http://www.seafarerslog.org/archives_old/files/original/92c07463f14287b9a63efd61dacd219d.PDF 60c5ff48653cd7911fd51c27e1529b7f PDF Text Text Official Organ of the Seafarers International Union of North America VOL. IX. NEW YORK. N. Y.. FRIDAY, MAY 23. 1947 START OF A SUCCESSFUL ACTION No. 21 Seafarers Wins First 40 Hour Week On Lakes DETROIT, May 20—SIU Great Lakes Secre­ tary-Treasurer Fred Farnen today announced the completion of an agreement with the Great Lakes sandboat operators providing for the first 40-hour week ever negotiated by any union on the Great Lakes. The new agreement, covering the unlicensed personnel of all sandboats on the Great Lakes, pro­ vides for a 40-hour week at the same basic rate as 1946, but with 16 hours week-end overtime payable at $1 i)er hour. SIU pickels in front of the Milwaukee Clipper office in Milwaukee proved to the company that the Union meant business. So, in short order, the company came to terms. In the group are Deck Delegate Joe Jarvis; John Lind; Engine Delegate John Josefek: Ed Shilbauer; Paul Kelly: Emil Schroeder; Harry Lullins; Stewards Delegate Harry Breen; Milwaukee ILA President John Brzek. third from left; and SIU Chicago Agent Herb Jansen. second from left. Canadian Vessel Slave Ship; Then SIU Steps In By WILLIAM T. McLAUGHLIN .JACKSONVILLE —Hired from anywhere ex­ cept a union hall, and forced to work 14 hours a day, the unlicensed seamen of the SS New Northland, Seaway Lines Limited, finally reached the limit of their endurance last month and came to the SIU for help. quit. This high rate of turn­ It is now history how the Can­ adian District of the Seafarers organized this crew, and by the use of job action obtained a straight $30.00 per month raise across the board. But this raise, and the interim 30-day agreement which went into effect at that time, has not solved the entire problem on the New Northwind. Working and living conditions have not im­ proved, and the heads of Depart­ ments continue to act like petty dictators. One in particular, the Chief Steward, has frequently allowed the ship to sail shorthanded in his Department, and then has forced the other men to do extra work without extra pay. This has resulted in workdays of 14 hours for most of the men in the Stewards Department. Montreal Hall The recently established SIU Hall in 1440 Bleury Street. Montreal. Canada is open for business. Seafarers crews who ma.ke that port and have beefs requiring the Union's attention are advised to get in touch with Gene Markey. SIU representative, at the above address. One of the purposes of the new Canadian facility is to give the membership greater on - the - spot representation, and members are urged to take advantage of it. Pass this information along to your Union Brothers everywhere, so that all hands can avail themselves of the services of the new branch. over is not seen on organized ships, where the workers are pro­ tected by union contracts. Right now we are engaged in negotiations with the company. So far, we have covered every­ thing in a standard SIU agree­ ment, with the execption of wages, closed shop, overtime rates, and whether or not the' Chief Steward should be repre­ sented by the Union. I The company is very strenu­ ously opposing us on all these points. We, on the other hand, are not going to waste much time Nine former Great Lakes arguing with these people since the entire crow is behind our freighters, taken over by the drive, and the New Northwind, Army during the war and con­ a floating palace for passengers, verted to deep sea use, have re­ cannot sail unless the unlicensed cently been purchased from the personnel does the work in the Maritime Commission by the three Departments. Overlakes Freighting Corpora­ The legal adviser for the com­ tion, an SIU contracted company. pany has been present during MANY LEAVE JOBS He came These vessels can be used in In the six months during which all the meetings. which the New Northwind has straight from a case where he Lakes trade, or for off-shore voy­ ages. been in operation, 270 men have (Continued on 'Page 6) Overlakes Purchases Nine Frelghers For Lakes,Off-ShoreRuns In addition, all penalty^ #•### wmt • # overtime will be paid at the rate of $1.25 hourly. Meeting in Cleveland, last Thursday, May 15, the SIU was represented by Secre­ tary-Treasurer Farnen, Chi­ As the Isthfnian election goes cago Agent Herb Jansen and Cleveland Agent Stanley into its final round, the SIU last Wares. week filed a brief before the Na­ SIU Flies Brief Before NLRB On kthmian Case The operators were represented by E. Florsheim of Construction Aggregates, L. Buethal of Kelly Island Lime and Transport Com­ pany, Joseph St. John of Erie Sand and Gravel, and Joseph Martin of the Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company. MARTIN BREAKS ICE After considerable discussion and getting nowhere, the solid front of the sandboat operators was broken by Mr. Martin of the Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company. Martin agreed to go (Continued on Page 14) tional Labor Relations Board, re­ futing all charges of collusion made by the NMU. (Full text of the brief starts on page 7.) The SIU was adjudged winner of the election held to determine a bargaining agent for the unli­ censed Isthmian seamen, but the NMU has stalled since then, and hearings were held in New York to clarify the situation. A reading of the brief will serve to prove that the NMU's claims were unfounded and un­ substantiated. HLRB Announces Meeting Date On San Oil Election Petition PHILADELPHIA, May 21—In an effort to bring together the interested parties in the Sun Oil bargaining petition, the National Labor Relations Board, Fourth Region, has scheduled a meeting for Friday, May 23, between rep­ resentatives of the Seafarers In­ ternational Union, the National Maritime Union, CIO, and the Sun Oil Company. A petition requesting a bargain­ ing election in the tankers op­ erated by Sun Oil was filed by the SIU on May 12. To date, the company has not replied. The unlicensed personnel of the Sun Oil fleet in the Deck, Engine, and Stewards Departments, have shown a preference for the SIU in the manner in which they have signed pledge cards since the SIU Hall opened in Marcus Hook last summer. SIU organizers have been work­ ing in that area, and their reports indicate that an election would bring the Union out on top by a large majority. Since the start of the organiz­ ing di'ive, the company has re­ sorted to many dodges to stop the campaign. Intimidation was one of the methods, and Sun Oil police tried their best to prevent SIU organizers from speaking to em­ ployes of the company. All this, however, failed, and right now the Union has signed cards from enough of the unli­ censed Sun Oil seamen to be qualified as the bargaining agent. �Page Two THE S E AF A REHS LOG Friday. May 23. 1947 SEAFARERS LOG Published Weekly by (he SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAl. VmON OF NORTH AMERICA Atlantic and Gulf District Affiliated with the American -Federation of Labor At 51 Beaver Street, New York 4, N. Y. HAnover 2-2784 International Officers HARRY LUNDEBERG President 105 Market St., San Francisco, Calif. PAUL HALL - -- -- -- -- First Vice-President 51 Beaver St., New York 4, N. Y. MORRIS WEISBERGER Vice-President 105 Broad St., New York 4, N. Y. CAL TANNER - -- Vice-President 1 South Lawrence St., Mobile, Ala. EDWARD COESTER Vice-President 86 Seneca St., Seattle, Wash. JOHN HAWK ----------- Secy.-Treasurer 105 Market St., San Francisco, Calif. District Officials J. P. SHULER - - - Secy.-Treas. Atlantic & Gulf District P. O. Box 25, Bowling Green Station, New York, N. Y. HARRY LUNDEBERG Secy.-Treas. Sailors Union of the Pacific 59 Clay Street, San Francisco, Calif. FRED FARNEiN - - - - Secy.-Treas. Great Lakes District 10.38 Third Street, Detroit, Michigan HUGH MURPHY - - - - Secy.-Treas. Canadian District 144 W. Hastings St., Vancouver, B. C. Entered as second class matter June 15, 1945, at the Post Office in New York, N. Y., under the Act of August 24, 1912. GEORGE K. NOVICK, Editor 267 Another Try At It A number of articles have been written lately about the Army's new conscription system, which this time is being sold to the public as Universal Military Training, or UMT. Most of the people of the United States do not want military conscription. They have said so, emphatically, in letters to their representatives. But the Brass Hats need a large army so that they maintain their wartime inflated ranks, and if they can't do it one way, they are prepared with an alternate measure. A small training unit of 664 young boys, 17 and 18, has been undergoing training at Fort Knox, in what ob­ servers call a program "to convince Congress and mother .and dad that a year under military guardianship is just These are the Union Brothers currently in the marine hospitals, the thing for a growing boy." as reported by the Port Agents. These Brothers find time hanging The Army makes cfaims that real democracy flour­ heavily on their hands. Do what you can to cheer them up by writ­ ishes under universal military training, that the boys who ing to them. have taken the training are in favor of it, and that a large NEW ORLEANS HOSPITAL BALTIMORE HOSPITAL A. BUCHENHORNER army is necessary to maintain the peace of the world. WM. KEMMERER WM. REEVES All of the arguments are false. If leal democracy C. PEDERSEN J. HARRISON WALTER TAYLOR goes hand in hand with military training, then Germany, G. CARUSO PEDRO GANZALES Japan and Russia must have been the most democratic P. STOFFEL PETER LOPEZ countries in the world since all had compulsory military A. SANDY SALVATORE PRESTO service. R. CHRISTIAN HARRISON GREEN LORENZO BRIGIDA Perhaps it is true that the first group of UMTees en­ A. R. GUIDRY CHARLES SIMMONS joyed their training, but the point must be made that these J. AMAYA H. DAUGHERTY THOMAS PHELPS boys were volunteers, and no experiment based on willing P. La Cicero MANUEL ROMERO volunteers is typical of a system which relies on compulsion. R. WRIGHT EDWARD CAIN, Jr. GEORGE WARFIELD As far as the third argument is concerned, competent G. GREY JOHN WEBB observers, including the Emergency Committee of Atomic H. HAMOND C. CASE JAMES McMAHON Scientists, have stated. Atom bombs can be made cheaply F. HAMON 4. 4. and will become more destructive ... no military defense J. O'NEILL SAN FRANCISCO HOSP. can be expected and preparedness is futile ... if another W. BROSE AARON McALPIN war breaks out, atom bombs will surely destrov civiliza­ C. MASON J. HODO A. WALTERS tion." JOHN KREWSEN 4. 4 4. Organized labor, church groups, and the inarticulate 4. s. BRIGHTON HOSPITAL NEPONSET HOSPITAL masses of American people are dead set against compul­ D. KREWSKI sory military training in peacetime, no matter how art­ HUGH BURKE S. WILUSZ (SUP) J. S. COMPBELL fully the Army may disguise its real objectives. E. JOHNSTON LINDEN CLARK Only the men who make a career of blind discipline JOHN T. EDWARDS H. SWIM P. MADIGAN (SUP) and reliance on military might, the Regular Army of­ J. FIGUEROA E. MOFIENE E. FERRER ficers, are in favor of the program. C. WALSH J. R. HANCHBY But, unless the people get busy, and make their voices E. DELLAMANO C. LARSON heard now, the few Brass Hats will have a lot to say L. L. LEWIS D. BURLISON (SUP) about the training of our young men in the years to come. L. TORRES J. MORRISON Men Now In The Marine Nesiiitals ' 1:1 Hospital Patients When entering the hospital notify the delegates 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 tiems: Tuesday — 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. (on Sth 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.) P. KOGOY J. RUBERY J. MINNAHAN W. PARIS 4 4 4 STATEN ISLAND HOSP. H. R. BELCHER E. E. CASEY V. PLACEY R. G. MOSSELLER E. CARRARAS M. BAUCSKI D. NELSON G. H. STEVENSON P. AMATO J. A. DYKES E. B. HOLMES C. A. MILLER H. SELBY W. R. BLOOM J. MOLINO F. NAGY J. BURGOS N. NEILSON 4 4 4 ELLIS ISLAND HOSPITAL M. MORRIS W. B. MUIR D. MCDONALD c. RASMUSSEN B. HOFFMAN J. KOSLUSKY �THE Friday, May 23, 1947 SEAFARERS LOG Paye Three Contract Clarifications continuing to spring up, more seamen's clubs and benefits for There has been quite a bit of seamen in the last few months misunderstanding on different than there are red pencil marks sections of this agrement beon an Alcoa overtime sheet. tv/eon the Union and the com­ One of the latest which will panies. bear inve.stigation is the Mer­ Since the last regular meeting chant Seamen's Anchorage. This there has been a meeting with outfit is starting in New York the operators for a couple of and their address is South Ferry, clarifications. The companies, in By J. P. SHULER, Secretary-Treasurer Slip 3, New York 4, New York. some instances, have been tryifig They offer all the "luxuries" to interpret "straight time hours" more and a seaman or seamen ing articles in New Orleans are ment to present to the member­ and "benefits" that are offered ship for action. in the agreement in the case of sign the same articles in the entitled to no transportation. by the other phony organizations loading stores to mean that when Port of Baltimore, although they COASTV/ISE ARTICLES that have popped up in the past. Shipping stores came aboard after 5 p.m. "3. If a man signs articles in originated in the Port of New or befoie 8 a.m. they can be Shipping has been very good York. if the ship pays off in an New York and proceeds to a loaded by members of the Eng­ in most ports; especially in the Port south of Cape Hatteras, ine Dept. or the Deck Dept. on area other that the area in which say the port of Savannah,- where Engine and Deck Departments watch, and such time would be the Ports of New York and Bal­ coastwise articles are terminated and there have been a number of classed as straight time hours. timore are located, the men and foreign articles signed, the permit cards issued in these two In other words, if stores came signing on in the Port of New men who signed on coastwise departments for rated men. aboard between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. The membership should realize articles in New York will be en the regular day men loaded them York will be paid transportation titled to transportation back to that the more permits issued, on straight time hours; but if back to the Port of New York the Port of New York. If the the harder it will be to ship and the men signing on in Bal­ seamen payoff the foreign art­ when shipping falls off to nor­ timore will be paid transporta- icles in an area other than the mal. Members should take the WOIO-AIOMORC / tion back to the Port of Balti- area in which Savannah is lo- jobs when they come up on the more. cated, they shall be entitled to board, instead of letting them „ ,. • • transportation back to the Port be filled by men who have to be 2. If a ship signs on in the . „ , ,, . , I This outfit is spearheaded by of Savannah, regardless of where issued permits. Mrs. Brown, formerly attached In our agreements with all Port of New York and proceeds ^ j^ey signed the coastwise art!to the United Seamen's Service. the companies, there is a payoff to a port in another area, say i ides. Hov/ever, if the ship pays The membership should be ad­ clause which requires every man the Port of New Orleans, and ^ off the foreign articles in the vised that any "club" or bene­ to give 24 hours' notice before seamen signed on these articles * area in which Savannah is lo­ fit" for the seamen who claim paying off, as well as a clause in the Port of New Orleans al-j cated, no member of the crew they are endorsed by the SIU which calls for the company to though they originated in the shall be entitled to transportaare misrepresenting the facts as give 24 hours' notice before dis­ Port of New York, and the ship tion who signed the foreign artthe membership is well aware charging a man. pays off in an area other than ides in the area in which Savanof the fact that the SIU is a This clause should be lived up the area in which New York is nah is located, they came aboard after 5 p.m. trade union and is only inter­ to by the membership not only SMITH & JOHNSON and before 8 a.m. ,the 4-8 or located or the area in which for the fact that it gives the ested in securing jobs, wages New Orleans is located, the men By: F. E. Fasick the 8-12 Engine watch and gang­ company a chance to call the and conditions for its member­ By: L. A. Andersen way watch were expected to who signed on in New York hall for replacements, but be­ ship and is not interested in Attest; M. V. Cherbonnier load tlxem on straight time shall be paid transportation back cause of the fact that it gives any clubs, parties or politics. to the Port of New York and the hours. the Union time enough to fill men who signed on in New Or- SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL Organizing Activities Therefore, the following clari­ ^ UNION OF NORTH AMERICA their jobs with Union men in­ fication has been agreed to and leans will be paid transportation stead of men shipping off the By: J. P. Shuler The Union has received its it is recommended that the mem­ back to the port of New Orleans. docks or sailing short-handed. By: J. Algina final certification on the MathWhere the ship pays off in a bership accept same: Attest: L. A. Parks iasen Tankers, Inc., and are "The 'straight time hours' as port in the area where New Rackets meeting with the operators in The wages and working conYork is located, the men signing referred to in paragraph (b) are As fast as the membership Philadelphia on May 20 for articles in New York are entitled ditions are still being negotiatdefined to mean the regular to no transportation; and in like ed with the Moran Towing and catches on to one racket and negotiations. straight time hours of work as manner, if the ship pays off in a Transportation Company and by kicks it over, it seems as if an-1 The Organizers have petition­ specified for day workers." port in the area in which New the next regular meeting, we other one pops up in its place. ed the National Labor Relations Another beef that has been There has been, and are still Orleans is located, the men sign- should have completed an agree­ {Continued on Page IS) giving us quite a bit of trouble i is the transportation rider beef. In some instances the company has contended that if a man makes a coastwise voyage from a port in one area to a port in another area, for instance, fropr New Orleans to Savannah, and pays off coastwise articles in Savannah and signs on foreign articles in Savannah and the ship was to return to New Or­ leans, the man would not be en­ titled to transportation back to Savannah, inasmuch as he orig­ inally joined the ship in New Orleans. The following clarification has been agreed upon and it is rec­ ommended for acceptance as it is believed it will clear this matter up: CLARIFICATION NO. 1 "It is hereby mutually agreed this 16th day of May, 1947, by and between Smith and Johnson and the Seafarers International Union of North America that the term "Port of Engagement" ap­ pearing in Article 2, Section 12, of the Agreement between the parties, dated October 23, 1946, shall be interpreted to mean the port where Articles were actually signed by the individual members of the unlicensed per­ sonnel; and it is further agreed that the insertion of the Rider contained in said Section 12 will not be placed on the articles, but will be dealt with by col­ lective bargaining. "To clarify the above the fol­ lowing examples are given: FOREIGN ARTICLES "1. If a ship si.gus articles in the Port of New York and then proceeds to the Port of Balti- Payoff Performers Disrupt The Union Machinery And Jeopardiie Efforts Of Entire Membership By JOSEPH VOLPIAN hands are present to square