent to my home so 1 can keep He thinks it's a good idea and ac­ and present Mr. McNasty to the Well, it won't be too long be­ his part. Let's stick together up on the doings of our Union cepts the nomination by buying SlU so our friends like Ropefore Til be dropping in at the now, once and for all. We'll work when 1 get in from off-shore another round. We ask him who yarn will have time to withdraw New York Hall as good as new, hard and reach our Utopia. Then, trips. So please put me on the he knows in politics and he tells their support from Orson Farfuf­ so until that time 1 remain whole­ and only then will we be safe mailing list and I'll be looking us that he shook hands with Kil- nick and get on the McNasty heartedly SIU. from those who wish to destroy forward, to seeing thein there roy the. last time he was in Wash­ bandwagon. us. Ben Cardinan Edward Kahrs when 1 come in off a ship. ington. This clinches the deal Williamsport. Pa. Augusta. Georgia Harry Georgo and we call for a bottle of rye. "Short Circuiri �THE SEAFARERS LOG /Page Fourteen Friday, October 25, 1346 73 Candidates Are Certified Credentials Committee Report Three Changes As Qualified For '47 Elections Are Appreved By Referendum October 18. 184b .• {Continued from Page I) W: BOSTON (1 Agent, 1 Joint Patrolman) Agent THOMAS (Rocky) BENSON 7297 JOHN MOGAN—216 Joint Patrolman tHEO. GRIFFITHS—G-115 STEPHEN CARR—22217 S R. GREENRIDGE—1863 JAMES E. SWEENEY—1530 ' EDDIE A. PARR—96 NEW YORK "(1 Agent; 2 Each, Deck, Engine. Stewards and Joint Patrolmen) Agent PAUL HALL—190 Deck Patrolman JOE ALGINA—1320 E. (Skippy) GUSZCZYNSKY 3100 •JAMES SHEEHAN—306 , Engine Patrolman J. H. VOLPIAN—G-56 JAMES PURCELL—27124 Steward Patrolman R. E. GONZALES—G-174 HOWARD GUINIER—478 CHAS. L. STEVENS—7036 WILLIAM HAMILTON—3400 Joint Patrolman JOE UDILJAK—7163 JIM DRAWDY—28523 LOUIS GOFFIN—4526 ROBT. (Red) BUNCE—7165 Agent JOHN W. PRESCOTT—G-114 KEITH (Jim) ALSOP—7311 CAL TANNER—44 LUDIE (Luke) COLLINS—5 Joint Patrolman JEFFERSON MORRISON—34213 JAS. (Blackie) CARROLL—14 PAUL (Haywire) WARREN— G-114 ROBERT JORDAN—71 WM. C. (Bill) THOMAS—G-12 L. F. (Whitey) LEWIS—2029 SAN FRANCISCO (1 Agent) Agent W. H. SIMMONS—215 We, the undersigned committee on credentials, duly elected at the regular business meeting at the branch of New York on October 9. have examined the credentials of the candidates for th» election of the offices of the Seafarers International Union for the year of 1947, and submit the following report: We recommend that the men that are qualified for office be placed on the ballot in alphabetical form under the offices for which they run, and that the ballots be arranged with the Head­ quarters offices on top, and that the ports, beginning with Bos­ ton, be arranged on the ballot geographically as has been done in the past. The credentials of Robert Wilbutn and Frank Peralto were submitted to the credential committee but there was no letter accompanying the credentials stating for what office they were submitted, therefore, the papers are being returned without being examined. W. J. Brady, 6829; Wallace Perdue, 33349; F. Hunter, 20546; A. Marco, 20299; Marino^Gtirdils, 4630r"Thonfas Lockwooii,--£45S4r-- NEW ORLEANS (1 Agent; 1 Each, Deck,' Engine, Stewards, Patrolmen) Agent STEELY WHITE—56 Engine Patrolman C. J. (Buck) STEPHENS—76 LOUIS (Blackie) NEIRA—26393 Deck Patrolman JOHNNY JOHNSTON—G-53 CHARLES KIMBALL—G-52 FRANK (Sully) SULLIVAN— G-2 C. E. GIBBS—2341 Steward Patrolman R. W. BIRMINGHAM—G-390 C. E. TURNER—G-15 Members To Vote On increase in Benefits To Hospitalized NEW YORK, Oct. 23—A heavy, "Yes" vote was registered by the SIU membership in the referen­ dum balloting on three Constitutonal amendments pertaining to Union finances. Figures released yesterday by the Tally Committee, after tabu­ lation of returns from all Atlantic and Gulf branches, revealed Sea­ farers' approval of the first two amendments by a more than twoto-one percentage; while the propurliuii of "yes" to "iiu" votes ran higher than jhi;ge-to-one ^on the third proposed change. In the referendum, the mem­ bership approved of a Constitu­ tional change which would raise the monthly dues from $2.00 to $3.00 per month. They also voted to abolish the $2.00 annual hos- • pital assessment, and approved of an annual $5.00 assessment to en­ able the carrying on and expan­ sion of the Union's organizational