http://www.seafarerslog.org/archives_old/files/original/96874dcd366b0daa3473f5e31ebb49a9.PDF 7e07740a194c61cace42831577e473a5 PDF Text Text tl •• '"S •••,-••* '^.'^ri.^^" ' Official Organ of the Seafarers International Union of North America VOL. IX. I' I k li* ' NEW YORK. N.Y.. FRIDAY. JULY 11. 1947 ^ No. 28 'f, iSeafarers Wins Another; Wyandotte Fleet Goes Sill By 68 Percent Majority The AFL conference of union heads to outout­ line an offensive against the vicious Taft-Hart­ ley Act was held on Wednesday, July 9, in Washington, D. C. Attending the meeting for the Seafarers International Union were Paul Hall, First Vice-President and Acting President in the ab­ sence of Harry Lundeberg, and Morris Weisberger, Second Vice-President. Brother Lunde­ berg is out of the country on business. The conference adopted a fighting program, one which will require the cooperation of every union and every union member. A story on the meeting, plus the full text of the policy statement which was unanimously adopted, appears on page 16. 7 DETROIT, July 8—The Seafarers steamroller in the Great Lakes gath­ ered momentum today as the unlicensed seamen of the Wyandotte Transpor­ tation Company completed balloting on their four ship fleet and hung up an mpressive two-to-one victory for the SIU. A total of 47 votes, or 68 percent •f those^ cast, were counted in the SIU column. This marks the second victnrv victory on the Lakes since the 1947 season started, with Huron Transportation Com­ pany voting for the Union during the month of June. * Field Examiner Ruth Green-t berg conducted the election for the NLRB and Assistant Organi­ zational Director Paul Warren acted as observer for the SIU. Due to the fact that they had al­ ready begged olT the ballot •• • Somewhere, perhaps hidden in who realize that the Gorman' This bill is a stab in the back through fear of an overwhelming defeat, no representatives of thej P|||^ |U||MA|^A one of the Congressional sub­ and Japanese people are suffer- fo American merchant seamen, NMU were present as the Wyan- lUI Iffllllvl O committees, is a bill "To author­ ing from a lack of protein in I By threat of economic action, dotte crews voted. WASHINGTON, July 9 —Ap­ ize the President of the United their diets, and that having fish- the transfer of ships to PanamStarting on June 30, crewproximately 75 percent of the members of the SS Conneaut Honduran registry has States to direct^the United States ing vessels available will aid , . X u.u . been halted, but now comes a were the first to cast their ballots bituminous coal industry yester­ Maritime Commission to charter these people in catching the vast . . , . . , ® bill to make such transfers legal, for the SIU. This ship was voted day signed a contract which certain vessels to persons not quantities of fish which can be under the mask of helping while docked at the Peninsular granted the United Mine Work­ citizens of the United States, and found in the North and Baltic out starving Europeans. ers, AFL, pay raises of 45 cents Salt Works in Wyandotte. for other purposes." Second ship of the Wyandotte an hour, and contained two pro­ Seas. W. D. LOBBYISTS fleet to be voted was the SS Hu­ visions to protect the union from These &re to be chartered un­ But, hidden in the bill, is a Much of the pressure to pass ron. Crewmen on this ship reg­ Taft-Hartley law penalties. der "such terms and conditions x)kor; in fact, two .jokers. this bill is coming right from istered their preference for the The two protections stipulate: as the President shall approve," One of the first provisions the War Department. But, in SIU on the morning of July 1, first, that the miners shall work and ar^ to be confined to states that "the Secretary of War the lobbying to gain support, the while their ship was docked at only "during such time as they "Liberty-type vessels (other than and the Secretary of the Navy, bra.ss hats conveniently neglect the North Plant of the Wyan­ are able and willing to work;" collier and tanker), and vessels respectively, shall be authorized to mention that the others be­ dotte Chemical Corporation at and second, that it will be a vio­ lation of the contract for any op­ designed or convertible for fish­ to transport, in vessels chart­ sides Germans and Japanese will Wyandotte. be allowed to charter the ves­ Then, on the evening of July erator to take court action ing purposes which the ered under the provisions of this sels, and that supplies and equip­ 3, SS Alpena seamen added their against the union. P'resident shall determine are not •ct, supplies and equipment be ment may be transported abroad ballots to those already cast for The first provision defends the necessary to the defense of the longing to the Army or Navy." for American troops in such the Seafarers. Their ship was union against penalties for wild­ transferred ships. United States, or to the promo­ berthed at the North Plant m cat strikes, and the second nulli­ SAFETY ENDANGERED tion and maintenance of an No, the W.D. is puting all its Wyandotte. fies a large section of the newly If this isn't bad enough, fur­ emphasis on the humanitarian Finally, crewmembers of the passed "slave labor" act. American-owned merchant ma­ ther along the bill reads, "The aspects of the bill, and saying fourth Wyandotte ship, the SS rine." The signing of the Mine Work­ Commandant, United States nothing about the consequent Wyandotte, did their share in the On the fact of it, such a bill Coast Guard, is authorized to weakening of the American mer­ ers contract is a clear cut vic­ election by balloting at 10:00 cannot be combatted by those waive compliance with the nav­ chant marine, at the same time A.M. today. They also voted at tory over the Taft-Hartley Act, and proves that the miners were igation and vessel-inspection laws that foreign powers will be the North Plant. right when they walked off the administered by the Coast Guard strengthened and U. S. capitalists Altogether, there were 83 elig- job, declaring, "Let the Senators to the extent and in such manner! allowed to pile up greater promine the coal." (Contimied on Page 6) and upon such terms as may be fits by operating under foreign deemed necessary by him insofar wages and conditions against Almost 500 delegates from as such laws are applicable to which the SIU has battled for American and Canadian ports vessels chartered under the pro­ so long. will assemble Monday, July 14, visions of this Act." American operators can no in New York for the first Inter­ Nowhere does the bill state The Masters, Mates and Pilots, ing holidays, except those fall­ charter-hire Maritime national Longshoremen's Asso­ that vessels chartered to "per­ longer AFL, has negotiated a 5 per ing on Sunday. Commission vessels, but here is ciation Convention since 1943. sons not citizens of the United The new agreement was neg­ cent wage increase for its mem­ a way they can get around the The ILA, which meets in con­ States," cannot then be rechartbership aboard vessels of At­ otiated last week by Capt. Will­ situation, and even turn it to vention every four years, will ered to those people in the U.S. lantic and Gulf operators. iam C. Ash, MMP national vicetheir own_^ advantages. have high on its agenda discus- who would use this as a way of president, following conferences The wage rise, which was an­ The idea of assisting the Ger­ nounced by Capt. E. W. Higgin- with the head of the American sion and plans for a course of ac-, getting around maintaining detion on the new Taft-Hartley cent wages and conditions on man and Japanese people to at­ botham, national president of Merchant Marine Institute. tain a better standard of living the deck officers union, is re­ Act. American owned ships. Negotiations are now under is a good one, but this bill is troactive to June 16 and will way between the union's West The ILA contracts, like those Nowhere does the bill state of the SIU, expire on September that these ships are to charter- only a coverup for further ex­ be made part of the existing con­ Coast representatives and Pacific 30, h month after the August' ed only to those who would use ploitation of merchant seamen, tract. operators. Capt. Ash said he ex­ 22nd Taft-Hartley Act deadline! them to help out the German and and the Seafarers International In addition, the new contract pected an agreement soon simi­ on the signing of closed shop Japanese diet, which is admit­ Union is proud to unmask it as provisions calls for overtime pay lar to the one signed by the such. contracts. tedly low in protein. for work at sea on nine stand­ East Coast companies. New Maritime Bill Is Definite Threat To U.S. Merchant Marine New Contract Big Victory ILA Convention Begins On Juiy 14 MM&P Wins Wage Increase �Page Two THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday. July 11, 1947 • and'thdts SEAFARERS LOG 9 90 Published Weekly by the SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA Atlantic and Gulf District a Qoat Affilialed v/ith Ihe 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.-Treasurcr 105 Market St., San Francisco, Calif. District Officials J. p. SHULER - - - Secy.-Treas. Atlantic & Gulf District P. O. Box 25, Bowliiig Green Station, New York, N. Y. HARRY LUNDEBERG - Sec.-Treas. Sailors Union of-the Pacific 59 Clay Street, San Francisco, Calif. FRED FARNEN - - Secy.-Treas. Great Lakes District 1038 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 26/ It's No Gag In the closing moments of debate, after which the Senate oveA'ode President Truman's veto of the TaftHartley bill, Senator Taft answered a question. Here is the gist of his reply: Hospital Patients A iinicn owned newspaper could not print the record and news and opinions about a candidate for federal office, but an incorporated newspaper can. When entering the hospital notify the delegates by post­ card,, giving your name and the number of your ward.. In other words, a man running for federal office cannot be criticized by the nation's labor press, even though his previous record may show him to be viciously opposed to the best interests of the people whose vote he is courting. No such muffler exists for the newspapers These are the Union Brothers currently in the marine hospitals, which are owned by the bosses, which can be depended as reported by the Port Agents. These Brothers find time hanging upon to be on the side of big business as opposed to Labor. Men Now In The Marine Hospitals heavily on their hands. Do what you can to cheer them up by writ 'We in the Seafarers International Union have never ing to them. played with the politicians, on one side or the other. We STATEN ISLAND HOSPITAL do not intend to start now. But this issue goes deeper N. NEILSEN than just the SIU. J. A. DYKES Other unions have tried to influence the politics of this country by supporting one or another of the two major parties. To date, this has not done them too much good, but they should have the right to continue favoring certain candidates if they wish to do so, and if the mem­ bership is in favor of such a course of action. Men who run for public office should be willing to stand or fall on their records. When they try to protect themselves against this democratic procedure, it becomes obvious that they are hiding something that they are ashamed of. The men who passed the Taft-Hartley Act certainly should be. There is not much chance that any section of the new Slave Labor Act will stand up. Both the AFL and the CIO have gone on record to fight the law all the way up to the Supreme Court, if necessary. But it's a sure thing that the section dealing with the labor press hasn't the chance of a .snow ball. There are too. many labor edito.'"s who will risk going to jail to see whetlier this unconstitutional limitation of the rights of free speech can be forced upon the free labor movement of the United States. It's fortunate for this country that such men exist! E. J. SIDNEY E. E. CASEY J. HOSTEN C. B. O'NEAL M. J. DELANEY ^ ' T. J. KURKI C. IBRAIN A. DUDDE M. PlSkUN W. E. STORVIS A. FELICIANO H. SELBY S- S. S. NEW ORLEANS HOSPITAL A. BUCHENHORNER C. PEDERSEN J. HARRISON G. CARUSO P. STOFFEL A. SANDY R. CHRISTIAN A. R. GUIDRY J. AMAYA H. DAUGHERTY P. La Cicero R. WRIGHT G. GREY H. HAMOND C. CASE F. HAMON J. O'NEILL W. BROSE C. MASON A. WALTERS 4. 4, t BALTIMORE HOSPITAL M. PLYLER F. O'BRIEN J. WYMOND E. CAIN JR. J. TARQUELLOS F. MILLER D. COPPAK P. PODOLSKY R. GORDON M. FINDELHURST H. GREEN % X X. ELLIS ISLAND HOSPITAL W. MORRIS W. B. MUIR D. MCDONALD C. RASMUSSEN J. KOSLUSKY XXX NEPONSET HOSPITAL L. CLARK J. S. CAMPBELL E. FERRER J. R. HANCHEY St at en 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 5th and 6th floors) Thursday — 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. (on 3rd and 4th floors.) Saturday—- 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. (on 1st and 2nd floors.) C. L. J. L. C. J. R. H. J. LARSEN L. LEWIS R. LEWIS TORRES SCHULTZ HAMILTON A. BLAKE BELCHER T. EDWARDS XXX BRIGHTON HOSPITAL E. WHELAN J. CALHOUN (SUP) R. BAASNER W. PARIS R. LORD E. JOHNSTON A. BONTE E. MOFIENE E. DELLAMANO E. HAMATY R. GRALICKI H. WALSH J. WHEATON (SUP) R. HUNT . . ; J. MCDONOUGH G. BLACK H. SMITH tk -• �THE Friday. July 11. 1947 SEAFARERS LOG PageThree SIU Wyandotte Victory Is Sign Of Maritimo Sentimont On Lakes By PAUL WARREN By PAUL HALL Things are getting tough for the performers in the Seafarers. In the past few months the membership has shown that it has had enough of these characters and is now, bearing down on them. This attitude is a good thing for all hands and will certainly strengthen our organization. Up to now the membership has been mighty lenient with these guj'S and none of them can say he wasn't given enough rope. Despite the fact that the performers were a tiny minority, they did harm to their shipmates far out of pro­ portion to their numbers. Nothing can louse up a ship as quickly as a couple of gas hounds. Besides ducking out of their share of shipboard work, they toss another hook at their Union brothers by attempting to freeload. Throughout the entire trip they make nuisances of them­ selves. People like these have no right to belong to a Union which the membership has fought so hard to make strong. Union condi­ tions are continually in jeopardy when these guys are around. The Union had a tough enough time getting gear aboard ship and no gashound will be allowed to damage or ruin it. The smoke the performers and gashounds spread around hits your nostrils wherever you go. Whenever the Union negotiating committee goes in for a try at getting wages raised, the first thing the shipownei's want to talk about is the actions of the few screw­ balls. They raise the old cry: "What's the use of putting decent gear on a ship if the crew is going to destroy it?" The performers are not the crew, they aren't even good Union men. But the dam­ age they do is paid for by their shipmates. Luckily, actions like these are at a minimum. But the fewer the better. Every member of the Union should make it his busi­ ness to put in line any bum who may try these stunts aboard his scow. If he doesn't stop his stuff when he's been asked—then stop him the best way you can. Then when the ship gets in have the Ship's Delegates bring it to the attention of the boarding Patrol­ men. You owe that much to yourself. Blowhards At Work A short while back a fellow was up on charges in the Port of New York for conduct unbecoming a Union man. It seems the guy had continually stuck his shipmates for watches. When told by the rest of the Black Gang that he was off base and would be brought up on charges, hq told the Engine Delegate that it couldn't be done because he "knew some of the New York officials." His hot air spiel went right up the chimney. His shipmates brought him up on charges despite his claim that it couldn't be done—and the trial committee handled him in the right way. The essence of what they told him is well worth repeating: "We don't care if you knew Andy Furuseth in person much less some of our piecards—you're wrong and this committee finds you guilty!" They fined this phony 50 bucks. Although it sounds pretty funny,.this incident typifies a cer­ tain type of blowhard,. who loves to tell a crew that he knows a piecard, that they arc great buddies and that he can, therefore, do anything. After paving the way he goes around breaking all the rules, dishing out dirty deals to his shipmates, meanwhile claiming exemption from the rules governing the rest of the crew. This type of guy is strictly a phony. In the first place, what the hell if a guy does know a piecard or all the piecards? He's a member of the same.Union as his shipmates. He has the same obligations and duties as anybody else. If he should know a pie­ card it doesn't make a damned bit of difference. A piecai'd is no different from any other member of the SIU. Not only does the guy who shoots this line hurt himself, he makes the piecard in question look off'base as well. If you should run into one of these "I-know-so-and-so" guys, tell him pronto what the facts of Union life are. * Ship Meetings A Necessity Although most SIU ships hold meetings at sea, some do not hold near enough. As soon as possible after the sign-on every crew should make it its business to hold a meeting and elect the ship's delegates. After that, meetings should be held at regular inter\[als, so that all hands can act on shipboard and Union problems. It is very important that the younger members of the SIU be educated to the necessity of being good Union men. Too many of our oldtimers are not taking enough, interest in this matter. Re­ member, the better Union man a guy is, the more likely it is he will be standing picket duty with you in our next beef. And, ac­ cording to the way the Taft-Hartley bill shapes up, this possibility might not be as far off as some people believe. So the educational value of our shipboard meetings can't be too sti'ongly emphasized. We must be prepared to use economic action to defeat this bill if a situation calls for it. It might mean hitting the bricks. The position taken by the SIU at the last regular meeting to combat the threat of the Taft-Hartley Act is a militant one. Our stand to regard as a lockout the use of this vicious law by anyone in an attempt to harm our Union hiring hall means that we had better be prepared to back up our statement, when and if t .ecessary. V.'t DETROIT — Well, the second step of the Seafarers 1947 organi­ zational drive on the Great Lakes has been accomplished with the winning of the four-ship Wyan­ dotte fleet. Wyandotte crewmembers gave the SIU a nice vote of confidence with a smashing 68 percent victory. First, crewmembers of the two Huron ships gave the SIU