away the beefs concerning them all. Consequently, it is a prime ob­ ligation of each member to be there. Of course, there are a few circumstances when absence is excusable. But we find that most of the guys who miss the payoff have no valid reason (though they usually think it can be condoned by saying they were drunk). The guy who fails to show up is gen­ erally either a freeloader trying to avoid payment of his Union dues, or a "deadbeat" who is heavily in debt to his shipmates and is intent on beating them out of their money. ext step in the technique of the 'payoff performer" is to lay low for a couple of days, then soft-shoe it into the Shipping Commissioner's office to sign clear. Then, on to the company office to collect his money in a solo payoff. He discharges his obligations to his shipmates by promptly forgetting them. This left-handed pitch doesn't end at this point. Special Services Representative Unionism implies cooperative, joint effort by a group of work­ ers bound together to attain cer­ tain objectives beneficial to all. In the Seafarers we have risen to our strong position in the mari­ time industry because of our uni­ fied action and adherence to the principles of good unionism. Each individual member's acceptance of his obligations to the Union as a whole has contributed im­ measurably to the smooth, effec­ tive operation of our apparatus. Occasionally, however, per­ formers crop up to disrupt the functioning of the Union ma­ chinery. In this instance, we are concerned with the variety of performer whose unwillingness to cooperate with his Brothers is evidenced at the payoff. In short, the guy who operates on the "to-hell-with-everybody-else" theory. The member.ship goes througl a great deal of trouble to main­ tain Patrolmen, whose jobs in addition to protecting the rights SNARLS UNION WORK of the membership and settling Several days later, this type beefs, are to effect satisfactory of "rugged i.ndividualist" comes payoffs. up to the Union Hall to settle his THE EFFICIENT WAY beefs, necessitating wholly un­ The most efficient way to warranted, repetitious activity make a payoff is to do so when which should have been finish­ all hands are present—when all ed with at the group payoff. Thus, a sepai'ate staff of men is to handle payoffs, they are hard i-equired to handle the work in­ put to discharge their regular volved in digging into the files load of work on schedule. They and searching for data that al­ I find that their functioning is disready has been disposed of. In I rupted and their schedules other words, the work incidental • thrown out of kilter by the speto the payoff has to be gone ' cial requests of these perform­ over for the second time simply ers, since large sections of their because one guy thinks only of staffs have to be diverted to the himself. I handling of the "individual at­ He takes up time with the Pa­ tention" cases. The consequences trolmen, preventing them from of these actions should be ob­ devoting proper attention to pay­ vious. offs and beefs of a legitimate na­ ture and disrupting the normally RELATIONS JEOPARDIZED smooth and efficient operation of The relationship between the the Union machinery. Union and the Shipping Com­ Besides the brushoff of his own missioners is, therefore, jeopar­ shipboard Brothers, the type of dized, since the harried Commis­ performer in question, therefore, sioners develop a resentful, an­ commits a distinct injury to each tagonistic attitude toward all and every member of the Union seamen. by belaying the organization Human decency and a sense of which all hands have labored so what is right and proper should vigorously to build up to its pres­ impel these solo performers to cast aside their claims for indi­ ent position of strength. For example, we now have ex­ vidual attention and, instead, cellent relations with the Ship­ share the obligations and responping Commission in New York, siiblities of good Union men, based on a spirit of cooperation just as they reap the benefits. Cooperation is the keystone of and fair dealing. But perform­ ers who absent themselves in­ union structure. Therefore, when excusably from a payoff only to you join a Union, you abide by make an appearance at the Com­ the rules which you and your missioner's office several days Brothers have devised to allow later are gnawing at the roots a maximum of accomplishment of these good relations. for aU concerned. You should Shipping Commissioners, too, act, then, as part of the unit and are human. With the limited not as an individual entirely in­ staffs the government allows them dependent of it. • 11 �Page Four THE SEAFAREHS LOG Lakes Seamen Have One Question: When Will The SlU Represent Us Friday. May 23. 1947 Volunteer (kganiiers pite any and all of the phony will vote for the SIU to repre­ propaganda and empty promises sent them by a better than 95 DETROIT — During the past that the desperate NMUers are percent vote. We seriously doubt Although the first Isthmian week, I've been in constant con­ tossing in the general direction that the NMU will even get one ship he ever sailed on, the Cape measly vote off the Wyandotte Sandy, took him on a trip tact with men from the Wyan­ of the Huron seamen. around the world, Robert Peak, ships. dotte, Huron, Wilson and Hanna WYANDOTTE AB, still doesn't have any love That's how confident wo are fleets, as well as from some for Isthm.ian. As for Wyandotte, the crew- that the Wyandotte crews will •other unorganized companies. "After sailing on organized members of these ships arc also vote for the SIU in a solid body. ships," said Bob, "these unor­ There's one thing in common lined up better than 95 percent SIU STRENGTH ganized ships are like a bad ^ with all of these unorganized on SIU pledge card.s. More than dream. Lakes seamen that I've noticed. 30 percent of the Wyandotte sea­ Here's the answer to several "Overtime is practically un­ That is, they are vitally inter­ men are members of the SIU, questions from Huron and Wy­ ested in the Seafarers contracts and have taken out SIU books. andotte seamen. Some of these heard of," he went on, "but that didn't bother us since the and gains, and the SIU program Needless to say, despite cer­ seamen want to know about the Chief Mate was a very good on the Lakes. tain scurrilous stories typical of SIU's strength and affiliations. worker and painted most of the , There's one constant query the Despite the fact that both Wyan­ NMU, these Wyandotte ' from the vast majority of these brothers are so solidly for the dotte and Huron are sold on the ship himself." Brother Peak signed on De­ men. They all want to know SIU that no organizer need even SIU solely on our program for cember 10. and paid off in New'"When is the election going to to contact the boats. Wyandotte the seamen, we'll give you the York on May 2. In between be held aboard our ships?" men themselves make certain score on our strength. those dates, he went through the First, the SIU is made up of In addition, they all want to that every replacement signs an Panama Canal, called at Hono­ know, "How long after we vote SIU pledge cards and takes out 91,000 seamen and affiliated lulu, Manila, Cebu, Singapore, ROBERT PEAK trades. for the SIU in the election will an SIU book. and some other Far Eastern it take before wo have a con­ Second, the SIU is affiliated profits right and left. I under­ When the NMU was given one ports. tract giving us the same con­ week in which to prove that it with the powerful AFL Maritime stand that those fellows made It was all exciting, but it tracts and conditions that SIU had the necessary 10 percent to Trades Department which is profits that totalled 18 billion would have been better on an members now have?" dollars during the war." intervene, they failed so miser­ made up of Seamen, Longshore­ organized ship. From their experiences on un­ Well, I've answered both of ably that they didn't have a leg men, Tugmen, Licensed Deck Of­ SIU ALL THE WAY ficers, Radio Operators, anc organized ships, Simmons and these questions so often that I to stand on. Teamsters. In all, a total of more According to Bob, the major­ Hughes are convinced of the ne­ think I can do it in my sleep. What did these slimy individ­ than 200,000 workers in the mar­ ity of the men aboard the Cape cessity of a strong union of sea­ So, here goes once again, for uals do? They preferred charges Sandj' were for the SIU. The men. itime industry. the information of all Brothers of unfair labor practices, stating main topic of conversation was NEED FOR UNION aboard the unorganized Lakes that the SIU was given pref­ Third, the SIU is affiliated the fact that the NMU has play­ "You've got no rights unless vessels. erence in contacting the Wyan­ with the powerful American ed the company's game by stall­ you have a union behind you," Federation of Labor which is Elections will be held aboard dotte seamen. What a laugh! ing certification of the SIU as said Hughes. "There's no such composed of some eight million your ship just as fast as the The company doesn't want any bargaining agent for the unli­ thing as job security—you can affiliated workers. hearings are held by the Na­ union on their ships, and cer­ censed personnel. be fired at the drop of a hat. On tional Labor Relations Board, tainly not the militant SIU. Fourth, the SIU is affiliated "It will be a long time before the Bidwell, they had Firemen and the election date and stip­ Wyandotte seamen are the with the International Transport the NMU lives this down," said and Oilers doing each other's ulations established. ones who are keeping these ships Workers Federation, a world­ Bob. "The men now know that and Wipers work." The SIU has already petition­ solid, and despite the attempts wide organization composed of NMU is nothing more than a It's because of just tkis sort of ed for elections on the Huron, of the NMU to temporarily hold millions of workers in the mar­ phony outfit, and what it can't situation that men like Robert Wyandotte, Hanna and Wilson Wyandotte seamen from voting itime and transportation trades. control, it tries to wreck." Peak, LeRoy Hughes, and Jack boats. Last week, we petitioned choice, the election will be held No sooner had Brother Robert Simmons sail on unorganized Those are the answers to the for elections in three additional for the SIU as the Union of their questions about the strength and Peak finished his story, then in ships so as to pass along the companies. We'll give all of the shortly. All the phony charges, affiliations of the SIU. However, walked two more young fellows, Union message. details about these companies lies, and filthy propaganda that remember the SIU is an auton­ fresh off Isthmian's Marine Star. Both Simmons and Hughes just as soon as the first NLRB the NMU can toss at us won't omous organization which runs Both sail in the Black Gang, as claim that conditions on I.sthhearings are held. make one iota of difference. its business free from outside Oilers. LeRoy Hughes has been mian are just like on unorgan­ On the Wyandotte ships, too, interference. These Brothers and sailing for about two years, most ized tankers. The only way to SIP PETITIONED we are willing to stake our affiliates back us up when we of the time on the Bidwell. Sun remedy the situation is the meth­ When I say that the SIU pet­ :-eputation that these seamen need their assistance. Oil Company. od all Seafarers agree on—or­ itioned for these elections, I Jack Simmons also comes from ganization into the SIU. mean just that. Neither the NMU the tankers, having put in some "That's the ticket, because the nor any other outfit on the Lakes time as a volunteer organizer companies won't give anything petitioned for any elections, be­ on Los Angeles tankers. away unless they have to," said cause they couldn't muster Both sailed during the war, Simmons. 'Tt takes pressure •enough pledge cards! and although neither wanted to from a lot of people to force However, the NMU and the talk about his war experiences, the companies to treat us de­ LSU have intervened in some of it came out that they had gone cently. On organized ships, we By MAURICE DOLE these elections. To intervene, through what other merchant are treated like men, and on both of the.se outfits, or either seamen faced in delivering the unorganized ships we are put­ ASHTABULA — Everything is week for iitout and layup to the one, has to prove that they have goods. ting up a fight for the .same de­ running smoothly in port with Lakes back in 1942, and with a minimum of 10 percent of the "If it wasn't for the Union dur­ cent treatment. That should be time-and-one-half for overtime, crewmembers signed up on more and more of the unorganiz­ ing the war, we would have been enough to convince seamen to too? pledge cards. To date, neither ed Lakes seamen dropping in on doing the work for little pay come into the Union." Who broke the 56 hour week while the operators would have outfit has proved this on any us and inquiring about the SIU That it does. Brother. Seamen on the Lakes passenger ships, been piling up all the money," contracts and conditions, and all of the fleets that tiie SIU has know the record of achievements about membership In the Seafar­ and won the 44 hour week for said Simmons. "As it was, the of the SIU, and they continue to petitioned. the first time? shipowners begrudged us the lit­ flock into the SIU, along the In the case of the Huron ers International Union, SIU'Who broke the 44/48 hour tle we earned, and they made Transportation Company, the AFL. Lakes, and in the tanker field. When these guests drop in on week on the sandboats, and NMU tried to intervene, but brought the first 40 hour week -couldn't prove that they rep­ us, v/e answer all of their ques­ during sailing season to the resented anyone on either the tions gladly and give them all Lakes? Boardmen or the Crapo. How­ possible assistance. There's only one answer to ever, the SIU agreed to have the Our SIU halls are always open these questions. The Seafarers NMU on the ballot because we to the unorganized Lakes seamen International Union —: AFL won have nothing to fear from this for their service and conveni­ all of these gains on the Lakes. bankrupt outfit. ence, and v/e welcome their The SIU leads the parade Huron seamen, themselves, questions. Drop in any time, and when it comes to contracts, con­ laugh at the NMU. Now, with try us out. ditions and wages. And the SIU the date of election upon us — Membership in the SIU brings will always lead the parade! between May 15 and June 11 — a lot of benefits that no other or­ We, in the SIU-AFL, lead, and the SIU can prove its claims that ganization on the Lakes can others follow. the vast majority of Huron sea­ bring you. In the SIU, you havejob security, job protection, com­ men favor the SIU, and want SIU contracts and conditions. petent imion representation and This election will tell the story. ^ the best contracts with the best The SIU has over .95 percent; conditions on the Lakes. Make sure the name .of of the ^luron gearnen .signed UPIJ That's mo idle boast. Look at your ship is on the repair on SIU pledge .cards, and I'xp; the record. That's all we ;ask lists and minutes before sub­ willing to bet my bottom dollar you to do. Check the record, mitting theni io the boaording that the SIU wins this election then .choose—the SIU! Patrolman. by better than 75 percept, desr: Who hrought jthe first 40 hour LEROy HUGHES .JACK SJMMQNS By PAUL WARREN Lakes Seamen Visit SIU Halls, Get Their Questions Answered NOTICE! �Friday. May 23. 1947 THE SEAFARERS Page Firm LOG The Only Beefs in San Juan Are The Eating Kind Plenty Of Jobs For Seafarers In California By SALVADOR COLLS By E. H. TEAGUE PUERTO RICO—This port is still the paradise spot of the world, and if that is hard to be­ lieve, practically every • Seafarer down here will back up that statement. Take this as an instance. A certain part of town is off limits for the military boys, and the girls there ai*e so lonesome that they are v/illing to buy beers for the merchant seamen, and even put them up for the night. That's real hospitality, and our boys are sure appreciative. We've had a lot of shipping the past fev/ weeks—so much, in fact, that we had to pull three members out of the clink to dis­ patch as replacements. Our need for men in all ra­ tings is still severe, and even unrated men, such as Messmen, are hard to obtain. LITTLE SHOREGANG WORK Shoregang work is pretty slow this week, but should pick up within the next little while. We only have two ships in port, and the situation is okay even with such a small number of vessels. The two longshoremen's unions got together at last and are ne­ gotiating. I spoke to the presi­ dents of both organizations, and it seemed that the trouble was that each thought the other was wailing to strikebreak. It's all squared away now, and they are both working in har­ mony. I am also trying to form a Maritime Trades Council, but without any results as yet. I have not given up the idea since I am sure that the others will come around soon. We have a man working in Fajardo trying to organise two tugs that run out of that port. He is concentrating on getting the crewmembers to sign pledge cards, and after that we will move in. ... •iiiiM Be CareBil To Put Signature Ott Right Line When Signing On NO NEWS?? By JOE ALGINA Silence this week from the Branch Agents of the follow­ NEW YORK—Ah yes, there's good news this week. New York is still in the running for the hottest shipping along the coast with no sign of us having to take a back seat to any other port for fast shipping. We're averaging 40 to 50 ships a week with a good flood of tank­ ers in to take crews. Of course, the Patrolmen have been right there on the piers to greet the ships "and handle all beefs. Two ships that hit port in a manner pleasing to the heart of a Patrolman were the John Gal­ lup, Smith & Johnson, and the T. Meadows, Pacific Tankers. Both ships paid off in fine style with the Stewards Departments on both ships in tip top shape. The Alcoa vessel. Loop Knot was in this week, and as usual the ship had quite a few beefs aboard. Patrolmen Goffin and Gonzales handled the payoff and once more put things in order. LAST TRIP The Orbis. Bernstein Steam­ ship Corp., will be leaving New York in a few days for her last trip under the SIU banner. She will make a trip to South America and then be sold to a foreign company. Bernstein Steamship Corp. intends to re­ place her with another ship, so there will be no loss to us. It doesn't seem necessary that 1 should mention this, but one Brother caused himself a bit of trouble over it, so I'll pass along a word of caution. When you are signing ship's articles, make sure you sign j'our Tampa Ship Chandlers Discover That Seafarers Has Long Memory By SONNY SIMMONS TAMPA—The SS Mandan Vic­ placements, and we are hard put tory, Waterman, hit this port last to furnish them. week, and if the Deck Delegate Rated men, of course, are the had not been on the ball, the ship hardest, but even the unrated chandlers would have been able men don't have much' trouble to pull a fast one on the Union. shipping out of here. That's an The Port Captain ordered invitation to come down to Tam­ stores, but when they were de­ pa where you can practically livered, the Delegate called the pick your ship and your run. hall immediately and we disThe National Association of patclied a Patrolman to see what Manufacturers is now running was cooking. full page advertisements in both The crew took the position that the local papers. They are real­ the ship would not be moved ly going all out to build up -enunless the stores were taken off, timent against the closed shop and after a lot of bickering, that's and industry-wide bargaining. exactly