activities. make it virtually impossible A resolution authorizing an in­ for patients in Marine Hospi­ crease in weekly benefits to hos­ tals to purchase necessary hos­ pitalized Seafarers will be placed pital supplies for $2.00 per before the membership when week, and voting in. the general election be­ PASSED BY BRANCHES gins Nov. 1. The resolution, WHEREAS: The income of the which would amend Article 25, Hospital, Burial and Shipwreck The referendum resulted from Section 1 of the Constitution, Fund far exceeds the expenses recommendations made by the will appear on the same ballot and Quarterly Finance and Investi­ containing the list of candidates gating Committee which were WHEREAS: This fund now for Union offices for 1947. overwhelmingly accepted and stands around $90,000 and Should the membership adopt concurred in by all branches the proposed increase, the hos­ WHEREAS: A small increase in holding meetings Aug. 23, 1946. HOUSTON the amount of Hospital Bene­ The committee was elected at the pital benefits will be increased PHILADELPHIA (I Agent, 1 Patrolman) fits would not reduce the prin­ New York branch meeting Aug. from $2.00 to $3.00 per week. (1 Agent, 1 Patrolman) Agent cipal amount now in the fund 14. The increase is recommended Agent and CHAS. (Cotton) HAYMOND—98 to offset the price spiraling which The Amendments, as they ap­ JAS. TRUESDALE—3517 the SIU feels is a Jiardship on Patrolman WHEREAS: Many unorganized peared on the ballot: E. S. (Eddie) HIGDON—182 Seafarers confined in hospitals. seamen are in Marine Hospitals W. R. BRIGHTWELL—7279 Patrolman 1. Are you in favor of amend­ The resolution points out that and opposing Unions seize up­ G. (Tex) SUIT—6951 CHAS. H. BUSH—G-127 ing the Constitution, Article because "the income of the Hos­ on this situation to influence XXI, Section 2 to read: "The pital, Burial and Shipwreck Fund GALVESTON these men, BALTIMORE initiation fee shall be $25.00 far exceeds the expenses," and (1 Agent, 1 Patrolman) (1 Agent; 1 Each, Deck, Engine, the Fund now totals approxim­ THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLV­ and shall accompany the appli­ Stewards Patrolmen) ED: That we amend Article cation for membership, and the Agent ately $90,000 "the increase would 25, Section 1, of the Constitu­ dues shall be Three Dollars Agent D. L. PARKER—160 not reduce the principal amount tion to increase the present ($3.00) per month, payable in : WM. McKAY-—8 now in the fund." Patrolman Hospital Benefits of $2.00 per advance." (Approved by more WM. REN TZ—26445 The text of the resolution, as JAS. J. DeVITO—G-185 week to $3.00 per week, and than two-to-one vote.) it will appear on the ballot, fol­ Deck Patrolman RAY W. SWEENEY—G-20 lows: REX E. DICKEY—652 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: LLOYD W. MacDONNELL—343 2. Are you in favor of amend­ That this amendment be plac­ ing the Constitution by abolish­ RESOLUTION Engine Patrolman PORT ARTHUR ed on the official ballot of the ing Section 3, Article XXV GLEN (Curly) MASTERSON— WHEREAS: The present rate of (1 Agent) Annual Elections, and 20297 which provides that: "An an­ $2.00 per week Hospital Bene­ E. (One Eyed Pete) DiPIETRO— Agent fits is the lowest amount now BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED: nual assessment of $2.00 shall 35 LEON (Blondie) JOHNSON— being paid by any Union of un­ That we begin payments of be levied to provide Hospital,G-108 licensed personnel, and Steward Patrolman $3.00 per week upon passage Shipwreck and Funeral Ben­ efit." (Approved by more than WHEREAS: Inflated prices now J. (Hoggie) HATGIMISIOS— of this Resolution. SAN JUAN two-to-one vote.) 23434 (1 Agent) 3. Are you in favor of as­ NORFOLK Agent sessing ourselves $5.00 annual­ (1 Agent, I Joint Patrolman) DAN BUTTS—190 ly to carry on organizational Agent SALVADOR COLLS—21085 activities and secure more jobs RAY WHITE—G-57 JOSEPH WAGNER—153 which are sorely needed by our PETER GAVILLO—21001 membership. (Approved by 15 men must sacrifice their lives {Continued from Page 1) The following did not qualify Joint Patrolman more than three-to-one vote.) so that the others might live. The because they did not submit suf­ alarm signaled the aproach of BEN REES—G-95 As passed, the amendments ficient sea time: Harold Gabaree, 23 Nazi bombers and torpedo 19 Norwegian women and chil­ G-29; Robert F. Kennedy, 6402; planes