a 58 percent vote, with the NMU re­ ceiving a total of two votes! Now, the Wyandotte crewmembers reg­ istered a 68 percent vote for the Seafarers. This is "only the beginning, as crew after crew on the unorgan­ ized Lakes ships have stated that they, too, want the SIU. One big disappointment in the Wyandotte election was the fact that the NMU sneaked off the ballot at the last minute. After stirring up all the trouble in the world for the Wyandotte seamen, and thereby delaying the elec­ tion for several weeks, these phonies were definitely afraid of the shellacking that they would have taken had they remained on the Wyandotte ballot. Now, with the Wyandotte elec­ tion out of the way, we only have to wait for NLRB certifica­ tion before beginning contract negotiations with the Wyandotte Transportation Company leading to an SIU contract. POINTING THE WAY phonies spend union time and union money in fighting personal battles. How can they devote any time to the legitimate de­ mands of their members? How can they find any time to repre­ sent those same members in a beef with the operators? As a direct contrast, go through the SEAFARERS LOG from front page to back. The LOG is strict­ ly a membership organ for the express purpose of printing news of and about Seafarers, import­ ant items concerning the welfare of the seamen, information for the use of all seamen, pictures, stories, letters and items by and for the members. SIU STRENGTH Comparison of the LOG and the Pilot is only one item which reveals the strength of the SIU as compared to the NMLb Cer­ tainly, it's a strong argument for the program, militancy, and the many gains which have been achieved by the fighting mem­ bership of the SIU. Lakes seamen just have to look at the record and, apparent­ ly, many of them have been look­ ing at the record if the results of the Huron and Wyandotte elec­ tions are any yardstick. Men With The Required Time Urged To Get Higher Rating With the results of the Huron By AL and Wyandotte elections now in, it's easy to see what way the The organizing staff has, in wind is blowing on the Lakes. Unorganized Lakes seamen are the past, called upon the mem­ all for the Seafarers. They real­ bership to give a helping hand ize now, as they never realized in several unorganized steam­ before, that the SIU is the only ship companies. Never has the Union on the Lakes with a pro­ membership refused our requests to take one of these unorganized gram, come hell or high water. scows, no matter where the ship Lakes seamen want nothing to was going, when she was leav­ do with the weak sister outfit, ing, or what condition she was the Lakes Sailors Union, because in. they realize that this outfit is too weak and too closely tied to the Now, we have found that in operators to do any good for the several of the unorganized com­ seamen. panies where we are trying to What good could the LSU do get a foothold, there is a short­ their members in case of a lock­ age of experienced Pumpmen out, or in the event of a prolong­ and Machinists. In view of this ed strike? It takes manpower, situation, it would be of great strong union support and strong advantage to the membership financial backing to get any and to the Union as a whole, if place in this man's world, especi­ every man having the necessary ally in the maritime field. time would get the next highest And that's what the SIU has. endorsement in his department. We have 91,000 members in the At the present time there is a five Districts of the SIU. We large number of men sailing as have a strong treasui'y in the OS and Wipers, who could qual­ SIU, and we have the backing ofj ify for endorsements as ABs and the powerful AFL Maritime FWTs. Men having the required Trades Department. In addition, time for these ratings, but who we can always count on the do not get the endorsement, are backing of almost 8 million AFL depriving their fellow members, Brothers. who lack the required time of NMU WEAK jobs. What has the weak, strife-torn, commie-domminated NMU got to offer the Lakes seamen? Their leadership spends two-thirds of their time in constant bickering among themselves, name-calling and political maneuvering in or­ der to gain the balance of power. Also, the NMU leadership, al­ though part of them now dis­ avows commie tendencies, has been tied to the Moscow kite for so long that they don't dare take an independent breath without consulting the party hacks. Read the columns of the NMU propaganda rag, the Pilot, and see for yourselves how these The SIU is the only union on the Lakes today which stands against the organized strength ol the operators as exemplified by the Lake Carriers Association and any of their stooge outfits, and the SIU is the only union on the Lakes which has set those same operators back on their hind ends time and again in a fight for decent conditions on the Great Lakes for all seamen. Who won the first forty hour week back in 1942 for fitout and layup on the Lakes? Who won the forty-four hour week for the passenger and ex­ cursion boats on the Lakes? Who won the forty hour week with other substantial gains for the Lakes sandboats? Who won the first forty hour week for the bulk carriers on the Lakes with the Midland agree­ ment? Who has a record in the entire maritime industry of never hav­ ing lost a legitimate beef? There's only one answer to this series of questions. That is the Seafarers International Union, AFL. And the SIU is the only bona fide Union on the Lakes for the seamen to join. That's for sure! Men lacking required time can't sail in the higher rating and the men who have the time thereby are taking up their jobs, besides losing out. on the chance tc make more money. So how about geting those endorsements. If you have the required time in the Black Gang, especially, go get Pumpman or Machinists endorsement. Contact the or­ ganizers and see if they have any unorganized companies where you can apply for a job. KERR that we were able to win cer­ tification in that outfit. Now we are trying to get an election in the Cities Service and Sun Oil fleets. It will again be necessary for the membership to come forward as they did in the Isthmian drive, if we expect to come out on top in the same way we did on these other un­ organized companies. Under the Taft-Hartley Act it is more important than ever be­ fore that the membership get onto these unorganized scows and ride them. Don't forget, the shore-side organizers can't do as good a job on an unorganized ship in the short time she is i.n port as a good seamen can do on the ship at sea. Sa'l those Cities Service and Sun Oil ships to bring them under the Seafarers' banner. AVC Progressives Beat Commie Attempt To Capture Outfit The American Veterans" Com­ mittee. the only national veter­ ans organization that accepts sea­ men into membership, has just emerged victorious from a pitch­ ed battle that threatened it with being taken over by the com­ munists. Since the inception of AVC, connnunists have been very ac­ tive within its ranks. Last year fijf'y gained control of two of its regions and were threatening greater control this year. With the conclusion of its convention Remember, it was only through at Milwaukee this week, a prothe voluntary efforts of the mem­ labor, anti-communist slate swept bership in sailing Isthmian ships all offices. �T HE Page Four S EAiF A HE RS -«• ' Friday. July 11. 1947 LOE GIVING OUT WITH THE FACTS bive Too Wellv Says Gohimnist Obviously, to Mr. Ruark, jeal- cause the seaman, with a heavy ousy has reared his ugly head, hangover, refused to turn to." During the past war, Robert In the days when seamen worked | If that is the comradeship he C. Ruark, who had been for a for $40 per month and worked admired in the old days, then he brief _timc a merchant seaman, e.xtremely long hours with bum and Hansom Balwin are the was aboard a merchant ship as chow, the unions were non-e.x- only ones who possess it. a Naval gunnc.ry officer. After istant. For some unknown reason, the the war, he returned to his desk Because the men who go to Navy has done an excellent job as a newspaper man for Scripps- sea banded together and fought in turning out men who will Howard and began to write little the conditions that even Ruark prostitute themselves by attacktales a-la-Peglcr about subject^, disliked, and bought conditions j ing the merchant marine which upon which he could vent his and wages aboard ship up to a aided tremendously in making wrath. par with civilian jobs they are the many naval victories possible. Recently .he went back aboard now "plain no damn good." Both Baldwin and Ruark, haya merchant ship, this time as As for the claim that mer- | ing spent time in the Navy, now Two crewmemmbers of the Caleb Strong. Waterman. a passenger, and began a chron- chant seamen were not allowed.set themselves up as authorities James Moore. AB. (seated) and Dan Alvino.. give a LOG Staff _icle of his trip. His first dis­ to man the guns becau.se of on maritime. patch dwelt on the romance of their lack of patriotism, he ne­ member the story of what took place on their ship. As with the case of Baldwin, being out at sea aboard ship, glects to mention that before Ruark, too, should take a Pan­ The men. representing the majority of the crew, tell how but his second and succe.ssive the Navy and guns were put on 'amanian ship if he is so rnuch in they found that a Union disruptor aboard their ship gave them articles were of a different na­ the ships, the seamen took .the love with the "good old days.' greater cause for worry than the bucko mate. ture. ships unarmed through the war He soon lore into the crew of zones, and when guns were first the ship, attacking and criticiz­ put aboard, 30 caliber machine j ing, them for having gained good guns at that, the seamen man­ conditions and wages. Being ned them alone. | aboard an NMU ship, he aimed Finally, v.-hen greater arma­ his verbal blasts at the N.MU ment was put aboard, the man­ crew in particular, but attacked ning scale was insufficient to all seamen in general when he man the guns and the seamen Reports about intolerable con­ strategy of the Isthmian cam- Mr. Westcott seemed to imagine made such statements as; wore not sufficiently trained to duct and .harsh action of ships' paign. the crew the "goals," and the "The jion-Iicensed personnel u.se • the guns. officers toward their crews are coffee can a "football," as he who go to sea today are the His claims of "pull" and "inTheir job was to sail the ships most incompetent, disintere.sted, and see that they reached their not out of the ordinary; in fact, fluence," and hfs knowledge of Phiased it highly paid, best fed, most lu:-:- de.stination: the actual protection I such reports occur with regular- "inner workings" merely serves TORRENT OF ABUSE uriously quartci-ed, and plain no of the ship was up to the Navy. : jfyto cause dissention in the Union's This was the prelude to a voci­ <iamn good of any seamen ever Even after the Navy was put j Slcrics of union brothers work­ ranks. ferous torrent of invective and jto sign on a ship." aboard, seamen always as.-isted ing again.st their own union and CLAIMS DISCOUNTED profanity, whether intended for Trying to out-do Han.son Bald­ in manning the guns. This, he creating dissention aboard ship, win, who attacked seamen last conveniently forgets. however, ai'o" much rarer and are Although his phony claims real or imaginary foes, it is dif­ spring, he goes even further by more dangerous, inasmuch as were discounted and blasted by ficult to say. Having been an officer in the stating' tliat during the war the evei-y union membei' is expected the crew aboard the Strong, such As crewmembers, wo can well Na'.'v. Ruark looks with distaste pro-Russion feeling was so strong to be working for the common men as this are a greater threat visualize the consequences had and so general that the Navv i practices as tne men good of his brother unionists. to the Union's .strength than all: any of the unlicensed personnel having the same facilities as the own gunners had to place it; Aboard the Caleb Strong, Wa­ the -tyrannical ships' officers repeatedly performed in such a officers, such as a lounge room, aboard our ships. fashion during working hours. terman Steamship Company, the thrown together. According to Ruark, the Mer­ ice-cold water and showers. He This type of men always shows ^ou may be assured that Coast crew found cases of both types: chant seamen could have fought, even finds it unusual that the censure, loggings and the Chief Mate and a member of his true color when the chips are I men should eat the same food and serviced those guns, but down, and this one is no excep-1 appendages of modern the unlicensed crew. as the officers. Such things, of Navy men were necessary be­ The actions of the officer were tion. When the crew attempted ma"time discipline would move cause of the "possibility that a course, never happened in the to take a course of action in the ff^'ckly into full operation, abusive and agressive. He sub­ change of relationship with the name of the crew, he refused to In addition, Mr. Westcott is Looking back on the "good jected the crew to displays of Russians might result in our go along claiming that it would strictly a "blue pencil" boy conold days", he claims that in the drunkedness, during which time entire armed merchant fleet sailhurt his status—and he was the cerning legitimate overtime. dear, dead past "there was a he challenged crewmembers to - - • ing happily off to Murmansk, to ships' delegate! Overtime, according to a stipul­ certain camaraderie between the fight with him. These perform­ join the red brethren." ated agreement, doesn't seem to officers and the men. We weren't ances were noted and a letter of As far as his first point is con­ Thus, instead of impressing the faze him, for he has his own pri­ buddies on the ship, but ashore protest drawn up which appears cerned, Mr, Ruark, through his crew with his ability and im­ vate interpretation of what overown contradictions defeats his we were equals and on the ship below. portance, he thoroughly discred­ ited himself in the eyes of -his't'";® ^e, regardless of a point when he tells of the days the Second Mate and I were POOR UNION MAN duly constituted contract. conversational chums." ' when he went to sea. fellow crewmembers. He writes, "I used to manicure He immediately does a switch The crewmember aboard, how­ OWN JUDGE In the matter of the ship's of­ holds all day long, and paint on himself by stating only six ever, was even more distasteful ficer, the crew sums up its case His niggardly protestations on over the side, and then shift paragraphs later "A few years to the men of the Caleb Strong. against him in the letter of pro­ this subject are beyond the scope ship all night on my own time, ago, I saw a ham-handed mate Ho, a member of their own test which follows; of this document, and are amply for a lousy $40 monthly, and bounce a seaman off the bulk­ Union, worked completely con­ I the food stank." head for 1,5 minutes, merely be- trary to the principles of the ' We, the undersigned, desire to dealt with elsewhere. Needless Union; thus his actions were register our most emphatic pro- to say, Mr. Westcott, with his test in regard to'the past actions grandiose total of 470 odd hours, more unforgivable. and conduct of Chief Officer Her­ is the infallible and omniscient This man is the type who in bert Westcott. judge of his own essential over­ the name of unionism sows dis­ time. The deportment of this wopldsention among the crew, and Briefly, this pale imitation of causes more trouble than the be "quarterdeck caesar" during most vicious whip - .swinging the recently ^concluded voyage is a brass hat, by his petty stagea complete negation of the con­ door antics and exhibitions, has Mate. Charges of operating and or­ heavy strain to the already weak Aboard the Caleb Strong he ventional ideas of decorum that created only strife and discord ganizing a black market within Austrian economy and threatens attempted to bulldoze the men are compatible to the licensed amongst the entire deck person­ Austria were leveled at the Rus­ to wreck any plans of stabiliza­ nel to the extent that everyone into bowing before, his will by personnel. sian occupation forces by the tion, is impossible to be counter­ is in unanimous favor of paying stating that he had "pull" with On one memorable occasion Austrian Cabinet, this week. ed since the produce is carried union officials, and with his "in­ while in Liverpool, totally intox­ off rather than endure once more The Austrians, in making pub­ in trucks and rolling stock of fluence" could have anyone he icated, he stumbled into the 4 the assinity and incivility of this lic their charges, pointed out the Russian occupation author­ v/islred brought up on trial. to 8 foc'sle. For no apparent potential "Captain Bligh," that Russian trucks manned by ities and manned with Russian Possibly the man is more to be He also told them that he was reason, in an incoherent har­ Russian soldiers and railway personnel. aboard as a special delegate of angue, he let it be known that pitied than reprimanded, but freight shipments under Russian the Union to observe the new "I am a tough SOB," and pro­ then again, we are merely sea­ orders are bringing in fruit from claimed a zealous will to prove men and know only objective contract in operation. Yugoslavia that is being sold on facts, not psychological explana­ Not content with this, he tried it. the black market at high prices. This incident was followed by tions. to impress the crewmembers If you don't find linen James Moore with his importance by saying several other alcoholic sprees FOR MACHINERY when you go aboard your Walter Gustavson that he knew all the "inner while supposedly on duty. The ship, notify the Hall at once. The purpose of the Ru.ssian's workings" of the Union and had climax of this tragic comedy ocJesus Araya participation in the black mar­ A telegram from Le Havre or aided on occasion in laying down cured when he kicked and heav­ J. Galindez ket, the report relates, is to use ed an empty coffee can at sev­ Union policies. Singapore won't do you any Chee Mohat the money to buy Austrian good. It's your bed and you Some of his achievements, ac­ eral members of the Deck De­ machinery for shipment to Yugo­ Salleh Dall cording to his modest claims were partment who were painting at have to lie in it. slavia. ' William Scott taking part in the Agents Con­ the time. This activity, which lends a In his liquor-soaked illusions. Dan Alvino ference, and assisting in the By WILL IVA HARDY Bucko Mates Are Less Of A Threat Than The Disrupters From Within Russian Forces Foster Black