what happened. They have plenty of help here By the time the Mandan Vic­ from the American Legion, At­ tory headed out, the docks look­ torney General Tom Watson, and ed like an open warehouse, with Tampa's Mayor Hixon. Labor is stores piled all over the place. really on the defensive, because Again we want to notify all these others are prepared to Stewards that we are not on spend a fortune condemning la­ any better terms with the ship bor in the eyes of the public. chandlers in Tampa than we By the time, you read this were on the day our strike end­ column, the SS Florida will have ed. They did their best to break come in to Miami and gone out our strike, and we won't forget again. The Patrolman who makes that. the ship claims that there are JOBS A-PLENTY few beefs, and those are all minor We are still getting more jobs ones. That's what comes of hav­ than we have men to fill them. ing very good Delegates on a Day after day we get call for re­ ship. name on the proper line next to the rating you will be working. If you do as this Brother did and sign on the wrong line you may be working as a Chief Cook, but at the payoff'find yourself paid off as Second Cook. Another thing to remember, this time at the payoff, is to make sure you have all your overtime in to the head of your depart­ ment. Don't leave one port after the payoff and go to another port expecting Patrolmen there to know about your overtime. The payoff is the place to square it away. SAILING TIME Lately there have been mount­ ing complaints over the lack of a sailing board on ships, and on ships where a sailing board is "MVS05M! isieweo" OA) AS ing ports: JACKSONVILLE MARCUS HOOK MILWAUKEE CORPUS CHRISTI DULUTH MOBILE NORFOLK HOUSTON CHICAGO MONTRAEL NEW ORLEANS PORT ARTHUR TOLEDO The deadline for port re­ ports, monies due, etc., is the Monday proceeding publica­ tion. While every effort will be made to use in the current issue material received after that date, space commitments generally do not permit us to do so. SAN FRANCISCO — Shipping is so good on the Gold Coast that we have been able to ship anyone who registered in the Deck and Engine Departments. That can be taken as an invita­ tion to any Seafarer who reads this column. Come on out here, fellows, and sunny California will greet you with a job. We are still checking Isthmian ships as they come into this port, and we are glad to report that volunteer SIU o r g a n i z ers are continuing to do a cracker-jack job. Some day soon we will be of­ ficially certified as the bargain­ ing agent for Isthmian unlicens­ ed seamen, a'fid when that hap­ pens, it will be the volunteers who deserve the lion's share of the credit. Right now we have three members in the Marine Hospital out here, and they would all like to hear from their old bud­ dies and shipmates. Their names are Aaron McAlpin, J. Hodo, and John Krewsen. That's ahniit all we have to re­ port this week except that what­ ever ships come in are being squared away in regular SIU" style—at the point of produc­ tion. Through long and bitter experience we have found that to be the best way. Prospects Point To No Let Up In Boston Shipping And Business By JOHN MOGAN BOSTON—Business and ship­ present the sailing of the ship ping picked up considerably this ahead of the time posted. week, especially the latter. All Manj*- of the men complaining kinds of jobs were on the board have been left ashore when the throughout the week, with a ship sailed before its scheduled great deal of trouble getting time. rated men. Every member should check Plentj'' of Permits were issued the .sailing time when he goes off of a necessity, and jobs also the ship, and if no board is up he wei'e phoned into the New York should see to it that the Captain Hall. And it doesn't appear that has one put up. there will be any let-up in ship­ The Delegates should be es­ ping for a while. pecially watchful for this. If thoy Always we can be assured of find a Skipper sailing ahead of a real headache round here. This time, they should make a note week it was the SS Joseph B. of it and let the Patrolman know Eastman (Calmar). about it at the payoff. A West Coast crew brought We are taking up this com­ her over here with a load of plaint with the companies to see lumber. All hands were under that they post the sailing time the impression that their trans­ and leave only on the hour post­ portation back to the West Coast ed. was assured and that Boston Here's the latest dope on the would be the final port of dis­ payment of the retroactive pay charge. covering our six percent in­ Well, the shooting pains to the crease: skull started when it was learn­ MONEY DUE ed that the Rider did not pro­ Waterman: All checks will be vide for transportation. The ci-pw ready in about one month and was up in arms and demanding will be mailed. Robin Line: to get paid off. whether with Checks should be ready in about transportation or none. 12 days and will be mailed. East­ POOR BALTIMORE ern: Write to 40 Central Street, Boston, Mass. for checks. Final wind-up was that she Smith & Johnson: Now paying would proceed from here to Bal­ the money at their offices. Am­ timore with part of the cargo— erican Range: Money due will be and Baltimore would be the ready in about 10 days. Moran: final port of discharge. Checks will be ready in one In a way we can't help but month. Bernstein Steamship feel sorry for our brother offi­ Corp: Now paying at their of­ cials in Baltimore, because after fices. having this scow around here When the rest of the compan­ for nearly a week, we know she ies get ready to pay this money, is not going to be a Patrolman's I'll pass the word along, so watch holiday. We had four tankers in during this column for the information. the week (SS Klamath Falls and SS Piatt Park in Portland; the SS Midway Hills in Providence; and the SS Cannon Beach in Boston). Also pajdng off here was the SS Antinious (Waterman). Crewing up were the SS Robert Fulton and the P-T Navigator (both Pope & Talbot), and the Yarmouth and Evangeline. Nat­ urally. with all this stuff around the port, everybody can take it easy! During the corning week the Eva should be fully crewed up and ready to start her run on the 28th. The Yarmouth also figures to be readj- to start on the 29th. Right now this place is too busj' to concentrate on this writ­ ing effort, so we'll sign off until next week, when the excursion boats will start to provide a little diversion. On Overtime To insure payment, all claims for overtime must be turned in to the heads of de­ partments no later than 72 hours following the comple­ tion of the overtime work. As soon as the penalty work is done, a record should be given to the Department head, and one copy held by the man doing the job. In addition the depart­ mental delegates should check on all overtime sheets 72 hours before the ship makes port. �THE Page Six Pennsylvania Bills Are Designed To Put The AFL Out Of Business By EDDIE HIGDON SEAFARERS LOG Canadian Seamen Members of the SIU have a long record of supporting other unions in a just beef. For this reason, all Seafarers are urged not to purchase the Vancouver Daily Province, a scab newspaper, set up and printed by non-union labor. Friday, May 23, 1947 Galveston Branch Settles Beef On Newly Signed Canadian Ship By RAY SWEENEY Although all the military big GALVESTON—The SS Dom­ PHILADELPHIA—Not only is inican Victory, of the India labor taking a shellacking in shots are worrying about an inSteamship Company, one of the "Washington, but now the law­ |vasion by a foreign power, we .six vessels covered by the re­ makers of the various states here in Philly actually expericently signed contract with the want to get into the act. Penn­ .enced just that last week, Canadian District of the SIU, sylvania, which is a Republican i The Greek freighter, Evanthia. The Vancouver. B. C.. left hc.'-e May 10 for Calcutta, stronghold, is trying to cook up was anchored south of League SIU Branch is supporting the India, after settlement of com­ a bill to outlaw the Union Hir­ Island, and a half dozen seamen International Typographers I aboard her decided that they plicated dispute which delayed ing Hall in the state. Union. AFL. both morally the sailing. There is a lot of controversy liked America better than they and physically in their eight Under terms of the settlement about the measure, and one State liked Greece with its present month old strike. economic and political condi­ the Captain, whose reversal of a Senator claimed that it is de­ When in Vancouver show promise made to the crew pre­ tions. signed "to put the American your contempt for the scabs cipitated the controversary, was Federation of Labor out of busi­ I SMART MEN by refusing to buy a news­ replaced. ness." -A. barge of the Atlantic Re­ paper put out by strikebreak­ The dispute arose shortly after He further stated that "it fining Company had gone out to ers. This will help the ITU tlic vessel left New York, whore relates not only to the Halls of members to win their strike refuel the vessel, and when it the Master had agreed to the longshoremen, but also to places for better wages and condi­ was ready to return to the pier, crew's request that their quar­ where bricklayers, carpenters, six seamen jumped aboard and tions. ters, messroom and toilets be truck drivers and other craft painted. unionists are hired. It is the most drastic piece of anti-labor legislation I have seen thus far in the Senate." Not all the legislators are antilabor. but the ones that are pro-labor are outnumbered. It's funny that the men in Washing­ By PAUL GONSORCHIK ton and in the State Legislatures are elected by the people, and (Editor's note: To clear up arising over the Shipping Rules, then when they take office, they misunderstandings and misin­ I there is another matter which is represent only the big shots. terpretations of the Shipping ta.ving the sanity of Dispatchers. We of the Philadelphia Branch It pertains to the collection of Rules, a short series of articles of the 3IU sent out 300 letters concerning the Rules that come assessments when dues are col­ protesting passage of the recent in for the most discussion and lected by the Patrolmen. If all wouldn't leave. The Captain sig­ anti-labor measure in Congress, trouble has been prepared by assessments were collected along namely the Taft-Hartley Bill. It naled ashore and a boatload of Paul Gonsorchik, Chief Dis­ with the dues, there would be policemen came out to reconis a smart thing for us to let patcher of the New York much less squawking all around. noiter. To give you an idea of what I our lawmakers know how we Branch.) They persuaded the crewmemmean: a Patrolman will collect feel about the laws which regu­ bers to go back aboard, remind­ NEW YORK —Here in New six or eight .months dues in ad­ late our working conditions and ing them that when Greece gets York we are experiencing a situa­ vance at the payoff, but will fail the way we earn our livelihood. that big loan from Uncle'Sam, tion whereby members have been to collect the 1946-47 assessments. QUICK SETTLEMENT things might pick up in the old taking jobs but failing to report When the member comes to Last week we had one SIU country. to the ship. register for shipping he finds payoff, and two for the SUP. One last word about the poli­ Others have been reporting to that he is in arrears. An argu­ About 15 ships in transit hit this ticians. Those birds promise la­ the ship only to pile off at the ment always follows to the ef­ port, and most of them had bor the world during a cam­ last minute forcing the ship to fect that the last Patrolman colminor beefs. These were settled paign, but after they are elect­ sail shorthanded. ' lected everything and he is in right then and there, at the ed, they go down the line and Quite a few members who have good standing. point of production. pass laws to hog tie the very done this are finding to their I When the Dispatcher points It looks like Calmar is running people who are responsible for sorrow that it would have been out that the Patrolman failed to steady on that West Coast run. giving them their seats. easier to make the trip than to collect the assessments, there is The Calmar and the Yorkmar This will continue unless the face charges before a trial com­ , plenty of justifiable griping, as were in recently . . . one west­ right steps are taken by labor mittee. I the member has to register in It is good unionism when mem­ bad standing. bound and the other eastbound. to educate itself. bers report these members as If we could have a little more having walked off, for it gives cooperation from both the Pa­ the Dispatcher a chance to re­ trolman and the members to sec place the member. Unfortunate­ that these assessments are collect­ ly, replacements cannot always ed, there, would be far fewer be secured on short notice. gray-haired dispatchers. BREAKING RULES By SPENCER FOLEY When you walk off a .ship a ALPENA — This is really a With the election date estab­ few hours before sailing time and swell town, and the people are lished sometime between May 15 cause the ship to be delayed, or the most friendly and coopera­ and June II, Huron seamen fail to report to the ship after being assigned without notifying won't have long to wait. tive that I've ever met. the Dispatcher, you are break­ CONVEYORMEN ing rules laid down by your They really take to the SIU Infractions Of Shipping Rules Put Union, Memhership On Spot Wyandotte And Huron Crewmen For Seafarers Almost To A Man up here, our program for the Lakes seamen, and want to help in any way possible to make the Huron and Wyandotte ships go SIU. So far, the four Wyandotte ves­ sels—the SS Alpena, SS Conneaut, SS Huron, and the SS Wyandotte—are all for the SIU. We have approximately 95 per­ cent of the crewmembers signed up on SIU pledge cards. Quite a few of the men have also taken out SIU membership books. The two Huron ships—the SS Crapo and the SS Boardman— are also lined up almost to a man for the SIU. Now that the election starting date has passed, they're all marking time until both vessels dock at Detroit wlhere the crew­ men can register their selection of the SIU as the Union of their choice. Several questions concerning brother members. I'm sure the crewmembers the Conveyormen on Huron and Wyandotte ships have ari.sen. It who have to take on your share was pointed out that in order to of the work would give you very expedite the election on the two little sympathy; instead, they'd Huron ships, the Chief Convey­ love to put you in the "99 Year ormen were excluded. All par- Club." tics concerned in any way with' On another matter. The ma­ the election — NMU, company,' jority of the members do not and SIU—agreed to their exclu­ know that an acting AB can make only one trip. An acting sion. AB must sign off after the trip However, this does not mean and return to the hall for rethat the Conveyormen cannot be, included in the same bargaining, regi.stration. He cannot stay unit with the unlicensed person­ aboard merely by returning to his grade of OS. nel at some later date. If you are dispatched from the Anytime after the election hall as an OS, a Mate cannot when the Conveyormen signify 1 force you to take a job as acting their desire to join the SIU and' AB. You have been assigned as have us bargain for them, we' an OS and that's your job. will petition to have then includ­ All acting AB jobs come from ed in the bargaining unit. the hall because, as I mentioned These men are more than wel­ a few weeks ago, there is no pro­ come into the SIU. We will be motion aboard ship for an Or­ proud to have them with us af­ dinary Seaman, Wiper or Messter the election for other person­ man. nel is completed. Aside from the many troubles SiU Steps In To Straighten Out Northwind (Continued from Page 1) represented the Florida Railwa.y Commission, and at the start he was very confident about how he would handle us. He has, however, repeatedly admitted that he has learned a lot, and we are puzzled as to why the company has allowed him the privilege of learning at its expense. It will assuredly not be at the Union's expense. The only solution to conditions such as exi.st in this company is an SIU contract. The fight for decent wages and good working conditions is the main issue; to win we have to stay right in there, on the job and at the ne­ gotiating table. If "cease work" is forced on us, let us hit the bricks as part of the fight for a decent contract that will be the final answer to the company, dime - a - dozen stooges, and eighteenth century conditions. The Master reportedly stated that the men could paint their own quarters on the way to Gal­ veston. Once out of New York,, however, he refused to keep his promise. . When the ship arrived in this port. Brother Cummings covered it. The same beef over the painting came up again, and the Master made the same promise —that painting could be done when the vessel left Galveston. NERVOUS SKIPPER On the basis of the Master's previous renege, the crew re­ jected his second promise, de­ manding that the quarters be painted before the ship sailed. The Captain's "nervous" con­ dition being such that he wms entirely unpredictable, the crew contended that his word meant absolutely nothing. The morning of May 8, shoreside painters went aboard the ship with instructions to paint until midnight only. Meanwhile, the crew had been sent ashore, and were paid lodging and sub­ sistence money. With the painting deadline over, the Master told one of the painters to return to paint the mcssrooms. The painters' foreman replied that any further painting would have to be ordered by the com­ pany. The company, however, refused to have any more paint­ ing done. At noon the next day. Port Agent D. L. Parker and I cover­ ed the ship. The crew remained firm, repeating they would not sail until the paint job was completed. The Company agent, mean­ while, searched for inducements to have the men sail. I advised him to order the messrooms painted and that the men would then take the vessel out. CREW THREATENED He mentioned the possibility of having immigration officers place the men ashore in jail, the.ri returning them aboard when the ship got in the stream. Refusing to listen to this talk, I strongly advised him against any such action, telling him wc would not stand for it. This threat was never again mention­ ed. Following a visit with the crew aboard the ship the morn­ ing of May 10, Brother Parker and I told the company to re­ place the Skipper and the vessel would sail . The Agent capitulated to the Union's demands and at 7 P.M. the Dominican Victory was Cal­ cutta-bound. The Captain, who was re­ moved, was sent to the hospital, where he was found to be a "nervous wreck." He's now on his way back to Canada. Here's hoping he stays there. �Page SevezL THE SEAFARERS LOG Fridax- May 23. 