closing in for the kill. dren were given places in the will now become part of the CHARLESTON Union Constitution. , Johnny Marciano, 6282; Paul H. Bombs started raining all around boats first. (1 Agent) The skipper, Donald Haviland, Parsons, 27751; Efrain L. Molina, the lone vessel. Agent did not call for volunteers. "All 20456; Herbert (Lefty) Parks, 25; The Bacon men returned the ERNEST B. TILLEY—G-75 of the men cannot go—I don't A. C. Flynn, G-45 (also not in fire and the atmosphere screamed EARL (Snuffy) SMITH—20057 continuous good standing for two with misseles of death. Five fas­ want to go back without a full Not all judgea Issue anti-labor years); George A. Allen, G-114; cist planes were knocked from crew," he said. In seconds he SAVANNAH had his complement. injunctions. There was the case and Joseph Kerrigan, 32725. (1 Agent) the skies by the heroic defenders The men who gave up their in Houston, Tex., where a judge Others who were not qualified of the Bacon. But the law of Agent lives in order that their ship­ for not having been in continuous averages was against the valor­ refused to sign an injunction reCHARLES STARLING—6920 mates and the others might live good standing for two years are: ous band aboard the ill-fated WM. J. BRANTLEY—G-111 knew they wouldn't "go back"; etraining male workers at the Alex H. G. Anderson, 6567; Frank ship. One of the planes let got JAS. L. TUCKER—2209 they were consigning themselves American Gear Co. from whistl­ Fromm, 75; W. Siekman, 7086; with an aerial torpedo. It struck to the bottom in the finest tradi­ ing while they worked. The in­ JACKSONVILLE Joseph Torchik, G-3; Edward J. the Bacon squarely 'midships. tions of the sea. junction was sought by the own­ (1 Agent) Vorel, G-10; Benny Gonzales, Slowly, she began to sink. In April, 1945, Crown Prince er of a neighboring cleaning plant 125; Mariano Arroyo, 6200; and One lifeboat had been destroy­ O 1 a v, Commander-in-Chief of Agent who argued that his girl employ­ Ted Cummings, G-224; and Frank ed; there was not space on the the Norweigian forces, expressed JAS. H. HANNERS—256 ees were distracted from their (Flat Top) Kedrick, G-9. remaining boats for all. None his "appreciation and admiration work by the "wolf whistles" of TAMPA Jose Pacheco did not submit were injured in the action, but of the outstanding discipline and the gear workers. Denying the (1 Agent) sufficient credentials; while self-sacrifice displayed by the of­ injunction. Judge Roy Campbell Agent Thomas J. Clark submitted none ficers and crew of the Henry Ba­ told the gear men: "Whistle while CLAUDE (Sonny) SIMMONS— at all. Two members, Robert con, in fact with the finest tradi­ you work. That's legal." Then he 368 Wilburn and Frank Peralto sub­ tion of American sailors." pursed his lips and gave out with mitted their credentials but did This week, the Bacon's surviv­ a beautiful wolf whistle. "That," MOBILE not state the offices they were ing Seafarers proudly received said his honor, "you must not (1 Agent, 2 Joint Patrolmen) seeking, and so were disqualified. Norway's award for valor- • , do." Norway Decorates The Surviving Bacon Seafarers For Rare Heroism The Judge Is A Judge �Friday, Qctidm ^S, ifi46 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Fiifleen *<1 Unclaimed Wages ILLIffOIS-ATl-ANTIC CORP. The following men have retro­ active wages due them from the SS Colabee. These wages are .available" at the Paj^masters Office, 2.nd floor, AmericajvHa".watran Steamship C'o.',~90" "^oad Street, New York 4, N. Y. DECri* DEPARTMENT % Elner Blakstad, George R. Brown, Theodore D. Cannon, Ger. aid De Meo, John George Dreisch, Delaware P. Eldemiro, "William L, Enor, Helge Erikson, Primo F. Fernando, Wallace Gordon, Geo­ rge Haase, Thorleif Johannesseri, Kristian Korneluisen, Yrjo Koski, Kenneth H. Kristensen. Alfred P. Longo, John J. Mur­ phy, Robert J. Murray, "Vincent Morreales, Ismael M. Nezario, Roy C. Chester O'Neill, Hugo Palsson, John Petkae, Don Peurala, Joseph F. Rapaskay, Geno. Regni, Henry Sitkowski, Douglas E. Wandree, John R. Wentz, Edward Williams, Frank Wolinski. ENGINE DEPARTMENT Henry J. Adamski, Albin H. Anderson, Wiliam R. Cheuvront, Edward F, Gibbs, Joseph Goss, William Hauck, Jerry P, Hill, John Holtzhauer, Hymann Hornreich, Edward Franklin, Howell, Donald P. Huff, "Vincent A. Karnuth, Alvin J, Lawtoh. Francis Le Jan, William McAuslin, Paul