http://www.seafarerslog.org/archives_old/files/original/497973a76ca5e25824ebf7af45975959.PDF 5e00556a2747723e97fcfead079091f6 PDF Text Text Official Organ of the Seafarers International Union of North America VOL. IX. NEW YORK. N. Y.. FRIDAY. AUGUST 15. 1947 No. 33 —Story on Page^ S Isthmian Seamen Demand Hiring Through Seafarers' Halls �•. '- • . Page Two SEAFARERS LOG Publ/sbed Weekly by the SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA Atlantic and Gulf District Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor At 51 Beaver Street, New York 4, N. Y. HAnover 2-2784 International Officers HARRY LUNDEBERG President 105 Market St., San Francisco, Calif. PAUL HALL First Vice-President 51 Beaver St., New York 4, N. Y. MORRIS WEISBERGER Vice-President 105 Broad St., New York 4, N. Y. CAL TANNER Vice-President 1 South Lawrence St., Mobile, Ala. EDWARD COESTER Vice-President 86 Seneca St., Seattle, Wash. JOHN HAWK Secy.-Treasurer 105 Market St., San Francisco, Calif. District Officials J. P. SHULER - - - Secy.-Treas. Atlantic & Gulf District P. O. Box 25, Bowling Green Station, New York, N. Y. HARRY LUNDEBERG - 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 267 This Is It! No member of the Seafarers International Union, even after the bargaining election in the Isthmian fleet was won, expected the company to come across with a contract—not without a hard, drawn-out fight. So it is no surprise to us to see the company stalling over the issue of the Union Hiring Hall and the Rotary Shipping System. But members of the SIU know how bit­ terly other operators fought this democratic method of shipping when our Union was first starting, and we know that they were forced to agree to our demands. Isthmian is no exception, and our winning this big beef will prove it! I Men Now In The Marine Hospitals In every way the Union Negotiating Committee tried to meet Isthmian half-way. The company was told that if These are ihe Union Brolhers currently in the marine hospitals, it agreed to the Union Hiring Hall and the Rotary System, as reported by the Port Agents. These Brothers iind time hanging that other parts of the contract could be worked out. But heavily on their hands. Do what you can to cheer them up by writ­ Isthmian said "no" at the beginning, and continued to ing to them. %say "no" all during the course of the negotiations. NEW ORLEANS HOSPITAL L. TORRES There is no doubt that Isthmian is carrying the ball JOSEPH DENNIS C. SCHULTZ L. GROVER for all the other operators who hope to break down the J. HAMILTON C. MACON R. A. BLAKE * R. MORRISON seamen's unions. If Isthmian gets away with its fink halls, BOB WRIGHT H. BELCHER M. PERRONE then the others will demand the same privilege. JOHN MAGUIRE J. T. EDWARDS XXX Isthmian today is asking the Seafarers to go back to CHARLES BURNEY . L. BALLESTERO MOBILE HOSPITAL J. J. O'NEAL the days when a seamen went, hat in hand, to the comX X .X M. D. PENRY F. L. WANDRIE l^ny office and begged for a job. Any man who fought STATEN ISLAND HOSPITAL J. G. HARRIS E. M. LOOPER for decent conditions was blacklisted, and he then had no JOHN RATH ARCHIE SANDY D. G. PARKER E. P. O'BRIEN way of earning a living. H. HUISMAN LEROY CLARKE P. FELICIANO J. CARROLL To this idea the SIU registers an emphatic "no.'' J. ZANADIL F. J. SCHULTZ T. J. FAITER D. P. KORALIA Approximately 96 per cent of the unlicensed Isth­ T. J. KURKI M. COLLIER WILLIAM MOORE K. C. CROWE mian seamen voted for union hiring and the rotary shipping C. E. FOSTER L. COOPER E. E. CASEY WILLIAM FAWELEY .system in the bargaining election in which the SIU was REUBEN VANCE J. P. McNEEL E. L. MEYERS recently certified. They knew what they were voting for, ^ X J. P. TASSEN J. C. KEEL and they are going to get the protection of the only sys­ GALVESTON MARINE HOSP. P. GELPI U. S. MORGAN W. BENDLE tem of shipping in which the shipowner can't pull the S. W. LESLEY R. G. VARNON G. E. LEE strings. J. A. DYKES XXX A. BELANGER J. MORRISON This is not just a struggle against the Isthmian Steam­ BALTIMORE HOSPITAL A. V. O'DANIELS D. MILLER (SUP) R. S. SINGLETARY ship Company, backed up as it is by the wealth and power ELMER BROWN XXX DELIMER COPPOCK XXX of the United States Steel Corporation. The other opera­ BRIGHTON MARINE HOSP. NEPONSET HOSPITAL MURRAY PLYER tors may take this as an open door, and try to walk right in. R. BAASNER L. CLARK EDDIE MARKIN If they attempt any such trick, they will find that the J. S. CAMPBELL E. DELLAMANO MANUEL SANTIAGE W. MITCHELL membership of the SIU is prepared to fight for its hard- E. FERRER MAX FINGERHUT R. LORD J. R, HANGHEY THOMAS WADSWORTH won rights. J. BARRON C. LAN3EN WILLIAM ROSS This is an all-out fight! It's up to us to win it just as L. L. LEWIS P. MADIGAN S. Y. FOGELBERG we have every other beef we've ever taken part in. J. R. LEWIS E. JOHNSTON ANTHONY ATKIEWING �Friday. August 15, 1947 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Three Seafarers Ties-Up All Isthmian Shipping Walkout Is 100 Percent Effective; SlU Receives Pledges Of Support From Other AFL And CIO Unions By PAUL HALL NEW YORK—^I'he threat to democratic shipping, posed by the Isthmian Steamship Company's refusal to agree to the Union Hiring Hall and the Ro­ tary Shipping System, has been met by a strike which tied-up all Isthmian ships in ports in the United States. As other ships hit ports within the continental limits of the U. S., they will also be struck. Negotiations with the company, which have been going on intermittently since the SIU was certified as collective bargaining agent for unlicensed Isthmian seamen, finally stalled when the company insisted on the right to open-shop its employes, thereby ultimately breaking down everything that organized seamen have won through diard fought struggles. Any guy with any savvy can smell something is rotten as hell when damned good Bosuns and Chief Stewards start turning down jobs in their ratings after having sailed in these jobs for years. These men didn't just suddenly decide they don't like their jobs. According to lots of these fellows themselves, there are several good reasons why they won't ship in their ratings any longer. Biggest of the reasons stems from the fact that on some scows, if a Bosun or Steward insists on some of his shipmates pitching in The Union's Negotiating on their share of the work as per contract, a few gold bricks get up Committee sent a telegram off their lead-laded rears and howl "foul." According to their screwball reasoning, a guy who tries to get to the company stating that them roiling when they aren't in the mood to cut the mustard and the issues of the Hiring Hall carry their end of the work-load isn't "a right guy." and Rotary Shipping were As many members have found out personally a "regular guy" in NEW YORK. August 14— the heart of any agreement, and the freeloaders' book is one who turns his head the other way while SIU President Harry Lundethat other portions such as wages he sloughs off and the rest of the crew have to do his work. berg today announced the and hours and conditions could Another reason for the Bosuns and Stewards growing disgust unreserved support of the be thrashed out once the company is the squawk that comes from the would-be freeloaders whenever American Federation of La­ would agree to the system of they attempt to have their gangs do a ship-shape job and bring the bor, in a telegram received NEW YORK, August 13 —A hiring which has become stand­ scow in a condition real seamen wouldn't be ashamed of. The free­ by the Headquarters Strike ard in the maritime industry. loaders then try to brand the Bosun or Steward as "company men packed special "stop - work" Committee. The telegram A deadline of 2:30 p. m., Tues­ meeting in Manhattan Center to­ for their efforts and set out to give the boys a bad time. follows: day, August 12, was set, but the day heard a report of the strike Paul Hall. SIU of NA Cooperative Spirit ^ situation to date and voted company requested more time, 51 Beaver Street and this was granted. However, That's a pretty lousy label to hang on anybody and no self- unanimously to extend the strike President Green of the respecting Seafarer can be expected to swallow that kind of crap, if the Isthmian Steamship Com­ at 6:30 the same day, the com-i AFL issued the following pany rejected the Union's de-| especially when it comes from a freeloader. We all must understand pany attempts to prolong the ac­ statement today quote: The the position of the Bosuns and Stewards, if we are to maintain a tion until the date when - the mand, and asked for another American Federation of La­ meeting Thursday, August 14. cooperative, union spirit aboard ship. Taft-Hartley Act takes effect. bor without reservation . A Steward or Bosun's job requires that they direct the work JUST STALLING The 3000 Seafarers in attend­ stands behind the Seafarers of the men in their gangs and decide who is to do what. With the ance were warned by Strike All this was just one more Int. Union of NA in their exception of a few who might overstep their bounds, these men Committee Co-chairmen Paul proof that the company had no coming fight to retain their give orders only because it's all in the day's work. Hall and Morris Weisberger that intention of granting the Union union hiring halls and other Furthermore, in order for Bosuns and Stewards to be good the company would not give in Hiring Hall and Rotary Ship­ fundamental conditions. We Union men they must also be good Bosuns and good Stewards. In on the Union Hiring Hall and ping unless forced to do so. It pledge the entire strength of fact, this follows right down the line. Wherever you find a first- the Rotary Shipping System un­ was then that the pin was pulled, seven million members of rate Union man, you'll usually find a Seafarer who is capable and less it was forced to do so, and and within a matter of hours, the American Federation of qualified for his rating. would try every trick in the picketlines had been set up Labor in this fight. Unquote. books to inject provisions of the around Isthmian ships on the Harry Lundeberg Bosses' Stooge East Coast. This was soon fol­ SIU of NA The "company man" label which shirkers and freeloaders so T-H Law into this beef. The Union Hiring Hall is lowed by a complete tie-up all indiscriminately try to hang on any guy just trying to do his job something we fought for," stat­ over the United States. is a dangerous thing. A "company man" is a bird who uses his The strike committee for the union membership as a cover up for fronting for the employer, ed Hall, "and we're damned if SIU in the Port of New York while he takes unreasonable advantage of his shipmates for his we'll give it up. If Isthmian, or consists of Paul Hall, New York any other operator, tries to take own and the bosses' benefit. Agent, Charley Tannehill, A1 He is quite often a stool pigeon who gives lip-service to his this right away from us, they'll Waterman, Teddy Babkowski. union while he whispers in the employer's ear. In short, he is any­ have to whip eveiy single one and Bobby High. For the SUP thing but a good union man and can be classed with the fink and of us first." the committee is composed of scab. How any bum can call a Bosun or a Steward a "company In addition to the many GENERAL STRIKE Morris Weisberger, New York man" simply because he's doing his job and thereby keeping his Agent, P. Rodrigues, P. Nisenen. pledges of support which have In the event that Isthmian Union in a strong bargaining position is a question all squarebeen received from both AFL Bruce Denholm, and C. Russell. continues to stall, or tries to in­ shooting Seafarers will want answered. and CIO unions, certain AFL In other ports strike commit­ voke any portion of the new Locals in New York City have tees have been elected and are "slave labor" law, the SIU is Time To Take Position been seeing to it that food is ali-eady functioning. prepared to ask all maritime The time, therefore, is right now, for the Union to start taking In