1947 SlU Presets Istbmiaii Brief To NLRB Docket No. 2-R-6030 .. ^ J • .u The Isthmian Steamship Company is engaged in the Sr8rvisek"Tni"ntaJnrrts%rLiX oi busi- 3. That at all times prior and subsequent to the date of hearing and the date of the commencement of the employer interfered with its em- bargainine c) No proof has been submitted by the Intervenor ni 71 Rrnadwav in New York City and all its of- aiding and assisting the Seafarers Interna- that the Company discouraged membership in the Sees at he abte "Address Sf iShLan" stLX Crmpaiy Will hereinafter be designated in this brief as The ^ompanj" The SeTrrers Lternational Union of North America ine oediarers imcixidiiuiiai is a labor union comprised of unlicensed sea-going personnel, with its main office at 51 Beaver Street, New York City and will hereinafter be designated as the '"Petitioner" The NTTional Maritime Union is a union comprised , ,. J ;tc main nffirp of unlicensed sea-going P ® at 346 West 17th Street, New York City and will hereinafter be designated as the "Intervenor". Both the Petitioner and the Intervenor were desirous of representing the unlicensed seamen of the Company's fleet and therefore had originated an organizing drive to unionize the men "irthTmonthTif October 1945, the Petitioner having obtained a majority of pledge cards from the Company's employees did on or about the early part of November 1945 file "a petition for investigation and certification of representatives, pursuant to Section 9 (C) of the National Labor Relations Act wherein it sought to be designated as the bargaining 'agent for this personnel. The Intervenor, after the petition had been duly filed, then presented'itself at the National Labor Relations Board's offices at 120 Wall Street, New York City, and asked to be made a party to the proceeding, but it never alleged that it represented a majority of the employees. The request was granted and after a hearing, an election was ordered by the Board within thirty days from March 19. 1946, which order set March 18th, as the eligibility date for all voters. fT' """J' 1 ^ members of the Seafarers Internationa Union of 1 ^ 'T """f; discouraged memberthe National Maritime Union of America, and influenced its employees to cast their votes in favor of Seafarers International Union and against the Maritime Union. . . . That the employer, prior and -after the commenment of the election herein, and during all the times that the Conflicting claims of the two union were known to it discharged members of the National Marimscnarged members ot tne National Man t™® Union from their employment, with a view to^ard influencing its employees' choice of collective bargaining agent, and did, in fact, by doing so, influence 'ts employees' choice of collective bargaining agent thereby made a free choice of collective barSBining agent impossible. 5. That the employer did, both before and after the commencement of the election, during all times that the conflicting claims of the two unions were known to it, by and through its supervisory officials, made known its preference for the Seafarers' International Union of North America, by encouraging applicants for employment to become members of the Seafarers' International Union of North America, and at the same time, denied available employment to members "I tbe National Maritime Union, and thereby interfered its employees' free choice of collective bargainagent, and coerced them into supporting the Seafarers' International Union. That the employer did, prior to the commencement of the election herein, but after such time as it was well aware of the conflict claims of the two unions, established a policy of denying employment to mem- Intervenor has failed to prove a prima facie case . tantiatine its obiections substantiating objections. ^ 7 he Intervenor throughout tne Hearing referred to a nationwide pattern of the Company in the hiring and fnmg of its personnel. This so called^pattern is alleged to have taken the form of hiring only Petitioner's members and refusing employnient to Intervenor's members in all Ports the vessels touched and in coercing its employees to vote for the Petitioner, none of which was proved by the Intervenor. Much evidence was admitted at the Hearing by the Hearing Officer on Intervenor's assurance that such a pattern would be established after all the evidence was in at the conclusion of the trial. Relying on that assurance, much inadmissable evidence was admitted by the Hearing Officer, who. of course, was in no position to weigh the value of the testimony until after the conclusion of the Hearing. The Intervenor conspicuously failed to live up to its assurances to the Hearing Officer. order properly to evaluate the testimony and the sufficiency of the proof of the alleged pattern, it must be viewed again.st all the e.v;lernal facts surrounding the election. On Anril 18th 1846 tho Board amended its originalof the National Marit.nre Union and of giving prelun /ipiiJ mm, lu-io, inc Duaiu cmienucu ixa uidgx erence of employment to the Seafarers International order directing election, by extending the voting period to October 18th, 1946. On October 17th, 1946, at the // /y ^ f 1 request of the Intervenor, the Board extended the votff1 » Ti/ilSP I ing period another month, namely to November 18th, W J VUAJU f 1946, retaining, however, the original eligibility date. x vl ' } f The ves<.Pls were voted neriodicallv from about f .llflO \_ ^^ P March 29 1946, to about November 19th, 1946 and on I til" JrlAxjV November 18th and 19th, the votes were counted, with V^-'TrW f \ ' ' " ^ approximately irv IQ a r "me months. Boilloting look place in some 18 diflocated throughout the coastal area of Uawaii. Of 2,646 men eligible to vote, 2,309 actually cast their ballots. All the events Intervcnor relied upon to show the alleged pattern, could sufficient number of eligible ^'otes to change the outcome of the election, even if ^^'kat it claims is true, which Petitioner vehemently Voting Extended the following results: Approximate number of eligible voters Void R-illots lolls Cas foil's IU 2689 23 957 vTtes cast foi- N M U 724 laiel cast for No-union 64 Totes ° 1705 TrTonT rh.iint".. 502 Cnflllcn^tcl udllots , , J r^v, 11 ,1 ixaimic 9947 Valid votes and Challenged hallots ...2247 On Januap 9th, 1947, the challenged votes, on the consent of both the Petitioner and Intervenor, were opened and counted, with the following results. Approxirnate number of eligible voters 2646 Void Ballots. Votes cast for bJ.U I so Votes cast for Votes cast for No-union ^^09 cTn ^°T^b 11 t 171 a enge a os . TI "rf T m t ^ n tv nf thp valiH ere ore cer ' ® ^ votes had been cast for the S.I.U. ^ ,v T t On January 14th, 1947, the Intervenor filed objections , 1. . to the conduct affecting the results of the election, as follows°ThTNational Maritime Union of America, CIO, the Intervenor herein, herewith objects to the conduct of the election and to conduct affecting the results of election on the following grounds: 1. That prior to, and following the date of the hearing on the petiti'on herein, and while the employer was well aware that the petitioner and intervenor had both made claim to represent the majority of the employees in the collective bargaining unit, the employer aided and assisted the petitioner. Seafarers' International Union of North America, AFL, by entering into an agreement with said petitioner, whereby petitioner would be permitted to furnish crew members for the employer's vessels, and that the employer would deny such employment to the members of the National Maritime Union for the purpose of insuring that petitioner obtain a majorty of the votes cast in said election and thus be certified as collective bargaining agent. 2. That the employer did, prior and subsequent to the date of hearing, and prior and subsequent to the commencement of the election, discriminate against members of the National Maritime Union and give preferential treatment to the members of the Seafarers' International Union of North America with respect to employment on the employer's vessels, and in so doing, aided and assisted the Seafarers International Union, in violation of Section 8 (2) of the Act. ""f b) The Intervenor has failed to prove discrimination against its' members or preferential treatment to Petitioners members. """""" introduced whereby the Com­ p^^^ employees were influenced to cast their votes Petitioner, ^ , " submitted that any of the alleged acts of the Company had any bearing on the outcome of the election. Point II rr,r.r,tinet •Roimfirarr inmr- mi r.ra Union, and that said policy was made known to its emnlovees and prospective employees all for the purpose pmjees ana prospective employees, ail 101 me purpose influencing the results of the election and for the in ' cnitP nf thoucnnHc nf , ! thoumnds of x oters and thousands of episodes, Intervenor relies on a scant handful alleged incidents, many of which are utterly pre- Seafarers International Union, and that said policy 'P influence the results of the election anc employees into voting for the Seafarers TritPT^nAtinnjil TTiiiriTi fnteinational union. ^ conduct of the gj^pioyer as hereinbefore set forth, the members of the appropriate bargaining unit were in fact denied a free choice of collective bargaining agent and the results election reflect the force of the empluyer's interference with said election, and that in consequence, election was not conducted in such a manner as to insure a true expression of the wishes of the cmployees as to the choice of collective bargaining agent. ^ careful reading of the above objections, will disclose that they are repetitious, capricious and all encompasslng in the hope that they might be able to in some fashion prove something of which they have no .U U- 4knowledge or proof. In essence, these-objections can " ^ ^ . mean only that the Elmployer, 1) entered into an / . ^ agreement with Petitioner to man the vessels, 2) dis®""^i"^ed afiamst th^e members of the National ManT?'• discharged members of the National Union. None of these allegations were proved at the hearing. Based on these objections, the New York Regional Director rendered his report, wherein he recommended I^at the usual exparte investigation should not be conducted but that a formal hearing on objections be held soon as possible. Pursuant to the Regional Direc^ report, the Board directed that a hearing be held the Intervenor's objections. Accordingly, the hearing commenced on or about March 19th, 1947, betore Arthur Leff, Hearing Officer, at the local offices ®t the National Labor Relations Board, at 120 Wall Street, New York City. At' this hearing, the Ccunpany, Intervenor and the Petitioner were present and were represented by counsel. Pninf T x Oini; 1 The Intervenor has the burden of establishing the validity of its objections by a fair preponderance of the evidence, which it failed to do, for the following reasons: a) No proof has been submitted of either a written or oral agreement between the Company and the Petitioner whereby the Company agreed to hire Petitioner's members to man its vessels. hereinafter be ,hown) and even of this handful, one-half of them aloccurred, after March 18th. 1946, the eligibility ^y this Board. -*--*•* « . In evaluating Intervenor s testimony. Petitioner points out that twelve (to wit, James E. Owens, Edmund P. Halloran, Robert Martin, Charles S. Slater, William A. Frothingham, Willis H. Kirkland. Michael J. Preston. Max Winter, Gilbert VJ. Kokol, Enid Conner, James Almada and Dale Wear) of the 27 witnesses produced by Intervenor testified to alleged incidents which took place after March ISth. 1946. the eligiblity date. Assuming, but emphatically not admitting, that the Company did discriminate against the Intervenor after March 18th. 1946, and did ma.n its vessels with Petitioner's members, the results of the election could not be altered because only those men who were actually employed on or before March 18th. 1946 were eligible m to vote. __ Hparsav xictii&rf.v Qf the remaining 15 witnesses. Goldin testified to aHeged practices in the Recruitment and Manning Division of the War Shipping Administration. His testimony was based solely on hearsay and conjecture and there was no attempt to prove any discriminatory practices by the Company. Witnesses Chonder and Martin were organizers for the Inter venor in the Gulf Area and naturally their testimony would be highly colored because the loss of the election reflects upon their abilitv and if perchance a new election were ordered, thej- then could have two bites of the cherry instead of the one to which alone they are entitled. The testimony of Martin concerns itself solely with ^n incident which took place in the latter part of May or the beginning of June 1946 in the Port of Savannah after the SS "Samuel Mclntyre," about wliici* vessel he testified, had voted. It was proved by the Petitioner and also admitted by this witness, that Ihe SS "Samuel Mclntyre" had been turned over to the South Atlantic Steamship Company with which the Petitioner had a contract and therefore any men that were hired to serve aboard this vessel, would of necessity have to be employed through the Petitioner's Union and all men would therefore have to be mem"^^s of the SIU. Nothing that allegedly transpired (Continued o?t Page 8) �Page Eight THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday. May 23. 1947 Seafarers Gives Lie To NMU's Flimsy Charge Of Coiiusion (Continued from Page 7) after the vessel voted, could change the outcome of the election. Witness Chonder's testimony is based solely on hear­ say, is contradictory and evasive as to dates and names. He doesn't testify to even one act of discrimination by the Company. He testified that on two occasions, he had telephone conversations with Mr. Wright, but Pe­ titioner has proved that no Mr. Wright was ever sta• tioned in New Ofleans either as personnel man or in any other capacity. He contradicts Intervenor's witness Reyes testimony on several important parts. He char­ acterizes Reyes as a "Phony." The testimony of witness Conner, presumably the "big gun" of Intervenor's case upon which they de­ pend to overthrow the election, concerned itself only with the period between August and November 1946, long after the eligibility date. A careful reading of her testimony will disclose that she had been well schooled as to what to say and how to act. She mentions names of persons with whom she alleges to have had conversations and even gives the Intem'enor's organizer, as "phony." Certainly this man's testimony should not be given an credence in view of his own fellow unionist's opinion of him. Reyes was not prohibited from voting and actually did cast his vote, and assuming that discrimination was practiced, which Petitioner denies, this witness did exercise his prerogative of voting and he had a voice in the election. Reyes voted as he saw fit and cer­ tainly there is no evidence of coercion by the Company to influence his %'otc. "Witness Rovane testified to an incident which oc­ curred" on board the SS "William D. Hoard" on which he was not an employee and his testimony is based solely on unreliable hearsay which proves nothing. Witness Almada was employed aboard the SS "Sea Fiddler" while he was a non-union member. He does not allege that when he got his job, he, was discrimin­ ated against. He voted in the election aboard this ship and there is no evidence of coercion or duress. He was not re-hired and shortly thereafter joined Inter­ venor's Union. Through Own Efforts Witness Kapilowitz served on two vessels. He obtain­ ed these positions apparently through his own efforts. He seeks by hearsay to show discriminatory practices which in fact did not exist. Witness Watkins likewise obtained a position aboard a Company vessel through his own efforts and was not discharged against his will, but quit of his own exact dates of such conversations, knowing full well accord. He attempts to show discriminatory practices that these people to whom she referred were beyond and his evidence is based solely on hearsay. the reach of Petitioner as they were employed by the Witness Jamieson testified that he attempted to get Company in their San Francisco office. She did men­ a position at the New Orleans office. He denied Union tion Mr. Turner and Mr. Banks, who were affiliated affiliation when asked by the personnel man and he with Petitioner and these witnesses were brought in to alleges that he was told that men were hired only testify. On direct examination, she was exceedingly through the SIU. It is perfectly safe for the witness to glib, remarkably remembering detailed names and testify in this fashion because no one appears to know dates. However, on ci'oss-examination, when she was the whereabouts of Mr. Bayerlin, the personnel man required to answer questions upon which she could not he referred to. have been previously advised, she faltered, her mem­ Testimony of this kind is of no value whatsoever, in­ ory was poor as to dates and even as to the applica­ deed it is a surprise to Petitioner that the Intervenor tion which she herself filled out for employment. To did not atttempt to introduce at least 1,000 witnesses say the least, she was evasive. She herself admitted to testify that they spoke to some one and were refused upon cross-examination, to having been employed by a job. This type of testimony could be manufactured the Intervener in its Portland, Oregon office. Her at will by any one. There is no proof other than this husband is a member of Intervenor's Union. She did man's own word, that he actually did apply and did not volunteer the information that her husband was have this alleged conversation. a paid organizer for the Union, but finally admitted Witness Halpern obtained employment aboard the it upon cross-examination. She herself admits to plac­ SS "Sea Fiddler" at San Pedro, California, through his ing at least one seaman belonging to Intervenor on a own efforts. In his zealousne.ss to aid the cause of the ship. There is no way of telling how many of Inter­ Intervenor, he alleges he was fired for Union acti­ venor's members she actually did have employed vities. On cross-examination, it appears that the soaboard the Company's vessels. She te.stified that of 150 called discriminatory practice was the ordering by the men who obtained jobs between the months of August chief engineer to have him wear his shirt while in the and November 1946, only 76 of these men belonged to engine room, which order he disobeyed and was there­ the SIU. It is not beyond the realm of possibility that fore discharged for cause. There is no testimony to here estimate of 76 men is greatly exaggerated. How­ prove discrimination whatsoever. ever, she did admit that the balance of the persons em­ ployed, belonged to Intervenor's Union or other Unions. No Coercion She admitted that she was biased in wanting to see the Witness Klopot obtained his job aboard the SS Intervenor successful in this proceeding and we re­ "Alamo Victory" through his own efforts. He attempts spectfully urge that she colored her testimony to try lo to show that there was discrimination in hiring re­ bring about this result. placements for this ship. Upon cross-examination he admitted that the replacements that were hired were False Testimony members not only of Petitioner's Union but also of the "Witness Reyes' testimony in Petitioner's opinion is Intervenor's Union and the Marine Fireman's Union likewise fabricated out of whole cloth. He testified and independent seamen. This witness definitely did that he was not re-hired by the Company because his not prove any discrimination. picture appeared along with that of other seamen in an V/itness Flook obtained employment aboard the SS issue of the "Pilot." The inference that Intervenor "David Dudley Field" through his own efforts. He tries to draw is that no one who appeared in the pic­ voted in the election held on this ship. He doesn't ture was re-hired by the Company. However, Inter­ allege coercion in the casting of his ballot. He then venor's own witness Chonder, admitted that at least obtained employment aboard the SS "Ocean Tele­ two of the persons who appeared in the picture, were graph" after the eligibility date. He missed the ship re-hired aboard the same vessel. It therefore follows at Hong Kong and was repatriated to the United States. that the persons who appeared on the picture, were He even brought in a card showing that he was not not discriminated against otherwise these two men to be re-hired, blaming the attitude of the Company mentioned bj' witness Chonder, would not have been on his Union activities and not on the fact that