Henry Parsley, Joe C., Rainwater Jr., Merrill H. Robb, Herman Schwartz, Harry R. Sherman, Eugene Sullivan, Thorgil Weber, Dwight E. Yentzer, Patrick Yetman. — Unclaimed Wages— Mississippi Shipping Ckmipany, Inc. This list comprises unclaimed wages as of December 31, 1945, some of which may have already been paid. If you still have a claim, write to Misgissiplit SMppmgnC^ipany, Hibarnia Dank Bldg.,l^h"floor, New'^Orleans. La., enclosing your z-number, social security number, date and place of biftbT and present address. Show, J. H Sims, Joseph Sinks, G Slughter, Arie Smith, Carl Smith, C. F Smith, Earl C Smith, L. E Snider, W Somerset, G. J Spraitz, W. C Starr, Ronald 'C. Stewart, G. T Stewai't, Owen S Stiffler, E. W Still, G. L Streckland, Harden Strickland, C Stuart, Wm, A Swarum, S, M T Tarbet, Roland D Titus, Geo. A Tripp, David U Urig, L, J W Walters, Elmer A Wann, Leonard, R. Warsaw, John W Wasmuth, H. C Webber, Carl F Wery, E, J West, Webb, E . , 2.25 2.25 2,25 2.25 9.00 2.25 4,50 13.50 4,50 2.25 18.75 1,50 2,25 11,25 .75 2.25 28.00 2.25 2.25 18.75 Whalen, J. R Whisker, R. A White, Wm. D, Wickwire, W Wilcock, J. H Williams, Ed. E Willover, John E Wolfish, Julius Wolford, E , 2.25 2.25 3.00 9.00 2.25 -75 30.00 4.50 6.75 Woods, J. J 2.25 Y Yadanza, P. A Young, Francis 0 Young, Morris S Young, Wrn. F Youngberg, V. D Z Zimmerman, E. A. 25.50 9.50 2.25 4.50 75 18.75 The Patrolmen Say... Good Officers NEW YORK —The other day we paid off the Pipe Spring, a Pacific Tanker. You could have knocked us over with a feather when out came a few of the crew to tell us that they have the per­ 11.25 6.75 fect combination. 2.25 We thought that they were talking about the Captain and 18.75 Chief Engineer. Not only did they praise these two, but also 1.50 had only the best to say about 11.25 12.00 the Purser. This was almost too 5.40 much to take and it took us a 15.75 minute or two to recover. Lately there has been a lot of 6.00 praise for the ship's licensed per­ 2.25 sonnel, and we believe that it stems from the recent coopera­ tion between all groups in win­ ning our beef against the WSB. We were told that the Chief En­ gineer is the Vice President of the MEBA and the Skipper is a member of the MM&P. If co­ operation could only continue between all shipboard unions on SIU ships we would really have something to shout about. We are not trying to praise ship's officers to the sky as there are plenty of bum eggs still floating around, but when the cooperation we so often call for and strive for is achieved, some mention should be made of it. Salvador GpUs Johnny Johnston MONEY DUE SS ALCOA PARTNER 1211 passenger meals now pay­ able to C. R. Haun, R, Woodward, E. Donald, W. C. Patterson and T. M. Wobolis, See ClaUde Fisher on 5th floor of the New York Hall. i. t t SS ALBION VICTORY SS BEN ROBERTSON Pay for the period from April 1, 1946 is now ready to be paid out. This money can be collect­ ed by writing to the Bull Liho, or by going in person to the Bull Line office, 115 Broad Street, New York City. 14 North Gay St. Calvert 4530 BOSTON ct.xte St Boudoin 4455 BUFFALO . 10_ Exctiange St. Cleveland 7301 St TlTone 3-ad80 CHICAGO 24 W. Superior Ave. . , Superior 5175 CLEVELAND . . 1014 E. St. Clair Ave. Main 0147 CORPUS CHRISTI . . 1824 Mesquite St Corpus Christi 3-1500 DETROIT 1038 Third St. Cadillac 6857 DULUTH 531 W. Michigan St. Melrose 4110 GALVESTON 305','= 22nd St 2-844S HONOLULU 16 Merchant St. HOUSTON 1515 75th Street Phone Wentworth 3-3800 JACKSONVILLE 920 Main St Phone 5-S910 MARCUS HOOK 1'A W. 8th St. Chester 5-3110 7 St. MichaeL St. 2-1754 NEW ORLEANS 339 Chartrea St Magnolia 6112-6113 NEW YORK 51 Beaver St HAnover 2-2734 NORFOLK 127-129 Bank Street 4-1083 PHILADELPHIA 9 South 7th St Phone LOmbard 3-7651 PORT ARTHUR 445 Austin Ave. Phone: 2-S532 PORTLAND Ill W. Burnside St. RICHMOND, Calif 257 5th St. SAN FRANCISCO 105 Market St. Douglas 5475 - .8363 SAN JUAN, P. R 45 Ponce de Leon San Juan 2-5006 SAVANNAH 220 East Bay St. 3-1728 SEATTLE 86 Seneca St. Main 0200 TAMPA 1800-1811 N. Franklin St. M-1323 WILMINGTON 440 Avalon VlvdTerminal 4-3131 VICTORIA. B. C 602 Boughton St. VANCOUVER 144 W. Hastings St PERSONALS O. W. ORR Please contact H. H. Black, Postal Inspector, Houston 1, Tex. X X LOUIS GALVANI Get in touch with Henry J. McArdle at 25 South Street, N. Y. C.. Frank T. Beard, Anthony Ben­ der, Alexander Berek, Merton Eel