all, twenty-four Isthmian being furnished to the Strike a position on this very important matter. The Chief Steward and the workers to join in a general ships are affected so far. Seven Kitchen at 51 Beaver Street. strike. Bosun, like every body else in the Union (OS, AB, Fireman, Messare in the Port of New York, six Many of these Locals assisted This would take on the same boy, etc.) have SIU books. They are entitled to all the considera­ proportions as the 1946 Gener­ in Baltimore, three in New Or­ with food in the 1946 General tion and protection given the others. Several times recently, some Messmen and Ordinaries have al Strike in which the Seafarers leans, two each in San Francisco Strike, and without a moment's come to the Hall in a hell of a sweat wanting to know if they could forced recognition of its new and Philadelphia, and one each hesitation started the ball roll­ bring charges against the Bosun or Steward on their ship for what contracts with the shipownei's in Mobile, Galveston, Houston ing as soon as the announce­ ment came that the ^lU was after the Wage Stabilization and Boston. they said was "working them from bell to bell." once again involved in all-out No .sooner had the Negotiating Board had "nixed" the wage in­ Short and simple, the answer is: "Hell, no'" Committee announced the strike strike action, Certainly no guy likes to work for a tough Steward or Bosun creases. than messages of support started | The Locals from whom assistwho insists on working the men from bell to bell. But there is a ACTION PLANNED pouring into the New York ance has been received to date way to handle guys who go off the deep end in getting the ship's The resolution, as approved by Headquarters. are: work done. Where they go to extremes in hardtiming a crew, the the membership, is as follows: From the Masters, Mates, and men have a right to present their case to shoreside meetings .and ask Joe Deckei; and Phil Shapiro. The SIU-SUP will declare as Pilots, came the following tele­ the membership to prevent the offenders from shipping. Local 60. Delicatessen and hot" any vessel which is re­ gram: The shipowners have not given up the hope that they might Restaurajit Workers. allocated from Isthmian to any Wired all- off-shore locals one day hire nothing but non-union Bosuns and Stewards. They other operator as long as the quote: Seafarers International Ross Siegel. continually squawk that when the Union ships these two key ratings strike lasts. Any vessel belong­ Local IS. Hotel and Restaur­ Union of North America on off the Board from the Hall, they do not get men who are able to ing to any company which hauls ant Workers. strike against Isthmian Steam­ get the crew to work properly. any re-allocated Isthmian cargo ship Company effective mid­ Joseph Belsky. The quickest way for us to help the shipowner in this argu­ ment is for the officials or the membership to lead anyone to be­ shall be declai-ed as "hot" and night, August 12. Imperative Local 234. Butcher Workers. lieve these men do not have the right to run their gangs within the struck in the same manner as you cooperate without jeopar­ Eugene Kennedy. Isthmian vessels. dizing agreement. Refuse to limits of our agreement and union working rules. Local 1500. Retail Food The SIU-SUP shall upon the sail vessels manned by non­ At the present time the straightening out of this matter is of Clerks. first attempt by any person or union crews. Request clear­ vital concern to the SIU. It should be discussed thoroughly at A. Silverstein. your shipboard meetings. If you have an opinion on the matter— persons to inject into this dis­ ance for safety watches. E. W. Higginbotham, Pres. Cooks' and Countermen's send it to the LOG. Let's get rolling and square this issue up— pute between the United States Union. but quick. {Continued on Page If) (Continued on Page 4) N.Y. Meet Maps Beef Extension Pres. Green Pledges Full AFL Support AFL Unions Furnish Food �THE SEAFARERS ' Page Four i Friday. August 15. 1947 LOG Isthmian Strike 100% Effective (Continued from Page }) The following message was re ceived from the Radio Officers Union: Many thanks your telegram this date. Radio Officers Union offers you and your men full cooperation and 100 per cent support for your victory. Your picketlines will be respected by our members. Let us know if we can be of any assistance. Fred M. Howe, General Sec. The Marine Firemen, Oilers, Watertenders, and Wipers, pledged its support in a telegram .from V. J. Malone, President: The Marine Firemens Union wholeheartedly endorses your strike against the Isthmian Steamship Company and Head­ quarters and all Branches will respect and support your pick­ etlines without qualification. The New York Branch of the MFOWW reiterated Malone's sen­ timents: At a special meeting at 3 p. m. August 13, the New York Branch of the Mai'ine Fire­ men's Union went on record to i-espect SIU picketlines and to support your strike against Isthmian Steamship Lines. Signed by Ferdinand C. Smith, M. Hedley Stone, Chester Young, and Jack Lawrenson, the Nation­ al Maritime Union also sent a message of support: The officials of the National Maritime, Union of America, CIO, wish to advise the officials and membership of the Sea­ farers International Union, AFL, that the NMU will give full support and cooperation to your effort to secure a signed contract from the Isthmian Steamship Corporation. The record of this anti-labor outfit is well known and your fight on this question is our fight. During this uncertain period many complications may arise in the situation. May we sug­ gest therefore that a meeting be arranged between your of­ ficials and the officials of the NMU so that all problems may be worked out in such a way as to permit us to give you the most effective support in mak­ ing your strike successful. UFE RECIPROCATES The appreciation of the United Financial Employes, was shown by the following wire: We all know how much the SIU helped us in the past. You can depend on 100 per cent co­ operation. Call on us for any­ thing. M. David Keefe, Pres., Local 205, UFE. International support and co­ operation was promised in a wire from James Scott, of the British Seamen's Union: We are with you 100 per cent. Let us know if there is anything we can do to make your action even more suc­ cessful. The Marine Cooks and Stew­ ards also pledged assistance in the following message: Test of the Taft-Hartley Law attempt to outlaw Hiring Hall ^pd notary Shipping -import­ ant to all maritime . unions. MCS pledges full' support in your strike action against Isth­ mian SS Company. We are ready and willing to give any and all assistance to your strike committee in aiding your strug­ gle. With full support of all labor, victory must be yom-s. Nathan Jacobson, Sec.-Treasurer. On the second day of the strike, food and coffee already was be­ ing served on the picketlines, and arrangements were completed for feeding and housing the Isthmian men who left their ships. Honors for being the first men to pile off went to A1 Water­ man, who came off the Rider Vic­ tory, and Norman Lindsey, who took his baggage off the Harold I Pratt. The entire crew of the Richard Alvey reported to the New York Hall a few hours after the strike started. They turned in for a little shut-eye, and by early morning were sarting for the picketlines to relieve the night watch. By J. P. SHULER Secretary-Treasurer Contracts and Negotiations Since the last regular meeting, the following companies have signed the standard SIU agree­ ment, which will be in effect un­ til July 30, 1948: Waterman Steamship Company, Mississippi Shipping Company, Arnold Bernstein Shipping Company and Ponce Cement Corporation. Sometime ago. Ponce Cement Company notified the Union they wished to terminate the agree­ ment on September 30, 1947. Last week, when the ship was in Philadelphia, they were pre­ sented with an agreement which they signed after economic pres­ sure had been used. The story of this action was carried in the last week's issue of the SEA­ FARERS LOG. The Negotiating Committee met with the following compan­ ies- during the past week: Am­ erican-Eastern Steamship Com­ pany, Illinois-Atlantic Stearnship Company, Overlakes Freight Corporation and Newtex Steam­ ship Company. All of these com­ panies have agreed to go for tlie standard contract and they should all be signed up by the end of this week. In addition, Calmar and Ore Lines, St. - Lawrence Navigation Company, Crosby Steamship Company, and Moran Towing Company have been contacted and negotiations will be held soon with these companies. The Negotiating Committee met with Isthmian Steamship Company on Thursday, August 7, 1947. The Company's propos­ als and attitude was unsatisfac­ tory to your Union Negotiating Committee and by the time this The Patrolmen Say.. SIU-MM&P Cooperation NEW YORK —It was Matetrouble that took Pati'olman Artie Shea of the MM&P and myself down to the Robin Grey this week. The Grey, a converted C-3, had stopped in Baltimore where she picked up six men for the Deck Departmerft and then had proceeded here. When we hit the ship, several members of the Deck Depart­ ment submited a list of griev­ ances against the Mate, and ask­ ed that he be removed from the ship by job action, if necessary. Shea and I got the men and the Mate together in the messroom and thrashed the matter out. The men were primarily burned up over some of the Mate's practices pertaining to work aboard ship. We took their grievances up one by one. Unfortunately, the men had not done too good a job of drawing up the charges, pri­ marily due to the fact that they lacked knowledge of just what a Mate's duties are. STAND TO COLLECT Our contracts state that when licensed personnel work on deck, the work done will be paid the unlicensed personnel responsible for the work. The men in this case had nothing to worry about, for no matter how much work the Mate performed they stood to collect. The charge that the Mate was telling the Bosun what to do could not stand up very well, as it is the Mate's job to pass along orders to the Bosun, and he in turn will pass them to the men. If he orders them to do some­ thing that is out of order, it is not their job to refuse to do the work or raise a lot of objections. They should keep a record of the work done and turn it over to the shoreside representatives who will handle the beef for the crew. He is there to do just such work and he will go all the way to gain a satisfactory settlement of any dispute. The men were dissatisfied with: the Mgte of the Grey and \. I'll admit that he wasn't top of­ Whoa, Nellie ficer timber, but the charges NORFOLK—We don't like the weren't quite concrete enough to Taft-Hartley Bill and we will justify pulling him off. very probably kick it out, but Pulling him off wouldn't have up to the time we do there is been difficult; in fact, the job I no need of sitting around mop­ could have been done without ing and moaning about what it tying the ship up. The MM&P, is taking away from us. like us, is anxious to see that That is the defeatist attitude. harmony exists between the SIU brothers are not defeatists MM&P and the SIU, and if it is but militant, fighting seamen found that a man is fouling up or performing, they will pull him who want a square deal and are off just as we do with SIU per­ willing to give a square deal. There is no room in the grand­ formers. est maritime Union in the world OUT ON TRIAL for any other type. After a lengthy discussion with So let's gird the old armor the crew, it was agreed that the and start the fight by cleaning Mate would continue, aboard. If out of our own house any book at the end of the trip, it is found or permit carrier who brings the that he is a menace to the crew Union into ill-repute by their and the ship, the MM&P will non-conformance with our Con­ take action. They are out to pro­ stitution and working rules, so, tect their membership, too, but "Performers Beware." a phony is quickly dealt with. There have been over 850,000 Job actions