Market In Austria • I- ATTENTION! �Friday. fJtUy 11., 1947 Now Agent in the Port of Nov/ Orleans is Ervl "Bull" Sheppard, ebovo. Bull, who was in charge of all field work in the Isthmian Organizing Campaign, succeeded Steely White THE SEAFARERS The ports along the Gulf are once more taking their rightful place as 8. strong'spot in the SIU Atlantic and Gulf struc­ ture. Some Halls in Texas have been closed down, E.nd these Ports are being serviced by the Galveston Hell. A LOG Editor has just re­ turned from a tour of the Gulf ^'orts. and in this issue and for a few weeks to come, the LOG v/ill present pictures and stories of the activities in New Orleans. Mobile, and Galveston. We lead off this week with N. O.. where Bull Sheppard has recently taken office as Agent. Bull was. first sent into the Texas area and when his job was finished there, he was appointed to his present post. Past issues of the LOG told of Bull's activities in cleaning up the situation which had deyplcped in the Texas area. In both the servicing of the membership, and the organi­ zation of new companies, the Gulf is hitting a steady clip. Much of the credit belongs to the efficient elected officers, the appointed organizers, and the militant SIU rank-and-file. - ! -s Page Five Plenty of jobs on the board, for all types of ships end to all corners of the v/orld. Joe Marlello. Dispatcher, calls them out, and the p ocess of rotrry shipping, the democratic way. starts. Shipping is very good in New Orlens, rs it is in nractically rT SIU Ports at this time. And -it's the man with the oldest shipping card who gets first crack at the job he wants. Every hour on the hour, the Dispatcher calls the available jobs, and as soon c" a man hears the one he wants, he throv/s his card in. If his ce*d ii not superceded bv en older one he gets the job. Nothing could be fairer, and SIU memb rs are prepared to fight to defend that v/ey of shipping fhe Union Hiring Hell and Rotary Shipping. The New Orleans Hall is used for something else besides watching the board and collecting mail. Here a few of the men while away the time ashore by playing cards. This is a hot game, with the losing team setting up the "cokes." No gambling in SIU Halls, but the. players concentrate as if their last dollar WES at stake. "; LOG Just sitting end waiting and thinking. In between calls, these Seafarers heve time to sit and think of the last trip or of the one to come. The New Or­ leans Hall used to be large enough, but now better quarters are needed, and the Union is on the lookout for a bigger Hell. Always expanding; that's the SIU v/ay! " ( Collecting his mail from Dispatcher Joe Martello is oldtimer Frank Shomelfenig. Bosun. Frank holds Gulf Bock number- 276. so .he has been around for quite a long time, and has helped many newcomers. Pointing into the new safe is Ar^nur M. Espey. who lost money, when the old safe was taken out of the New Orleans Hall. Standing to the left of Brother Espey is Chris Hansen, janitor of the Hall. The New Orleans Hall is right in the center of the old French Quarter, and the SIU men can step right around the corner to lift a glass cf thrt cooling brew. Here are a few Brothers doing just that. �[/ THE Page Six Unemployment Benefits Cover Men On WSA Ships In 1946 SEAFARERS LOG Friday. July II. 1947 JUST OFF A HUNGRY SHIP By JOSEPH VOLPIAN Epecial Services Representative Seamen who Eailcd on War Shipping Administration vessels in 1946 became eligible this week for unemploj-ment insurance benefits with President Truman's signing of a bill appropinting funds to cover the payments. Virtually all seamen who sail­ ed in 1946 are now entitled to unemployment benefits, since personnel aboard privately-own ed ships had been made eligible previously. Application are now being ac cepted at state unemploymeni insurance offices throughout ,the country. Seafarers may applj anywhere, however, due to s reciprocal agreement among the various states. In New York, the state un­ employment insurance field office at 277 Canal Street has been designated as the central agency for handling the cases of unem­ ployed seamen and anyone may apply there, regardless of where (Continued from Page 1) he resides. They don't look so gaunt now, but while they were on the SS Thomas Sim Lee, Isthmian ible voters on the four ships of Prompt action is advisable on •Lines, they lost plenty of weight. See story on this page. Left to right, Henry Johansen, Frank the Wyandotte fleet. Of this to­ the part of those men for whose E. Hughes, organizer Whitey Tannehill, who spoke to these Brothers before they caught the ship tal, 1 void ballot was cast; 47 j ratings, there is a scarcity of jobs registered their preference for in New Orleans, Rudy Rice, Weldon Smith, and Joe A. Silva. Although the trip was a rough ..XTT J: T.r TT • 1 foi" whom a period of a the SlU; 22 for No Union; mak-A f x , one, these fellows are prepared to continue sailing on unorganized ships—passing along the SIU ing a total ol 69 valid ballots S! » message. It's fellows like these who have built the Union and made it strong. the beach appears likely, counted. men should go to the nearest A number of crewmen off the state agency — or, if in New SS Wyandotte expressed them­ York City to the Canal Street selves as being well satisfied by address — immediately after the results of the election. How­ their ship pays off and file claim, ever, they were disappointed that .... the NMU had managed to crawl off the ballot and avoided a pub- eligibility under provisions of the lie licking. It did give them some law may begin right away. A few days ago five thin Sea­ way back to the United States, a of oranges, grapes, beans, and It is expected that checks will personal satisfaction that, after causing a delay of several weeks be forthcoming within three to farers came strolling into the little OT was permitted for lettuce." Brothers Hughes and Silva -in the Wyandotte voting, the I four weeks after application has LOG office with a real tale of cleaning out the holds. But that's only part of the ' summed it all up when they said woe. It would be a lie to say NMU was too yellow to face the been filed, but all payments will story. Here's what the men that practically every man in the that they were too weak to talk, be retroactive, Payment will be music of a very bad beating. themselves had to say about the crew lost weight during the trip. but the spokesman for the group, At the conclusion of the vote made by the state wherin the food; "1 lost more than 10 pounds my­ Frank E. Hughes, Carpenter, said counting. Brother Warren stated principal offices of the appliself," said Silva, "and Hughes that when the ship first came in­ that "With the heavy vote regis-j cant's amployer are located, IN ONE WORD here lost more than 1 did." to Port, they would have had a tered by Wyandotte crews for| Payments will not be made, "There's only one word to des­ According to the hardy Broth­ hard time making themselves the SlU, we are very pleased to however, unless the government cribe the food on that ship," de­ ers who survived the trip, th^ heard over the roar of typewrit­ welcome them into the Seafarers agency is convinced that there clared Johansen, "and that word only good to come out of it was ers. family on the Lakes. is no job available in the ap­ is 'lousy.' In five and a half that the whole crew came back "Just as soon as we are certi­ plicant's rating and that his un"But now we've got a few good fied by the NLRB," continued employment is 'a result of that meals under our belts," he said, years of going to sea, that was to- the States resolved to make the worst feeding ship 1 was ever sure that Isthmian signs a Sea­ Warren, 'we'll get together with reason alone. "and we're ready to give out with on." farers contract damn quick. the men on the Wyandotte ships Should there be any doubt -in the whole story." "He's right about that," chim­ "Those men who weren't too and draw up their contract de­ a Seafarer's mind as to his el­ The men accompanying Hughes ed in Rudy Rice. "The food was sure about the SIU when we mands. Then we'll open contract igibility for unemployment pay­ of poor quality and it was badly were Henry Johansen, AB, who started, are now certain that only negotiations with the manage­ ments, he can make inquiry at also was Ship's Delegate; Rudy prepared. We very seldom had through our Union can si^ch con­ ment leading to an SlU contract any state unemployment insur­ Rice, AB; Weldon Smith, OS; anything fresh to eat." ditions be squared away," stated for the Wyandotte seamen. That's ance office, which are now equip­ and Joe A. Silva, OS. Ay except "Even wh'en we were in Haifa," Hughes. "It was worthwhile for what they all want. ped to handle all questions re­ Rice made the ship in New Or­ stated Smith, "and had a chance us to go through what we did in "It won'.t be too long now be­ garding the status of merchant leans on February 19, and he to buy fresh fruits and veget­ order to impress the crew with fore we have elections on the seamen. joined the crew at Houston a lit­ ables, the Skipper wouldn't al­ the advantages of belonging to Hanna, Wilson, Shenango and tle later. low it. It got so 1 would dream the Seafarers." Steinbrenner (Kinsman) fleets. The SIU is fully confident of The Thomas Sim Lee made a winning these fleets just as we typical Isthmian trip, touching at did Huron and Wyandotte. Haifa, Bombay, Ras Tamura, "Lakes seamen want a new Bahrain, Aberdan, and others too deal, and that's why they're go­ numerous to mention. ing for the SlU in such a big In other ways, also, the ship The fourth week of picketing way. They want SlU contracts, By RAY SWEENEY was typical of Isthmian scows. with SlU working and living neared for the CIO Shipyard First of all, overtime was just a GALVESTON — The 49th an­ of Mr. Meyers' speech was made, conditions and providing SlU Workers without a break being ^ word in the dictionary. The only seen in the solid wall of employ­ nual Convention of the Texas and we have one copy in this security." er resistance to the thirteen cents time the crewmembers were al­ State Federation of Labor came Branch which we will be glad to SECOND VICTORY per hour wage increase demand- lowed to claim OT was for tying to an end on July 3, after out­ lend to any other Branch which up, or for weekend work. On the lining a fighting program to com­ lequests it. When informed of the Wyan- ed by the union. dotte results. Great Lakes SecreMeanwhile, the strike which bat the vicious provisions of the GOOGE ADVISES tary-Treasurer Fred Farnen de- cj^aj-^ed with approximately 70,Taft-Hartley Act. Brother George Googe, head clared, "This makes the second OQQ men leaving their jobs, The meeting was held in Dal­ of the AFL Organizing Campaign SIU victory during the 1947 sea-^ broadened this week when 4,000 las, and the writer of this article in the South, also addressed the son on the Lakes. First, the two members of the union, employed was elected by the Branch mem­ Reporls have been coming convention. Green ships (Huron) smacked at Mobile, Alabama, walked out in citing dirty deals given bership to attend the convention. He informed all AFL unions to down the NMU with only 2 votes Monday, July 9. Practically all the speakers seamen by several laundries, make ho move until after the while the SIU garnered 28 votes mjj ouJ i-i. who took the floor had one thing which profess to "cater to , -T ,T • J -.n mi.- • Todd Shipyards, which were and No Union received 18. This „ , in common—and that was the meeting of AFL International men of the sea." CO , , X X, oiTTTinot struck, offered a wage mwas a 58 percent vote for the SIU.' „x u t same thing that brought Dele­ Presidents in Washington, and Roland Velasco of the SS , ,, i crease of eight cents an hour, but Now, Wyandotte seamen reg- ... • , j u gates from all parts of Texas to then to follow the recommenda­ Arch Hopkins reports that . x this was rejected by the union, tions set down at that time. istered their preference for the T,T ,-•v• i. the Convention. Ungar's Laundry of St. John. CTTT -xioo X , . Negotiations arc continuing, howSIU with a 68 *percent vote. They were there to discuss It was a shame that ,Googe N. B., picks up laundry Ipvpr Farnen .concluded, "The SIU is ways and means of combating could not give his talk on the aboard ships in that port, really on the march on the Great' union's- policy committee the anti-labor bill passed in Con­ radio. He made a fighting state­ with the promise that it will Lakes, and nothing can stop us ^ meeting gress, and the various measures ment, and should have been returned by the weekend. until all unorganized Lakes seaW,ednesday, July 9, at Manpassed in the State which also heard by - every workingman i.n The promise is never lived men have a-chance-to enjoy the <^^"ter in New York City, up to. limit the rights of organized la­ the United States. benefits of SIU membership and ® Several new officers were in­ "They don't say in which bor. contracts. Lakes seamen want no details were released. year it will be returned," says Sewell Meyers, who is an AFL stalled during the Convention. the SIU, as proven by the Huron The locals represented at the Attorney, made quite a lengthy Brother O. S. Howe, of the Car­ Velasco, warning Seafarers and Wyandotte elections, and meeting were all in the region speech, and gave the Delegates penters Union in Galveston, was to keep their laundry out of v/e're going to see that they get extending from Perth Amboy, N. good information to take back to elected 10th District Vice-Presi­ Ungar's hands. v/hat they want!" j.J., to Stamford, Connecticut. their local unions. A recording dent. Wyandotte Goes To Seafarers By 68 Percent if Here's Another Hungry Isthmian Ship: This Time It Is The Thomas Sim Lee CIO Ship TIe-Up Still Effective Texas AFL Convention Maps Fight Against Taft-Hartley Act Keep Your Shirt On �THE Friday. Jaly 11. 1947 SEAFARERS LOG Page Seven Philly Hotel Bills Go Sky High; Anti^abor Bills Flood State By E. S. HIGDON PHILADELPHIA — I see by hang the hook on these birds the papers that all hotels in this and send them back to mow city, or practically all of 'em, their lawns or pick their pota­ have boosted their rents sky toes or whatever they ' have to high overnight so the five per­ do because it is quite evident cent raise won't go very far for that they have failed to. do the the seamen who hit the beach job for which we sent them to here. Of course milk has taken Wa.shington. 1 see by the last issue of the a one cent jump but this won't affect many seamen, will it?"'* LOG that drunks and perform­ Silence this week from the By KEITH ALSOP Construction of 1561 rental ers are going to be checkmated. Branch Agents of the follow­ Well, this is a damn good idea units at a cost of around $11,000,GALVESTON — .Since the re-| smoother payoff.s now that the ing ports: 000 will bo undertaken by Phil­ and it is about time the mem­ organization program was put trouble makers have headed else­ adelphia builders under the Fed­ bership took some kind of action JACKSONVILLE into effect here in Te.xas a short where. eral Housing Administration. against these performers. BALTIMORE Once again I'd like to issue a I notice by the financial re­ time ago, drunks and perform­ Mayor Samuel moved to insure MARCUS HOOK warning to all .Seafarers who the city's revenue from Federal ports of ' other branches, the ers have been almost as hard hit Galve.ston or Port Arthur to NORFOLK Housing projects now in opera­ Agents have fallen right in line to find as icebergs. Those few avoid lepresentatives of the with the economy program as SAVANNAH tion here. .still circulating around these Merchant Mariners of America Four new state labor bills, in­ laid down by tfe Agents Con­ NEW ORLEANS paids are keping a lot of space and not allow these phonies cluding a ban on strikes by pub­ ference and approved by the SAN FRANCISCO hetween them and the Galves­ aboard their ship.s. lic employes, were signed by membership. This in itself is DULUTH Governor Duff. The new law commendable. ton Hall, whidt i.-:. ol;ay with us. NO AUTHORITY BUFFALO We are still looking for a new provides for secret balloting on The membership jrer''' is stiactRecently a formoi' SIU member CLEVELAND wage offers and sets up still more Hall here. We had our eye on a '•[' in accord with the motion got on board an SIU ship here building at 617 Chestnut Street, penalties for violations. It in­ MONTDEAL passed m ali ports to get r id of and tried to sell memberships cludes stoppage of unemploy­ but that "fell through." The deadline for port re­ th"se charac'ei's who are trying in tins ph.'-iy outfit. These men ment compensation benefits to ports, monies due, etc., is to phony things up for the union do not havi' the endorsement of strikers. Picketing of a struck the Monday proceeding pub­ and make ''te unhappy for the the SIU as they sometimes claim; plant by non-employes is an un­ lication. While every effort membership. in fact, they have been condemn­ fair labor practice according to will be made to use in the ed by us at meeting after meet­ the ndw law. With the absence of gashounds. current issue material re­ ing. I wonder how many seamen everything is moving along more ceived after that date, space have over stopped to analyze the Don't let these phonies up the smoothly. The Patrolmen hitting commitments generally do political situation. 