Deo Tiska, Richard E. E^onovan, Nels Engman, Joseph Ferran, Fr ank J. Hall, James Keen, Carl John Krebs, Jr., George Lazprisak, Bernard H. Levine, Harve D, Linton. Names are listed in the depart­ ment first voyage made on board. BALTIMORE MOBILE STEWARD DEPARTMENT Fred Paul, Donald M. Pearce, Thomas Pitti, Armand Rioux, Al­ fred Rogers, Nicolas Romano, Eleuterio Rosa, Donald R. Starr, Donald Stocken, Antonio Tavares, Terdoro V. Urbina, Andrew Vitale. Jack R. Wright. SIU HALLS NEW YORK SS WILLIAM MC CLAY Andrew White, Jr., $2.00; James Walker. $2.00; Grady Halty, $2.00; Bennie Cranford, $2.00; Joe M. Harris. $2.00; Alfred Dotson, $2.00; 'Paul Laumakis, $1.00; James VanSant, $3.00; Archie F. Carter, $I.QO; Aug Rodriques. $2.00; A. B. Cutterez, $1.00; C. G. Pedersen, $2.00; Albert Rinius, $1.00; J. Bieganowski, $2.00; A. Dans, $1.00; Charles Yoker, $2.00; M. O. Karlsson. $1.00; Alfredo Medina, $2.00; Charles W. Magee. $2.00; Anders S. Kjaer, $2.00. SS HAYWARP R. A. Thackwell, $5.00; J. V. McClantpc and Crew, $12.00; C. M. Ever­ ett, $1.00. SS FEPIX GRUPIDY H. R. Nurrai, $2.00; Janqes Lee, $2.00; A. Ferrie, $2.00; F. Ramlller. $2.00; Max Skqp, $2.00; John Welsh, 42.00; Fr^d Sha'ia, $2.00; E. C. Johnson, $1,00; M. F, Bryspn, $2,00; Pendzimaz, $2.00; R. A. Singer, $1.00; J. M. Pesler, 4'-^0: Wl)Uwani, $2,00: S. pentile, $1.00; J. L. Mahoney, $1.00. SS PIAMOND HITCH . R. A. Buckley, $3,00. SS FORT HOSKINS A1 A. Therrien, ,$2..00; Norman White. $2.00: Jesse D, Lopez, $2.00; C. L. Pearson, $2,00; R, Follett, $2,00; Char­ les F. Duncan, $2.00; Joseph Stanwood, $2.00; Everett Yates, $2.00; L. A. Rossi, $2.00; D. Keleman, $2.00; Robert Walk­ er, $6.00 M. F. White, $2.00; E. L. Poe, Jr., $1.00; G. A. Stanton, $1.00; R. V. Glove, $2.00; T. J. Moore, Jr., $2.00; A. F. Chysna, $2.00, O. Ommundsen, $1.00, SS JOLIET VICTORY C. Cladhill, $1.00; M. Woods, $1.00; M. Davis, $1.00; L. Harris, $1.00; J. Diana, $1,00; R. L. Martin, $1.00; J. G. Smith, $1.00; F. V. Nicoles, $1.00; J. Chiorra, $1.00; L. Osinski, $1.00; J. Foersler, $1.00; R. C. Ennis, $1.00; A. D. Bonrdman. $1.00; J. M. Prohownik, $1.00; E. R. Fitzgerald, $1.00; J. Nel­ son. $1.00; William Turner, $1.00; R. W. Marfin, $1.00. SS AECOA VOYAGpR Jose Lado, $1.00; Ramon Lado, $1.00; Billie Brewton, $2.00; F. A. Mandesa, $1.00; William Bfpwn, $2.Q0; B. E. Reitswitz, $2.00; R- Martinez, $|.00; V. Olivea, $3.00; C. H. Peixe, $2.00. 6S PEIiiPLETpN T. F. Shelton, $2.00; W, Mastine, $2.00; p. PeLppa, $2.00; P- Qt|», $2.00; E. White, $2.00. SS E. APFARO H. Spencer, $2.00; N. V. Erikson, $2,00; J. W, Gardner, $1.00; R. T. Har­ rison, $1.00; L. C. Bigley. $1.00; J. Hisko, $1.00; C. J. Hyrny, $2.00; J. A. Madden. $1.00; H. Halloway, $1,00: A. J. Coogan, $2.00; Max Graber. $2.00; J. R. Lee, $2.00; D. G. Kimble. $1.00. INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS J. Maximo, $1.00; B. Roll, $2.00; N. A. Fisher, $1.00; V, Valentino. $2.00; E. F. Maloney, $5.00; Richard Husman, $1.00; Samuel Rosenthal, $18.00; W. Hoerr, $2.00. HPUSTQN J. W. Rambo, $3.00; S. D. Salter. $5.00; F. W. Lavis, $1.00; D. M. Cavanagh, $2.00; V. L. Overall, $1.00; C. R. Denson, $2.00; Wm. Pelesline, $2.00; J. B. Irving, $2.00; R. C. Lumpkin. $2.00; S. L. Rasco, $2.00; C. M. Newaom, $5.00; G. H. Lauter. 2.00; R. M. Oliver, $2.00; J. A. Brashear, $2.00; J. K. Parsons, $5.00; A. T. Dorman, $2.00; N. H. tSewton, $2.00; A. L. Johnson, $2.00; J. S. Koziol, $2.00; L. F. Penland, $5.00. XXX KENNETH W. WOLFE A Veteran's Administration check for $57,50 is being held for you in New York in the office of the Secretary-Treasurer. You can obtain this check by apply­ ing in person, or by writing to the Hall, enclosing proper iden­ tification. XXX CECIL CASTILLE Your trunk from the SS Coast­ al Competitor is in New Orleaijs. Call Franklin 1076, XXX RICHARD LEIKAS Your mother is ill and would like very much for you to get in touch with her as soon as pos­ sible. i- S. 4. CREW OF LUCIUS Q. C. LAMAR QALVESTQN Crewmeinbers of the Lucius Q. R. S. Russak, $3.00. C. Lamar which sailed from New NOBFOLK York August 21, 1944 and dis­ R. L. Goer, $11.00; J. T. Morton, $10.00; H. L. Hprton, Jr., $$12,00; A. charged January 3, 1945 in Port­ R. Dupree, $12.00; G. C. Gillikin, $20.00; land, Maine, please write Pgijl H. S. Winston, $12.00; B. L. Winston,! Tansky, 922 W. Courtland Street, $12.00; D. Williams, $11.00; V. W.