are a part of the sets of seamen's papers issued. SIU program to better conditions on our ships, but in a case like Today, the outlook for seamen's this job action is not liecessary jobs when things settle down is The MM&P and the SIU, to­ 50,000. That means that, in gether, can take care of per­ round numbers, 800,000 men formers whether they be from holding seamen's papers are go­ the foc'sle or topside, and they can be removed without the ing to have to grub around for a manual on the care and feed­ least bit of trouble. The important thing, however, ing of livestock and the best is to have specific and concrete time to plough—Giddap ! charges against the man. If so, Ben Rees the case is easy. Ray Gonzales % % X Credit To SIU PHILADELPHIA—One of the cleanest ships and cleanest pay­ offs I have since I've been pa­ trolman in Philadelphia was on Saturday, August 9, on the SS Thomas B. Reed. There was a nice gang aboard in all three Departments and everything topside was okay. It was really a pleasure to payoff a ship like this, a real credit to the SIU. Of the fines imposed upon crewmembers for sanitation, etc., the sum of $20.00 was collected and turned over to ine for qur Brothers, in the marine hospitals. E. Tilley is read, there will probably be further results to give to the membership. Television The membership went on rec­ ord at the last regular meeting to buy a television set for the New York Branch. Several rep­ resentatives from different tele­ vision companies have submitted bids. It is hereby recommended that a committee be elected here tonight to make recommenda­ tions as to buying a television set. Ships' Libraries Sometime ago, the membership went on record to put aboard all SIU ships bound editions of the SEAFARERS LOG and that the cost of binding and mailing will be covered by a charge of $10 to each crew. A number of these bound editions have been sent to SIU Branches where they will be put aboard the ships. Ships' crews should see that this gear is taken care of so that the next crew coming aboard will derive the same benefits. Membership Admittance The membership has gone on record to open the books for new members under certain con­ ditions. There has been some confusion among the permit men who think that the books are open for everyone with no re­ strictions. The Headquarters Of­ fices are preparing a set of in­ structions and rules under which membership admittance is to be governed. This will be available to the membership shortly. Finances It was i-eported by the Phila­ delphia Agent that sometime be­ tween 5 P.M. Saturday, August 2, and 8 a.m. Monday, August 4, that the Philadelphia Hall was broken into and that the follow­ ing was missing: Button Money, $6.00; Money for Stewpot, $16.00; Receipts, $327.80; Totaling $349.80. The bonding company has been notified of this loss. At the last regular meeting, there was a motion made to have the Quarterly Financial Commit­ tee elected at a special meeting. Since that time, negotiations and other Union business has kept everyone busy. Therefore, it is recommended that a paid com­ mittee be elected here tonight to audit the report. Keep Her Steady As She Goes We ell know that the Seafarers is tops in the maritime field, and has the best contracts and conditions. We got to be that way the hard way—and let's keep it the way it is. Here are some of the things you can do: 1. Hold regular shipboard meetings 2. Attend the shoreside meetings, and take an active part in them. Bring up your beefs before the membership, not in a. ginmill. 3. Keep those gashounds and performers under control. They are among the Union's worst enemies. 4. Do your job to the best of your ability. 5. Don't take ttme off unless you are authorized by the de­ partment head. 6. Study your contracts and shipping rules, and know your Union's constitution and by-laws. �Fridar' August 15, 1947 THE SEA FARER 8 LO G Page Fivff Weather Is Hot In Galveston— And So Is The Shipping Situation By KEITH ALSOP Full Book Men Can Ship Anytime They Want To From Port Tampa NO NEWS?? By SONNY SIMMONS Silence Ihis week from Ihe Branch Agents of the follow­ ing ports: Some of the boys go out fish­ TAMPA—At the present time we have the SS Haiti Victory, ing with the Patrolmen. Their Waterman, in prtrt, with another luck has been good and they BOSTON Watermar V^ntory due tomorrow. have caught some nice messes of SAN FRANCISCO We aL e the SS Dorothy fish at times. Lately, however, BUFFALO and SS Mc .lere for Bull Lines, it has rained so much that the CLEVELAND with the SS Edith in Boca lakes look like oceans. DULUTH This Port is about the best Grande. Each of these ships calls for place in the Gulf to spend a SAN JUAN a few replacements, and we month on the beach—that is, if a ASHTABULA sometimes ship several men in man doesn't drink. A guy can MILWAUKEE the Deck and Engine Depart­ swim and fish for nothing, and JACKSONVILLE rooms are fairly cheap. ments of the SS Florida. SAVANNAH Fishing and hunting are good The Patrolman made the Flor­ ida this week and, except for a ways to relax if you ask me, MOBILE small beef on overtime in the and although I don't belong to The creadline for port re­ Deck Department, everything the Chamber of Commerce, I'll ports, monies due, etc., ii was okay. The beef was settled give you the glad-hand anytime without too much trouble, and you show up here. the Monday preceeding pub­ The carpenters here are having everybody's happy. lication. While every effort Due to the efficiency of the a bit of trouble now. They are will be made to use in the Delegates, beefs on the Florida negotiating a wage raise, and current issue material re­ ere being held to a minimum. things have not gone favorably ceived after that date, space Any Full Book man can get a for them so far. Maybe by the time this article job on that vessel most any time, commitments generally do since there are some men on her appears in print, everything will not permit us to do so. who want to get off whenever liave been ironed out satisfac­ we can get replacements for torily. them. The Skipper of the Florida, Captain Harrington, died last week, and his place has been taken by Chief Mate Donovan. Of course, this set-up is liable to change at any time. By HERBERT JANSEN weeks while the boys take their News just came through that vacation. Nice time for a vaca­ Waterman has two ships due in CHICAGO—Shipping has pick­ tion with the Chicago thermo­ next week to load phosphate for ed up considerably during the meters hitting 100 in the shade! Japan. We get one of those ves- week with a total of fifty-seven Paying the Windy City recent selis abbut every ten days, and shipped as follows: 3 Wheels­ visits were the Browning ships, although they crew in other ports, men, 9 ABs, 4 OS, 16 Firemen, SS Sultana and SS Penobscot. we get calls for several replace­ 5 Coalpassers, 3 Lookouts and 17 Both vessels loaded grain for ments before sailing time. Some­ Stewards Department personnel. Buffalo. According to all re­ times we even get a call for a The SS Michigan finally crew- ports, this should be a bumper full crew. ed up, and "will make her first year for grain on the Lakes, es­ Brother Baldy Bollinger paid trip on the 11th (Monday). She pecially so since the railroads off here last week and paid a will start first on the Calumet are short so many cars. month's dues. He says that if Pai-k fill in, and when this job HALF WAY MARK Bull Sheppard finds out, he will is completed will start immedi­ Now that the season on the have a hard time when he gets ately on the Chicago airfield pro­ Great Lakes has passed the half back to New Orleans. ject. way mark, it's time to note the Brother Tex Suit came through It is expected that the air­ progress made by the SIU's or­ on a Waterman Victory, and field job will lafet for a year, and ganizing drivfe in this cohiparasends his regards to all. then the Michigan will shift to tively short time. So far, it's Nevin Ellis, Ralph Seckinger, another fill job. been very good. Chris Hansen, Papa Williams and Lakes seamen are making up Crewmembers of the SS Gil­ his son Johnny, Bill Arnold, and A1 Driver, are some of the old- bert are happy to start their their minds that they want rep­ timers on the beach now. A1 is vacation during this hot weather. resentation by a union which for their rights and spending a few weeks here with The yards are pretty well filled, will fight those of all seamen. and so she's laid up for two his wife taking it easy. GALVESTON — Things are really hot down here in this Gulf port—I mean the weather. The heat has been terrific here the past week and it has been all I could do to restrain myself from taking a nice long swim in the cool waters of the Gulf. The tropical weather wasn't content just to give us the full effect of the sun's rays; it let loose with a little of its power over Corpus Christi. Fortunately not much damage was done. Another thing that was hot down here was the crew of the Franklin K. Lane, Waterman scow. She hit in here Saturday night and stopped the wages for the men that were getting off, even though she was not paying off until Monday. The telephone wires burned, I burned up the road down to the ship, and the Captain sizzled a bit when I collared him. Con­ clusion: The Captain agreed to pay the wages due for Sunday, but lamely blamed the incident on the Army, bunch of scabs who started working the ship. The crew called the Hall and once more the old rattler tore dovrn the road with me at the wheel and Patrolman Wilburn gripping the seat. We found the ship and spoke to the Captain, getting him to agree to sail the ship short of her cargo. With the ship gone the scabs stuck their tails be­ tween their legs and went back into their holes. Back at the Hall, shipping is keeping up a steady pace with most departments sailing .shorthanded. We've had a good number of ships in port this wx'ek, among them the Walter Colton, Zebolin Pike. J. Hoban and N. Web­ ster, all Waterman, John Bur- UET^ riND Ui A Nice COOL fiOLEf ^ SCABS COME OUT The only other disturbance worth reporting was aboard the George Gershwin, Alcoa Steam­ ship, tied up in Freeport, Texas. There an ILA strike was called, and out of their holes came a gess. South Atlantic; Fort Ral­ eigh. Pacific Tankers, and E. S. Cobb, Soui.il Atlantic. There are also several SUP ships tied up here. In transit, we welcomed the May, Bull Lines, and the Del They know that at the pres­ Monte. Mississippi. There were ent time with the passage, of the a few minor beefs on these Taft-Hartley Act, unorganized ships but nothing that delayed labor is going to have a harder them or caused any difficulty. time than ever to protect itself. ACCORDING TO PLAN In addition, these men know Organizing efforts are still go­ that the SIU will fight to the last ditch against any and all anti- ing strong down here. I've been labor legislation that the Was'h- hitting the Cities Service ships ington bureaucrats and big- regularly and Johnny 'Ward is business-paid legislators are try­ busy in the Lake Charles re­ ing to cram down the throats of gion with the same mission. It looks good from vrhere I the American working people. sit, and time, I'm sure, will bear Neither the NMU nor the LSU enters the picture as far as the me out. What was once a gashound's average unoi'ganized Lakes sea­ man is concerned. They realize paradise is now on the straight that the NMU is fiinshed on the and narrow. I don't mean the Lakes' as a result of being torn WCTU girls have taken over, wide open from dissension, com­ but we haven't had any of the mie control and the political am­ trouble that plagued this area not so long ago. bitions of their misleadere. The membership has done an As for the LSU, Lakes sea­ men laugh at it as a wholcly excellent job of putting our Gal­ controlled, company stooge out­ veston house in order. At the moment, with shipping fit. However, they don't dis­ like it is, there aren't any oldcount tlie. danger of a sell-out timers here on the beach; in outfit like the