he re-hired, as Reyes wants this Board to believe. In di­ missed the vessel. The card that was introduced was rect contravention to Reyes' own testimony, he was sub­ stolen by the witness from the Company files and there sequently re-hired in Galveston aboard the SS "Nor­ was no reference thereon as to why he was not re­ man E. Mack." Reyes admitted that when he went hired. It therefore is reasonable to suppose that he aboard this vessel, he met the Captain under whom was not to be re-hired because he missed the vessel. he had served previously. It is certain if the Com­ Seamen who fail to join their vessels in a foreign port, pany did not want to re-hire Reyes, the Captain would disrupt the work of the crew and are very seldom have known about it and would not have permitted re-hired even on contract ships. him upon the ship. The witness tried to show that the Witness Kamelhar testified that he was employed Petitioner placed him on this vessel without consult­ aboard the SS "Baton Rouge Victory" through his own ing the Company. That is completely untrue. It was efforts. He also was employed aboard the SS "Sea Tri­ the usual custom for seamen to apply at the Company ton," again without assistance from any one. He al­ offices for jobs, as shown by Reyes' own testimony leges that the Petitioner supplied at least 20 men for that he alv/ays procured his positions by applying to the former vessel and the penson he saw with these the Company offices. The Petitioner has introduced 20 men at the Company office was Bill Higgs, allegedly evidence that Reyes obtained employment through an Petitioner's agent. He doesn't know of his own know­ independent shipping office with which the Petitioner ledge, where these 20 men came from. His description had no connection. of Mr. Higgs is defective. He assumed that these 20 "We have to judge the witness' credibility by his repu­ men were supplied by Petitioner and as a matter of tation amongst the persons with whom he associated. fact, the results of the election of the SS "Baton Rouge This witness is characterized by witness Chonder, the Victory" will show that the Petitioner lost the election by a vote of 14 to 21 in favor of the Intervenor. Mr. Higgs testified he was last in Norfolk, Virginia in 1944 long before this alleged incident. This definitely shows that this witness is in error and his testimony is based solely on guesses and assumptions. The testimony of witness Trenhath .should not be given the dignity of comment because this person ap­ parently appeared to bo a mental case. His testimony was confusing and in the writer's opinion, a figment of this man's lurid imagination. His entire attitude on the witness stand was a disgrace and he had to be reprimanded repeatedly by the Hearing Officer to ob­ serve some decorum. In the face of this scarcity of anything approaching valid proof, the Petitioner was hard put to meet any­ thing as intangible as the Inteiwenor's case. Petitioner made available and brought to the Hearing to tes­ tify, all persons mentioned by Intervenor's witnesses as having had anything to do with the organizational drive on behalf of the Petitioner. Petitioner has shown by its' testimony that there is no foundation of fact to the Intervenor's objections and it even produced some of Intervenor's own members that they obtained jobs '&t6An>,oie i2€D HAIR .... without the aid or assistance of any one and in some instances they were hired even though they admitted belonging to the National Maritime Unon. Intervenor made qute a fuss about a Mr. Wright, who was supposedly employed in the personnel de­ partment of the Company in its New Orleans office. Petitioner has proved not only by its own witnesses but by the Intervenor's witnesses that Mr. Wright never was employed as a personnel man in the New Orleans office. During the course of the Hearing, Intervenor's coun­ sel repeatedly attempted to have the Petitioner sub­ poena the Company employees. Counsel for the Peti­ tioner on several occasions requested the Company to submit its employees to testify but with no success. ..Certainly if the Company favored Petitioner, it would have cooperated to at least this extent. Burden of Proof The burden of proving its allegations as set forth in the objections, rests on Intervenor who alleges them and it was at liberty to subpoena the Company emploj'ees as it had nothing to lose by this procedure. However, Intervenor's counsel tried to shift the bur­ den of not proving its (the Intervenor) case to the Petitioner. Petitioner feels very strongly that the bur­ den of proof had not been met by the Intervenor and therefore the Petitioner was under no legal duty to at­ tempt to rebut issues not sufficiently established by the Intervenor. The Company witnesses were equally available to the Intervenor who has the primary duty of coming forward to establish the validity of its ob­ jections. The witnesses Petitioner did produce definite­ ly showed that there was no collusion or agreement to discriminate against the Intervenoj'. They were truth­ ful and hone.st. It is true that they all were or at the present time are employees of the Petitioner, but thc^' were the only persons mentioned by the Intrvenor in its direct case. Both Unions adopted the same normal practice of flooding the Company hiring halls with men and get­ ting organizers aboard ships to urge seamen to vote for their respective Unions, and the fact that the Pe­ titioner was more successful in its efforts than the Intervenor, is, of course, no reason to order a new election. There has beerj no evidence .submitted that the Company knowingly permitted Petitioner's organ­ izers to go aboard a ship and refused permission to the Intervenor's organizers. On the contrary, organizers from both Unions were formally prohibited from goin.g aboard these ships. It is our contention that Intervenor's objections were not proved. The first paragraph of these objec­ tions states, "the employer aided and assisted the Pe­ titioner, Seafarers' International Union of North Amer­ ica, AFL, by entering into an agreement with said Pe­ titioner, whereby petitioner would be permitted to furnish crewmembers for the employer's vessels, and the employer would deny such employment to the members of the National Maritime Union for the pur­ pose of insuring that petitioner obtain a majority of the votes cast in said election and thus be certified as collective bargaining agent." The record contains not an iota of evidence, direct or circumstantial, of any such agreement. The second paragraph alleg«s that the employer did "discriminate against members of the National Mari­ time Union and give preferential treatment to the (Continued on Page 9) �Friday. May 23, 1947 THE SEAFARERS Page Nine LOG Asks SlU CertWtution As Collettive Bargainmg Agent (CoutiunrJ from Page 8) members of the Seafarers' International Union of North America, and in so doing, aided and assisted the Seafarers' International Union. No proof has been submitted either directly or in­ directly in support of this allegation. The third paragraph alleges that "the employer in­ terfered with its employees' freedom of choice of col­ lective bargaining agent by aiding and assisting the Seafarers' Internatonal Union, and in giving prefer­ ence of employment to the members of the Seafarers' International Union of North America, and by so doing, discouraged membership in the National Maritime Union of America, and influenced its employees to cast their votes in favor of the Seafarers' International Un­ ion and against the National Maritime Union." There is not one bit of credible evidence to support this allegation. No Credible Witness The fourth paragraph alleges that the Company "discharged members of the National Maritime Union from their employment, with a view toward influenc­ ing its employees' choice of collective bargaining agent, and did, in fact, by so doing, influence its employees' choice of collective bargaining agent and thereby made a free choice of collective bargaining agent impos­ sible." The Intervener has failed to introduce even one credible witness to testify that he was discharged be­ cause he was a member of the National Maritime Union. The fifth paragraph alleges that the Company "made known its preference for the Seafarers' International Union of North America by encouraging applicants for employment, to become members of the Seafarers' International Union of North America, and at the same time, denied available employment to members of the National Maritime Union, and "thereby interfered with its employees' free choice of collective bargaining agent, and coerced them into supporting the Seafarers' International Union." No evidence has been adduced to show that even one seaman was encouraged to join the Seafarers Inteimational Union nor is there a shred of evidence to show that even one employee was coerced into supporting the Petitioner. The sixtli paragraph alleges that the Company "es­ tablished a policy of denying employment to members of the National Maritime Union and of giving prefer­ ence of employment to the Seafarers' International Union, and that said policy was made known to its employees and prospective employees, all for the pur­ pose of influencing the results of the election and for the purpose of coercing its employees to cast their votes for the Seafarers' International Union, and that said policy did, in fact, influence the results of the elec­ tion and did coerce the employees into voting for the Seafarers' International Union." No proof of any such policy as referred to in this paragraph has been offered in evidence. There has been no competent proof to show that any applicant was denied employment because he was a member of the National Maritime Union. There has not been one instance introduced into ^evidence whereby any em­ ployee was influenced or coerced into voting for the Petitioner. On the contrary, by Intervener's own wit­ nesses, it has been established that Intervener's men did obtain employment with the Company, even though they belonged to the National Maritime Union and in one instance when replacements were sent aboard a vessel, members of all Unions were hired and in another instance, out of 150 men who were emploj'ed in the San Francisco'office, at least 74 men did not belong to the Seafarers' International Union as testi­ fied to by Intervenor's own witnesses. The seventh paragraph alleges that "as the result of the acts and conduct of the employer as herein­ before set forth, the members of the appropriate bar­ gaining unit were in fact denied a free choice of col­ lective bargaining agent and the lesults of said elec­ tion reflect the force of the employer's interference with said election, and that in consequence, said elec­ tion was not conducted in such a manner as to insure a true expression of the wishes of the employees as to the choice of collective bargaining agent." There has been not even a scintilla of evidence in­ troduced showing that any of the employees were denied a free choice of collective bargaining agent and that no force, duress or coercion were used in in­ fluencing its employees in their votes. Petitioner firmly urges that the Intervener has failed to establish even a prima facie case in support of its alleg; iions. Petitioner attempted to introduce a column written by Joseph Curran, President of the Intervenor's Union and published in the "Pilot," during the hearing. This was marked Petitioner's Exhibit 5 for Identification. In this column Mr. Curran, the President, who is the head of the Union and is familiar with all its activities, went to great lengths to explain to the membership why Intervener lost the election. We respectfully sub­ mit that the Hearing Officer was in error when he de­ nied its admission into evidence. The column was not based on hearsay because we have to presume that the President of the Organization knew its business and was writing about facts. His column could not pos­ sibly be called capricious or hearsay and, in any case, should have been admitted as an admission against interest. It clearly shows that the organizers instead of concentrating on the job for which they were being paid, worked on organizing the Union for the benefit of the Communist party and did not devote their time, attention and efforts to unionizing the Company ves­ sels. It is Petitioner's contention as proved by the above column, that these objections were filed merely as an after-thought in an attempt to grasp a straw hoping thereby to show to its membership that the election was lost not because of its organizers' fault but at­ tempts to shift the blame to the Company on the ground of discrimination. According to this article. some discriminatory practices in this Port but with no success. In the Port of Houston, Texas, one vessel voted on May 22nd, 1946, which the Intervenor won. In the Port of Galveston, two vessels voted between April 5th, 1946 and May 9th, 1946, each Union taking one. In Honolulu two ships voted between August 2, 1946 and August 3rd, 1946. Intervenor won both. In the Port of Los Angeles, four vessels voted be­ tween April 2nd, 1946 and April 12, 1946, the Petitioner winning two vessels and the Intervenor winning two vessels. In the Port of Seattle, three ships voted between April 3rd, 1946 and July 24, 1946, the Petitioner win­ ning the election on one vessel and the Intervenor win­ ning the other two. A careful study of the above tabulation fails to dis­ close a National pattern of discrimination or collusion. Out of 2,246 persons eligible to vote. Petitioner re­ ceived approximately 54 percent of the total vote cast. Certainly this percentage doesn't prove collusion or discrimination because if there were collusion, the per­ centage would be much greater in favor of the Peti­ tioner. Dog in the Manger Mr. Curran stated that thousands of dollars were spent in attempting to win the election. Inasmuch as the election was lost. Intervener is attempting to show some excuse for such loss and hence these objections were filed. It is respectfully submitted by Petitioner that this Exhibit should be allowed in evidence. At the opening of the Hearing, Intel venoi alleged that it was going to prove a pattern of discrimination in every port where the Company hired men. Out of thousands of persons who were employed on the Com­ pany vessels from about October 1945 to November 30, 1946, the Intervener has. only produced 27 witnesses. If the discrimination was nationwide and of such scope so as to affect the election, certainly there would liter­ ally have been hundreds of witnesses to testify to such discriminatory practices. A tabulation of the time and ports where the ships voted, show the following: In the Port, of New York, 23 ships voted between April 2nd 1946 and August 28, 1946. Of these. Peti­ tioner won 17. There has been no evidence submitted by the Intervener that discriminatory practices were prevelant in the J'ort of New York. In the Port of Baltimore, 8 ships voted between April 3rd and June 12th, ^1946. Of these, the Petitioner won six. There has been no factual proof of discrimination in the Port of Baltimore. In the Port of San Francisco, 10 ships voted between March 30th, 1946 and June 18th, 1946. Of these the Petitioner won four ships. This Port -was supposed to be one where di.scrimination was rampant. Results prove differently. In the Port of Boston, 7 ships voted between April 5, 1946 and August 16, 1946, of which Petitioner won six ships. The Port of Boston was not even mentioned in- the testimony. In the Port of Norfolk, three ships voted between April 12, 1946 and May 15th, 1946, the Inlervenor win­ ning all three. Intervener did not prove any discrimina­ tory practices in this Poid either. In the Port .of Philadelphia, five ships voted between April 5, 1946 and August 8, 1946, of which Petitioner won all ships. There has not been any mention of discriminatory practices in Philadelphia. In the Port of Savannah, three ships voted between May 4th, 1946 and November 17, 1946, of which the Intervenor won two. This is the Port where Inter\erior attempted to show discriminatory practices in hiring of seamen aboard the SS "Samuel Mclntyre." Inter\ enor won this vessel by 27-1. In the Port of Charleston, two vessels voted between March 29th, 1946 and April 28, 1946, of which Peti­ tioner won one and Intervenor won one. There has been no evidence whatsoever as to discriminatory prac­ tices in Charleston. In the Port of Pensacola, Florida, four ships voted, of which Petitioner won three. There has been no mention of discriminatory practices in this Port. In the Port of Wilmington, North Carolina, one ves­ sel was voted on April 9th, 1946, which Petitioner won. There has been no mention of discriminatory practices in this Port. In the Port of Wilmington, California, one vessel voted and both Unions were tied in the outcome of the elf ction. There is no mention of discriminatory prac­ tices in this Port. In the Port of Mobile, Alabama, one vessel voted on March 29th, 1946, which the Petitioner won. There has been no mention of discriminatory practices in this Port. In the Port of New Orleans, seven vessels voted be­ tween March' 29th, 1946, and July 20, 1946. Petitioner won six vessels. Intervenor has attempted to show The only "pattern" that can be spelled out from both the evidence adduced by the Intervenor and the analy­ sis of the voting by ports would appear to be the in­ ability of the Intervenor to garner a sufficient number of seamen to vote for it rather than for the Petitioner. Approximately one and one-half years has elapsed since the filing of the petition by the Petitioner and much money and effort were spent by both Unions in trying to organize the unlicensed personnel of the Company. Inasmuch as the Intervenor has lost the election, it is now assuming a dog-in-the-manger atti­ tude; if the Intervenor cannot represent the employees, it doesn't want any one to represent them. It is trying to pursue the same tactics in this case as it did in the Esso Tankers election, knowing full well that the Board is suffering from a lack of money and man power and it is the Intervenor's fervent desire to ham­ string the certification as much as possible knowing that if a new election were ordered, it would take at least two or three years. We sincerely and urgently call upon this Board to dispose of this matter at the very earliest moment po.ssible by dismissing the objections filed by Intervenor. We cannot over-emphasize the insubstantiality and vagueness of either the objections themselves or the proof adduced in their support. Nor can we over­ emphasize the uniqueness of elections in the mari­ time industry. Past experience in such elections has been such as unfortunately to encourage dilatory tactics such as those employed by Intervenor here. It is in the very nature of such elections that they consume ex­ tensive periods of time in their preparation, conduct and subsequent inve.sligation, and losing unions would seek to exploit that circumstance by abusing the Board's normal procedures in the hope that before the Board could determine the issue loo much time would have elapsed to make a certificate effective or desirable. There is another aspect of labor relations in the mari­ time industry which adds to their uniqueness and which, we submit, should weigh heavily in the Board's decision in like the instant one. We refer to the fact commonly known and judicially noticeable that the usual Ameri­ can seaman is not easily "coerced" by anything his employer does or seeks to do. This is true for two rea­ sons: First, the industry attracts bold and vigorous spirits; the American seaman is not easily bulldozed or intimidated. Second, the seaman is not tied to one cjnployer in the same manner or to the same degree as is the average emploj-ee in the great preponderance of other industries. Indeed, the universal, general prac­ tice is to ship out on different vessels under different ownership or management, and the record in this case I'eflects that practice. It is a rare exception for any seaman to sign up with the same ship after he had completed a voyage. And this circumstance, which greatly minimizes the coercive power of maritime em­ ployers over maritime employees, is entitled to even more than usual weight in this case because during the period of the instant election there was a con­ spicuous dearth of manpower in the American maritime industry which gave to the seamen that much more resistance to any offensive employer action and which gave to the employer that much less opportunity to attempt such action. THEREFORE, your Petitioner respectfully prays, that the objections interposed by the Intervenor, be dis­ missed and that the Petitioner be certified as the collecti\-e bargaining agent for the unlicensed personnel of the Company. Respectfully submitted, BENJAMIN B. STERLING and HENRY KAISER (of Counsel) Attorneys for SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA �Fada%.,MeiX 23. 