-! Philadelphia 40, Pa. This is in Kings, $10.00; B. Brown, $6.00; J. B. reference to the mgd-prder skip­ Gnukaert, $25.00; L. W. Bruce, $10.00; per. E. Owen, $10,00; J, Royal. $12,00. �Page £»ixiesn TBE SEAFARERS LOG Friday. October 2S, 1946 NMU-Isthmian Combine To Stall Count NEW YORK, October 24 SIU NMU know.s that the SIU has al­ failure to extend time as iii-mian Company in extending the Union contract with Isthmian, Isthmian Organizational Director ready won the Isthmian election. tervenor, but are willing to election tinie until November 18, and bringing the unlicensed per­ Earl Sheppard today charged proceed with ships already 1946. This was done in the face sonnel of this notoriously antiThey've conceded as much on that actions of both the Isthmian several occasions, but they still voted. of the fact that the NMU as in­ Union outfit under the benefits of Steamship Company and the Na- hope to in some way save their 5. If extension is granted fur­ tervenor in the matter of the a Union contract. tional Maritime Union, in - pre- face by using any possible delay­ ther applications can be Isthmian Steamship C o m p a n y By hook and crook, and any J venting the counting of Isthmian ing action to forestall the an­ made and thus extend elec­ and the Seafarers International other unsavory method, both ' election ballots in accordance nouncement of another SIU vic­ Union, Case No. 2-R-6030, did not Isthmian and the NMU are fight­ tion ad infinitum. i with the NLRB directive of April tory. That's why the NMU is send a copy of their application 6. If extension granted for SS ing to prevent the SIU from bar­ 18, 1946, give evidence of open fighting for further delay on the Atlanta City we want ex­ for an extension to the SJU, as gaining for the Isthmian seamen. i and outright collaboration to Isthmian election count. tension to vote remaining well as the other stated reasons. In the case of the NMU, it's pure­ p stall the determination of a ship. Unalterably opposed In the first place, during the Headed "Order further amend­ ly selfish. They lost the election, Iv Union bargaining agent for all past five years the NMU spent to application. ing direction of elections," the but don't want to admit it to Isthmian unlicensed personnel. many thousands of dollars in at text of the NLRB order follows: their membership, and thereby Earl Sheppard : Last Friday, October 18, 1946, tempting to organize Isthmian Director of "The Board having on March play the company stooge game in ; was the day scheduled for the But they were never able to gar Isthmian Organizing 19, 1946, issued an Order Direct­ order to prolong the day of : start of ballot counting In the ner enough . pledge cards to pe reckoning. Seafarers International ing Elections in the above-en­ Isthmian election However, as a liliun fui ail NLRB elecliuu. On Union of N.A." It's natural for Isthmian to re­ titled proceeding (66-NLRB-930), of simultaneous applica­ the otjier hand, the SIU had sist to the last against Union or­ and an amendment thereto on tions by both' the Isthmian SS enough pledge cards after only 6 ISTHMIAN'S REQUEST ganization of their men. This out­ April 18, 1946, and thereafter, Company and the National Mari­ months of organizing Isthmian fit has always been a high and Headed "Answer to interven­ having been advised by the Re­ time Union for the extension of to petition the NLRB. So, the mighty one with little or no re­ er's petition for amendments to gional Director that a longer time the election time to November NMU was forced to accept the gard for their employees. Now, the amended direction of elec­ in which to hold the election is 18, 1946, the NLRB granted an secondary position as intervenor that they see the shadow'of an tions dated April 18, 1946," and necessary, and the Board having extension of the election period rather than the petitioner. SIU contract hanging heavy over dated October 10, 1946, a copy of duly considered the matter, -until this date. This was suppos­ their head, they too, are resist­ the Isthmian Steamship Com­ SIU PROTEST edly in order to allow two Isth­ IT IS HEREBY ORDERED ing with all their might. pany's petition was forwarded to mian ships—the Atlanta City and When the SIU ^heard, a few the SIU. It reads as follows: , that the aforesaid Direction be This stalling is not hurting the Pere Marquette—to vote. further amended by striking days prior to the