LSU. Behind the scenes, this phony, fact, there aren't any youngso-called union is fully prepared timers around, either, with ship­ to make any kind of a deal with ping going so good. That is, unless they are in' the operators. After all, who some hidden ginmill a r o an d pays their freight? Only a strong, militant Union town that the Dispatcher ha.sri't like the SIU with the full sup­ gotten • wind of yet. port and backing of the AFL and the Maritime Trades Depart­ ment, plus the strength of 91,000 members in the five auton­ omous Districts of the SIU, can If your requisition is cut, withstand the attacks of the re­ or if the food is not up to par. actionaries against our gains. notify all three Delegates at "With the "hate-labor" boys in once so that the ship will not the driver's seat in Congress you sail until the matter has been can expect every trick in the straightened out. book, plus some new ones, to It is the responsibility of be tossed at the workers in the the Steward to check the U.S. store's before the ship sails, Only through the strength and and any complaints made far solidarity of the SIU can mari­ at- sea won't do the crew any time labor win through, and pre­ good if they have to eat short vent the return of the vicious rations poor food. slave labor days for the seamen. SHI Organizing Drive Meeting With Good Response As Great Lakes Season Passes The Half-Way Mark All Remains Quiet On The Baltimore Waterfront By WM. (CURLY) RENTZ BALTIMORE — Shipping in this port continues at a reduced pace. With shipyard workers still on strike here, vessels need­ ing repairs are bypassing the port and are heading for stops where the work can be done. This skipping of Baltimore has caused payoffs to shrink quite « bit, and this fact isn't making the boys on the beach waiting for ships very happy. Action on a beef existing on a ship that hit port last Friday averted a situation in which the Coast Guard might have been called in. If we hadn't been successful, it might have meant the first lime the boys in blue figured in one of our beefs since the new set-up for Coast Guard districts and hearing units was inaugu­ rated. The Captain of the ship was convinced that the Coast Guard wasn't really what he wanted. In addition, all logs against crewmembers were dropped. Insofar as we are conceined, there is very little for the Coast Guard to do down here. All is very quiet in this port, in spite of the large number of men on the beach. There has been no trouble with gashounds and performers since the mem­ bership started on the campaign to keep them quiet. Only activity of any account goes on when the hot weather has the boys blowing foam off their brew, but they're not blow­ ing their tops over it. Last Friday I took a run up to New York for a weekend huddle with the boys at Headquarters, where we hashed over the im­ portant Isthmian situation. More time has been spent in getting this company in tow than was put in on construction of the Empire State Building—thanks to the NMU and other obstacles. But no one can stop us now. Once again, I want to urge those members who have bag­ gage in this Hall to drop in and haul it away. Six years is long enough for any seabag to be in cold storage. In about four weeks we're go­ ing to comb out the pile and do­ nate the bulk of it to charity or­ ganizations. So, come and get it! Chief Stewards �Page Six THE SEAFARERS LOG Patrolman Sings Loud Praises For The Good snip J.M. Harlon NEW ORLEANS—When a PaClaude Hayes was Bosun, and trolman pays off a ship like the that is the reason the ship lookJ. M. Harlon, Waterman, he ed so good. Claude knows how wants every members of the Sea- to work men and they enjoy farers to know about it. ' working for him. Brother Duke Hall and I were Yes sir, it sure is a pleasure assigned to the payoff and every- to go aboard a ship and find a thing seemed to start out wrong, contented crew like this or' The ship was at anchor down Every man on the ship d at the point, and when I drove everything m his power to make up on the levee to park, one a home with the exception of side caved in pulling the car u 4. a 40 An degree 11..+ over 4.to about list. , This boy . h^d T the wrong ,, , idea We were really high and dry. j-bont going to sea. Yon know, Duke then went out on the ship bb" ' ^ V"' = ^ "P" f l.""" and I ealled a wrecker to get bought the world owed him a living. the heap back on an even keel. This guy was something like I got out to the Harlon about the grasshopper; he thought that an hour after Duke and as soon le was doing the Union and the as I stepped off the gangway, I j-ompany a favor by just being had to slow down and look the ship over. She was the cleanest anything as long as he could ship I have been aboard m many gg^gpe it. a month. - I Everything was painted and aU ^NLY BLOT ON RECORD gear neatly stowed. The messWell, the outcome was that room was spoUess. i^he Old Man finally had to log The crew was as responsible him; the only log on the ship, for this just as much as the This didn't do much good so messboy. They had washed cups as soon as they were through with them, and the cold lunch had been immediately returned to the box after use. Nothing had been left lying around. Gear-Grabbers Hurt Union The membership of the Seafarers International Union has consistently reaffirmed its position that gear-grabbers can't be good Union men. Any individual who stoops to pilfering gear such as coffee percolators, linens, etc„ which are placed aboard SlU-contracted ships for the convenience of all hands, is, above all, guilty of a malicious disregard of his shipmates' welfare. Crew conveniences on most SIU ships today are not there by accident. They are there because of the Union's successfullyfought struggles to bring greater benefits and comforts and to provide decent conditions for the membership while out at sea. These hard-won conveniences are for the benefit of ALL HANDS. They ARE NOT to be appropriated by any individual for his own personal use. Violators of the membership's wel­ fare will be dealt with in accordance with the firm stand taken repeatedly by Seafarers in all ports. Friday; August 15, 1947 Passes Needed For Bremen Shore Leave Through a recent action by the American Military Government in Bremen, Germany, it is now necessary for merchant seamen to gain passes for shore leave in that port. The passes are issued by the skipper of the ship and are necessary to avoid being picked up and detained. Pick up your pass before go­ ing ashore, and check it for cor­ rectness of your name and the name of the ship. CSUSeamen Long Duped By Commie Leaders By GENE MARKET While the battle goes on in the chambers of the United Nations and on actual battle­ grounds in Europe and Asia, the communist party in Canada con­ tinues with its work of gaining sti'onghold in Canada's labor movement. In these unions which they control, the Canadian Seamen's Union being one of the most important, the rank and file is innocently aiding the communist program of death to democracy and the trade union movement. No one can deny that the top officials of the CSU are servile to the commie doctrine. These men are the traitors to all we have fought for. They want Stalin's program and, altogether they work in the trade union movement with high sounding phrases, they seek the end of the trade imion move­ ment — what mockery. Many seamen who made the Murmansk run can tell stories of the "trade unions" of Russia. Canadian seamen who remember the double dealing of the commie lackeys during the war years have seen it. They remember the cries for second front spon­ sored by seamen's dues. NO BEEFS? Well, Duke had all the books collected so I got the Delegates together to check on the beefs, but I was mistaken—there wasn't a single beef on the ship, in spite of the fact that she had been out three months to the Far East. Old Man turned him over I soon found out why she was ^^e steamboat inspector • as such a good ship, when the crew ^o sail on American ships, started drifting in the messroom. j believe in this kind of Blackie Gardner was the Deck business, but the crew said the Engineer and the Chief and First character deserved anything the Assistant were promising Blackie old Man did to him, so I guess everything from yens to a quart .^hey know what is what, of their best stock if he would yes sir, give us more ships make another trip. It was no ij^e the J. M. Harlon. It was use, however, for Blackie was in ^ pleasure to take care of her. DEMANDS STALLEp pretty much of a hurry to get Before I sign off, all of you Today, these men are still busy to Mobile. 'fellows who want to make the with Stalin's business. While Joe Slim Patterson was the Deck jQod runs and enjoy the City of Rank-and-Filer of the CSU Delegate and had done a sweU cities while you are deciding humbly pays his dues and won­ job. Everyone liked Slim, and which trip to make, come on ders if he will get a ship, his said he could keep their over- down to old New Orleans and officials are using up good union time for them on any trip they see us. Johnny Johnston time passing resolution on Franco happen to be shipmates. Joe Harvey was Messman for the crew; according to the crew he was one of the best. Surtz, an SUP member, was Steward. By JOE SHIMA umbia Shipmate" rather en­ For him the gang had nothing lightening. It was crammed with TOLEDO — Recently, looking but praise for his fine work. thrilling and interesting stories over a copy of the "Columbia F. C. "Smoke" Harrington was about the color of John Doe's the Night Cook and Baker. From Shipmate," July issue (a pater- hair and the new ties that Joe what the boys told me, the rolls na^istic paper put out by the Blow has been wearing lately. and pies that "Smoke" rigged up Columbia Transportation ComIn addition to the above en­ just melted in their mouths. | we found a couple of picumerated thrillers, we were driv­ Oh yes, don't let me forget page referring en almost breathless to read to mention "Peg Leg" Andy An"popular" and "genial" about wedding bells for several derson, who was Oiler on the ^^e SS Miller. lads, as well as an exciting 12-4 watch. It seems that old ^ particuepisode concerning how thrilled Andy would clean up and shave question the Columbia seamen were to after the morning watch, and ^nown as a man who works be wearing their new white cov­ then head for the galley to cook after 5 P.M. and beeralls with the company's name himself a little special breakfast. ^ A.M. without the pay­ on the back. ment of overtime. 