19« Pag» Taw SHIPS'MimnES AMD NEWS THEY WERE PAID GLOWING TRIBUTE vr,v-:>;r-^y:. •" ^••V.v -V,' r^s-vVx SS Dixon Sign-On Delayed 24 Hour& As Baltimore Port Steward Crosses Crew You may be able to fool the crew of the SS Ben Dixon once —but don't try it a second time. A guy who made a second try failed and caused a 24-hour delay in. the sign-on aboard the vessel in Baltimore last week. In the center of the situation was the Bull line Port Steward in Baltimore. Prior to the Dixon's last trip, he promised the crew he would bring ,a much-needed percolator aboard. The crew graciously accepted his word. But the vessel sailed without the coffee-makcr and on the voy­ age to Puerto Rico and return the crewmembers brewed a thorough disgust for the Port Steward's promises. At the sign-on last week, the Port Steward tried his oncesuccessful stunt again. He prom ised to provide the percolator and a toaster after the sign-on. Deck Gang of Hibbing Viciory made "a clean ship out of a dirly one. in first row is Sam Luttrell who submitted pholos to LOG. Man. fourth from left Hibbing Victory Crew Wins Praise; Commended For Good Unionism NIX ON THAT "The dickens with that stuff,' said the Dixon men, while they refused to sign-on until the needed items showed up. Even the shipping commission­ er and the doctor showed signs of irritation over the Port Stew­ ard's delaying tactics. Mean­ while, the crew stuck to its guns. No percolator, no sign-on, they maintained. Eventually the Steward ful­ filled his promise. But as Julio Evans, the Dixon's Deck Dele­ gate pointed out, it would have been cheaper for him had he been a man of his word. "Because we couldn't take the Port Steward at his word," Dix­ on said, "the incident cost the company half a day off for the whole crew next day—plus the percolator and toaster." PORTUGUESE GALLEON STILL SERVES Citing their "excellent work" and demonstrations of "good Unionism," the Skipper of the SS Hibbing Victory paid glowing tribute to the crack Seafarers ^crew which manned the Robin line vessel on the South African voyage. The skipper, Cap­ tain Philip G. Beck, revealed his recognition of the crew's merits in a letter "to all un­ licensed personnel aboard" prior to the payoff in Baltimore last The Hibbing Victory complet' ed her trip a model of cleanli­ ness, thanks to the conscientious efforts of her capable crew, who take seriously the words "an SIU ship is a clean ship." Capt. Beck's letter, addressed to "all unlicensed personnel aboard" the Hibbing Victory, fol­ lows: "I take pleasure in commend­ ing all of you for your excellent behavior on this past voyage to South and East and Southwest Africa. "Your work aboard ship has been excellent. The minor socalled beefs were settled in a friendly manner. This all goes to show that you SIU seamen have learned to keep discipline among yourselves. That is good Unionism. "The Stewards Department are to be complimented on a hard job well done and the Deck and Engine Departments are to be complimented also—the Deck De­ partment for making a clean ship out of a very dirty one and the engine men for breaking all speed records from New York to Capetown as well as making the best speed on the African Coast ever heard of, and for keeping the ship running without breakdowns. "Keep up the good work, keep yoin: Union well-thought of, and good luck and many safe and pleasant voyages is the sincere wish of your Skipper. Philip G. Beck, Master SS Hibbing Victory,"' Some of the Black Gang, which set speed record- on African Coast. Ancienl conditions prevail in waters off Portugal. where galleons such as the one above still are in service, according to Seafarer Ray Durbin. Deck Maintenance aboard SS James Dun­ can of the Waterman line. Brother Duncan took picture in Lis­ bon to add to his collection but he wished for a glimpse of the foe'sle to compare to modern standards gained by the SIU. Anti-Labor Bill Denounced Aware that Labor's only pro­ tective weapon—the strike—will be destroyed if the anti-labor legislation now before Congress is passed, the crewmembers of the F. Marion Crawfbrd over­ whelmingly adopted a resolution calling for a joint AFL-GIO 24hour mass protest strike. Meeting at s'ea, the crew gath­ ered 29 signatures to the resolu­ tion- which reads: "In regards tp the vicious antilabor bill that has just recently been passed in the House and Senate and shortly will go to the President for his okay, we the crew of the SS F. Marion Crawford; seeing that our only weapon for protecting our unions —the strike weapon—is going to be taken away, suggest that the SIU get together with all the unions, AFL and CIO, for a 24 hour mass protest strike to stop the passage of this vicious bill." Brother Seeks Lost Papers To the Ediioz: 1 lost my seamen's wallet, con­ taining my Union receipts, dis­ charges and some personal pic­ tures, the latter part of March aboard the SS Cape San Diego. If any Brother should come across this material, I would like for him to forward them to me at the address below. Erwin Cartwright Stuart, Oklahoma •' �Friday, May 23. 1947 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Eleven SIU Ship's Minutes In Brief EL MORRO (Date nol given) Chairman Connelly; Secretary Huddleslon. Crew agreed not to pay off until the Patrolman is on board. Motion carried to have delegates make a list of all needs ^d be turned over to the men staying on. Motion carried to have present Pur­ ser replaced. It was agreed that the pumpman will tzike the dog. Repair list of all three departments attached to min­ utes. S. 4. 3^ FAIRISLE, April 27—Chair­ man Russell: Secretary Willis Woodruff. New Business: Mo­ tion carried that crew buy as little as possible from slopchest. Suggestion that slopchest list be turned over to Patrolman and have it investigated. Good and Welfare: Suggestion that all thermostats be replaced so water in showers and heads can be regulated. Suggestion that all wash water tanks be thoroughly cleaned before ship leaves port again. Suggestion that all overtime sheets of all departments be copied and put on messroom bulletin board so the overtime may be divided equally as near as possible. 5- i S. BENJAMIN WILLIAMS, March 23—Chairman A. Melendez; Secretary S. Furtado. New Business: Motion carried to ac­ cept delegates' reports. Motion carried to have a washing ma­ chine placed aboard. Motion carried to have dogs put on portholes where necessary. Mo­ tion carried to have chairs put in each foc'sle. Motion carried to have a committee see Master on having chairs or benches put in foc'sles. t t 1 BENJAMIN WILLIAMS. April 20—Chairman Martin Rubio; Secretary Juan Ramon Olive. Deck, Steward and En­ gine Delegates reported all okay in their departments. De­ cision to check with port Pa­ trolman about overtime for the Night Cook and Baker for mak­ ing fire in galley. Extra meals to be charged for the Pilot staying aboard aftev the ship had left port. Good and Wel­ fare: Vote of thanks to the Steward Department for the good chow and harmony aboard. / Ybu CAH'PaOMOlX WgARTH€'BM3SC'/ CITY OF ALMA, April 13— —Chairman Red Sully; Secre­ tary F. Barth. Delegates report­ ed all in order in their depart­ ments. Good and Welfare: Suggestion to have a cold sup­ per at least once a week and give the cooks a break. Dele­ gates to give a draw list to the Captain so crew can get money in San Pedro. Steward to get ice cream and limes in Panama. Messmen to make coffee at ten o'clock. Deck and Engine Departments alternate making it in the afternoon. One minute of silence for brothers lost at sea. 4. 3, S. SEATRAIN NEW JERSEY, April 17—Chairman Eddie Mil­ ler; Secretary George Swift. Meeting called to discuss the competency of Chief Steward. After much discussion a vote was taken and the Steward was upheld with majority of crew feeling he was performing his job satisfactorily. ^ X % ALCOA PILGRIM, April 11 —Chairman C. Matheny; Sec­ retary V. A. Lawsin. New Business: Motion carried that all sanitary men get together about cleanliness of laundry. Motion carried that reforms and action be taken concerning re­ ports of conclusion of voyage 18. Black Gang Delegate re­ ported some disputed overtime and crew's quarters need paint­ ing. Stewards Department Delegate suggested that Pa­ trolman be seen about clean­ ing galley and using spray guns instead of paint brushes. WARRIOR POINT. March 3 —Chairman James F. Byrne; Secretary James Gamble. Good and Welfare: Suggestions con­ cerning the improvement of salads and more variety. Also suggested that an inventory of of the Steward's storeroom be made for the purpose of better­ ing the menus. Member of the Engine Department asked for more soap and towels for his department considering the dirtier work done below. Stew­ ard promised to take care of the matter. One minute of si­ lence for brothers lost at sea. 4 4 4 ALCOA PILGRIM, March 2 —Chairman Eric Gronberg; Secretary L. W. Highsmith. New Business: Election of dele­ gates taken care of. Motion made to protest sailing out of New York on nine months ar­ ticles without six months stores. Motion carried to contact Mo­ bile visiting Patrolman and see why there is no report of his visit to the Mobile Marine Hos­ pital. Motion carried to write Mobile Agent to have him rep­ rimand Patrolman supposed to visit the Hospital for not com­ municating with the SEAFAR­ ERS LOG. Repair list made and attached. 4 4 4 F. MARION CRAWFORD, Jan. 6—(Chairman not given) Secretary J. G. Brady. Repair list made up with proviso that all be taken care of before new crew signs aboard. Motion car­ ried that all stores be checked by Steward for his okay and his decision be final. Motion carried that an electric iron and three extra cords be placed aboard for crew's use. Motion carried that hospital and first aid supplies be checked and re­ placements be put aboard. Mo­ tion carried that cups, silver­ ware, glasses, etc., be checked by the Steward and a sufficient supply be put aboard before sailing. Good Deal 4 4 4 MOLINA VICTORY, Jan. 29 —Chairman Molina; Secretary Curtis. New Business: Several members spoke about the food situation claiming that half of the time the food is not cook­ ed the proper way. They think that the Chief Cook is not fit for the job. The Steward prom­ ised better food and coopera­ tion in the future. Motion car­ ried to give the Chief Cook another try at cooking and if it is not improved the Depart­ ment Delegates will notify the Steward so he can put a com­ petent man on the job. Mo­ tion carried to recognize Stew­ ards Department Delegate as the only representative for the benefit of the Stewards De­ partment. Steward asked crew's cooperation in returning their dirty linen for clean. Crewmembers promised their cooperation in the matter. One of the most difficult tasks in connection with writ­ ing is finding a spot for pub­ lication. The task, however, has been made easier for Sea­ farers who have written—or are about to write—stories or articles with a salt water tang. An arrangement has been made with a reputable agency of authors' represen­ tatives, who will read your material without any charge. If the stuff has possibilities it will be brought to the at­ tention of publishers for pos­ sible sale. Send your manuscripts— typewritten, of course — to Carl Cowl, c/o Seafarers Log, 51 Beaver Street, New York 4, N. Y. Enclose a stamped envelope, addressed to your permanent residence to in­ sure safe return in case script is nol up to snuff. 1: i SHI1^ING^OL€3! By he shippmq riiles C4;ere draujti up and,adofted ITU the ruentbearsliip provide an ord&rl-q and.fair job procedure. Learn titem and save (yourself a possible beef-. CUT and RUN By HANK Jobs, jobs and more jobs. Our New York Hall is lull of thejn up on that board and down there in Tampa, Florida, shipping is real good, too. Well, with shipping so eas\' it means you brothers don't have to knock yourselves out waiting a few weeks and hope­ lessly dreaming of getting out soon. It's better, indeed, to be on some ship going somewhere then it is to be in the hall going nowwhere—just waiting for those miracle trips to come up on the board. All you have to do is grab those jobs, brothers, and get all that waiting and wishing and moaning over with. And don't forget to take a few small bundles of LOGS with you for distribution in those foreign ports to other SIU ships hungry for the latest LOGS, those unorganized ships (including tankers) and to the favorite bars. 4 4 4 There's anoiher important thing to remember. Don't foul up the ships and the other brothers who really want to sail the ships. If you grab a ship, stay on her—don't run off the ship a few days later or just before she sails. A ship, no matter hov/ old or how new she looks, will be your home—the kind of a home you want it to be—if you make it that way. But some guys have the regrettable and jidiculous habit of exploding their thinking machines over the smallest things or they just have a permanent hate of work, cleanliness, etc. Your jobs can only be done one way—the right way. There's no sense and no reason for violent arguments, passing the work to the other guy, getting gassed up and making a big racket aboard ship, and a lot of other things which foul up a ship—by a few independent brothers. 4 4 5About a week and a half ago, Brother Abe Rappaport, the electrician, came in smoking a cigar and confessing, amongst other things, that he had recently finished 22 round trips on the SS Florida . . . Steward Jack Rankins sailed out of New York re­ cently . . . Brother H. Monahan and Brother Henry Murranka just came in from a trip of voluntary organizing those unorganized seamen. Good work, fellas . . . Joseph De George, the mustached Beau Brummell, said that his shipmate, oldtimer Chuck Allan just shipped out recently. With these rainy days anyone's liable to do anything . . . Brother Herbert Braunstein and Brother "Chink" Leon White just grabbed a few bundles of LOGS and shipped oat on a tanker for quite a long trip. Bon oi-ganizing, brothers—and thanks for promising us a letter or two while you're hitting those ports . . . Electrician E. Edginton and his mustache just came in from a trip. And he's ready to go out on another one, as usual . . . To Brother Monte Blue up in Sparta, Illinois; how about writing in immediately to the fourth floor baggage room telling them what you want done with your forgotten baggage . . . Brother Raymond Sparrow, who has a fine way of speaking, like an experienced orator, was in town not so long ago ... A few brothers still in town: Mike Gottschalk, Marshall Dodge, Bosun Bera Smylej; Bosun Sal 'Volpi . . . Norman "Ozzie" Okray just shipped after sweating out a few hospitalized days. 4 4 4 ODD STREETS AND TOWNS SOME SEAFARE'S LIVE IN: Wade Taiom—in ihe fown of Slamps . . . Jim Moras—in Beelhoven Street . . . Eugene T, Jackman—in the town of Marmaduke . . . William Holland—in the town of Bagdad . . . Chester G. Startz—in the town of Mystic . . . Matthew Bruno —in Alabama Avenue . . . Manley E. Johnson—in the town of Sweet Street . . . Clark D. Brown—in New York Avenue . . Fletcher Shiaalut—in Hope Road in the town of Stamps . . . Paul Kent—in the town of Frostproof . . . Samuel Parsons—in the town of Halcyondale . . . Jordan Gerson—on Oriental Avenue . . . George Velich—in Utopian Place. �THE Page Twelve SEAFARERS Friday. May 23. 1947 LOG THE MEMBERSHV Three Shoreside Workers Killed In Two Mishaps Aboard War field To the Editor; Bad luck appears to be hang­ ing over the SS Charles Warfield. While we were in the new­ ly-opened port of Amuay Bay, Venezuela, two longshoremen •were killed and another was ser­ iously injured when the No. 2 port boom fell on them. The Warfield was the first SIU ship to make that port. In Baltimore, a shipyard work­ er was killed when he fell through the covers on the No. 4 hatch and plunged into the lower hold. Wears Crown Log -A' Rhythms I'Blood' On The Marina the usual bauxite run. Since we were only supposed to be out for 60 days, we were stored accord­ ingly. But the voyage is ap­ proaching the 90-day mark, and the chow supply is almost nil. Blame for this situation can be laid to the head man at Alcoa's commissary department. By JULIO BERNARD right on all points and in the coming year I anticipate remark­ able progress- in the maritime field. Well, other than the fact that all hands are glad that the trip is approaching the end, we have nothing to sing about. So will ring "Finished with engines." E. L. DeParlier It was he who gave orders that Chief Steward all Gulf ships be stowed for only SS Charles Warfield a 60-day period. I know of nu­ merous instances where that per­ iod expired before the ships start­ Seafco'ers Log ed the return to the states. The Marina is a slave ship. How else can be defined The sad shape of things. With a skipper unrefined. The Captain is old K , No doubt a Bull line pet. The crew gave him a better name— One he can't forget. We call him And if you He's lacking His manner Has Folks Agog 4-MONTH SUPPLY HOMEWARD-BOUND All ships on the Alcoa bauxite The old Warfield is approach­ run should be required to carry ing the home stretch. We are stores sufficient for at least three months. A supply to last four months would even be more like BAUXi'FC it. It is the crews who suffer most by this policy, -while the Alcoa outfit profits by it. To the Editor: I brought" a LOG home with me. and the folks made such a fuss about it that I've either got to send it home whenever and wherever I hit port, or have you send it to them, I will certainly appreciate it if you will mail the LOG to my No question but that the prac­ home. tice of storing a ship with an in­ Paul Wilkins sufficient amount of stores for Odessa, Texas the voyage is no good. Have read some fair./ recent editions of the_ LOG; and wish to remark on the Agent's Con­ ference agenda. It is strictly all now stopping off in Port of Spain, and the bauxite is four inches thick on the decks. We are Mobile-bound after three months on To the Editor: the "bauxite trail" and all hands Well, here we are in Port Said, are plenty glad to be heading waiting for a pilot. This trip home. This trip has been longer than sure has started out with a bang. We no sooner left Galveston, UNIONISM LEARNED when this skipper started being the Lord Almighty. (Ed. note: Okay. Brother Wilkins. you can relax. The LOG wiM be rolling to^ your home shortly.) Aptly named is Thomas W. Enough of this old phony. King, whose prowess as a He doesn't rate the space. bridge player proves that all is His place is in the "Register." not luck in card competition. Barred from the human