scheduled start­ SIU. It is hurting the Isthmian "The Isthmian Steamship therefrom the words 'but not la­ It's very evident that neither ing date for vote counting, Octo­ seamen who are being prevented Isthmian nor the NMU is inter­ ber 18, that the Company and the Company does not now, nor has ter than six (6) months from the from having the benefits which it ever, sought to deprive any date of this order amending' and' ested in the two Isthmian ships NMU were both requesting an SIU contract always gives of its employes from having a remaining unvoted. But the com­ month's delay to November 18, substituting therefor the words them, and they know it. The pany is interested in stalling off they immediately protested to voice in the selection of a collec­ 'but not later than November 18, longer Isthmian stalls, and the tive bargaining representative. the certification of the SIU as the the NLRB in Washington. The 1946,' to permit the balloting of NMU plays their company stooge Union bargaining agent for their following telegram Was dispatch­ The Company believes, and' so the two remaining- ships. role, the more determined Isth­ stated at the hearing held on seamen for as long a period as ed on October 15: Dated, Washington, D.C., this mian seamen become to win their January 18, 1946, that all unli­ possible. 17th day of October 1946. all out batle to become unionized censed seamen in the Deck, En­ "NLRB, Washington, D.C. Isthmian desires to remain an By direction of the Board: under an SIU contract. These Protest application of inter­ gine, and Stewards Departments unorganized outfit, even if their • John E. Lawyer, seamen fight to win, and just like who are the employes of the employees wish otherwise, and venor on following grounds: Chief, Order Section." the Seafarers, they win their 1. Not notified of application. Company should be permitted to they are using every method in fights! vote to determine what represen­ BATTLE NOT OVER • the bok to stall off the inevitable 2. The time for voting pre­ tative, if any, they desire to rep­ bargaining negotiations with the viously extended to October There, as clearly as possible, is resent them for the purposes of SIU. 18, 1946. the Isthmian picture today. The collective bargaining and the 3. 88 of 90 ships have voted Company's position as to eligib­ SIU by dint of hard work and NMU COMPANY'S STOOGE which is overwhelming ma­ ility is set forth in the aforesaid much time succeeded in cracking In the case of the NMU, this jority of employees and record commencing on page 146. the nut that had never before been cracked, the unorganized outfit is once again playing the should be enough to deter­ "If any employees of the Com­ company stooge in order to gain Isthmian SS Company. All of the (Continued from Page 3} mine bargaining agent. pany within the unit declared ships but one which has been had jumped ahip, and took ap­ its own ends. Naturally, the 4. SIU has as much to lose by appropriate for the purposes of stuck in the Far East with a" low proximately 30 SIU pledge cards. collective bargaining has not had priority cargo for several months When the Captain found out an opportunity to cast his ballot — the Pere Maquette — and one that Bolehala had broken out of A MILITANT ISTHMIAN SHIP or has ben deprived of the right which is scheduled to return to the handcuffs, he promptly log­ to cast his ballot, the Company the Atlantic Coast the second ged him $25 for the cost of the believes that the Board should week in November—the Atlanta handcuffs, and returned all of his take the necessary action to as­ City—have voted. personal belongings to him ex­ sure that each and every em­ The crews of these Isthmian cept the pledge cards which he ployee of the Company in the ships have overwhelmingly selec­ denied taking from the locker. appropriate collective bargaining ted the SIU as their choice for a CONTACT SIU unit has an opportunity to cast Union bargaining agent on the Immediately upon their return his secret ballot in the determin­ basis of unofficial estimates. And to New York, several Cape John ation of a collective bargaining it was felt that these men were creyvmeij contacted the SIU hall representative. much more interested in secur­ and requested a.ssistance in fight­ A. V. Cherbonnie ing a Union contract covering ing the numerous logs which Cap­ Labor Relations their wages, overtiine