'EVENING IN PARIS" We searched and searched What does he work them at? "Smoke" said he knew he was Chipping and painting while at through the pages of this pleas­ coming before he got around to t)ie dock and when the vessel is ant little monthly gossip sheet, the galley passageway. His sweet not shifting, but nowhere did we find any­ smelling shaving lotion preceedThe two pictures referred to thing concerning the open-shop ed him everywhere. I show this Mate in front of his conditions on the Columbia ships, ^ ' When the Third Cook got sick Muskegon home, captioned "Paid and the lack of any overtime and had to go to the hospital. For," and the other is a loung- payment for jobs which are con­ Walt, the bull Wiper, swapped ing shot captioned "Solid Com- sidered penalty jobs on SIU his dirty dungarees for some fort." ships. clean whites and took over The thought comes to mind Yes, it's very nice to have a where the Third Cook left off. as whether the men who did all considerate employer who spends Now the gang wants to know the work without overtime pay his money so prodigiously print­ why he doesn't go up and get a didn't pay ^ for this Mate's com- ing a nice little eight page Cook's rating — they all daim fortable home. Just an idle glossy monthly paper filled with they'd gladly eat his food OQ thought! interesting tidbits and spicy lit­ another trip. j We found the rest of the "Col- tle news items. or Tito; all the time stalling the demands of the membership for honest representation and good contracts. A good part of this money flows into the coffers of the Labor Progressive Party (communist party of Canada). Rank and filers of the CSU are getting a trouncing from the labor hating Canadian Steam­ ship lines and their cohorts be­ cause the CSU, weakened and bled by the political termites, is in no position to fight back. The democratic labor unions of both Canada and the United States have renounced the com­ munists and exposed them. Their miserable record speaks for it­ self. In the political field, the fallacy of their misfit ideology is very well proven. Since the initial organizing of the communist party in Canada in 1926, not one piece of legis­ lation favorable to labor has been put on the statute books through their efforts. HAVE ACHIEVED NOTHING fertile ground for the reception of the seeds of the communist program. Picture the shallowness of these rats as they strive to martyrize themselves on behalf of the seamen. Protesting with useless tele­ grams and sending long winded resolutions to the world in gen­ eral is the extent of their union activities. Trade unionism will gain noth­ ing from such protests and plead­ ings. The one and only way to win respect from the lords of industry is to hit them where it hurts. Stop the wheels of pro­ duction — the source of profit— and the shipowners wili start to worry. Do the commies use job action and work stoppages to win their beefs? The answer is clearly re­ corded in their miserable record. If a work stoppage is in the best interests of Joe Stalin's In­ ternational designs, then the commies will pull one. As an example, the Canadian Lakes strike came at a time when the Russians were trying hard to convince the world that their demands in Europe must be met. They tried to scare the democracies into making con­ cessions by showing their strength in the labor movement of Canada. A long procession of soap box protests, hunger marches and sham dramas has availed the workers nothing. In the trade union movement, their history is one of sell-outs and sabotage. The communist philosophy, forced on the rank and filers of NO GOOD FOR JOE the CSU by the communist lead­ ership, is destined to prolong The CSU, being part of the bad working conditions on Can- communist web, subserviently adian ships, so as to foster a I followed Stalin's orders. When revolutionary spirit in the minds the Canadian Steamship Lines of dissatisfied seamen, and make bucked the CSU contracts just recently, it was not to Joe's ad­ vantage to strike, so nothing was done about it more than tp beg the government for aibitWe even worked the "Ship­ tration. mate's" crossword puzzle, and This is the type of leader­ looked with interest at the car­ ship that the Canadian seamen toons about "Wrong-way Jack" have. and "Right-way Jim." We even CSU members, wake up and waded through the numerous smash the communist yoke that humorous anecdotes and snazzy threatens to throttie you! Trade sayings, but still we found no­ unions are no place for these thing about what Columbia was fakers. going to do to improve their With these leeches in the sad­ wages, hours and overtime pay­ dle, your union will be smashed. ments. They are too firmly embedded to Yes, the "Columbia Shipmate" remove. Your only wise move is a nice little innocuous paper, is to quit, and take membership but we'll stick to the SEAFAR­ in the Seafarers International ERS LOG. There you read not Union. only new items by and about American seamen are your the members, but you read brothers and offer you a helping about conditions aboard the hand. Take it and build your­ ships, new contracts signed, selves a powerful Canadian dis­ beefs settled, breakdown of antitrict of the SIU. labor legislation like the TaftHartley Act, and items of inter­ est to all seafaring men. Golumbia Tells Men All—Except How To Get Raise Join the SIU today, and be­ come a part of the greatest Union on the waterfront. Be­ come a part of the 91,000 SIU Brothers and Sisters fighting for the best contracts, wages, hours, overtime, working and living conditions in the marine indus­ try. ATTENTION! If you don't find linen when you go aboard your ship, notify the Hall at once. A telegram from Le Havre or Singapore won't do you any good. It's your bed and you have to lie in it. �FtfiHar. AugusMS, 1947t TmE SEJfFARBHS EOG NEW TYPE COKE MACHINE New York Patrolman Turns Racket-Buster; Another Good Thing Goes Down The Drain By JOE ALGINA Here is where you can buy a coke in the Norfolk Hall. Left to right. James Bullock. Dispatcher. James Cobb, janitor, an unidentified old timer, and Frank Mitchell. Brother Cobb runs the coke concession, and the stand was built for him by Mitchell. Norfolk may lack the modern conveniences, but the cokes are just as cold this way. X Coal Shipments To Europe Keep Norfolk Busy By RAY WHITE Page SeVev NEW YORK — If I stayed up every night racking my brain for new schemes and rackets, I'd still have to take a back seat to the many schemes dreamed up by some of the steamsl. n companies. How they do it I'll never know, but out of the minds of company officials come some of the strangest and fantastic plans to beat a working stiff out of a buck. Late.st bouquet or rather, brick bat, goes to Eastern Steamship Company. They found a new twist and were all set to give it full play until we got wind of it. Aboard their ships the Watch­ men are given a badge, brassard and hat band to identify them. At the conclusion of a trip this week, the Watchman on the Evangeline decided to payoff and in so doing he turned his para­ phernalia in to the companj'. The company was ready for him. They took the trappings and then deducted ,$14 from his pay for the articles. They figured he would take it with­ out a squak, but he didn't. In­ stead, he came to the Hall and gave his beef to Patrolman Drawdy. Together, they went down to the ship and contacted the com­ pany officials responsible. The boys of Eastern expressed amaze­ ment that man could be so brash as to expect a return of his cabbage. After all, they stated, "The man has used the articles, so he has to pay for them." Patrolman Drawdy then ex­ plained to them that, if he had mutilated or lost the items, it would be the company's right to bill the man; but how could they charge $14 for stuff not wortha two dollar bill and then keep the items on top of it. All they had to do was re­ issue the articles to the next Watchman and collect another $14. In a short time, these arti­ cles would bring in hundreds of dollars, just for their use. When the company saw that their petty racket was exposed, they went kind of limp and re­ turned the man's dough. This put an end to the funnybusiness, thanks to racket-buster Drawdy. Hey, bud, wanna bor­ row my hat for a month? Only cost you $14. Shipping has taken a turn for the bettei- up here. Waterman has put in operation several ships that were laid up, which accounts for quite a few jobs. DELIVERY CREW RETURNS The crew of the USSR Victory, one of the vessels of the India Steamship Company, paid off in New York this week after de­ livering the ship to the Indian Government. The company tried to pull a few fast ones, being new to the SIU. but the crew got everything coming to them. They had an easy trip back, as they flew most of the way. Here are a few items that I want to call to the attention of the membership, IVhen writing for information, to the LOG or in any correspon­ dence to the Union, give the name of the ship and by aU means the name of the company. These ships change around so much that it is sometimes dif­ ficult to trace the company under which the ship was at the time. Another thing, monej' sent to Headquarters for dues or as­ sessments should be sent to the Seafarers International LTnion, 6th Floor, 51 Beaver Street, and not to any individual or Patrol­ man. NORFOLK — Unlike some of the ports along the coast, Nor­ folk is still in the throes of a heavy shipping boom with men going out of here daily in large numbers. Indicative of the fast pace of shipping here is the fact that the Dispatcher shipped over 350 men last week. Reason for the rush on Nor­ folk is the heavy shipments of coal to Europe. Getting ready for the coming European winter the coal is being put aboard the Peri of the crew of the USSR Victory, which was delivered to India. See Joe Algina's column ships in large quantities and it on this page. Left to right. Patrolman Ray Gonzales, Chief Cook D. R. Hightower, W. T. Bruce This makes for more accuracy looks like it will continue for and A. J. Marcet. Jr. Engineers. W. E. Bigham. DM. Jack Potter. FWT, and Patrolman Jimmy and quicker handling of the pay­ a while. ment. Sheehan. Ray and Jimmy handled this beef for the crew. The large number of ships in transit that "have been passing through- here during the past months has dropped off a little, but no one here is worried, as By EDDIE HIGDON Company tanker, the Mobiloil, we expect plenty of ships in We seem to be having a little down and there was enough for collided with an oil barge oper­ difficulty with some of our op­ about 51 days if the supplies transit during the coming weeks. PHILADELPHIA—Ships bear­ In other words,.the Port of Nor­ ing ammonium nitrate, the sub­ ated by the Independent Pier erators these days. In most in­ were stretched real thin. How­ Company, of Philadelphia at the stances, all of the operators have ever, as far as we were concern­ folk is doing nicely. stance held responsible for the oil company docks at Paulsboro. Brokers here instead of their ed, they only had 37 days stores recent death dealing explosions THREE-CORNERED 'RACE N.J. aboard. own offices. The '.payoffs in this port last at Texas City, Texas, and Brest, The oil from the barge spread We were able to get the equiv­ So when a man pays off in week were mostly Ships of Bern­ France, are being classified as into the channel across the river alent of 60 days stores aboard the Gulf and comes back here stein Steamship Company and "explosive carriers" and are bar­ from southwest Philly. The colaccording to our figures. Even where he originally signs articles, Overtakes. It seems that they red from docking at piers along the Captain, Mates and Engineers he has to wait at least 10 days have quite a chunk of the coal Philadelphia's waterfronts. were ready to back up the crew to two weeks before he can run, although South Atlantic is The ban was enforced as a in this beef. collect his two days subsistence result of a directive issued by strongly in the race, too. and wages as per the agreement. 