1 know 1 gangway of your ship. If they the ships hei'e report excellent not permit us to do so. never have until just recently. cooperation from the crews and attempt to come aboard; run By HERBERT JANSEN For instance, we have a two them off. party system, so according to the CHICAGO — Shipping is still With never an idle moment American way of thinking, you slow in this Port with quite a here in this busy port we got are either a Democratic or a few Brothers around the Hall on a little diversion the other day Republican. Ynii register as the waiting list. In Port during v.'hen ve had an injunction such, go to the polls once every the week were the Carmi Thomp­ thrown against us. The AFU year or so to choose who you son, Sultana, and the regular marhinists at the Brown ShipBy MAURICE DOLE want to vote for. Chicago ships. yaid are on strike, so we, as But the funny thing about the ASHTABULA — Now that the bankrupt from the points of we always do in cases of legiti­ still on The SS Michigan is whole thing is that the one for mate unions having a legitimate fitout, with no definite date as SIU has won the forty hour week program and leadership. Lakes seamen also realize that 'oeef. refused to cross their lines. yet set when she will go into with higher wages and higher operation. She still has only a overtime rates for the Midland the NMU is torn wide open with Out came an injunction against seamen, unorganized Lakes sea­ (Jissension among theii' leaders, part of her crew on board. us because we were good enou'gh Not a day passes but what you men can see for themselves once the avowed commies and the unionists to respect a picket.see some unorganized Lakes sea­ again that the SIU is the only former comies who have since line. We went round and round men in either this Hall or the Union on the Lakes which maps gotten religion. for awhile with the local author­ As for the LSU. this outfit one in South Chicago. They make out a program for the seamen, ities and in the end- the injuncinquiries about the SIU, and and then goes out and wins that has only one contract on the tio.n was set aside. nine out of ten want to join. program along with its many Lakes, covering the ClevelandThis injunction business gives Clifl's Companj', and certainly There is no doubt that the popul­ gains. the membership a first hand must be regarded as a weakThe SIU has never made a arity of the SIU on the Lakes is view of what will happen under policy of promising the seamen sister outfit with extremely close growing by leaps and bounds the Taft-Hartley Act, with its that they will get "pie in the company ties. every day. pow'er of injunction for almost sky" just as the old wobbly Huron seamen voted SIU be­ These SIU newcomers are off any reason whatsoever. cause they realized the SIU was whom you vote is someone you unorganized ships, and in a few song goes. The membership here is great­ However, we do set a goal — the only union with a program scarcely know anything about, instances were formerly in the ly aroused and all are of the and a fighting membership to like the forty hour week for what he stands for, or what NMU. They've found out the opinion that we are in for a win tliat program. the sandboats, bulk carriers and type of individual he is. score, some the hard way and rough road; but. likewise, they And Wyandotte seamen voted tankers — and then go out and some by comparing notes. Now HAND-PICKED JERKS all feel confident that we have SIU for the same reasons, and achieve that goal. That's our they want the SIU to bring them the united strength to beat off so will the other Lakes com­ record. If you're at all skeptical, SIU wages and conditions, job In fact all you do knckv is panies' seamen who won't take all attempts to weaken our str­ that he is a hand-picked jerk security and union representa­ check it and see for yourself what Union leads in maritime! less than the best — the SIU! ucture. when the time comes. selected by his particular party tion. Remember, the Lake Carriers and avowed to go down the line FAVOR TO SIU Association and 'their stooge with their principles, be they "union"—the Lake Sailors Union During the past couple of years light or wrong. While I am on —don't give a damn about you. 'the subject, I don't ever recall when the NMU has used every One is a ship operators union (Exclusive to the LOG) ever hearing of a seaman being trick in the book in their efforts and the other its tool. Together to forestall the SIU from winning elected to Congress or the Senate The mystery of the flying discs which has thrown the or holding a responsible politi­ any new fleets, they have done!^h^y represent a menace to all country into bewildered speculation, has finally been exploded us and the unorganized seamen'Lakes seamen, and should be cal position. with the receipts of eye witness accounts of seeing the discs Possibly that accounts for the a service by exposing themselves regarded like anyone else who the bread out of at close range. tries to take fact that a seaman is in the for the phonies that they really your mouth. One of the first reports, now discounted, had it that four status of where he is today. are. discs were seen flying over Detroit. Upon closer examination Lakes seamen, as well as salt­ I see where a couple of guys SIU SECURITY it was found that they were merely the four NMU pledge that I voted to send to Washing­ water seamen, realize that the It's only when the seamen cards that the NMU managed to get from seamen of the ton to represent me gave me the SIU is the only maritime Union have a union of their own, run Wyandotte fleet. dirty doublecross via the Taft- that really represents the unli­ Hartley bill, now law. But at censed personnel and constantly by and for the seamen, that they Another report stated that hundreds of discs were seen the polls on next election day, I battles to achieve gains for them. can be sure someone is going flying in scattered procession over New York. A chartered We have no political ties to to look out for their interests. as an individual, am going to plane pursued them and found them to be NMU overtime any foreign countries, and fight ^ provide job security and comvote against these double crosssheets—thrown away in disgust. ers and I hope that by that time for the seamen, first, last and al- petent. union representation. Undaunted, a third report was tracked down by Seafarer Tfiat's wfiy oll seameii should the labor folk will be politically Ed Larkin, and found to be the real McCoy. The mystery has To US' in the SIU, our tasks is join the SIU! minded enougli to pick a man been solved. All those flying discs you've seen or heard of Whenever the NMU is men­ simple. We don't believe in any they think will honestly repre­ are really the white Seafarers' caps that were thrown in the save-the-world philosophy. Our tioned in an open group of Lakes sent labor. air when the results of the Isthmian election were announced. As the present setup is, labor job is to win the best possible seamen, they laugh just like Discount anything to the contrary that you may see or cannot expect to 'get a square wages, hours, working and living they do when you mention the LSU. These men know the score, conditions for the seamen. That's hear. deal from the majority who are and realize that the NMU is now in Washington. So let's our job! 77 Galveston Is Running Smoothly Now That Gashounds Are Scarce SlU Popularity On Lakes Gram WithUnorganiied Seafarers' Gains On Great Lakes Proof Enough For Working Seamen Flying Disk Mystery Soived �THE SEAFARERS Page Elgiix t JOHN MOGAN BOSTON — Shipping and busi­ ness slacked o.T a bit during the past week, so that for the first time in many weeks we felt that we could crew up a ship com­ pletely if the occasion demanded. Many of the local boys who left this section a couple or three months ago are now find­ ing their way back to their old haunts, and the Dispatcher is commencing to feel a bit easier. Unfortunately, the records will show that it was necessary here to issue altogether too many permits; but shipping really hit a high spot and remained there "for seven or eight weeks and the issuing of permits could not be avoided. Some of the tankers which, have been out from 5 to 9 months are beginning to show up now. Most of these tankers crow­ ed up in this area, and the reg­ ular seamen around the port have been out on them for quite a spell. ONE MORE TRIP From time to time we receive, letters from the boys stating that after just one more trip into the Persian Gulf they will be head­ ed homewai-d, but always it seems that just one more trip will do it. The first tanker to show up around hei-e was the SS Pipe TT'LI TAKE rmf Govs To CARUT YOUR , I ^ Springs which paid off and crewed up Ih Portland right after the General Strike. The boys sweat­ ed out the full count on the art­ icles, and in nine months could only count four good liberty ports. Somebody — and it wasn't a member of the imlicensed per­ sonnel — gave the phony infor­ mation to the Portland gazettes that the crew of the SS Pipe Springs was going on strike in order to get their retroactive wage increases at the payoff. This caused no little excite­ ment, both in Portland and in the Boston Branch, for the crew members had not been contacted by the Patrolman before this news was in print. Despite some persistent sleuthing, it could not be learned where the Portland papers got the false report. Anyway, the gang paid off at t!i^ scale of wages on the articles Inst October with the provision thai both of their retroactive in­ creases would be mailed to them within 10 daj's. And being rea­ sonable men, when they found out that it would take the two paymasters present at the pay­ off a minimum of five days to make up the payroll with the increases, they readily consented to wait 10 days for their retro­ active money. REALLY OKAY Brothers Sweeney and Goggin headed for Portland the night before the 4th fully expecting a hectic holiday, what with a gang out nine months on a really tough run and arriving in a U.S. port just in time for the 4th of July celebration. On the contrary, the boys were 100% okay for the payoff and all legitimate beefs settled satisfactorily on board. The old familiar "open road­ stead" beef, usually encountered on tankers coming in fimm a for-i oign run, was the big issue here also, chiefly because the Pipe Springs couldn't tie up to the mooring buoys on schedule. It developed that the buoys had been blown out to sea with another tanker, which got caught in a sudden blow while loading. Where t'ne agreement clearly states that port time in an open roadstead does not begin until the vessel is moored to the buoys and the hose lifted out of the sea, the time spent waiting to get moored could not be classi­ fied as "waiting for berth" in' the usual sense. This was the only real beef, and otherwise everything was lovely. A nice bunch of men. half SIU and half SUP. Everything else around the port proceeding as smoothly as usual; plenty of in transit stuff to hit and the excursion fleet to cover. Above is a meeting ot Riggers, employed at the Gull Shipbuilding Corporation, Mo­ bile, Alabam- They all hold cards in the Marine Allied Workers,' SIU, and they are pressing hard for a bargaining election. They're confident of winning, and why shouldn't they be? All of the Riggers in the yard have joined the union, and that means more than 50 men waiting for SIU repre­ sentation. The meetings axe held regularly in the Mobile Hall of the siu. The lower picture is of the men who sparked the drive to organize the Riggers. Left to right, F. H, Sanders, O. Blackwell, Crl Tanner, SIU Mobile Agent; and Vernon Hayes. Blackwell and Hayes; are former SIU members, and they have done e. bang-up job organizing in the yards. Quite a few of the Riggers carried books in the SIU at one time or another. Brother Tanner was instrumental in organizing the Riggers. AFL Broadcast WASHINGTON, D. C. — Beginning July 5th, the Am­ erican Federation of I,abor inaugurated a brand new se­ ries of radio broadcasts over the nationwide network of the American Broadcasting Company. The first nine programs, devoted to completely ex­ temporaneous and unrehearsed round table discus­ sions of major topics in the news, will originate each Saturday at 6:45 P.M., EDT, from Washington, D. C. Since some local stations, because of earlier commit­ ments. may be forced to rebroadcast the programs at some later time, be sure to consult your local newspa­ per for the exact time of the broadcasts. Taft Hartley Act Boomerangs With Unorganized By JOE SHIMA Friday, July II. 1947 THEY'RE IN THE SIU, TOO Boston Manpower Shortage Eases, Tankers Out Since Strike Back By LOG are going to have a diTicult this ship he has to paint, chip time to keep thoir heads above or St v-;-" o-i -f- • •V Thm action TOLEDO — P.ocently, things around here have been quite tile Bood-wnters of this vicious annareoPv fo"o'v- *'-.0 UGA line laid dov,fn si-^"'"- ca.ssate of the stagnant. A lot of it, I'm sure, anti-labor legifJation. We in the SIU have never de­ Taft-Hartlev Bill. _is due to the Taft-Hartley Rill pended upon any politicians for ! Back in the 'ean vears of having the unorganized seamen any handouts. The SIU has al­ shipping on the Lakes, these in a dither. Now that organized ways relief! upon the strength of sa.me Hutch boats were the ones labor has been giving this "Slave the membership for militant di­ I which laid o'f most of their Labor" Act a sound shellacking, rect action at the point of pro­ I crewmembers' if tiie ship was the unorganized seamen are sit­ duction. docked for more than 24 hours ting up and taking notice. j If this new law, even though at one port. Then, with a bigA number of them have drop­ I not tested legally, means that hearted gesture, they re-hired ped into the Hall in the past I we have to fight that much hardtheir men when ready to sail. couple of days. They're really , er, tlien that's what we'll do. My message to unorganized interested in the effect that this I The SIU never shirks a fight, seamen sailing on the Hutch Act might have on them. At and this is one time that John ships and others is to hold tight the present time, this can't be ,Q. Politician will find out how and not let it get you dov/n. The answered until certain sections I strong the united strength of the SIU is on the Lakes now, and of it are tried in court or through Seafarers actually is. we're here to stay. It's our economic action. HUTCH ACTIVITY fight, and your fight too. To­ Certainly, strong unions like Recently, I received a letter gether we can win through. the SIU will be able to keep on from a member of the deck crew Then we can all have SIU going forward. However, weak- on the John Stanton, a Hutch contracts with SIU wages, hours, "er unions like the strife-torn sh^. He stated that in order to overtime, working and living NMU and the one-company LSU collect overtime for Sunday on conditions on all ships! Congressmen Pull 'Big Pay' Gag To Pave Way For Ship Transfers By JOE ALGINA NEW YORK — I haven't re­ Things have como to a pretty ceived my check yet, but accord­ l^ass when the government starts ing to k congressional sub-com­ ' looking around for cheap labor, mittee, you and I are now receiv­ ^ so they won't have to hire their ing a government subsidy. We're ^ own citizens. all in on it to the tune of $500 i Conveniently enough, no menmillion a year, they tell us, so j '.ion is made of halting the "sub­ I'm watching my mailbox for the sidy" paid to American operat­ ors to handle these shipments. lettuce to start pouring in. With that off my chest, 1 can I got the straight dope from a newspaper item which stated that report more cheerful events on maritime unions are being en­ the waterfront. Here in New and riched by a $500 million a year York the weather is fine subsidy for carrying relief cargo shipping is excellent, especially for rated men. to Europe. We've had some good payoffs Thejf figure that the cost of transporting relief shipments in the big city this week. The costs the government about $1 Simmons Victory, Waterman billion a year with the maritime Steamship Company, and the Jef­ ferson City Victory of South At­ unions geting half. What the hell are they crying lantic showed up here in fine about? A guy can't be expected shape. Both ships deserve credit to take this stuff across for noth­ for being a real credit to the ing. He has a right to earn a de­ Union and to the crew aboard. cent wage for doing his job just BEEF HANDLED as much as the men who milled the flour and the people who The Enos Mills, Bull Line, manufactured the garments that came in after a trip to Europe. are part of the relief shipments. The payoff came off in good style except for a beef in the DOUBLE TALK What the writer might have Stewards Department which was meant is that the seamen are get­ handled by Patrolman Gonzales. Eastern's pride and joy, the ting decent wages in their jobs Evangeline, paid off here this and this hurts. The boys in Congress won't do week and the old business of re­ much about the guys who make instatements reared its head. the stuff to be sent abroad, but Several men in the crew had they come up with this double • been reinstated in the Union af­ talk as a smoke screen for cut­ ter being as much as five years in arrears in their dues and as­ ting the throats of seamen. Their real purpose behind all" sessments. These men were re­ this howling is to get across a funded the money they had paid proposal to turn our idle ships in back dues and were replaced over to foreign governments to by men from the Hall. operate with lower paid crews. The SIU has gone on recoid Our fair haired boys want to as being against reinstatements give away the ships that you and after men have fallen 12 months I paid for with our taxes, so for­ in arrears, and any men who eign countries can operate them manage to get reinstated in spite at a big saving to our govern­ of this rule will be replaced, and ment. their money refunded. �Friday, July 11. 1947 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Nine Lakes Seafarers On Luxury Cruise The SS South American, Georgian Bay luxury cruiser, docked at Duluth, at the head of the Great Lakes. This ship is under SIU contract, and the crewmembers enjoy the outstanding conditions and wages which axe standard in all SIU agreements. As you can note if you look closely. Seafarers crewmembers are completing boat drill. Here's a real SIU veteran in action. Firemen Tony Peandol has been a member of the SS South American crew for more thn tv/enty years, and is shown here at his duties in the boiler room. Like ell other hands, his pay is higher and his conditions better since the company signed with the Seafarers International Union. These are the SIU Brothers who keep the passengers and crew well satisfied with the type of chow they dish up. No complaints here. The galley is spic-and-span, and the food is well prepared and of the finest quality. The LOG photographer saw some of the meals served to the crew and wanted to sign on. but fast. Here's luck to him. A couple of belly-robbers on the South American pictured in their castle. Although neglecting to mention the names of the Brothers, the LOG photographer did give their ratings. Reading left to right, the Baker and the Assistant Baker. lets Leak At The Record' A couple of Seafarers all togged out in their best high-pres­ sure outfits. On the left. Watchman George Schultz, end next. Wheelsman Ellis Lamb, Deck Delegate and crewmexnbez of the South American for several years. IT WAS SAID, and real loud too, thut <he seamen along the Great Lakes couldn't be organized. "The season's too short," was one reason. "The NMU made such a bad name that those men won't go for any un­ ion," was the way another guy put it. Well, the Seafarers went in there, ajid in a pt.