rates, tain Ledford had unjustly levied Counsel for Isthmian working and living conditions aginst them. An SIU representa­ Steamship Company"' rather than extending the time of tive appeared with some of the the election for two ships which crewmen before Commissioner Here's, the Deck Gang of the good old Cape Friendship. NLRB ORDER will not appreciably change the Rylandcr, and was instrumental Front (left to right); Bob Cantor. Jack Graelly, W. Khuns, F total ballots cast nor the result. in having several logs lifted, some Despite the protests of the SIU Boddem and ^Blackie" Sanchez. Back: Lew Bowen. Carl Pierce". the National Labor Relations R. N. Ham. 'Lefty" McNorton. E. H. Lang, and R. Thompson. That's why the SIU wants the cut, and assisting the crew in Board saw fit to grant the simil­ balloting over. To get down to their battle against the bucko Last week a story appeared in the Log concerning the Cape ar requests of the NMU and Isth- the business of negotiating a Skipper of the Cape John. Friendship's militant crew. However, the pictures arrived too -late to be processed. So. here we give you—after a week's de­ The log against Ed Bolehala lay—all three departments of the Cape Friendship. was reduced to $8.50 which was considered to be the rockbottom price for handcuffs. Another log was dropped. Captain Ledford refused to lift or reduce one log against Jordan, and as a result Jordan is instituting suit against the Isthmian SS Company. Com­ missioner Rylander at the insis­ tence of the SIU representative, Joe Volpian, agreed to send a let­ ter to the court. It came out in the Shipping Commissioner's office, that the Skipper who bragged of never lifting a log had lifted two logs against a couple of NMU men shortly before the Cape John docked. This Skipper expressed open preference for the NMU Part of the militant crew of Isthmian's Cape Friendship. time after time, bragging about This is the Black Gang of the Cape Friendship. Front row Kneeling (left to right); Clarence Reed, Michael McCarthy. Tom possessing "an NMU gold picket (left to right): H. Schwettman. M. ^cott, Frank West, and Frank Morgan and J. Stacey. Rear; Bob "Take Five" Pierce. Don card," and did his best to do a Strelow, R. L. Stucky. J. L, "Pop" Buckalew. Frank Fuente. Kaiser. Back row; L. Theriot, George Bishop, B. McNulty, F. job on any of the SIU men that and Jim DiSanto. Levene, and H. Lewis. . he could, Isthmian Skipper 'Cuffs SIU Man , ..'-.'rT-'.' > � 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 1939-1949 Description An account of the resource Volumes I-XI 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 October 25, 1946 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. VIII, No. 43 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 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Description An account of the resource Headlines: SIU AND OPERATORS COME TO AGREEMENT ON CONTRACT; CALLED BEST EVER FOR SEAMEN MM&P ASKS MASTERS BE COVERED BY PACT ITF PLEDGES AID TO MATES IN FIGHT AGAINST OPERATORS 73 CANDIDATES ARE CERTIFIED FOR '47 ELECTION ASKS AFL HELP FOREIGN UNIONS NORWAY DECORATES THE SURVIVING BACON SEAFARERS FOR RARE HEROISM OUT OF PROPORTION SETTING THE PACE ISTHMIAN SKIPPER HANDCUFFS SIU ORGANIZER, COPS PLEDGE CARDS TEXTS OF RADIOGRAMS BETWEEN SIU AND ISLANDS OFFICIALS ISTHMIAN SEAMEN DEEPLY RESENT POSTPONEMENT OF ELECTION COUNT LAKES SEAMEN WANT DEMOCRATIC TRADE UNIONS HOW TO OBTAIN ABSENTEE BALLOTS ITF--WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT DOES FOR LABOR SHIPOWNERS PET MAGAZINE SPEWS USUAL ANTI-TRADE UNION POISON SEAFARERS, MATES, STRIKES PROVE GREAT EDUCATION IN UNIONISM SEAFARERS WIN FIRST FLEET FROM THE LAKES CARRIERS ASSO. PORT BOSTON TAKES GOOD CARE OF MEMBERS BEACHED BY STRIKE STRIKING MASTERS AND MATES CLOSE PORT NEW YORK, SO SEAFARERS ON BEACH REST FOR FUTURE ACTION NORFOLK BACKS STRIKE TO HILT SAVANNAH HARBOR PACKED TIGHT WITH SHIPS TIED UP BY STRIKE WHAD'YA KNOW THANKS THOSE WHO MADE LAKES VICTORY POSSIBLE BALLAD OF THE SEA BUZZARD, OR THE NEW FLYING DUTCHMAN JOLIET MEN OFFER A LOG DELIVERY PLAN UNION BOOKLET SAVES DAY FOR SEAFARER STRANDED ABOARD WITH BROKEN SHOULDER THE NORDHOFF IS REFLOATED NMU-ISTHMIAN COMBINE TO STALL COUNT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 10/26/1946 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America 1946 Periodicals Seafarers Log