56€.... one Believe it or not, a certain At the moment, there are no the Third District Coast Guard HMM.OAfeBAS ship came into port recently and The brokers claim that they beefs pending on the ships in Commandant in New York, OFPOTAt&CS the Bos'n had a frigidaire in his connot paj' this money until the port. All the ships have been which includes this territory. — HMMM... room. He also had 50 cases of BMOOGH R* companies in question authorize covered, so we'll have to wait Maritime records disclosed that beer which was bought by a I them to do so: however, they are for new arrivals if we want to none of the nitrate has been Mo/VTHS ; vei-y lax in giving authorization tarpaulin muster and, again, be­ handle anything in the beef de­ loaded or unloaded here, but to their brokers and the con­ lieve it or not, there was not a partment. that ships carrying the fertilizer sequences are that the member­ drunk aboard the ship. Income in this port has been as part cargo have docked at ship is up in arms over this steadily increasing and is now local piers. Everybody was aboard and deal. considerably above that of a working. That's really the way Under th^ new order these short time ago. Expenses have ships will be denied the use lision tore a large hole in the we like to see things going — SKIMPY LARDER been pared to the minimum, of piers within the Coast Guard barge near the waterline. which reminds us, we better get We had a good beef in the going, too. but the efficiency of the port District, and will be required to RENTS RISE Stewards Department on an SUP remains top-rate. load and unload cargo only at I see by the papers that the ship. The beef was in regard to Although no pamphlet or leaf­ 'explosive anchorages". cost of living has gone up two the skimpy stores that the com­ let has been drawn up concern­ The anchorage here is located percent in the last 30 days in pany put aboard the ship. ing gashounds, the crews have the Philadelphia area. However, at Artificial Island, below Wil­ When each item was broken taken it upon themselves to put All applications for unemploy­ mington. All cargo will have to wages remain the same. down there was enough stores into effect the Union's desire to ment insurance in New York be lightered to and from such Mr. Taft, the notorious Slave aboard for 37 days, but the com­ give 100 proof addicts the busi­ vessels. Labor Law author, is being pop­ pany claimed there was enough State must be made through the ness if they foul up. offices at 277 Canal Street, in­ Thousands of gallons of crude ularized these days. It looks like stores aboard for 60 days. They have done a good -job, stead of the District offices, as So, according to their own and Norfolk is as free of gas- oil valued at $42,000 gushed into fie is being considered as Pres­ formerly. hounds as it is of the bubonic the Delaware River recently idential timber. Well, he is sure figures which were very skimpy, when a Socony-Vacuum Oil of one vote, at least (his own)! we again broke the store list plague^ Nitrate To PhiHy Confined To Amhorago Below Wilmington Attention Members! �Page EHrht THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, August IS. 1947 9- , Commies Always Controlled NMC By BURT BECK. Assistant Editor (Second in a Series) ROM THE VERY FIRST DAYS of the National Mavitime Union, the communists extended every ef­ fort to control the union. Using Joe Curran as a willing tool, the CP put its trusted operatives in high positions where they dictated every move that was made. As early as September, 1939, the. communists were so intrenched in the NMU that they were able to use NMU ships for carrying secret propaganda from coun­ try to country in the hands of trusted agents, and they also had established branches in most major ports for the further dissemination of their ideology. Here are some quotes from a secret document issued by an ex-communist who was high in the NMU coun­ cils, which outlines the way the NMU was infested by the commies, and the international character of the set-up. This relates to the situation in 1939: "In charge of activities in Miami is James 'Scotty' Edwards, high ranking communist, who works througn John Saunders, long known as an active communist in and around Miami. Another is Frank Jones, who open­ ed Miami offices and established direct contact with Eddie Gordon, NMU representative in Havana. Gordon is a member of the communist party and a graduate of the 1936 Communist National School. "The front for the Havana job is that Gordon is sup­ posedly advertising representative of the Pilot, official organ of the NMU. He is influential in small politics in Cuba, and is an honorary member of the Cuban Federation of Labor. He carries confidential creden­ tials from the Central Committee of the communist party of the U. S. A. "San Juan, Puerto Rico: "A branch has been maintained for some time headed by a CP member named John Cadet. This branch has row been supplemented with a general organization for the whole of Puerto Rico, headed by National Or­ ganizer John Rogan. Rogan bears credentials from the Central Committee of the communist party of the U. S. A. "Southern Texas: "A joint hall for fishermen, members of the Inland Boatmens Division of the NMU, has been established at Point Isabelle at the mouth of the Rio Grande River. This is directed by K. K. Owens, Galveston NMU Agent, and is directly administered by his brother. Both of Owens" are communists and communist school gradu­ ates. The political responsibility for this chain of Texas agencies is directed by (a) Horace Bryan—United Cannery, Agricultural, Packing and Allied Workers Association. He is a gradu­ ate of big party schools and member of the Central . Committee CPUSA. He is state director of his union. - -(b) Homer Brooks—Texas State : .cretary of the communist party. "Bryan holds membership in the Inland vision of the NMU and Brooks holds an l.ojK.ior,. bership in the NMU. F Great Lakes Strategic no communists aboard P&O ships since the SIU starteJ sailing them. The company made no attempt to sail the ships for a period of five weeks. But the communist party was quick to see what advantage could be made from the situation and dispatched Dave Ramos and Frank Jones, both NMU organizers as well as communist party mem­ bers, to Florida where they reopened the Miami hall and spread statements that the strike was lost and encouraged NMU members to fink the vessels out. Ap­ proximately ten NMUers shipped out on each of the P&O ships. Now the storj' starts to take shape. In the LatinAmerican hook-up of the CP, Havana was the center of operations. Four or five ships arrived daily from the Canal Zone, several from South American ports, at least one from Mexico, and one from Central America. In addition, there were several ships each week from Europe, Africa and from the Orient via the Mediter­ ranean. Thus, through the medium of ships alone, communi­ cations could be carried on faster and more regularly than mail. To the communists this was, and is impor­ tant, since they do not dare to trust the mails, and all of their important communicaions and instructions are carried by courier and delivered by hand. That is the direct reason the communist party was willing to take the stigma of strikebreaking and scabherding in order to colonize the P&O ships in thenefforts to establish another link in their far-flung or­ ganization. The same picture held true in other routes. Company's Approval Desired Wherever the commies infiltrated a steamship line that was necessary for their strategy, the demands of the seamen were forgotten. Any actions for conditions, overtime, etc., were avoided so that the crews could become established and trusted. The names of certain trusted agents keep cropping up in all reports of CP activity on the waterfrom. Albert Rothbard, now in charge of communist infiltra­ tion into the AFL, was for a time a courier traveling on the SS President Roosevelt, and then he transferred to ships going into the Canal Zone. Smith Hopkins, another sometime NMU organizer, was also engaged in communications, sailing on ships which touched near Russian ports, from which ports he brought back instructions to the party in the United States. Roy Hudson, Tommy Ray, and A1 Lanno, were others in the NMU and the communist party who carried the mail for the Stalinists. In 1941 the whole situation came into the open when Joseph J. Doyle, a member of the NMU, exposed tho fact that he had been forced off the SS Ancon, >-'tnujra Railway Steamship Company, because he oprcttd ihi commimi.'^t machine at the convention in Cjc-.tiena. I; js noteworthy to remember that the noon was the ship used by Rothbard as one of the communication links to Central and South America. Of course, the commimications service is not the only reason the commies want te dominate the NMU. As early as 1930, the Hamburg communist convention which set up the Red International of 'Seamen and Harborworkers, ISH, was told by Moscow boss Lozovsky, "war is coming. And it is going to be an antiSoviet war. We must capture the merchant marines encircling the globe, and be prepared." He denounced those delegates present who at that time were not. efficiently organized to sabotage trans­ portation facilities should there be any war aganst the Moscow dictatorship. "Great Lakes: "NMU headquarters are maintained in Cleveland un­ der the direction of M. Hedley Stone, communist school graduate. Another is in Chicago. Particular attention is being given to the Calumet area because this affords a direct communication as well as a physical link with Canada. "Inl- nd Waterways: "Organized by the Inland Boatmens Division of the NMU under the leadership of Felix Siren, another com­ munist school graduate, with headquarters at St. Louis. Purpose Remains Same It should be remembered that all these mentioned above are in addition to the major ports where the com­ Remember, that was 1930. The idea has not changed, munists had control from the very start and so did not however, and no matter how many disguises the in­ ternational organization may wear, its objectives re­ have to take steps to form groups. Why do the communists wish to control the NMU, main the same. and why do they maintain key commies in certain To train the growing army of couriers and would-be ports? Let's trace one devious story for the best answer saboteurs, the communist party opened a marine train­ ing school in upstate New York. The school's aim was, to those questions. At the second national convention of the NMU, held "A communist unit aboard every ship!" in New Orleans in July of 1939, it was decided that Classes stressed how to sabotage the vital sections of the port of Miami be closed for the following reasons: a ship's machinery, ways and means of transporting 1. Miami is not a payoff port. propaganda, and taught the students how to complete­ 2. There is a relatively small amount of shipping ly dominate crews by organizing meetings and being as compared to many other ports where neither "militant" even" where no need for militancy existed. agencies or branches are maintained. Most of this work was under the direction of.Al Lan3. The income of the port does not warrant a rep­ non, whd with Tommy Ray and Roy Hudson, constituted the American leadership of the ISH. George Mink, later resentative. 4. The port has no strategic value in the event of known as the "Butcher" for his activities in massacring thousands of anti-Stalinist Loyalists during the Span­ strikes or lockouts. In August, following that convention, the SlU called ish Civil War, was the inteinational representative from r strike against the Peninsular and Occidental Steam­ whom the party took orders on all matters pertaining ship Company, operating two car-ferries, and three • o maritime. combination passenger and freight ships on the run be­ ^ The rolls of the Red Annapolis described above al­ ways had on it the names of many who later became tween Florida ports and Havana. Because of the nature of the SIU, and its strong NMU members, including high officials. It is safe to position against the communist party, there had been state that most of the present leadership of the NMU was trained at one time or another at the school. Eacn student cost the school $125.00 for the two month course, and it's anybody's guess how much of that sum came out of the coffers of the National Maritime Union. The waterfront section of the communist party of the United States shrewdly planned its operations and un­ scrupulously carried out the plans. After receiving orders at the 1930 ISH convention 'he agents tried to infiltrate into already established or­ ganizations. Failing this, the next step was to create a new union, the Marine Workers Industrial Union, under the guidance of the commie Trades Union Unity League. This flopped miserably, and for a wliile there seemed a chance to rescue the seamens' movement from the hands of the old line leaders, and at the same time keep fiee from Moscow domination. But this was not to be. When the commies saw what was happening, they swung their machines into action, and in 1937 formed the National Maritime Union, which they now control. What part does and did Curran play in this whole set-up? His early history as a rank-and-filer does not raise him in the esteem of any working seaman. As a Bosun on the old California, he worked his men from bell to bell, with no time out. From this came his nick-name, "No Coffee Time." His associates in the early days were