-iad cf a few months have rolled up some major victories. This is what the picture looks like to date: After a long tussle, the Midland St amship Company h.is signed an agree­ ment providing the first 40-hour week for bulk carriers. The ships of the Huron Transpor ation Company have voted for SIU rep­ resentation, and negotiations for a con ract are now in progress. Now, voting of the ships of the Wy andotte Ste.amship Company has been completed, and with the overwhelming SiU victory this company will soon come under the SIU banner. Petitions have been filed for bargaining elections in the ships of the M. A. Hanna Steamship Company, the Wils m Transportation Company, the Red Ar­ row Steamship Company, the Snyder Transportation Company, and the Steinbrenner Steamship Company. And besides all this, the SIU has been able to gain for its members the best passenger ship contract ever seen on the Lakes, and a sandboats agreement better than the seamen themselvs thought possible. The record speaks for itself—^^that's why the Great Lakes will be SIU, too! A •ji �THE I-cige Ten SEAFARERS Friday. July II, 1947 LOG SHIPS' MINUTES AND NEWS A STITCH IN TIME SAVES SHIP Seafarers Rescue French Craft Adrift 2 Days In Mediterranean iiiiiliiiilliiiii Edilor's nofe: The following account of a rescue at sea —a fairly frequent occurrance with Seafarers — is by the Stewai'd of the SS Mayo Brothers, which responded to the call of a French vessel in distress. By THOMAS DE FAZIO As is its custom both at sea and ashore, the Seafarers went to the rescue again recently. \\ While plowing through the Mediterreanean seas about a day and a half from Gibralter one dark morning, our ship, the SS Mayo Brothers, received an SOS message for help. The distress call was from a small French cutter, which was adrift off the Spanish coast near the Baltic Islands. ^ ' Sail rigged on No. 1 hatch of SS Frederick Geiuraiih when she lost her propeller recently narrowly averted disaster for her Seafarers crew. The sail enabled ship to clear mountainous isle off coast of Italy. Our Skipper, Captain Hallman, a former -member of the SIU, immediately altered the ship's course and proceeded toward the helpless craft. Lifeboei cerrying crswmembers from the SS Mayo Brothers makes its way toward French cutter, whose engines conked out leaving craft slrandod off Spanish coast. FIRST TO ARRIVE Although the message for aid was picked up by two other American ships in the vicinity, we were the first to arrive at the location of the helpless vessel. The French cutter was bound for Oran when her engine broke down, and she had been adrift for two days without fresh water. There were precious little sup­ plies aboard by the time we arrived. The tiny vessel had gone through some heavy weath­ er and had taken on much water. She was partially floundering when we reached the scene. The disabled French craft as she was being towed to Cart­ agena by the SS Mayo Broth­ ers, whose quick response to call for aid drew considerable praise from the French crew. At right. Captain Kallam, skipper of the Mayo Brothers, who is a former member of the SIU. ^ After maneuvering into posi­ tion, we ?hot a line over to her with the Lyle gun. Captain Hallman sent a party over to her to ascertain lier condition. I went along with the group to serve as an interpreter. *1 Getting all the details of the vessel's plight, we returned to our ship. A tow line was then shot over to the French craft and we proceeded to tow her to the port of Cartagena. We had already sent a message for the The Skipper, not content to Navy base there to pick up the confine his remarks and orders disabled cutter. to the overtime sheets, has threatened to log the Chief Mate, The operation was successfully Second Assistant and the whole completed and we continued our crew for talking while on watch. voyage to Genoa, Italy. The as­ To the crew, this was the last sistance rendered by the Sea­ straw. farers and officers aboard the Mayo Brothers was greatly ap­ PROTEST ACTION preciated by all hands of the At their shipboard meeting stranded vessel. They thanked they immediately drew up a let­ us very heartily for having ter of protest to be presented to been so helpful and considerate the American Consul in Bombay, in effecting a quick rescue. India. If nothing is done there to stop the abusive tactics of the Skipper, the crew intends to give him a hot time when- the ship reaches the states. Isthmian Crew 'Red-Pencils' Skippers Sense Of Humor (?) The Skipper aboard Ihe James I). Trask evidently thinks the "remarks" column on overtime sheete is there for him to ex*"press his sardonic sense of humor, at least that's how the ,crew feels. The crewmembers have found that when they submit legiti­ mate overtime to him for his ap­ proval he delights in penciling in little sarcastic remarks, such as: "Why weren't you sober?" or "You owe the company mon­ ey," and "Wipers can be work­ ed all day Saturday without paymeat of overtime." J: - Although the Trask is an Istiimian ship, overtime payment for Saturday work was included in the sign-on agreement, but that to the Skipper means noth­ ing; he must get in his digs against the crew. TOW JOB Fed up with the Captain's little game, the crew hopes to see that his vocal cords and little red pencil get a long rest when the ship hits port they don't want the poor boy to get laryingitis or^ writer's cramp. Smiling faces on some Galbraith crew belie hectic series of incidents experienced after screw went swooshing to bottom off African coast. Photos forwarded from Norfolk by Ray White. IffmUTES OF SIU SHIP MEETINGS DIGESTED FDR EASIER READING closely the procedure at shoreside meetings so they will know union procedure and will not get fouled up on their standings and rights. New Business: Crewmembers re­ ported on needed equipment for next trip. Good and Wel­ fare: Discussion on USS clubs and warning to members to stay away from them as they are being converted to fink halls. Vote of thanks to Stew­ ards Department for the good chow with a special bouquet to the cooks. Members urged to procure and study copies of the Union Constitution. S, t 4 The 10,000-ton freighter SS NAMPA VICTORY, May 9— Marymar, which ran aground in Chairman J. LeBrasse; Secre­ Bridgeport Harbor (Conn.), was pulled free by an LST vessel per- tary C. Tobias. Reports of de­ manantly stationed in Bridge­ partmental delegates accepted. New Business: Motion carried port. that no one pay off until Pa­ The Marymar went aground at trolman straightens out the 6;15 a.m. on a recent morning Mate. Decision to refer to Pa­ and was released shortly before trolmen problem of who takes 4 p.m. as the tide came in. Own­ care of master gyro. Chief ed and operated by the Calmar Electrician has been told to do Steamship Company, the Mary­ it, but he holds no gyro ticket. mar had just arrived from Van­ Suggestion that all of ^he re­ couver, Wash., with' a cargo of pair list for the next voyage be 5,000,000 feet of lumber for a carefully scrutinized as showBriddeport firm, when she went (Continued on Page 11) aground. DESOTO, May 3—Chairman Kirbach; Secretary H o u c k . Ship's Delegate reported that bonus for penalty cargo would be settled in Mobile. He also discussed the double overtime for international "date line crossing which has been okay­ ed for the "Engine Department but not for the Deck and Stew­ ards Departments. Delegate al­ so urged members new to the union to attend r.nd observe SS Manmar Runs Aground �Friday. July II, 1947 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Eleven Digested Minutes Of Sill Ship Meetings ^(Continued from Paf^c 10) ers are in bad shape and ihey have noi been handled on for­ mer repair lisls. Good and Wel­ fare: Requesl Ihsl crew leave a clean ship for the next crew. Steward asked thei all dirty linen be turned in before leav­ ing the ship. One minute of silence for lost Brothers. 5. A' PORT CLATSOP. May 11— Chairman D. Casey Jones; Sec­ retary Dale Lamberson. New Business: Deck Delegate in­ structed to contact shore pa­ trolman concerning retroactive pay from Pacific Tankers. Mo­ tion carried to order six new electric fans for replacement aboard ship. Motion carried to make a complete check on locks and keys for all foc'sles. Motion carried to have telemotor and complete steering gear examined for the safety of the vessel. Good and Welfare: List of fines drawn up for dirtying of messhall—not concurred in. % % QUEENS VICTORY. June 23 —Chairman Daniel Hanshew; Secretary James K. Sleesser. Chairman urged Stewards De­ partment to elect a delegate and hold a private meeting as soon as possible. Motion car­ ried to have the three dele­ gates talk to the Chief Mate and see if thejy can get a schedule for the time of using and cleaning the laundry by the three departments. Motion carried to not allow crewmembers to soak their clothing in the laundry tubs. Motion car­ ried to have delegates see Cap­ tain and procure a notice to be placed in saloon informing the licensed personnel to stay out of crew and PC pantries. J- about handling cigarettes and clothing at tho same time. Mo­ tion carried to permit animals aboard ship, but that person bringing animal aboard will be entirely responsible for its care. XAVIER VICTORY. May 3 —Chairman Alex J. Janowski; Secretary William J. Wilburn. Motion carried that on arrival in first U.S. port sufficient sup­ ply of cots, mattresses and other needs be ordered by Chief Steward. Motion carried that the departmental dele­ gates accompany the Chief Steward if he is requested to take inventory of the ice box­ es. Motion carried that dele­ gates see the radio' operator concerning the repair of the crew's messroom speaker. Mo­ tion carried that crewmembers be fined 25c for leaving dirty cups or spoons in the messroom. Fine to go to SEAFAR­ ERS LOG. 4. i. JAMES D. TRASK. May 15 —Chairman William Lindelof: Secretary Eugpne Ladriere. Discussion on Captain's con­ tinually disputing legitimate overtime. Motion carried that upon receiving ^raw in Bom­ bay. crew to donate money for union purposes. Motion carried to have minutes sent to SEA­ FARERS LOG. 4. 4. 4, RAPHAEL SEMMES. May 4 — Chairman Bradley; Secre­ tary Williams. Motion carried to have delegates take repair list to Captain.. Mate and Chief Engineer. Motion carried that menu be written on board in understandable English end not in burlesque procedure. Motion carried that anyone tampering with machines on repair list be fined at the fol­ lowing meeting. S. S. J. GATEWAY CITY. April IC —Chairman Don Rood; Secre­ tary A1 DeForest. Deck and Stewards Delegates reported all okay. Engine reports short­ age of cleaning gear. New Business: Motion carried that Steward contact Captain to liave wooden dish rack in crew pentry end menu blackboard placed in crewmessroom. Good and Welfare: Suggestion that sample of drinking water be given to health authorities in New York. 4» 4* 4 SIMMONS VICTORY. May 17 — Chairman John Bilkoa; Secretary C. W. Hallengan. Departments reported no beefs. Suggestion made that the Deck Department heads be checked and proper repairs made be­ fore next trip. Motion carried that crew messman be warned of his conduct toward rest of crew. Motion carried that the radiators and fans be checked before the next trip and prop­ er repairs be made. 4. 4> 4> SEATRAIN NEW JERSEY. May 26—Chairman Bill Wil­ liams; Secretary George Swift. Old Business: Question of milk raised again. Contract calls for not more than 80 or less than 40 gallons. Crew complains of aJways getting the minimum and the milk iS^ of poor quality. Repair list made up and ap­ proved by crew. New Business: Request that each man rinse out any cups. etc.. he has used to keep messhall shipshape be­ tween meals. Matter of small fines to enforce this discussed. Crew decided to first try the honor system. Good and Wel­ fare: Crewmember volunteer­ ed to notify Merchant Marine Library Association that a re­ placement library is desired. Crewmembers also requested to turn to to help box old books and take them off. JEAN LAFITTE^ April 27— Chairman R. S. Young: Secre­ tary Eric Moe. Department Delegates reported all in order except disputed overtime which will be referred to shore Patrolmen. It was agreed to have delegates make out repair lists and requisitions to be giv­ en to department heads and Patrolmen, and to inform crewmembers about such lists so as Honors are due the crew of the SS Colabee, American to insure action being taken. Particular attention was called Hawaiian Steamship for being the first to submit its minutes to the booms and the fumigat­ to the LOG on the new official minutes form now available ing of the ship. It was also * agreed to replace all books in on SIU ships. The Colabee is first under the Right on the ball, the Colathe library and to clean up all wire, but as more ships hit port rooms to be sure of leaving a bee's crew reported the ship­ and take aboard the new form. board meeting which took place clean ship for the next> crew. on June 29 at sea, and mailed SULLYS HILLS^ March 3— the minutes to the LOG .from a Chairman Sullivan; Secretary Canadian port, via airmail. O.K.!STI^6mBNi;P The new form, which was J. L. Parsons. New Business: AWDFIY RIGHT-TO I Request that American money drawn up for the convenience of Si BFAVgRSr., meetings, be supplied in draw in next. reporting shipboard port. Motion carried to get has been available to SIU crews fresh vegetables and fruits in for the past ten days. The Col­ first port contacted. Motion abee, in port at that time, took that a complaint be made to a batch of the new forms aboard American Consul in Aruba and put them into immediate concerning' beatings administ­ use. The June 29 meeting was ered to seamen by police. Also chaired by Brother William A. decided to send same complaint Vabis and recorded by E. Cinto Dutch Consul in Washing­ tron. Keeping things smooth in ton. Motion carried to have the number of minutes mailed to their departments are E. Larsen, slopchest investigated upon ar­ the SEAFARERS LOG should rival in U.S. Motion carried Deck Delegate; T. E. McHenan, that slopchest be opened at 2 Engine Delegate; and E.'Cintron, take on avalanche proportions. How about it fellows? P.M. and to speak to Captain Stewards Delegate. Colabee Is 1st Under Wire With New SIU Minutes Form i^WTlCRS WHO BfAT fOR ^AlONTHS LiKf MOTHlfJB BeTTERTHAN/ A COPyOFinE SEAFARERS LOG TO KEEP THEM UP WITH WHAT IS HAPPEM" 1M0 IN THE UNIOM AND ASHORE. SAVE YOUR COPIES OF THE LOG TOR THE WEWSHUNSRY SEAFARERS YOU MEET IN FOREK3N PORTS. CUT and RUN By HANK Every Brother should take an anxious and serious interest into becoming a better union man as well as a better shipmate and sailor. While in port he should read everything which is" printed in his weekly union paper, the LOG. There are other important things to do, too: Writing letters to the LOG: Studying your shipping rules until you know you understand them. Lots of Brothers get the wrong understanding of the rules by reading them too fast or just some of the rules—and this gets them fouled up occasionally. Study" your Constitution—it's for you—not for'the guy on the corner fying to pick horses for a living. Those shipboard meetings are one of the most important things in your sea life. They shouldn't be just mechanically routine habits. From them you get those kinks, beefs and minor misunderstandings explained and ironed out or clearly written down for the port Patrolmen to settle—instead of dragged out for the whole trip or just forgotten about, which is not the SIU way. 4. 4, 4 Here's a letter from "Big Frank" Radzvila. the Chief Cook aboard the SS Victory Loan: "Well, here I am dropping a line letting you know I'm feeling fine on one of the Pacific Tankers which I joined up at Port Arthur after I got off the SS Maiden Creek in Beaumont. Of all the people I had to run into when I climbed aboard the Maiden Creek was Brother Mike Davis. He happened to be walking in the passageway and he stopped and kept looking at me. Then he says. Tor heaven's sake, is that you pollak?' He really couldn't believe it after not seeing me for five years. Well, Hank, my cooking is really hitting the hot spot down here in the Gulf. They sure love my garlic. I'll bet it makes your mouth water just remembering how the food tasted with it. And this isn't like the cooking I had on the SS Delaires, either. "Well, it sure was hard leaving some of the boys on the Maiden Creek after three trips. Even Brother "Rough Neck" Morgan Hiles came around showing me what a big pot belly he got when I was on there. He sure hated to see me leave him. He said he starved until I climbed aboard. Well, I'm sending my best regards to every­ body and I'll be coming up to New York after this trip to Italy or according to where we wind up in the States. It might be the West Coast." We have another swell lelfer from "Red" H. Braunslein aboard fhe SS Fairporf in Gatun Lake. Panama Canal: "We lefl Charleston after taking on 1750 bales of cotton for China and we're on our way through the Canal to San Pedro to take on bunkers before sailing for Shanghai. Manila and Cebu. We have a swell gang on here. The Old Man is an ex-SIU man and a swell guy. It is a pleasure to sail with him. Some skippers should sail with him and learn how to be master of a vessel and a swell guy instead of a Captain Bligh. Our ship sure is a swell feeder. The Steward gives dictionaries with his menu so we can figure out what we're eating. It's like eating in a high class hotel. No beefs to report on the food—we're all gaining weight. We have a good crew with some oldtimers and some new men but all militant SIU. We got four shots a few days ago. Boy, was I sick. The Chief Mate is giving the shots. We hB.ve two more to go." . . . Say. Red. if you see 'any "flying saucers" over the Pacific Ocean, then we'll believe what the people say they saw in the States! I �T H E S E A F^A RBR S X^ge'Twielve Fate Of All Trade Unions Rests In Hands Of Workers LOG Seafarer make the early struggles of unions and companies look like I've been talking to my brother Sunday school picnics. unionists lately about the new Budd Tobias labor law, born in the twisted bi-ains of Taft and Hartley after a transfusion from the bosses, and so many of us have express­ ed ourselves by merely saying, "I'm sorry it happened." Just being sorry, however, doesn't stop it or help the situation. Instead of crying in our beer, To the Editor: let's start looking for* ways to Here are a few lines of help­ To the Editor: decapitate this monster. After I am the wife of a merchant all, weren't the men who voted ful hints for the membership seamen and I enjoy the LOG should they be bound for for the law put into office by us? vei-y much. Enclosed you will Georgetown, British Guiana, on Didn't we trust them with our find a snapshot of my husband, the Alcoa run. Here in B. G. • future security