race. Brother King has successfully Instead, a word of lusty praise defended his title as the sea For a Carpenter on the scow— going champ against all com­ A top-notch Union Brother. ers. In a record contest aboard Old "Chips'* deserves a bow. the SS Bessemer Victory he topped three other enthusiasts I'm not to good at poetry. by a comfortable margin. King My rhymes and rhythm poor. rarely makes a voyage without But if you take the old Marina; being called upon to make good Leave the Skipper on the shore. his boast that he can take any and all -when it comes to bridge. ALL'S 'COPASETIC Thus far, his scores show he's AT COPACABANA, not talking through his hat. BROTHERS SAY Awaits SIU Contract To Cleanse Isthmian IN SIU SERVES HIM WELL NOW the work done, but will not turn men to. Instead; he has given orders to the Bosun to have our heads and all the sanitbry work done just twice a week—on Wednesdays and Saturdays. This edict has made a situation which is extremel.v difficult- and unsanitary. He also ordered the crew's Messman, who is a food handler, to do sanitary work in his department, twice a week—and keep waiting on us at the same time. HE'S DIFFERENT But his own head and showers, the skipper ruled, are to be cleaned every day. It sure burns mc up to have to sail under men like this. Captain Blood, want the truth. in all virtues. is quite uncouth. Before Master's licenses are is­ sued to people like this skipper, it should first be determined -what kind of pigpens they were brought up in. I have been sailing for 13 years but this is the first time I have seen orders from arty Master call­ ing for sanitary work to be done twice a week instead- of every day. I wil sure be glad, when under the SIU banner we can show men like these how to keep and live clean aboard ship and still get the work done. After fighting the finky cock­ roaches that stayed aboard this Isthmian ship, the SS James D. To the Editor: Trask, we are now using every I was a member of the SIU for contraption known in medical over a year, and I enjoyed being history in an effort to keep our a part of the organization very health. much. The principles of good The .skipper has disputed most unionism I learned then have William G. Lindelof of our overtime in all depart­ helped- me considerably in the SS James D. Trask ments—even his own officers, union I now belong to. Porf Said. Egypt from First Mate down. He wants Due to the death of my father, I had to quit sailing but I will TANKER WHOSE SURVIVORS WERE SAVED BY SEAFARERS always remember the time I spent at sea in SIU ships. En­ closed you will find a contribu­ tion for the SEAFARERS LOG, which I enjoy very much. I would appreciate it if you would send it to my home to better en­ able me to keep in touch with my former shipmates. Last September, the shipping companies and the SIU signed a new contract calling for retroac­ tive payment of all increases. I wonder if you could inform me if' the Calmar Steamship Corpor­ ation signed this agreement; if so where must I bring my claim and what proof must I have to obtain it? Donald Dean Boston, Mass. (Ed. Note: Retroactive pay claims should be presented at Calmar office at 25 Broadway. New York City. Thanks for the Half of the SS Fort- Dearborn as it* was being towed- last- month to Honolulu. Formerly an contribution. A receipt for SUP ship, it was torn in two by Heavy weather 110- miles northeast of Hawaii on- March- 12; same- is already in- the mail, SUP ctewmembera of the SS General Gordon and- SS St. John's Victory raced to the scene, and you ha-ve- bean placed on and effected a-daring rescue of ten men stranded on the bow sectioni THwe of the rescue* ves*sals' small- boats were lost in the attempt. the LOG mailing list). To the Editor: When we arrived down here in Puerta La Cruz, the guy who runs the Copacabana came down to the ship and gave each of us a card. He said, we would have a good time at his bar. Well, he sure lived up to his word—pleasant feminine com­ pany, inexpensive beer and no clips. When some of the boys got feeling good, he took six of them back to the ship in his own car, and didn't charge them a cent. The owner of the place, Joe Torrie, is a real good joe—and he ha.s the best place we have come across outside of the States. He is a former seamen, who sail­ ed on American ships and says he was SIU. His place is right outside the dock gates. All the boys are sure to get a square deal here and have a good time, too. Torrie would like the LOG to be sent to the Copacabana; he'll make sure the boys get them. Trevor Lillle Frank Glauer C. A. Lester (Ed. note:—The Copacabana in Puerta La Cruz. Venezuela, has been placed on the LOG mailing list.) His Heart Belongs To The LOG To the Editor: I am in the old country, visit­ ing my folks. All is Well, but I miss the old LOG. I would like very much to know what goes on in the Union and to hear about the member­ ship and their doings. So if it isn't too much trohble perhaps the LOG- could be sent to me here. Einar Blakstad, Trondheinii' Norway �JFriday, May 23, 1347 THE SEAFARERS LOG A SEAFARER LENSMAN CATCHES LeHAVRE SCENE ; v 'T James F. Byrne, Sleward aboard the SS Warrior Point snapped this "shot" of the He de France, the former German liner Europa, as she lay partially submerged in Le Havre, France. In a heavy gale last January the vessel broke loose from her moorings and smashed into the sunken wreckage of the French liner Paris. Seafarer Crew Has Union Savvy; Makes LaSalle First-Rate Ship To the Editor: same contract we shove in the company s face each and every Very often we read about day. bucko mates and tough skippers. That is why I am taking time out KEEP OUR SHIPS to boost two guys who don't Now, more than ever before, come under these categories. we have lo keep our- ships. And The Old Man is a pretty good the example on this ship is just skate, who has no use for the what the cornpan:^ thro.ws up at the men whom we send to ne­ gotiate new contracts for us. Time and again, the doings of the performers and gashounds come back to the Union. It seems that I have wander­ ed from the main point, which was to tell you that we now have this La Salle running as an ex­ emplary Union ship. So if any­ one piles off here when we get in, my advice is for you to get on. The Steward is Walter SanCoast Guard and respects a Union man. As for the Mate, we think he is one helluva swell guy. This opinion comes fi'om all hands. To begin with, the Mate had a tough break because none of the first crew aboard this ship, SS La Salle, wanted to do any work. Too much time in the gin mills ashore and no time on the ship. Our Union fought hard for the good conditions we have on SlU-contrac^ed ships, and one thing we have to remember is that we, too, sign a contract at the same time. It's the very tos, one of the guys who worked hard during the strike to give you fellows the good chow in the New York Hall. On here it's even better. The La Salle's Chief Cook is Victor Johnson, a guy whose spices and different con­ coctions should be called to the attention of Frenchy Michelet and Jimmie Stewart. We have a few things that need attention when we get in, which is always the story with these reconverted ships. The Mate and the Old Man promise their full cooperation in straightening out things. So from here on in, it looks like smooth sailing with a fine bunch of Union men. Bob Flaherty SS La Salle, At Sea Strict Measures Advocated To Curb Union's Performers To the Editor: It's a strict measure, but some­ We all know that the Seatrain thing has to be done to correct New Orleans is not a Del Norte those practices. or a Del Sud nor an Alcoa Clip­ Strangely enough, some of the per with air conditioning, but performers have just become full 'oy God she is an SIU ship and book members, yet they start has the right to be treated as right off by giving the Union a such. black eye. However, some of the fellows DON'T UNDERSTAND dispatched to the New Orleans They don't seem to appreciate don't seem to realize this. Some the hardships the oldtimers had of them come aboard, take a to put up with to gain the bene­ look around, turn up their noses fits now enjoyed on all SIU and go back to the Hall. Others, who do sign on, go around bragging that they are lAWT \ only aboard for a tropical cruise GOMNA to the "Land of sunshine, beau­ tiful women and Bacardi," and have no intention of fulfilling their duties, the contract, or the established working rules. This they demonstrate when the ship hits the islands. Some­ times the ship is held up from sailing for two or three hours, oecause these good-time boys are too gassed up or too busy with the "ladies of the water­ ships. Some of these fellows front" to make the ship. have never heard of the battles SERIOUS ABUSE the SIU fought in the past. Last trip the Seatrain New These men have been handed Orleans was held up at Havana their books on a silver platter for three hours, and this trip without having to undergo the two men were missing at sailing sufferings many of us have time. borne. This abuse has become so se­ Here's hoping these men wake rious that the crewmembers have up to the fact that the SIU is decided to atterppt some correc­ not a social club or a protective tive measures. association guaranteeing each We have gone on record to member the right to raise hell fine any man $50.00 who, aboard ship. through his own fault, delays Here's hoping they realize the the ship or misses it. SIU is a union and the contracts Such men must pay through we have are to be observed and the nose for their caprices. In not disregarded at will. addition to the fine, we decided Adolfo Capote. that their names and book num­ New Orleans, La. bers will be turned over to the Agent upon arrival in New Or­ leans. Uniform Contract Should Be Considered By Negotiating Committee, Says Brother To the Editor: The idea of uniform contracts for freighters, tankers and pas­ senger ships would seem to me very much in order at the pres­ ent time. I, therefore, offer the suggestion of uniform contracts for consideration of the member­ ship and the committees who will do the negotiating for our next contracts. My purpose in suggesting uni­ form contracts is to enable our to give better service, MISSOURI HOSPITAL Patrolmen and at the same time, to have SHOWS SEAFARER a clearer understanding of the contracts among the membership. IT CAN BE DONE If contracts vary with each com­ To the Editor: pany, the variations often lead to many blind alley beefs. One U.S. Marine Hospital, at least, is making a record for de­ 'SAUCE FOR THE GOOSE . . cent satisfactory treatment of What may be overtime in one seamen. I refer to the institu­ company may not be so in an­ tion in Kirkwood, Mo., a suburb other outfit. Often, I have seen of St. Louis, and where I was re­ Patrolmen at their wit's end try­ cently a patient. ing to explain to some member, I have been in other Marine for example, that coaling the gal­ hospitals but none have ever ley is overtime in most compan­ compared with this one, headed ies but is not overtime in the by Dr. James Elliot. The doctors Calmar line. And just as often, and staff were tops. The food I have heard the comeback, "Why was good, and served in abund­ the hell is it our contracts are ance—more was available than not all the same?" any person could eat. In fact, Vai-iations in contracts are a you ai-e treated as though you leftover from .the days when the were in your own home. SIU was .a struggling organiza­ This observation is based on tion. Since that time, it .has my two months of confinement grown in strength and to ma­ ?tt .this .hpspitah turity. When .our Union goes to L. G. Wado, Ch. Cook bargain for us it meets with an Page Thirteen attitude that is uniform with all the enemies of labor, when they shipping companies—hostilitj'. tried to get an amendment tack­ ed onto the labor bill in Con­ UNITED ACTION WINS gress to prohibit industry-wide Likewise, it is only the uni­ bargaining. form fight of our Union that It is the position of the SIU compels them to see things our that a seaman's work is stand­ way. If our enemies can isolate ard, regardless of the company our action by piecemeal con­ or the place where he is em­ tracts, full of vai-iations, we are ployed. Since this is so, all com­ vulnerable to attack from many panies should be compelled to directions. have the same contracts with When labor is unified by ac­ the highest possible standards— tion and conditions, it is strong. SIU style. This was well demonstrated bv W, J. Brady Let's Have 'Em This is it. Brothers! Right on these pages is a good place to blow your top. If you've got a beef or some suggestions you think will be of benefit to your Union and your Brothers, why not have it printed in the LOG? If you haven't any steam to blow off. there must be something you've found in­ teresting on your trip tha4 you'd like to pass along for others to read about—char­ acters you meet in the farflung corners of the earth, joints you've found worth CARGO OPERATION IN CAPETOWN The SS Robin Tuxford as she was being unloaded in CapeJown» South Africa recently. Seafarer Joseph TortisL a crewmember. made the photo. seeing and those you feel it advisable for your Brothers to avoid. Why not let all hands profit by your exper­ iences? Maybe you're pretty good at turning out a poem—okay then, lei's have it. Pen and ink sketches are welcome, too. If you've got some photographs of your ship, or shipmates or any "shots" taken in the various ports o'call. send them along. We'll return them. Just mail your material to the Editor. Seafarers Log. 51 Beaver Street. New York 4. N. Y. How about doing it NOW! • I �THE Page Fourteen SEAFARERS Friday. May 23, 1947 LOG SiU Wins 40 Hour Week On Lakes Sandboats (Coiifitincd from Page 1) along with the Seafai'ers' mini­ mum demands, and stated that he would sign a memorandum agreement to that effect with the SIU. The other operators refused to go along with Martin, and so the meeting broke up, with sched­ uled meetings for this week with the Lake Erie operators and later with the Chicago operators. Today, the entire business was settled when Mi". Florsheim, at­ torney representing the combined operators, agreed to go along on th same agreement as the Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Com­ pany had already agreed to. This means that, with the ex­ ception of the historic differen­ tial between the Chicago area It has always been the conten­ and the Lake Erie area, all sand- tion of the Seafarers that politi­ boat opez-ators will pay the same cal activities have little, if any, wage scale, overtime, etc. during place in the Union. 1947. "Little," in this sense, means NEW SANDBOAT SCALE that thei-e is no objection, on Under the terms of the new either a local or national scale, to agreement, the sandboat pay a union approving or condemn­ scale will be as follows; ing the position of politicians and By JOE GRIMES "reward its friends." The Gompeis era was the competitive period of American his­ tory, when newsboys became financier's; grocery clei'ks, chainstore magnates; messboys, steamshipowners (there's an old story about Captain Matson starting his cai'eer with a sack full of butter taken off a three ziiast schooner); when the country was growing, and millionaires were the product of the times rather than the scions of wealth and power. polished machine politician today. LESSER EVIL In its dealings with politics and politicians, labor has always had to accept the lesser evil, in the fozm Of supporting those who would hand out crumbs of repzesentation in returiz for loaves of All 16 Hours political groups on matters persupport. Penalty \taining to labor. Lake Erie Week-end Chicago There are tho.se, and unfor­ Overtime Overtime Scale Scale Rating This in no sense commits the tunately some of thezzi arc found $1.25 hr. union to a blind adherence to $1.00 hr. $221.00 .$226.00 in the z'anks of the Seafarers, who 1.25 hr. any candidate or political party, 1.00 hr. 218.00 223.00 znaintain that the solution of la­ 1.25 hr. and definitely does not in any 1.00 hr. 171.00 176.00 bors problems lies in the forma­ 1.00 hr. 1.25 hr. way obligate the individual mem­ 218.00 223.00 Political candidates were elect­ tion of a "labor party," or the 1.00 hr. 1.25 hr. ber. 218.00 223.00 adoption of the minor league left 1.25 hr. 1.00 hr. Whether he voted or not, and ed by oratory, torchlight parades parties (i. e.: Socialists, Com­ 218.00 223.00 1.00 hr. 1.25 hr. whom he voted for i-emains his and baby kissing. They wooed munists, Trotskyites, etc.). 171.00 176.00 labor and, to a degree, gave la­ 1.00 hr. 1.25 hr. pei'sonal business. 171.00 176.00 This is puie hokuzn, and the 1.00 hr. 1.25 hr. Samuel Gompei's, who more bor I'epresentation. 237.50 242.00 adoption of such a policy would 1.00 hr. 1.25 hr. than any other individual, guided They did it because they had 237.50 242.00 serve only to weaken labor. 