np better. They included Ferdinand C. Smith, who was a proven fink, and Frederick Myers who encouraged commie-NMU organizers to help break the strike in the P&O line in 1939. •There are some who claim that Curran followed the party-line until recently because he sincerely believed in what the commies were doing; in fact, some .state that he joined the communist party at the instiga­ tion of Harry Bridges. Other observers, however, feel that Joe, emulating the commies, used them for oppor­ tunistic purposes. Whatever the score, there is no one who doubts that Curran until recently followed the Moscow line wher­ ever it led. No Opposition Allowed The red howlers in the NMU started their piu-acs of honest officials, men who had the respect of large groups of .seamen, early in the inception of the union. .'Vnti-communists were frequently elected by the rankand-file to positions of importance, and in order to maintain control, it became necessary to oust all those who would not give a respectful ear to the orders from the Kremlin. District oy district, anti-commies found themselves fighting for life, both literally and figuratively. Soon, rather than continue the unequal struggle, the majority of sincere officials resigned. Those who did not were subject to waves of bitter slander and libel, and finally suspended. Members who objected to this treatment were expelled wholesale. Curran played, a leading part in this whole situation, even going so far as to appear dramatically at a carefuUy packed membership meeting with phony charges against certain officials, and calling for the suspen­ sion of those placards. Once this was hurdled, and commie control of the union made secure, the commies lost no time in farcing the membership-, to walk the line advocated by the Stalinists. Legitimate objections to the way the union was run were labelled "red-baiting" as were protests against can-shaking for the communist causes, enforced subsidization of the Daily Worker, and protests against communists being appointed to office or employed in charge of financial records and other important clerical work. Yet Curran went along with all that. He personally appeared before large audiences for causes sponsored by the communists, he signed several appeals for money for communist-front organizations, and he publicly spoke up for their viewpoint one day and as publicly changed his mind the next day when the party line changed. In the days before the Hitler-Stalin pact, the NMU very vociferously called for an end to fascist agression. In fact, the convention in New Orleans in 1939, adopted a resolution condemning aid, direct or otherwise to fas­ cist countries, and demanding the support of all de­ mocracies in the fight against fascist agression. The countries named as fascist were Italy, Germany, and Japan Other resolutions included support for the Interna­ tional Labor Defense, a CP front organization; and the International Trade Union Federation, dominated by the Soviet Union; But with the signing of the pact, a deep silence en­ veloped the world-minded NMU. When the British, French, and Polish people were fighting for life, the communist line changed, and the NMU line went right TfP'r �• "TT: ^ Fnday. August 15. 1947 /THE SE^F^RERS Y~ ' . LOG Page Nine' And Curran Followed Line In Past along. A pamphlet, "The Yanks Are Not Coming,"' written By Mike Quinn, communist seaman and hack writer, was subsidized by the NMU, the ILWU, and other waterfront unions whose purse strings are con­ trolled by the comrades. In Curran's report to the National Council on Jan­ uary 15," 1940, he stated, "A war-scare and hysteria , have been created in this country by those who would like to see the United States involved in the European conflict. The majority of American people are un­ equivocally opposed to such involvement . . . "The Yanks Are Not Coming," the slogan which was orig­ inated by the Maritime Federation of the Pacific, and which has caught on all over the country, should be our .slogan too." Agaiii on May 24, 1940, Curran reiterated this stand in a telegram to President Roosevelt, in which he said, in part, "The National Maritime Union' wants to make clear that its members and leaders are loyal Americans and as such are opposed to American involvement in European wars." Remember this statement. Curran and his fellow of­ ficials took a different track after Russia was attacked. It is possible to fill mariy pages ju.st quoting the mouthings of the commie line NMU officials who did Stalin's bidding by being pro-war when it looked like ihe Nazis would attack Russia, and then went anti-war when Hitler and Stalin signed a pact and divided Poland. During the period of Nazi-communist collaboration, the NMU, like all other unions which were under the ii'on heel of Soviet dictatorship, fomented strike action, and work stoppages; blasted government agencies; and aeclaimed loudly that President Roospvelt was leading »he country into war. The Infamous Flip-Flop In fact, commie leaders of many CIO unions tried to force the membership to back Wendell Willkie ^against Roosevelt in the 1940 election. Of course, when the Hitler-Stalin honeymoon ended, Roosevelt once again became the darling of the party-liners. If any further proof is needed that the National jvlaritime Union followed, and still follows, the CP line, it is necessary to look no further than the Pilot issues of June 6, 1941, and July 4, 1941. Those dates correspond roughly to the time immediately before and after the Nazis marched into Russia. The June 6 issue, on page 13, reprints the .speech of Vito Marcantonio, party-line Congressman, asking that the drift towards war be stopped and that American people unite to halt involvement of the United States •n the European War. It was this same Marcantonio who stood up in Congre.ss the day after Russia was attacked and stated that the nature of the war had changed and that since Russia had been invaded it was time for the United States to take action against the fascists. What gall! And the NMU ate all this up, with no dissenting voice coming from Joe Curran. Nor was the NMU lagging in the spurt to catch up with the new line. A special membership meeting after the invasion of Russia heard veteran communists speak in favor of all aid to Russia, and of course Great Britain, and even Curran who had been violently op­ posed to the war now saw the conflict as a struggle against fascism and favored all out aid to Russia and England. Deck Dispatcher Roland Perry, who later became a riisruptionist in the Masters, Mates, and Pilots; Pa­ trolman Edward Robinson; John Rogan; Albert Rothbaft; all the commie hacks agreed that the nature of the war had changed because the spread of the war to Russia had made it a struggle between Nazism and Socialism «• Super Salesmen Swallowing this line of pro^iaganda was not the toughest thing the NMU rank-and-file faced. In the next fiw years, the Russia First policy of the NMU was to lead the membership through a maze of con­ tradictions, sellouts, and hypocricy. At »the height of the conflict, while the SlU-SUP stood firmly against the bosses' efforts to use the war as a means of grinding down seamen and their unions, the NMU shamelessly collaborated with the shipown­ ers and reactionary government agencies. Any sea­ man who stood against them was ruthlessly crushed, after his character had been blackened by those who have raised character assassination to a fine art. Big Business appreciated this. One Wall Street organ paid tribute to the communists by stating that communist led unions "have the best 'no-strike' record, and are the only sections of organized labor giving serious consideration to incentive wages." Harry Bridges even went further. He asked that the • strike weapon be abandoned, not only for the uuration of the war, but indefinitely thereafter. The NMU went right along with that, too. Shipowners were wined and dined with money which • ank-and-filers paid in dues. The pages of the Pilot were filled with nau.seating statements such as this f>ne: "Among the great industrialists there, are many who believe in and will fight just as sincerely and effectively as ourselves, lor enduring peace. These are our allies •;:nd we must learn to work with them honestly and •.vholcheartcdly." (Bold ours—Ed.) As soon as the war was ended the allies launched an -mli-union drive which culminated in the passage of •he Taft-Hartley Law. But ihe commies are adept at twisting situations to .-uit their own purposes. Earl Browder, long time head of the communist party, USA, and war time leader of •he comrades, was deposed and his followers, those vho refused to publicly apologize for their sins, \veie expelled. It is said that M. Hedley Stone and Jack Lawrenson lo.st their parly cards for that reason. . So now according to the commies, in spile of war time error.s, the parly is back on the right track, but it wdll be hard to con\'ince the many seamen who were forcibly prevented from fighting for decent wages a.nd conditions; the mine workers Vvho were advised not to strike, but to submit to the government in•nead: and the Miur.gomery-'Waid strikers who saw •, Harry Bridges" men scab on thern. Again we repeat, Cuiran went along with these sell­ outs of the seamen without a word of protest. On in•surance the SlU took the lead only to have Blackie jfyers go to Washington willing to settle for whatever 'he government and the shipowners would give him. ..»n the war risk bonus, it was the same story. The NMU welcomed the Coast Guard with open arms because it helped them to police the membership and weed out any who might conceivably embarrass the leadership. The Recruitment and Manning Office, that fink or­ ganization hated by all seamen, set up office in the NMU New York Hall, and the NMU adopted the ship­ ping rules which governed the RMO. Had enough—well, the NMU went even further. The fink pools of the Martime Service got a hearty welcome, and even the proposal to put all merchant reamen in uniform did not bring a peep of protest. "We Will Sail Them" In the fall of 1941, when the SlU-SUP struck for war risk bonus, the NMU publicly announced that it vould sail any ships reallocated to it. Two or three ships were transferred, and NMU crews did sail them. Any time the SlU-SUP stood up to the government to demand justice for seamen, the NMU followed the .same practice of strikebreaking. There's more to the ditry record, but why go on. Suffice it to say that the NMU was guilty of every possible sellout of its own membership, plus strikopreaking tactics that would have put to shame the best known scabherders in waterfront history. Then, after ten years of dancing to the communist lune, Joe Curran called it quits. At a closed memiiership meeting on February 18, 1946, Curran re­ vealed that the CP machine continually overrode the wishes of the membership, dictated who was to be hired, fired, and brought up on charges, and named Joe Stack, Fredercik Myers, Ferdinand Smith, and Howard McKenzie as the leaders of the machine. In his charges, Joe substantiated everything the SlU, through the LOG, has maintained all throughout the I'istory of the NMU. He told how the commies had sold the membership down the river on wages during the war by backing the "War Labor Board in its low-wage policy, in line with the party's policy of subordinating .'ill union issues to helping Russia win the war. The communist party did not take this assault lying down. "William Z. Foster, CP head, in a secret meet­ ing laid down the line, and warned that although many NMU officials had been expelled from the party be­ cause they had gotten out of line, more expulsions would follow. He said: ' "We have a very dangerous situation in the NMU. "Ve have done our best to adjust the situation and irave been unable to accomplish it. "The principal reason is our own comrades in the NMU. They are not carrying out the party line or we would have a different situation in the NMU. This is •ntolerable "There has been a little surgery in the NMU but ap­ parently not enough. If these comrades continue in de­ fying the party line, we will have to do some more surgery." Curran then backed down. He denied that he meant the communist party when he mentioned machine in l.is original blast, and he proclaimed that he would not allow "red baiting" to become an issue the NMU. When the Committee for Maritime Unity was formed, Curran, although he should have known better, was one of the most enthusiastic supporters. During the referen­ dum, he filled his column in the Pilot, "Passing The Word," with thousands of words of praise for the* CMU and what rL would do to benefit seamen. But that too came to an end, and as outlined in last ••/tek's installment, he soon jumped off the CMU train and started an all-out fight against communist confc-l of the NMU. From^the mass of evidence that is available at this date, it is possible to draw a clear picture of what mo­ tivated Curran to act as he did. From the beginning, Curran was only the spoke.sman for the communist clicque. Blackie Myer.s, a member of the National Committee of the CP, did the thinking while Cur:an provided the front. A Leader Is Born the myth that had been built up about Joe Curran '•.as the rtr'jlt of careful planning. At the beginning, none of the known communists wanted to take the lead, and in Curran they found a man who had iicbjeveci a little reputation as one of the leaders in the .