both at home and James D. Malicoat, Oiler, taken things have • changed a lot, es­ abroad? pecially for the fellows who like when he was aboard • the SS $64 QUESTION to make a little spending money Council Crest from July 2, 1946 unitl Nov. 28, 1946. on the side. How can they believe that by He has been a member of the First of all, . when you go taking away our rights they can SIU for four years, and he ashore, keep an eye out for the "rejurn the worker his freedom" customs. They'll clip you quick thinks it is a great union. as Senator Taft put it? These as a wink. Cigarettes in court Mrs. J. D. Malicoat things we fought for during the cost $10.00 a carton; ashore you Rogers, Texas past decades and were so vigor­ only get $2.00—if you get by. ously opposed by the bosses have Whatever you have that is not suddenly emerged as curses and you- property will land you in REST CAMP Congress is being very good to "Atlanta, Ga.," if you are nailed. HELPED HIM us by removing all of these "re­ The operators of bumboats and a PICK UP QUICKLY strictions on the freedom to certain Mr. Jones, who is follow­ •work." ing the occupation of laundry To the Editor: MUST MEET TEST man, will also give you the busi­ The care and treatment of sea­ Many men sweated and bled to ness. men in the various Marine HosI've been in and out of this pitatls has been blasted by the build unionism in America. We are the ones who are going to port many times and I can tell Seafarers International Union on have to show that they did npt that it has changed a lot, so take many occasions. All of the com­ labor in vain. We are being heed and keep your doors locked plaints that we have made have given the real test and we must when discharging cargo. been justified, as far as my own On the whole we've had a good personal experience goes, but not fail them nor the men who will become union men after us. trip. We loaded in Montreal and there is something further that If this law can be fought in were the first to come in contact should be said about convalescent the courts, then fight it in the with Robert Matthews and Gene care for seamen who have been Montreal discharged from the hospital. courts; if it takes money, then Markey, who is rtow we'll spend it. The union treas­ Agent. The crew is well con­ On June 13 I was discharged ury isn't the only source of funds tented with plenty of overtime from the Brighton Hospital after to fight this vicious thing. As from the eleven ports we visited. being there for a full month. I Now our nice .argo is gone, wasn't ready to ship out since long as there is a union man in and the payloa:! of bauxite we I was still weak, and still wonder­ , this country,.he must take it up­ on himself to throw everything all dream of is coming true. ing what to do next, the hospital A good word must be said foi' social service worker told me he has, including a good slice of the Skipper, J. M. Castro, with about the rest camp operated by his cabbage into this battle. I know that a worker doesn't whom I've been sailing a long the United Seamen's Service at have much money when he is time and find as square as any Gladstone, New Jersey. compared to a big industrialist, man can be. When she saw that; I was dnJ. O'Sullivan but all of us together can give ferested, she made arrangements SS Benjaniin Fisher for me to enter there, and- I got him one hell of a fight that will there on June 14. To the Editor: Steer Straight When In B.G„ He Advises VESSELS OF SIU'S NEW AFFILIATE ^ Some of the craft belonging to members of the Mobile Bay Seafood Union as they tied up at Bayou: Le Batre, Alabama, home of the newest affiliate of the SIU's Marine Allied Workers. Before sun-up boats are chugging out to the Gulf for start of day's fishing operations. GOOD CARE During the next" two weeks I enjoyed the best of care. The food was'good and plentiful, and those of us who were patients in the camp were able to get com­ plete rest. There was entertain­ ment every night, and the staff went out of its way to make our stay very comfortable. It's not common knowledge, but merchant, seamen are eligible for admission to the camp if they still need rest after being dis­ charged from Marine Hospitals in this area. That -means- hospit­ als in Boston, New York, and Baltimore. For those fellows who are in the hospital now,? or go in the future, here's a tip. Have - the Social Worker get in touch with the USS, 92 . Liberty Street, Ne-w York City, and all arrangements can be made. You'll come away from the camp ready to ship out, and with a good rest behina you. George Mee.ney Friday. July 11. 1947 SIU Branch In Puerto Rico Stamped 'Okay' By Seafarer j I have been informed that a I big wave of strikes is hitting the I'm back in the Island of En- I Island right where it- hurts. The chammcnt enjoying the rum and I strike wave will probably conbeautiful scnoritas while grab­ I tin-jo once it begins for the cost bing a s'vvim at the Escambion of living here is about the same Beach Club. Here is whe-re all as Now York City yet the em­ the queens of beauty meet and ployers insist upon keeping sal­ manage 1o make you forget the aries and wages much lower than heat, whicli at the moment is tho.se paid in the States. terrific. During my stay here I paid a visit to our Hall and its new Agent, Salvador Colls. I found him busy on the telephone and up to his ears in work so I didn't bother him. The general impres­ sion here is that he is doing very well. The port itself is very busy with the sugar crop now at its To the Ediior: highest point of production. The American fascists who use CHOW TOPS their front organization, the Republican party, along with The SS Elizabeth, aboard their fellow travellers, the Dem­ which I'm FWT, is a good feed­ ocrats cannot attain rc.spectabiling ship with Julio Ray as Stew­ ity simply because Abe Lincoln ard and .Alphonso Riviera as was a Republican. They have Chief Cook. Even on a week day, at last shown their hand. menus like the one I've attached With the passage of the Taft- were offered and served to the Hartley Slave Labor Bill, they crew. For a short run like this have proven beyond a shadow of I've never had better chow. a doubt that their aim is the We had a meeting at sea on regimentation and enslavement Friday the 13th of June. I chair­ of the American workingman. ed the mooting and found the We who are organized must crew, in all departments, was in stand together and fight this complete harmony. We only have plague which is engulfing this one small beef concerning the land. We mu.st stand united, not splitting of overtime which we'll only to pi-otect our rights, but settle soon. also the rights of millions of un­ Luis A. Ramirez organized workers who are going San Juan, P. R. to suffer needlessly at the hands (Ed. Nole: A week day menu of those wielding the power. Remember Brothers, although submitted by Brother Ramirez the going will be rough, we must beers out his boast of fine chow stick- together. For "divided we aboard < the Elizabeth. Here's fall, united we conquer." We an example: Supper—Radish­ must conquer this attack on our es, Celery, Cheese Canapes, freedom. Yes, we have lost our Chilled Tomato Juice. Mexican guaranteed security and many Cole Slaw. Fried Filet of Cod of our hard-won gains, but if —Tartar Sauce, Chicken Asopo we are united, tho:c who attack —Puerto Rican style. Breaded us cannot win. They must not Veal Cutlets — Tomato Sauce. win! Fresh String Beans, Sweet Remember, "don't give up the Corn, O'Brien Potatoes. Chill­ ship!" ed Peaches, Danish Pastry. -John rW. iSnaden Coffee, Tea. Milk.) Sir. Greater- Detroit To lha Editor: Lakes Brother Urges Fight On Labor's Enemies • In this bit of camera artistry by Seafarer Gene Dauber. Bosun aboard the SS Arizpa. crewmemberi-Paul Belous, AB. is pictured, looking out over the broad-expanse of quiet water. Though scene is peaceful, crew had rugged lime as a result of foul conditions rampant on ship. �Friday. July r11. 1947 TUB SEAFARERS LOG MEN OF TEE SEAFARERS Ship's Minutes Forms Will Be Big Aid To the Editor: The new minutes form now being distributed aboard our ships is something we have long needed. Since I aided in set­ ting the form up, I guess I am somewhat prejudiced in favor of it, but 'from the way it has been laid out it should correct a lot of mistakes and lead to better meetings and more of them. On too many ships the crews do not hold enough meetings. If they now follow the suggestions and notes listed on the forms there is no reason why every ship should not hold regular meetings and send the minutes to the LOG. The suggestions on the back of the form mention certain things v/hich should be covered carefully in shipboard meetings. Education is very important and there is no better place for union education than aboard ship. Push education and your meetings will be more interesting and will pay off in the blue chip.s. When Rry ETurbin, Deck Maintenance, sailed aboard the SS James Duncan recently, he "shot" more pictures than a Hollywood press agent's cameraman. Above is his print of the vessel's Chief Cook (left) and "Woody," the Deck Engineer. 'Blown Top' Only Casualty Sustained On O'Gara's Trip To the Editor: We've made it again. The Francis J. O'Gara, Waterman scow, has bumped into port once again after a trip to Antwerp with everthing okay, except me —I blew my top. Cause of my woe is the Chief Engineer, a queer sort of a char­ acter who walks around with a Wiper's cap on and appears to be very friendly, even goes ashore with the boys for a few beers, but underneath it all he's a company stiff at heart. He claims to be a former SIU mem­ ber, although he never showed us a book. Overtime during the past trip was at a minimum. None was worked that the Chief could, .squirm out of. As Delegate I asked him about the Wipers painting the foc'sles, but nothing doing. He claimed the same old crap, that we were going to the To the Editor: STUCK VALVE The Chief has kept the ma­ chine .shop closed since we left the States. While we were in Antwerp, ji came aboard one evening about five oclock and found the deck steam line blow­ ing off. No wrenches were left below to close off a stuck valve so I went into the machine shop under my own power. The Chief heard about it and told me that I had screwed myself up, and he was going to bring me up on charges before the Coast Guard. He then took me topside and demanded that the Second Mate, a good Joe, write the charges in the Log. This the Second Mate refused to do. While the Chief was bellowing at the Mate to write up the charges, he turned to me and said, "You're not sup- posed to associate with the ofncers." Some liow wc squared that away. The First Assistant had the Wipers painting the boilers, and one morning the Chief-spotted a Wiper painting on top of the super-heater. He told him \o get off and asked him who told him to paint. When he was told, he turned and bawled out the First Assistant. He then posted this notice in the Engine Room: Overtime will be worked only in an emergency, unless okayed by the Chief Engineer. There is an old saying about union papers, which I think is very true: The Union paper is the window through which the public sees the union. Lets make our paper one that really shows everyone that reads it just how fine a union we have. Colucci Says Seamen Should Qualify For Ratings shipyard when we hit port. OASOALtieS- Personally, I think that the part of the LOG carrying the ships' minutes is very important and shows what is happening on our ships. If every ship would send in its minutes regularly, every member will know what is going on aboard SIU ships throughout the world. Blackie Page Thirteen Brother Durbin rightly believes that Seafarers make good subjects. To bear this out he photographed one of the men at work patching up the deck (photo left). Later, using the rough sea as a background, he got Jack Hartl3y, (photo right), OS, wearing a broad grin and rubber boots. Can't we, as a union body, do something about our inexper­ ienced seamen? As a Bosun have had a few inexperienced men during the war, the same as To the Editor: many others. At that time, it I recently paid off the South was to be expected, but now Atlantic ship, Cornelius Gilliam, that the war is over, there still in Philadelphia with Agent Eddie seem to be as many. Higdon handling the affair. A short time ago, a man going Wo had quite a time on this out as Bosun had to pass a com­ ship. First there was the old mittee and show three years of man, an ex-Navy man who is discharges as AB in certain ports. no slouch. He checked all over­ This, I believe, was the result of time for the Deck Department a motion passed at meetings up personally. The Chief Mate had and down the coast. Now that no say in the matter. He didn't was all right for the seamen be­ believe in the six per cent cost cause it protected them from of living increase we won, nor being directed by a man who practically the whole agreement. didn't know what he was doing. He refused to maintain gang­ But how about the serang? way watches in port and de­ There's nothing to protect him manded that the Mate work on from men who ship from the hall deck, which he did. All the under false pretenses and do not Mates turned to on deck on his know the duties of their ratings. orders. The Chief really took the On this ship, the SS Franklin Skipj^er at his word and boy K. Lane, I have a crew shipped did he work. Painting, chipping, from the hall and half of the soogeeing, splicing, sewing and ABs are first trip nien, formerly all the work that sailors are sup­ with the navy. They are afraid posed to do. The Mate rigged a to go up to the top of the tele­ scope mast to paint their ex­ flag staff and stenciled all over cuse being that it is "their first the ship. crip." CUT SHORT Now in my humble opinion this Then there was "Stumpy," the does not help the Union at all. Chief Engineer. He put his H. Mitchell hand into a moving < part of an d Guys On SS Gilliam Take Stock Of Beefs air pump and halved his right index finger. His own words, when this happened were: "I served in two wars with the Navy and never got a scratch. I come aboard a Liberty and lose a finger." I, and a few other guys dis­ agreed and felt sorry it wasn't his head. After his accident. WHEW!! SO MAMYBEEfSI! his pay was split so the first and second Assistants must have had a Wells Fargo truck down for the payoff as their overtime was more than the Master's wages and bonus. The Skipper had the Second Assistant out sewing canvas. What a phony the Second was. NO FRATERNIZATION One crack he made was to the effect that one thing wrong with the ship is that the Engineer of­ ficers are too friendly with the Black Gang. Remember, this from a former SIU member. So you see why I'm minus a top. This guy has got me talking to myself. He needs straighten­ ing up and perhaps if some of the SIU members read this and happen to sail with him they'll know how to get along with him —I never will. C. B. Bregg Engine Delegate He had a nice smile for every­ one but would screw you as soon as you turned around. "Stumpy," infected with the crap from topside told one of the Black Gang men not to use too much water brushing his teeth. "Stumpy" also started conserving fuel oil. He'd sneak gang, collected $100 for the down below at night to see if hours the Mate worked on deck his boys were being careful on and for the gangway watches. the oil., WORD OF ADVICE I want to tell every union NOT HERE membci that if they see a Mate The two Assistants are ex- or Engineer doing work that sail­ NMU men and everything they ors or firemen and oilers should did they said "That's what we be doing, they should put it do on an NMU ship." But they down as overtime. It's good time, learned rather quickly that this and we got it. Don't let these wasn't an NMU scow. stiffs, who are company con­ Overtime on the ship aver­ scious, destroy our hard earned aged 150 hours in all depart­ conditions. ments for a six weelc trip. The We've got to be on the ball Black Gang had only week end every minute. The company watches as everything else was goes over every thing with a disrupted. fine tooth eomb, and we've got The deck gang worked until to do the same. This agreement 8:30 P.M. every night and tuim- of ours is our bible. We must ed to at 6 A. M. while at sea. live up to our end of it and so The Skipper wanted his battle long as we do we're keeping up wagon painted; he got that done our reputation as a democratic and straight-forward union. too. John Tobin At the payoff, we, the deck • �THE Page Fourteen 'Local' Line Just Hogwash, Held Back Union, He Says I real international union, the SIU started jnaking headway. In the Remember the old cries we la.st two or three years the SIU used to hear — "New York for has got to be one of the greatest New Yorker.s" — "Boston • for trade unions in the country. We Bostonians" — Mobile for Mo- wouldn't have that reputation if bilians" — "Savaryiah men for we let some of the former pieSavannah ships." etc'.' cards in the Union keep on tryWell, I was thinking about! jj^g J-Q up their own jobs by inem the other day when I read telling the membership in their .Paul Hall's article where he says j ports that he (the piecard) was any official or member who',making a "one man fight" to tries to pull this kind of stuff ^ keep the rest of the union from is really giving the membership "pushing the local boys around." a boot in the pants. .