1.00 hr, • 237,.50 1.25 hr. the AFL thi'ough its hardest to. Basically the peanut politi­ 242.00 France had its "popular frozzt' 277.50 1.00 hr. 1.25 hr. years and became the guiding cian at the beginning of this cen­ 281.00 Stcwarc and its left wing deputies becazzre 1.00 hr. 1.25 hr. spirit of its policy and program, tury had no more love for labor 210.00 215.00 right wing imperialists over 1.00 hr. 171.00 1.25 hr. called upon organized labor to than the well-groomed, highly 176.00 night. With an appro.ximate week-end England has a so-called labor ovei'time payment of $70 month­ govei-nnzent who celebz'ated their ly, the actual pay of each rating "labor" victory with a znore ruth­ will bo the basic monthly scale less supression of labor than the plus $70, plus all penalty over­ Chuz'chill "aristocrat" govern­ time worked during the month ment ever daz'ed. at $1.25 per hour. The Russian communist gov­ This means that the monthly ernment simply shoots strikers, pay on the sandboats will range By PAUL PARSONS communism but they give you unworthy of our Bz'otherhood. jails any who disagree and calls from a maximum monthly take nothing in, return and later it a day. We have built our Uzzion for Ever since the communist home of $350 to a minimum of laugh at your stupidity. the working men of the seven Eugene V. Debs was a great $240 plus all penalty overtime revolution in Russia, we have Many organizations that wei'e seas, and we have denounced labor leader but, albeit, a failure witnessed the rise of a lai'ge worked. formerly clean of communism any kind of policies except those as a politician. Norman Thoznas, number of organizations which ai-e now commie-dominated, and that benefit the members. Eaz'l Bz'owder, William Z. Foster, SIU FIRST AGAIN are known to be communistuse the old line system of can­ and the other also-ran left wing When and if a majority of the In making his announcement dominated, and which are only vassing membez'ship. And where­ Presidential candidates kept runmembers want disruption with of the latest SIU victory for the interested in fimd raising for as the books of oldtime world nizig year after year but never politics by the communists, then Lakes seamen. Brother Farnen the Party and not in the wel­ worker oi'ganizations were clos­ the Union will be ruined 9s is got anywhere. stated, "Once again the SIU leads fare of the specific oranizations ed to protect the membership They haven't any merchandise the NMU. the field in bringing the best they control. against Stalinites, they are now to trade with and, like the false We stand together, I am sure, It is, of coui'se, more bene­ wages, houi's, conditions and con­ found to be open to anyone at to denounce any of these and prophets, "can only lead the ficial to the Party if the commies tracts to the Lakes seamen. low prices, leaving the oldtimers to insure the protection of the blind to destruction." infiltrate world worker organiza­ out in the cold. "Back in 1942, the SIU won The main political parties meznbezs from any set that tions and not just local ones— the 40-hour week for all fit-out (Democrats and Republicans) I wish to reznind the member­ wants to dictate its own poli­ but they also disrupt local ones. and layup woi'k, with payment have the merchandise, but only ship that many of these phony cies to the Union on ship or They successfully infiltrate al of time-and-one-half for all over­ hand out the second rate stuff to fraternities and organizations ashore. When a member is ob­ organizations, fraternities, lodges time work. the workei's. are turned around to look as if ligated in the SIU he pledges and unions where there is a lax It's the old questiozi of being they ai'c unions that have con­ himself to uphold it and its "Throughout the war, the SIU screening of members before between "the Devil and the deep tracts. continued to lead in gaining the they become obligated. membez'ship above all others. blue sea" when unions mix in Whenever you meet one of best possible wages, working and I am suz;e when anyone joins Usually after disrupting and politics. their membez's ask him what living conditions. any other organization, it is the dominating any of these bodies, contracts his organization has same. It is an evident fact that WHAT IS A PARTY? "In April of 1947, the SIU they immediately switch its polwith any._company to earn one cannot serve two masters Technically a political party is broke the 56-hour week on the I icy to the old commie line, and money, or whether he just wish­ and, thezefoze, if any member grouping of persons believing passenger vessels, and now these start to attack workers' unions es to obtain your money for of our Union holds any dual or­ in certain policies, who band to­ Seafarers enjoy a 44-hour week. |sL,ch as ours that stand in their membership to nothing that rep­ ganizational card, his book "Now, in May of 1947, the SIU patth of woi'ld conquest by self resents nothizig but yells down should be pulled fz'om our gether to elect representatives and form a government to their established the first 40-hour week imposed united serfdom and everything and has nothing Union. liking. on the Lakes for the sandboats.' dictatorship. to back itself with. Brothez's, as long as you sail In the case of the Republican The SIU won't rest," continued | We membei's of the SIU have It is my fizm belief that any on our contracted ships, you aze and Democrat parties, the case is Fai'nen, "until we have the. 40-^ fought the commies with every lodge, etc., that is communist- under the flag of the SIU, and that actually the parties are lead­ hour week for all Lakes vessels—I honest weapon available, be- dominated should be blacklisted if anyone on that cez'tain ship ership groups who sell an idea. sandboats, bulk freighters, tank-; cause they stand for termite tac- until it washes its own dirty belongs to any of these sets | cash in with political jobs and ers, and passenger ships on the tics of deteriorating the soul linen and cleanses itself of Com­ znentiozied, advise him to eithei-1 patronage, serving those who Lakes. and mind of the working man. munism, and any of its members denounce them or turn in his have and who put up the dough "That's our goal, and nothing We, of course, are one of on our ships should be thrown book. to operate their political ma­ can stop us from achieving it, their main tai-gets, because we off, or turn in their other books We sail with the Seafarers In­ chines. plus the best wages, and contracts have been the greatest bulwark or cards. ternational Union and not any The Fascist and neo-fascist that we have always enjoyed.' against communism among sea­ Any member of the SIU who other, and we will not tolerate gz-oups (Gerald L. K. Smith, etc.) farers the world over. does not uphold' the SIU on or accept any policies of decad­ exist on racial and z-eligious Therefore, we have to keep contracted ships and tries to re- ent would-be worker's ozgani- hatred, and use political cam­ our eyes open all the time, be­ place contracted policies for zations pretending to repz'osent paigns as a means of spreading cause when they are defeated those of his own should imme­ men they actually fleece and their hatred and cashing in they only tiy another angle, such diately have his book pulled re­ cheat. through donations from moneyed All applications for SIU as having you join some lodge gardless of what the policy is. There is no use of further ex­ bigots. burial benefits must be mailed or fraternity for small dues and The members of this Union pense to the members when they The Socialists, Comznunists, to: large promises that never mater­ have voted democratically for have the best with our own dues. etc., have created religions and JOSEPH VOLPIAN ialize. the policy that now carries, and We will continue to stand fast demand blind unquestioning ac­ Special Services Dept. I would like to call on every any individual or group disrup­ against all attempts at disrup­ ceptance of their creeds, different Seafarers Intl. Union member to watch for these men ting that policy, whether they tion and shall protect our mem­ though they may be. 51 Beaver Street everywhere and unhesitatingly be Commies, Trotskyites, So­ All of them profess Karl Marx bers so that we may progress New York 4. N. Y, denounce them, because they cialists, IWWs, Democrats or Re­ ever forward together in the fu­ as their Patron Saint but from £3 not only take your fees for publicans should be classed as ture, as we have in the past. {Continued on Page IJ) Beware Of Misleading Ideologies, Is Brother's Warning To Seafarers Attention Agents �Friday. May TIS. 1947 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Filieen Headquarters Reports To Membership If All Ships Delegates should It was also recommended in Branch be transferred to the (Continued from Page 3) . sailed, or the ship should be check the shipping cards of, all 'Gonterence that Port .ot 'of Galveston, ^ . . e bought back to a port where the Agents • •Gonterence t^aiveston, where wnere they iney members shipping on SIU ships Board foi a hearing m Sun Oil gjy the when situations like this arise, will work under the supervision Tankers and this hearing Secretary-Treasurer of the Galveston Agent, and that and if they do not have a ship­ ^heduled in Philadelphia for previously gone on rec-1 bring these actions before the the Port of Houston be covered ping card from the Union Hall, they should not be allowed to ^ c u ord not to pull any job actions j membership. This is now being from Galveston. The Organizing Staff has gone . ^ ^^ • ,i • .u '.i ship aboard an SIU vessel. This leaves one branch in the , iu ™ in foreign ports, especially m the done, down the line with the economy ^ . Along with the economy pro­ A recommendation was ac­ Te.xas area. However, it puts program and has reduced its Or- i ° pain. gram, the Headquarters Offices ganizing staff accordingly. This Another beef that is coming cepted at the last meeting by the four elected officials in the Port has further reduced its staff has been done with the thought "P regular from all ports is 'the membership in all ports to close of Galveston where all ports since the last meeting. the Branch of Poi't Arthur. This can be covered from that port in mind that the Isthmian Drive authorization of overtime. Inasmuch as the closing of the In a number of instances. is being done and the elected is practically over and that all . in Texas Ports involves the organi­ Branch Officials must cooperate members of the unlicensed per- Agent of that port will be zational drive in those Ports, in every manner with the Or- sonncl have bought in overtime transferred to the Port of New Paul Hall, Director of Organi­ ganizers in order to keep up vvhich they claim was authorized Orleans where he will replace zation, has been instructed to the efficiency of this Staff in by the Heads of the Departments on appointed official. meet me in the Port of Galves­ Jack Parker, Galveston Agent, future organizing activities. | and which the Heads of the ton where we will attend the recommends that the sub-branch It is to be pointed out to all Departments deny authorizing, regular meeting in that Port and make a survey and work out officials that a heavy organiza-1 This develops into an argu- of Corpus Christi be closed and that that area be covered by plans so that the organizational tional drive is still underway ment between the Union and the the Galveston Branch. drive will not be hampered in and to insure the best results, operators as to who is telling Charles Haymond, Houston the Texas area. they are instructed to cooperate the truth and often when it is Agent, has recommended that and to accept as part of their in the Stewards Department, regular duties all organizing act-, there is an argument between the Port of Houston be closed. ivities in their respective ports, two SIU members. Upon the strength of the rec­ At other times, it may bring ommendations from the respec­ with the same efficiency and a Tops In The Bridge Beefs about a dispute between one tive ports listed above, it is hell of a lot less expense. The Manrope Knot, an Alcoa another. Therefore, hereby recommended that in­ NEW YORK—In my day I've All members making ships in ship, was anchored out from the •recommended that every asmuch as there is no elected the Texas Ports must be shipped payed off and signed on a lot of loading berth in the Port of niember in the unlicensed per- official in the Port of Corpus j through the Galveston Hall. It ship.s. In the course of this I've Spain, Trinidad, for 1.5 days. The sonnel request a slip authoriz- Christi, that that Port be closed tj; tiierefore recommended that ran across all kinds of skippers, crew refused to move this ship I overtime at the time he immediately. any man who ships on a ship in if I to choose one who I makes it, as per the agreement. It is further recomended that any Te.xas Port who has not thought was tops I have my seuntil such a time as the com­ the Houston Branch be closed shipped through the Union Hall, Section all ready. pany pulled the Skipper off. Canadian District at least temporally and that the in Galveston be classed as a fink He is Gus Anderson, Master of It is evident that this old man the SS Robert Stuart, South At­ The Canadian District of the two elected officials from that, and dealt with as such. is a buckaroo Skipper. The en­ lantic Steamship Company. Cap­ tire crew of the ship, including SIU has offices in Monti-eal, tain Anderson is a real oldtimer, all officei's, are in favor of get­ Canada. All Seafarers arc urged having sailed the seas for about to contact Gene Markey at 1440 ting him off the ship. 40 years, and during the long However, the crew should Bleury Street, and give him any time I've known him I've never have taken their beef up in the heard of him giving anyone a Port of Mobile before the ship hard time. And I've never heard of any of his crews saying a bad word about him. He is probably one of the best known skippers in maritime, as ASHTABULA 1027 We.st Fifth St. "It's Tommy this and Tommy {Continued From Page 14} it seems that every oldtimer in Phone 5523 that. BALTIMORE 14 North Gay St. him on they follow different the business has sailed with him And chuck his out, the brute, Calvert 4539 paths—for exam.ple, the Com­ at one time or another and they • But he's 'Saviour of his coun­ BOSTON 276 State St. munists that of Russian National­ all go to bat for him. Boudoin 4455 try,' ism and the Socialists that of BUFFALO 10 Exchange St. When the guns begin to GOOD UNION MAN wishful international dreaming. Cleveland 7391 shoot." Captain Anderson is a good CHICAGO 24 W. Superior Ave. That there can be no possibility And the same applies to labor. union man himself in the MM&P, Superior 5175 of any combination of these CLEVELAND 1014 E. St. Clair Ave. aid that you can in his efforts When the wheels stop turning,'and always give 100 per cent co­ forming a labor party is shown Main 0147 to organize the Canadian Sea­ in answer for an application for' fields remain unfilled, and operation to the Patrolmen at CORPUS CHRISTI . . 1824 Mesquite St. production ceases, and hell can't the payoffs doing whatever he Corpus Christi 3-1509 men on the East coast. membership in the Socialist Since he has been there, some party: a question as to v/hat hap­ ' stop labor from getting what it can to insure an easy time for all. DETROIT 1038 Third St. Cadillac 6857 of the men from a couple of wants. I handled a payoff of the Stuart pens to one who disagrees in the DULUTH 531 W. Michigan St. ships have been gassed up and The left wing politicians call the other day and Captain An­ j Communists, and a question as — Melrose 4110 the acceptance of trade union this a political general strike, derson was right there helping GALVESTON 308'/a—23rd St. have been giving him a bad time and a prelude to revolution and out wherever he could. He told Phone 2-8448 instead of cooperating with him. policy to a Trotskyite. the seizure of power. HONOLULU 16 Merchant St. me the crew on the Stuart was The Hall in Montreal will be The Socialist replied, I cannot Phone 58777 The right wingers call it an­ the best he had ever had. very beneficial to the Seafarers accept your application for mem- archy. insurrection and a lot of HOUSTON 1515 75th St. Not one of the crew was ab­ because you disagree Wentwarth 3-3809 as a whole and representation bership other things. sent and all were sober. The JACKSONVILLE 920 Main St. will be given to SIU contracted ^j^h the Socialist Partv. The workingman who has been delegates had all overtime sheets Phone 5-5919 ships hitting that port. The Communist said. There; on :picketlines calls it damn good , typed up and everything was •MARCUS HOOK 1 >/s W. 8th St. Chester 5-3110 can be no disagreement among common sense, economic action in readv for the smooth payoff that Economy Program MILWAUKEE 633 South 2nd St. Communists, party discipline is •defense of his inalienable rights, followed. MOBILE 1 South Lawrence St. Most of the ports have been paramount. | America and the American I guess he set an example for Phopj 2-1754 following the economy .program And the Trotskyite stated. If system is a hell of a lot better the crew, as the ship was one of MONTREAL 1440 bleury St. out at the last Agents' the union were to adopt a posi- Ihan anything thus far estabNEW ORLEANS 339 Chartres St. laid the cleanest, and easiest I've ever Magnolia 6112-6113 Conference and which was ac­ tion contrary to my tenets I lished. handled. If the Maritime indus•NEW YORK 51 Beaver St. cepted by the membership. would lie forced to give up my| Pie in the sky dreams are all ti-y had more Captain Andersons HAnover 2-2784 However, the Port of Boston union membership. • right for the dreamy-eyed spitoon' the life of a seaman would be NORFOLK 127-129 Bank St. Phone 4-1083 seems to nonconcur with every Thus none of the three repre- philosophers or the patronizing the best. PHILADELPHIA 9 South 7th St. recommendation in reference to sentaive left wing groups make iritellectual, but workingmen 3 Jimmy Sheehan Lombard 3-7651 cutting expenses in that par­ any pretense of democracy. j standards are measured in terms , PORT ARTHUR . . 909 Fort Worth Ave. ticular port. They have gone m • • xu o • 1- X X of bigger and better pork chops. Phone 2-8532 To join the Socialist party one ^ x i1 i , „ , , . .more comfortable homes, better PORTLAND Ill W. Burnside St. on record at several meetings mu.st agree ,beforehand to theiri _ conditions and the opportunity t:i Beacon 4336 there to put on additional help. philosophy. RICHMOND. Calif 257 5th St. However, Headquarters has live an all around bettor life. DOMINIC ZAPPIA Phone 2599 To be a Communist you must These things can all bo obtainnever been directly contacted SAN FRANCISCO 105 Market St. Your mother has recently' un­ cease to think when told you are by the judicious use of labor's Douglas 5475-8363 from that port in regards to put­ dergone an operation and your power through the medium of SAN JUAN. P. R. ... 252 Ponce de Leon ting on additional men. parents are very anxious to hear San Juan 2-5996 In a question as to union policy his democratic trade unions, It is pointed out that the from you. SAVANNAH 220 East Bay St. versus Trotskyism, the political Anything from a job action to Agents Conference went on recPhone 8-1728 J. i- J. number of belief comes first regardless of a general strike can take place SEATTLE -86 Seneca St. oi'd that, when a CHARLES J. BROWN. JR. what union membership decides. within the existing U. S. form of Main 0290 ships are paying off or traffic government. Your father has a very import­ TAMPA 1809-1811 N. Franklin St. is heavy in a particular port, ECONOMIC ACTION iPhone M-1323 These actions give labor rep­ ant message for you. temporary men be put on ac­ TOLEDO eiS Summit St. resentation and win labor bat­ Its the old story of being wash­ 4- i i WILMINGTON 440 Avalon Blvd. cordingly. tles. Economic action is educa­ N. J. WUCHINA ed in the blood of the lamb, tak­ However, in the Port of Bos­ Terminal 4-3131 A letter from your wife re­ VICTORIA, B.C 602 Boughton St. ton, they still have more men ing the sawdust trail and letting tional rather than revolutionary, Garden 8331 education for the legislator in quests that you get in touch with on the payroll than was rec- faith do the rest. VANCOUVER 144 W. Hastings St. "Washington as well as the work­ her immediately to sign some Kipling, in his famous soldier commended by the Agents ConPacific 7824 er on the job. very important papers. poem "Tommy" wrote, fei'ence. The Patrolman Says: SIU HALLS PERSONALS IS �Page Sixleen THE SEAFARERS Friday. May 23. 1947 LOG LAKHS'SEAMEN! NJUO 'rv '.^1 vc- COMPAMYW/MWAIH) OHFIT A VNION COHTSai£S> BYARJUTICALPAiaYf h-; « \' o A free democratic uwion tHct has qottg4^ fhe AmeK/caii seaimeKt ffi hiqhest ooacjes and bestconc/ito m the historti op ooorld mar/'tim* xlOIN tk SEAF/initS am.(MIM ... and qet for qourselveo the conditions, job securitq and represenitrhon thdteMerq SlU contract quaranl^s. •, � 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 May 23, 1947 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 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. IX, No. 21 Description An account of the resource Headlines: SEAFARERS WINS FIRST 40 HOUR WEEK ON LAKES SIU FILES BRIEF BEFORE NLRB ON ISTHMIAN CASE CANADIAN VESSEL SLAVE SHIP; THEN SIU STEPS IN NLRB ANNOUNCES MEETING DATE ON SUN OIL ELECTION PETITION OVERLAKES PURCHASES NINE FREIGHERS FOR LAKES, OFF-SHORE RUNS ANOTHER TRY AT IT PAYOFF PERFORMERS DISRUPT THE UNION MACHINERY AND JEOPARDIZE EFFORTS OF ENTIRE MEMBERSHIP LAKES SEAMEN HAVE ONE QUESTION: WHEN WILL THE SIU REPRESENT US LAKES SEAMEN VISIT SIU HALLS, GET THEIR QUESTIONS ANSWERED THE ONLY BEEFS IN SAN JUAN ARE THE EATING KIND PLENTY OF JOBS FOR SEAFARERS IN CALIFORNIA PROSPECTS POINT TO NO LET UP IN BOSTON SHIPPING AND BUSINESS TAMPA SHIP CHANDLERS DISCOVER THAT SEAFARERS HAS LONG MEMORY PENNSYLVANIA BILLS ARE DESIGNED TO PUT THE AFL OUT OF BUSINESS GALVESTON BRANCH SETTLES BEEF ON NEWLY SIGNED CANADIAN SHIP INFRACTIONS OF SHIPPING RULES PUT UNION, MEMBERSHIP ON SPOT WYANDOTTE AND HURON CREWMEN FOR SEAFARERS ALMOST TO A MAN SIU PRESENTS ISTHMIAN BRIEF TO NLRB SS DIXON SIGN-ON DELAYED 24 HOURS AS BALTIMORE PORT STEWARD CROSSES CREW HIBBING VICTORY CREW WINS PRAISE; COMMENDED FOR GOOD UNIONISM BEWARE OF MISLEADING IDEOLOGIES, IS BROTHER'S WARNING TO SEAFARERS Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 5/23/1947 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America 1947 Periodicals Seafarers Log