• T u No, Brothers, everytime I hear I think he put it mildly. What anybody even trying to go Hall should have said was that ^ baloney, before the Union really got inakes me plenty sore. We strong it had to knock down that g^uff go on again, phony attitude of local paits j^gcause if we do, we're goingfor local men'. And another being a little two-bit thing, if it hadn't been knocked to -^e down, there would be no SIU ^ught as well not fool ourselves today. about that. HOT AIR STUFF ALL PORTS FOR ALL SEAFARERS LOG SEAFARERS HONOR WAR DEAD To the Editor: Quite a few of the guys will have no trouble remembering what used to be one of the big­ gest reasons why the SIU was held back from being a big union. That was the phony hot air put out by former officials ?" •}•• • that the membership from their particular port were getting the •short end of the stick, so "to hell with everybody else." What the hell, we're the Seafarer^' hit^rnationar Union"'of North America, aren't we? It's not the SIU of such and such a port. It's one big international union and every port is a mighty important part of the whole set­ up. Why these guys couldn't understand this beats me. Any­ way, ideas like that kept us in a hole. When we first started being a I usually ship out of whatever port I payoff in, and I like to feel at home in any port. But just because a guy likes to ship from one port all the time it doesn't mean that he isn't as ^ Union guy as some one else. It does mean that when­ ever a guy has an SIU. book he is entitled to everything the SIU has to offer in every port. Lucky enough for us, we liaven't had to much of that late ly and that's why I kinda blink­ ed when I road what Hall said in the LOG a couple of weeks ago. Last time I heard of any­ one pulling crap like that was when the former Agent in Phil­ adelphia tried that same old gag last year. The result? The membership didn't fall for it and ^^ppp^^ p^ We're not a union of "locals," but 'we are an International Union. This is the only way we can have a union — by having it so all the members in all the ports can act and vote on the problems we all have. So, Brothers, once again I say whenever you run into this stuff stop it, and stop it quick! It's for your own and the Union's good. William (Red) Morris Notice To All SIU Members The SEAFARERS LOG as the official publication of the Sea­ farers International Union is available to all members who wish to have it sent to their home free of charge for the enjoyment of their families and themselves when ashore. If you desire to have the LOG sent to you each week address cards are on hand at every SIU branch for this purpose. However, for those who are at sea or at a distance from a SIU hall, the LOG reproduces below the form used to request the LOG, which you can fill out, detach and send to: SEAFARERS LOG, 51 Beaver Street, New York 4, N. Y. PLEASE PRINT INFORMATION To the Editor: I would like the SEAFARERS LOG mailed to the address below : Name Street Address Xity State. Signed Book No. Crewmembers of the SS Edwin D. Howard with the wreath they placed in the military cemetery in Bari, Italy, during Mem­ orial Day services honoring merchant seamen and army and navy men who died as a result of enemy action in World War IL In the Howard's 12-man delegation above are, kneeling (left to right): Joe Klepacki, OS: Frank Beck, AB; Felix 'Vaschstti. Bosun, and C. S. Scott, AB. Standing (left to right): R. Foster, AB; Ed Krombel, OS; Leon Curry, AB; Heimo Riuttal, FWT; Oscar Payne. Messman; Rolf Mumy, John Petriger, AB, and Steve Kaolac, OS. Isthmian Crew Awaits Pact To the Editor: This is ju.st a few lines from the gang on the Steel Recorder, one of the usually phony Isth­ mian scows. Even though every­ thing is strictly Isthmian, we still ifiave a pretty good gang aboard. We have quite a few ex-Navy men aboard and contrary to most Navy men they are a swell bunch of guys, all of them mili­ tant believers jn unionism. As always we are only wait­ ing for the day when we can climb on board an Isthmian scow with an SIU agreement in our pockets and say, "Listen here, Mr. Mate, The agreement doesn't Call for that." What a day that will be, and what a joy it will be to meet up with some of the Mates and so- ladies who so tactfully and pleasantly entertained us at the dance which was thrown for us, and also for the enjoyable Sunday on Stanley Beach of Alexandria. J. Wunderlich and 12 others Reminds TC Men Of .Future Role In Union To the Editor: I would like to talk about Trip Cards. The TC men are just as much a part of the Union as a book man. The main differ­ ence is that they are not al­ lowed to vote, and have no choice of staying on ships as long as they like. However, in years to come these same men will have books and will run this great Union of ours. The TC men have helped a lot in ' organizing the Isthmian and Cities Service Lines. These are just a few of the things they have done. I don't mean to say they should have the same priv­ ileges as a book man, for we all have to work for that. However, I do believe that the book men should encourage and preach the SIU laws to them, so they will called Officers I have had the know what a great Union we misfortune to sail with during have; then they won't get dis­ my days aboard Isthmian. couraged and stop shipping just because they don't understand. HAS SOME GOOD GUYS This action would be wrong, and But don't get me wrong, Isth­ I hope NO one will resort to mian, like all other companies ' measure. has its good men and their "Po MUST PROVE WORTHY Haus." I have sailed v.dth many real seamen who are Mates and The SIU doesn't sell you a Skippers on Isthmian. Men who book right off the bat, because did their utmost to make it a you must first prove that you are pleasant voyage for the crew worthy of it. When you do re­ and all concerned. I take my ceive .your book, you will know hat off to them and I can only what it means and how to use it. say it's too bad that a companj^'s You have to work for every­ officers are judged by the act­ thing you get in this world, and ions of a few rotten ones. that applies to the SIU book This trip has been pretty good and the Union itself. No dne so far except that it is hot can stop and play and expect as hell and we are hitting most the Union to run by itself. of the out-of-the-way places. You MAKE the Union your­ "Even though I never consider­ self each and every one of you ed the USS to be worth anything is a part of the Union. A great I must recommend them for their man once said, together we stand wonderful set-up on Alexandria. and divided we fall. Don't ever Never has a crew enjoyed them­ forget that, because it is the selves so much as we did there. damn truth. Frank J. Schulz I wish to. thank all the young Friday. July 11. 1947 Port Meetings Must Spotlight Organizing Work To Ihe Editor: Why don't the membership meetings in most of the ports devote more time to discussions about the Union's organizing work? Only by discussing this important matter at shoreside meetings can we be sure of get-' ting enough SIU men to ride un­ organized ships as volunteer or­ ganizers. I have sailed on Isthmian ships Cities Service scows and other unorganized companies' ships for the Union since it started its or­ ganizing drive. I can say from personal experience that if all the membership could see what's going on on those unorganized vessels, they'd really understand pronto why we need more SIU men aboard to speed up the drives which mean so much to every Seafarer, as well as the unorganized men themselves. NO TALK ON DRIVES I have attended meetings in different ports and it seems that the meetings are over so quick that we never get around to talking about conditions on un­ organized ships. And that's v.Tong, because we're missing out on a one big chance to acquaint all hands with the real score on these scows. I would like to suggest, there­ fore, to both the officials and the membership that it be made a point on the agendas of each port meeting to deal with noth­ ing but the organizing question. TALKS WILL HELP If we can't get all of our men aboard unorganized ships to see just how conditions sfte, maybe by talking about it at our meet-. ings they will really understand just what the score is. We won the Isthmian fleet the hard way but it would have been easier if we would have had more book men in that fleet, men to pitch in on the next orLet's hope we get more book ganizing job the Union starts so that the job will be easier. Bill Brown SUGGEST BROTHEJIS TAKE THEIR ULCERS TO C. Z. HOSPITAL To the Editor: We have noticed in recent ed­ itions of the LOG beefs about conditions in the various hospi­ tals where our members have been confined. There has been enough of a turnover of SUP and SIU mem­ bers here at the Margarita Hos­ pital in the past month to com­ prise a full crew, and not one of these men has given anything but praise for the very able and courteous staff of the hospital. The food is tops here, so if any of the boys plan on turning in with ulcers or Athlete's Foot, this is the place to come. Even the penicillin needles are cushioned. At present there are but five of us here, but with the ships moving again, we're dusting off the empty sacks in our ward. The people in charge have even stretched the rules a little to give us coffee time at ten and three, so let's put Margarita Hos­ pital on the list as tops. Pop Kaiser Ken Bailey Red Conroy Jim Finelli Margarita, Canal Zone �Friday, July - THE 11. 19d7 SIL.fFAK�RS Page Fifteen. LOG Real ·union Man Calls On Nation's Labor To RaUy Forces i ht To Finish' On Taft-Hartley .Act ·For 'Fg J. A really effective fight, which have got to look squarely W this new law and recognize it would guarantee a clear-cut vie.. Everyone remembers the At- for \Vhat it is and what it is tory would include the fotlowin.g lantic Charter,. t�at · illustri�us meant to be-'-a union-busting, i:)0ints; statement of prmc1pals for wh 1ch wage _smashing p r 0 p 0 s i t i 0 n . I. Immediate calling of a were supposed to b e fight mg w hich if applied unchecked to ference of Labor with representhe last "war for .democra_cy," our �aritime industry', would I tatives from the AFL, the CIO . h was lia11ed as the, 2nd wh1c of st:: n d us back to the days . sea and all indepen de nt unions to . . 1 e d o:ume�t m the 1 slavery and the fink hall, in short g eatest smg : map out wiited action against history of Mankmd smce the· order. the Slave Law. I Magna Charta of 1215 A.D. rrectl recogThe S e farers y � � · . u ! 2. An orga'niz.ed, pla nned ge nh Incl ded in t e list of aims of h se de.n"' ers when we ' mzed L1:: · . eral strike of all labor which the Charter ' right alon�side of . . . . .� . \vent on record m favor of a would have as its obJect1ve , the such noble promises as freedom· ,, 1 st r1.ke of a11 1ab or to , , 1 1 repea of the Taft:..Ha rt1ey Law. f rom want, , "freed om from f ear, , pro test the Slave B'll 1 severa .. . . . . . is one calling for "improved etc . 3. The designation of a weeks before it became law, and 1 • • • 1 • • d a economic or stand ard s ab' ,, ·sent a telegram to AFL President candidate to run m this coming . . vancer-._:1 t, and ' socia1 securi. ty. . G reen requesting h'1m to organ- pres1·dent'ial e1ect"ion for Pres 1· . · T o f thousand s of American . · aent of th e United States on a . 1 ize such a general str1ke. work €l'S to.::, 1,;: th . ese pr o�I.Se � at \Ve were United Labor ticket. E!' Party ly u not th · nion on . f ace value and gave th e1r l ives saw that coming. what g was 1. The foundin of a United l·n w·hat they thought was a fight r en says he received hundreds Labor Party with a slate of Lato dest�·oy fascism and preserve G e of . suel1 reque�ts for a general bor candidates directly from the ciemocracy. btnke from umons all over the unions to run against these ConThe Taft-Hc.rtly Slave Labor I country. gressmen who voted for the Bill is the reward labor gets for To !he Editor: PERSONALS a e I, at 1 l en3 labpr 1' I l I Unfortunately, President Green Taft-Hartley Slave Law. t h es pleas for a ge ner al political representatives of Big Benny Goodman k but pledged a laI'ge scale 1 e stri labor The "improved Business. I · • • standards" turned out to be the campaign to rep�al the putting its faith and trust in the e rej�cted Slave · , Kearney, N. J. I j , Fo11owmg · · · month trips a.ragua two on Victory five !ong I:>thm.ian's Nica nd effort-a to aboard l}is new ! organi.Ht'on.al fields. he unionism that no\ib Watts, Califcmia. t i � Pictures ·you crewplembers ordered on the SS while Arthur you by are being held for Jim Golder, care of the Golder Minnesota. Madelia, Hatchery, ·He requests that you write for Now i cffeciive�y 50 � WELLS Yot<.r family wishes to you that they have moved fro� 9925 South Olive Street, Los Angeles, to .2405 E&st 112 Place, Pamp�r.,. Cities Sex,1ice 'ves:cl is passing the word of SIU a to C. L. WEATHERBEE J. A. GERRITY aue:r,;:t·:r.n Remau d• Jr. En91noer. · has tu;ned ;t. :M:. CJ\.RL ' Dobos them· before August 1. 71,.Ji------Finking Role Of ,... Communists ..if.I.likes 'Unity'· . I n,,AJj,.,..,.il>. �. ' e di-, With NMU JmAAssible Broth er .L.lf:...., ff,I, ' '.I:'.....,. - biggest kick in the face in Am-:Law and to defeat every member of Congress who voted for it. erican Labor History. -.----- . This is the first step in th rection of national politics that PUPPETS OF BUSINESS � news of Brother Hicki can get in touch with his mother. Mrs. LeCain at 31 Grove Street having broughi Isthmian into th� SIU. I � ROBERT HICICS Important you contact you1 mother immediately. Brothen � genera l· ,.. Con.. we SANC�Z Your book has been mailed ·,•c Ute Mobile Hall. You c n get i· from Patrolman J. Morrison. � ; F •. � the A L as a whole has made. I To lhe Editor: commie Palazzi to ask us to sit bility just as long as they allow In my opinion.' th� step is okay, acknawlfinks like Palazzi, in on so-called "unity" read the telegram a short with them. What kind of dopes edged member of the greatest . I ut the direction is wrong. They sure have a lot of brass. b · N.Y. the AFL d�es organ- wh le back from the do they think we are? The SIU's scab outfit in the world - the faces 1. straight perfectly With I 1 Poi t Agent Paul Palazzi to the, a on scale politically ize I national position is very clear. We refuse Communist Party-to hQld down they twist the promises of the . I to defeat t�ese c ongressmen, and 1 SIU wherein he reques�ed SI� to sit in on any so-called "unity" key positions in the NMU and Atlantic Charter into the Taft. . I to have this vicwus law repeal-. suppo � for the NMU . m their meetings when there are mem- make strategy for their Uni<>ns. H artle y Sla� Bill, and then add � . m the same manner th�t bers of the Communist Party i d Who are �hey o�ng to �am-. beef Joe Curran hi�elf, in his arinsult to injury by putting a ! e ? � ? Otner ..friends ot la-, the SIU supported the NMU m pr . for· paign ticles in the NMU paper the esent cl{luse in the Bill which makes • · ' · · ?'' Repu.bricans ?. 1946" De�ocrats · · I bor· We refuse to do so because we Pilot. take s the position that the . it a crime for any labor orgam· . . later on a ji . The passage of Palazz This same union:-bust, l i 1 know they are the all time finks Communist Party is a ttempting zation to spend any money in a for, ter the NMU beef was o�er, sent of the labor movement. We do to destroy tl!e NMU. He further Fc<l�ral election, and for any mg law dem-0nstrateS' he Repubhe;an apd another message thanking the Union newspaper to comment all that both so because they were the great points out that around. 1�5 of­ the parties Democratic ow�- f3IU greatly for the support an d betrayers of the seamen during flcials out of a total of 150 irr . favorably or unfavorably upon 1 a ed t · . 1 �d body and soul hat through the SIU I.the last War when t ey sold the NMU, are active members o"f tbe · es i n t'onal E! 1 g Busi- st t . elections. · ,�:"tM'ri_.W<' �mmunm Party. . . . 1 The �nswer 1s tbe Gov.ernment, all in the name 1 · How in hell can any Q�ite a proposition. Why don't · • of · hese t�o of "patriotism." The own· pQlltlcal party. with such bastar .they just pass a law making it needs it� e�egrams com aris n · Th ese same Communist Party; ille�al fur any member of a Just as simple as th t. Lest any member gets any· . his co�mie 8 p evious activitie� ong ideas about this letter, it' WANTS LABOR SLATE Un�o:i (or anyone who w o ks finks w er th e same scabs who wr . This same Palazzi is amazmg. should be stated that the SIU a hvmg) to at all? during the war stated that the . . . . If the AFL is going to mobilize. (who, mctd _ entally • 15 an active Of c�urse, we must not forget p Coast Guard should be made a does not dislike the Communist olitically, why can't we get' to-! emb r f e w at rfr t sec that friend of labor, Harry Tr11tpermanent set-up· of the Mari- Party because they are so-called � ; rest of organized � gether with . tion o mm�is t t arty 0 time Industry because they the "radicals." man, who in his veto message to lab or and put up a 'whole slate wlw woWd America) m the middle of the Coasil1ttard "were just and l ib-I The actual. matrer of fact is: Congress called the bill unwork- of labor . 1946 Stnkes actually put out ?l . a e veto ough:t to bring be pledged to. the that they wouldn,t mak� a g()bd immedia� �e- press releases to' all ne wspapers era!.' ' him quite a few votes m the next I Let them tell the average sea-' si·ze pimple on a radical's neck. ; peal of this law?· to the effect that the "SIU was m , w h · Presidential elect'ions from those I - Aa ether he be SIU or an COMMIE t.INE · . d while we a!'e about it why trymg . . . t0 cripp · 1e the . NMU t.0 NMU, hat politically nearsighted dupes w ho th t C oast Guard, es� .. e . not put up a c andidate for Presi- keep them from wmnmg . . Those finks are su.per mil.it.ant therr still think in terms of Democrats I peciallY in their persecut.ion of . dent of the United in 1948 strike." . oday and 100% scabs tomorrow •. t . and ReP'ublicans. • seamen during the war, ".were . . for intJtanee ? ' hn L · bewis -sa y Jo It Just depends on which way · The recent te�egram to the SIU Mr. Truman however says 1 would. a lot rather vote for, · just and libttra1,, . . . the. Communist Party Line readS. from the NMU that the SIU supthat n the 'B'll ha s This same Union, when refus. � . 1 i.n:come sa y Harry Lundeberg as . senator . pass1ble for the · We know these same commies. . . port had made it Law he will make every effort I from that noble State of ee s or . e mem..... .1 h i'ng to se tle b f f th . Call - NM . to 1ook . tvua y w are trying to wm their beefs shows . ' to carry out its ("unworkable") . the NMU f or "Patriotic . bers of u· · . . forma ' or Paul Hall as Senator w-bat a hypocrite and a 1Ulr this comnue itant are the same , � m · provisions faithfully· Seems to . Reasons , branded the S IU a ;) from the State of �w Yo k ' or member of the Commumst seabs who screamed for a noParty • me Labor ought to prove that our 1 . anti-war and "not patriotic" I John L. for the President of the really is· . strik e pledge not :only durinct "' . · 11 f nend Harry was right when he u · n'ed to settle the SIU t mted States a running on a . the w ar• bu.t after the war· The y Obviously then' this commie u... · ca11e d the B 111 unwork able. ·ng the embersh1" p beefs dur1 m 1abor partY t'icket • than t° have that line only after MOs-' changed . fink's story during the 1946 . strike . War, throu.gb the use of econom4-.J..J / ·, to cast my vote for �<::Orne Repub- was an outri�� . ....1.. t 1ie. SOME.FACTS cow 1.-.'111. them to. . . ic str. ength · lican or democratic friend of laAll SlU members should read' r . Here are just a few facts in On the question of umty itself, CP SMEARS ,. . t-or," who doesn't belong to a of the SIU 0 connection with the law: and a Why was it necessary that this the �IU's record . is very clear union and who probably bC:s read Employers are now permitted n never done a lick of work in his guy, supposedly a responsible and is a lot healthier record the 1 finkY tact.i. cs th ese peop1e h ave, to sue labor unions in the cour ts. NMU official in a key position, the NMU pos sesses. entire life · gone through. (Strikes could be effectively blasted the name of the SIU with WHERE WAS NMU? Every SIU man should consider, I suppose that under this new crippled by court suits which statements that he and the NMU fa i cist his duty to talk to the NMU O law C expression of this t the I with s We hit the bricks funds.) lip tie would strike knew to be outright lies? The ers and tell them just what political opinion in a Union memb h;lped and workers shipyard Suits brought against unions answer is very simple-because them win their strike in New kind of reputation the commie would be long, drawn-out affairs newspaper constitutes a crime. the �ommunist Party Line Wf!S . York City when· the NMU by finks have given their Union. Well, if the LOG editors are which would result in draining and is to smear the SIU at every V[e should tell these NMU. · their actions didn't even know willing to risk :"'printing this I am the treasuries of the unions. · chance it gets! the scor e so that they can't guys exist� workers the CIO shipyard Most union welfare funds are more than willing to take the Al Lannon, the Chief Commis- ed. Why did the NMU, a CIO say we are "red baiting. " Don't rap. made illegal, and the dues checksar in the Waterfront· section of Union, not support these people 1 let anybody kid you on this is-, off system used by some big My opinion is that 16 million the Communist Party; lays down when the SIU, an AFL Union, sue. Celling a scab what he is-­ unions to ensure union control is organized workers can't be wrong the line as given him by Moscow did support them? A SCAB. is not red bdting. that, outlawed. In a few weeks from nnd that what is completely to smear not only the SIU, but It is very simple-because the Brothers is truth telling-in a now the most vicious provisions wrong is this vicious attempt to every AFL M a r i t i m e Union CIO shipyard workers, although big way. . of the bill will go into effect. smash the organized labor movewhenever it is possible. This, in a CIO Union, is strictly anti�he t�me is nea: w�en ,an That is the section outlawing the ment. spite of the fact that t�� policy Communist. They are anti. -Com- umons m the marme industry closed shop and clamping 're- _ It is absolutely right for labor i . of some of the NMU officials and munist for the same reason we are gom g to have a battle-so to fight this Slave Law to a finstrictions on the Union sh op. · r ctically all f its members are. Because they,• too, reco.gnize' the quicker the NMU kick s out � You can see now, in these few ish, using every means at its dis- � � isn t the same thmg. them as the sell-out artists of the shipowners stooges, the CP� abstracts from the Slave Law, posal-mass economic action at then the quicker we can see eye the the working class. Yet these people have that all of tne gains made by la- the point of production, in the to eye on cot\),mon problems� blasti so�called of of question e fa th ·NO-the auda it ng c e c y in bo r in the last decade are wiped law courts and on the political 1 Frenchy BUI • impossi.e u l o s ke is ab an "unity" li by people made statements front. of! the books. You can say one thing for these Big B usiness puppets in Congress.: j Supp.o�e �r �. / vote r for � I · �Y. �nee SUJ?� hyp�racy ! 1? � � gi � � � � o ;° h have unity . ��th f ' ;_,.. . I j jI I I Stat� , t.he e j , an meetings I I the Cl!ndidatvts l : a�e a /I N�U 1 0,b�i�ushLabor I : �hat I I r U t o whe.....,. ver . . j I I I � i � �°f:ook soX::!a:�z��=. �S-, .r-"} Page Sixteen THE SEAFARERS LOG v?-''^'">!'= Friday. July 11. 1947 AFL Adopts Six Point Program To Wage Fight On 'Slave-Labor' Act strength so that they may sub­ a woeful lack of cooperation "%e- their fixed bitter determination procedure to the Supreme Court stitute collective action for indi­ tween management and labor. te destroy them if possible. of the United States. We shall vidual action. The material, edu­ President Truman emphasized exhaust every legal resource at The National Association of cational and cultural well-being this fact in his , veto message Manufacturers and other employ­ our command in the efforts we of all'Classes of people depends when he stated: er organizations may function put forth to test the validity of upon an adequate financial in­ i "I find that the National Labor and serve their respective mem­ this Act. come. To workers that means Relations Act would be converted bership without an/ substantial 2. The repeal of this notorious wages, high enough to enable from an instrument with the ma­ interference on the part of gov­ legislation shall be our fixed ob­ them to maintain themselves in jor purpose of protecting the ernment. They are practically jective. We shall never be rec­ decency and comfort and to es­ lights of workers to organize and free from legislative restraints onciled to the acceptance of this tablish a standard of living com­ bargain collectively into a maze and limitations. The attorneys legislation. We shall oppose it— mensurate with the requirements of pitfalls and complex proced­ who serve the National Associa­ fight it at every step and every of American citizenship. ures. As a result of these com­ tion of Manufacturers and who opportunity — until we succeed plexities employers and workers prepared and wrote the Taft- in our efforts to bring about its NOBLE OBJECTIVE would find new barriers to mu­ Hartley Bill saw to it that their repeal. Our action in this respect This is a noble objective. It tual understanding. clients were exempt from many will be based upon the fact that The all day discussion approv­ squares with the American way "The bill time and again of the provisions of the Act to we regard the Taft-Hartley Bill ed unanimously the resolution of life. Workers everywhere would remove the settlement of which unions and their members as a slave measure, Un-American, brought in by a committee com­ should be encouraged, not hamp­ diffez'ences from the bargaining are subjected. vicious and destructive of labor's posed of five Vice-Presidents and ered or hindered in their efforts table to courts of law. Instead of constitutional rights. The Taft-Hartley Act is a to realize such a high and lofty learning to Hive together, em­ Secretary-T r e a s u r e r George 3. We will organize, units and purpose. Such an economic and ployers and unions are invited strike and strife-provoking Act. Meany. social order would serve to per­ to engage in costly, time-con­ It should be properly classified concentrate our efforts toward While the i-esolution refrained petuate our free democratic form suming litigation, inevitably em- as such. It will serve to prevent bringing about the defeat of every the workers from agreeing to member of Congress for re-elec­ from urging all unions to boycott of government, to prevent th--) bittering both parties, incorporate a no-strike pledge tion who voted in favor of final spread of Communism, or the ac­ the National Labor Relations EVILS DESCRIBED in written contracts. It means enactment of the Taft-Hartley ceptance of any totalitarian phil­ Board, as many have indicated osophy and to serve as a guaran­ the end of sound labor manage­ Bill. Here the President set forth they would do, Joseph Padway, tee of the preservation of our ment relations and the substitu­ in simple language the evils of 4. To protect our organizations tion therefor of distrust, suspic­ AFL general counsel, declared free cnterffi-ise system. against possible suits for dafnthe new National Labor Rela­ that "if unions can by-pass the Apparently the authors and tions Board and the great dis- ion, and class hatred. ages and other vexacious and law and do without it, 1 am here suppoi lers of the Taft-Hartley service to human relations in destructive litigation under this LABOR'S PLEDGE to state that they would be bet­ anti-labor law ignored all these industry which is bound to follow law, it is recommended that noter off." And now, we, the representa­ strike provisions be omitted from facts. Their actions must be in­ the enforcement of said amended terpreted as meaning that strong National Labor Relations Act, as tives of seven million five hun­ all future agreements, written or NLRB NO FACTOR serviceable labor unions must not Because the amendments to the dred thousand members of the oral. Most of the repre.sentatives be permitted to exist within our Notional Labor Relatioils Act, as American Federation of Labor, 5. In order that the workers of stated privately that it would be economic and social life, that set forth in the Taft-Hartley Bill, after giving solemn considera­ the Nation may be accorded a their policy to ignore the NLRB, only weak and impotent labor are susceptible of varied inter­ tion to all the facts herein stat­ full and complete opportunity to unions shall be allowed to sur­ and to depend entirely on collec­ pretations and are confusing to ed, the provisions of the Tafttive bargaining, with the alter­ vive and that labor may have a the highest degree, we would Hartley Act and its legal ana­ vote in National elections, we native of striking if direct nego­ shadow of a labor movement but prefer no National Labor Re­ lysis prepared by the Legal De­ recommend that our organizations set aside this day as-a holiday to not the substance. tiations failed. lations Board than the National partment of the American Fed­ be devoted solely to election This fact is refiected in every Labor Relations Board with its eration of Labor herewith de­ On their return from the purposes. meeting. Seafarers International word, line, sentence and para­ administrative authority as set clare that the following shall be our pledge and uncompromising 6. We recommend that the Ex­ delegates, Paul Hall and Morris graph of the notorious Taft-Hart­ forth in the Taft-Hartley Law. ley Law. It seeks to weaken, The Taft-Plartlcy Law is fill­ purpose. ecutive Council of the Ameri­ Weisberger, warned that the SlU 1. Because we believe many can Federation of Labor give must now be ready for an all-out render impotent and destroy la­ ed with "Thou Shall Not's and bor unions. It does so by strik­ "Thou must's" to the officers and of the provisions of the Taft- full and complete, consideration fight against the new law. ing -a vital blow at free collective members of labor unions. The Hartley Bill are unconstitutional to the declarations of this con­ "Now is the time for all SlUbai-gaining and substitute a pro­ supporters of the Taft-Hartley we will challenge the validity of ference and in addition, prepare SUP members to prepare for the cess of government domination future," they said. "We must over employer - employee rela­ Law virtually declare "Labor said sections in the courts. In for the consideration of the next Unions in the United States must doing so, we shall avail our­ convention of the American Fed­ keep our apparatus in good shape tionships. The negotiation of be made weak and ineffective. selves of the opportunity to ap­ eration of Labor a program giv­ so that we can spring into action closed shop agreements are for­ at a moment's notice. Our Union bidden and the regulations, limr Their ability to serve working peal in accordance with court ing full effect to these purposes. people, to preserve economic is built on a solid foundation, itations and prescribed methods freedom and to establish higher and it will take more than a which must be followed regardstandards of living for the wage phony la-w to force ,. .us to go , back ing union membership are all de- earners of the nation must be to the poor conditions that we impossible for successfully fought for so many labor unions to live and function limited and defined." years." NO FREE SPEECH effectively. The full text of the policy The provision of the TaftINJUNCTION LAW statement, adopted by the dele­ All along the line this past ^ His clothing added still angates, follows: In addition to the classification Hartley Bill which provides that year the American worker was other 20 per cent to the price it shall be unlawful for any Your committe submits the of Unfair Labor Practices in this labor organization to make a an unwitting participant in the last year; beverages were fnllov/ing declaration for the con­ Act, some stated and other vague, contribution or expenditure in . , up 50 per cent; sugar and sweets which employers charge against modern industry version of the , , sideration of this conference: , . . labor unions, the Act provides connection with the election of old shell game with big business 32 per cent, and on and on. A strong moving desire on the may be insti- Members of Congress, strikes a No ceiling was in sight as the part of working men and women violation of vital blow at freedom of speech — as usual — slickly manipulat­ abused money-boys continued to for the realization of higher, and freedom of press. This sec­ ing the shells. bloat themselves with unprece­ standards of living has served to I ji^j^ed the abhorrant principle tion must be interpreted as "Now you see it, now you dented profits. Sample of the .estabish and stimulate the!^^^ government by meaning that the supporters of don't," was the theme as capital sad situation endured by big growth and expansion of labor injunction. The purpose of those the Taft-Hartley Bill sought to business last year is pointed out unions., The , , , progress . and , devel- I who supported the Taft-Hartley make it a crime for labor to ex­ thoroughly sucked back every by the financial report released opment of labor unions have run effectively destroy labor ercise the right of freedom of nickel of wage increases — and by the Great Atlantic and Pac­ parallel to the steady ever in- unions, is made crystal clear in the press and freedom of speech in most cases more. ific Tea Company, which is sup­ ceasing demand of the workers provision of it. in order to prevent them from While big business screamed posed to operate at a "small for higher wages, improved con­ The revision and reconstruc­ being reelected to Congress. profit." ditions of employment, security tion of the National Labor Rela­ The vicious feature of this and hollered "murder" every and social justice. The company's earnings for thei tions Board has created confu­ section is reflected in the fact time a union demanded a reason­ Time and experience have sion and uncertainty. Its real that it provides any officer of able cost-of-living increase, prices past year went up a clean 150 per cent, from 12 millions to shown that the labor union is meaning will neve' be clearly a labor organization or any labor — rigged by big business — better than 30 millions of dollars. the instrumentality which served understood until it has been de- organization who exercises the to^promote the economic, social ^ fined by the courts. Employers %ight of freedom of speech or zoomed to all time highs in the Sales, however, only increased and industrial welfare of the and employees will vehemently freedom of the press in opposing nation's history. Even the rec­ about 27 per cent, indicating a workers everywhere. Even non- differ as to the real meaning of a Member of Congress who voted ord prices, of the 1919-20 post­ widely disproportionate zoom in union workers have been the ^ the provisions of the revised and for the Taft-Hartley Bill for re­ war period were cheap by com­ their profit margin. beneficiaries of the gains made newly created National Labor election, shall be guilty of a The downward trend in liquor parison. by the organized labor move- J Relations Board. All of this will criminal offense punishable by For the worker, pork cost 78 consumption might have a tie-in ment. .serve to promote strife between a fine or imprisonment, or. both. here. Big business apparently is The organization of working employers and employees — the Here in this section is reflected per cent more than it did a year men and women means the mo-1 expenditure of large sums of the hatred of members of Con­ ago; beef 62 per cent more, and finding very little to. make it, r bilization of their economicimoney in court proceedings and gress toward labor dhions and still going up. resort to drink. . WASHINGTON, July 9—Stat­ ing that the Taft-Hartley Act igr-ored the true worth of labor unions, and was designed so that only "weak and impotent labor unions shall be allowed to sur­ vive," the meeting of 200 top of­ ficials of AFL unions today adopted a fighting program to • combat the new law. One liundred and five unions, consisting __ of more than 7,500,000 members, were represented. . i' Worker Loses In Sheii Game, Capital Snatches His Gains � 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 July 11, 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. 28 Description An account of the resource Headlines: SEAFARERS WINS ANOTHER; WYANDOTTE FLEET GOES SIU BY 68 PERCENT MAJORITY AFL ACTS ON TAFT-HARTLEY LAW NEW MARITIME BILL IS DEFINITE THREAT TO U.S. MERCHANT MARINE NEW CONTRACT BIG VICTORY FOR MINERS ILA CONVENTION BEGINS ON JULY 14 MM&P WINS WAGE INCREASE IT'S NO GAG MEN WITH THE REQUIRED TIME URGED TO GET HIGHER RATING AVC PROGRESSIVES BEAT COMMIE ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE OUTFIT SEAMEN GET TOO MUCH, EAT TOO WELL, LIVE TOO WELL, SAYS COLUMNIST BUCKO MATES ARE LESS OF A THREAT THAN THE DISRUPTORS FROM WITHIN RUSSIAN FORCES FOSTER BLACK MARKET IN AUSTRIA IN AND AROUND THE NEW ORLEANS HALL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS COVER MEN ON WSA SHIPS IN 1946 HERE'S ANOTHER HUNGRY ISTHMIAN SHIP: THIS TIME IT IS THE THOMAS SIM LEE CIO SHIP TIE-UP STILL EFFECTIVE TEXAS AFL CONVENTION MAPS FIGHT AGAINST TAFT-HARTLEY ACT PHILLY HOTEL BILLS GO SKY HIGH; ANTI-LABOR BILLS FLOOD STATE GALVESTON IS RUNNING SMOOTHLY NOW THAT GASHOUNDS ARE SCARCE SEAFARERS' GAINS ON GREAT LAKES PROOF ENOUGH FOR WORKING SEAMEN BOSTON MANPOWER SHORTAGE EASES, TANKERS OUT SINCE STRIKE BACK CONGRESSMEN PULL 'BIG PAY' GAG TO PAVE WAY FOR SHIP TRANSFERS TAFT HARTLEY ACT BOOMERANGS WITH UNORGANIZED LAKES SEAFARERS ON LUXURY CRUISE SEAFARERS RESCUE FRENCH CRAFT ADRIFT 2 DAYS IN MEDITERRANEAN ISTHMIAN CREW 'RED-PENCILS' SKIPPERS SENSE OF HUMOR SS MARYMAR RUNS AGROUND COLABEE IS 1ST UNDER WIRE WITH NEW SIU MINUTES FORM AFL ADOPTS SIX POINT PROGRAM TO WAGE FIGHT ON 'SLAVE-LABOR' ACT WORKER LOSES IN SHELL GAME, CAPITAL SNATCHES HIS GAINS Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 7/11/1947 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America 1947 Periodicals Seafarers Log