\irig up of the old California in 1936. Curran was not ivei st to being used, and thus star ted a relationship that lasted for ten years. By that time, however, the communists had become confident of their power in the union. They felt tha+ iney no longer needed Curran, especially since he was jiiendly with communist renegades like M. Hedley Stone, Charley Keith, Jack Lawrenson, Tommy Ray, and Adrian Duffy. These men. along with many others, .bad oeen read out of the parly for refusing to follow ihe party line after Browder's expulsion. Anothei thing that reacted against Curran was the fieisonal ambition of Joe Stack. Stack had never changed from the opportunist who wrote his brother .hat he was running for election, so, "If you meet a co.'Timunist, tell him I am a communist; if you meet a obbly, tell him 1 am a wobbly; if you meet a rank.nd-filer, tell him 1 am a rank-and-filer." Stack had been a small frog in a big pond too long to suit him. Starting as a ship's delegate, he had worked iiimself up, through the help of the party machine, f;0 New York Port Agent. Then he ran for "Vice-President ; nd was elected. It»was an open secret that he in­ tended to run against Curran the next time around, and . s- a consequence there was little love lost between the two. That may explain, in part, why Curran went after Stack first when Smith and McKenzie are just as vul.Tcrable, but not as ambitious. Of course, there's always the chance that Curran finally woke up to what was happening in the NMU, and decided to clean out the comrats before they \.recked the union. But the way he started his ofjonsive, by refusing to indict the communist party and confining his criticisms solely to Stack, Myers, Smith, and McKenzie, makes it appear that he only intended to begin a struggle for power, and found him­ self embi-oiied in a fight with the whole vicious ..nachine. There is no doubt that of the two factions represented by Curran and his .supporters on one hand, and the • ommunists on the other, the Curran group is muc..i the better for the rank-and-file NMU seaman. Can Become A Union If Curran succeeds in -getting the union out from under the iron heel of CP domination, the NMU may lake its place as a seamen's union fighting for sea­ men's benelits. Now it is onl> another arm of Soviet policy. The sixth convention of the NMU, starting on Sepember 22, in New York City, will have a great bear.ng on the future. The commies have organized well, and should they capture the convention, they will force *lje NMU to continue to follow policies which have led tnat union right to the brink of ruin. And if the com­ mies lose, look for them to embark on a program to •'.reck the union, no matter who gets hurt in the process. So far in this series, we have discussed the NMU 'rom its start, through the war years, and the struggle against the commies which recently developed. In the concluding article, which will appear in an early issue, the question of SIU-NMU unity will be Jealt with and the need for unity between all seamen and waterfront workers—at the point of production on the picketlines—will be pointed out. Also to be discussed are: the SlU's position on the many vital questions affecting the American merchant marine; the impact of the Taft-Hartley Act; possibililies of unemployment and the SIU program to meet the sduation; the problem of foreign bottoms being used to smash conditions of American seamen; and the need for real maritime unity in time of strikes or lockouts, I'-ee from the maneuverings of the communist party. J �Page ttfew SBj^FiARlEBS liaC FUday; August U5> 4947 SHIPS' MIMIJTES AND NEWS SS Lamar Crew Adopts Code For Shipboard Conduct To Maintain Prestige 0f SIU Jammed Rudder Holds Thompson In Nova Scotia The SS Smith Thompson is berthed in Halifax,'Nova Scotia, awaiting arrival of a new rudder from the United States to replace the one which jammed shortly after the ship left that port re­ union-like conduct aboard ship, t— cently. they made responsible for The meeting, held at sea re-, Word of the vessel's condition cently while the vessel was en- '"y disorderly acts." reached the LOG in a communi­ route to Bari, Italy, approved a cation from V. Perez, the ship's SHOW CONCERN FOR SIU plan designed to benefit all Bosun. He said the ship turned Manifesting deep concern for hands. The plan included a set back-to Halifax when the lower the SIU's prestige as a respon­ of rules governing shipboard con­ portion of the rudder "got stuck sible organization of seamen, the duct, the basis of which was each at a 25 degree angle, making it Lamar crew held that "any dis­ individual's consideration of his orderly conduct, destruction of almost impossible to steer." shipmates and his Union. Penal­ The Thompson had to make personal or ship's property, ma­ ties were also approved for in­ her way back to port in a thick licious aggravation of other fractions of the code of conduct fog, Perez said. He added that crewmembers or fighting shall set up by the Lamar men. the Halifax newspapers credited be deemed a serious offense." A "Best wishes from a couple of pie-eaters. Everything goes the ship's master and his crew ELECT COMMITTEE fine of $5.00 or more was agreed smoothly on way to Texas City," says bottle-borne note from for the fine performance in bring­ upon as a penalty found guilty Disposition of cases involving these Seatrain New York men. From left to right. Brothers ing the ship through four days of violators was placed in the hands under terms of this provision. Barnes, OS; Wolf, Cook; Uncle Otto, Steward, and Burran, Cook. fog despite the fact that her rud­ of a Committee on Conduct and The code of conduct also deals der was virtually useless. Penalties, which was "elected to with cleanliness and sanitation Perez expressed the opinion determine guilt, and penalties fori aboard ship and any horse-play that the Thompson would remain infractions of the rules." Pro­ that might place the safety of Otto Preussler, Steward, an printed message: "This letter in Halifax at least 16 days pend­ ceeds from any fines that might the crew in jeopardy. Repeated oldtimer known to Seafarers as comes to you via Deep Sea Bottle be imposed "are to be collected disregard of the rules governing Uncle Otto," hits the bottle once Mail dropped in the Ocean Aug. ing receipt of the new rudder. by the committee and turned the.se classification.s would re­ in awhile—but not to punch holes 4, 1947 from SS Seatrain New over to the Union at the payoff sult in doubling of the fines, the in his innards. Otto uses the York by Uncle Otto." for use of hospitalized members," Lamar code stated. bottle to serve as his intermed­ On the very same day—Aug. it was agreed at the meeting. Brothers Watson and Philpott iary with the shoreside postal 4—Uncle Otto tossed his messageAmong the rules adopted by acted as chairman and secretary, system. And with success. bearing bottle over the side, it respectively. Delegates were This week an envelope stamp­ was picked up by a Bob Burns SIU oldtimer Scotty Atkins, Brothers Floyd, for the Deck ed boldly, "Via Deep Sea Bottle aboard a small boat, the Hi Ho, has dropped anchor in New Or­ Gang, Sigler for the Stewards de­ Mail," and containing a photo off Palm Beach Fla. • leans, where he's engaged in a GOMMA partment, and Blanor for the (above), arrived at the LOG of­ This puts the bottle one up shoreside enterprise. ?£KfDRM Black Gang. fice. The envelope also bore a on the carrier pigeon. Scotty is running a hotel which, caters to seamen, members of the Seafarers, particularly. Ap­ propriately named the Anchor Hotel, Scotty's place is in the Vieux Carre in 418 Dauphine St. Seafarers interested in getting a square deal from a good union Pressure, which had been slowly building up through a previous trip, finally ex­ Brother might stop in to see. ploded during voyage No. 4 of the John A. Donald, when the ship's engine blew a gas­ Scotty, who is as union-minded the Lamar crew was one which ket and the crew blew its top. Both spou ed hot steam over the same thing: Three of as ever. Even his business cards the ship's Engineers. prominently display the emblem stated: the 3rd Assistant, all members of While in Amsterdam he had of the New Orleans local of the The engine let go, sputtered "All men shall conduct them­ the MEBA, contributed nothing one of the Engineers doing jobs printers' union. and died from a lack of atten­ selves in a Union-like and sea­ toward the maintenance of the which were entirely unnecessary, tion from its officer custodians, men-like manner at all times vessel, but plenty to the disrup- .•^nd when the Engineer asked and the crew hit the overhead aboard this vessel, and try to tmn of the working arrangements to check the flanges and joints Hits Biff Town from an overdose of attention maintain friendliness, coopera­ on the ship. he refused to give him permis­ from the trio. tion and a smooth operation of On watch, Romanoff spent his sion. The engine could be repaired time preaching the CP line and duty. From then on the engine began with a new gasket, but the crew writing slogans on the Engine "Men shall be able to perform felt it could only get back on the room bulkheads. The SIU crew to race hard, but he and the duties at all times when resane track by a solid heave-ho aboard made known their feel­ other Engineers just sat and qired to do so aboard ship. of the, three culprits who were ings toward Romanoff, but he watched the engine shimmy it­ Drinking is a man's privilege, on the way to driving the crew collared the men and told them self apart. Then engine shook so so long as he does not inter­ hard it almost threw the crew to distraction. that the SIU and its officials were off its buunks. fere with, or annoy, others or Ringleader of the disruption- company stiffs, SIU men are cause a reflection of discredit Enough is enough, decided the ists, James Romanoff, is well- finks and the SIU's meetings are . on the Union." known to LOG readers, and phony get-togethers which ac­ crew, so out came the paper and The program continues with a pencil and a letter was penned whose tactics were exposed in complish nothing. plea that all hands "please use to the SIU in which the crew the August 1 issue of the LOG, moderation. Shoreside is the "JUST RESTING, THANKS" stated that the majority of the place to party up; then your v/hich reprinted portions of a let­ crew would like to make another Romanoff a former MEBA of­ shipmates are not bothered, nor ter he wrote from the Donald to ficial, who hasn't the slightest trip, but not with the present a fellow communist telling of his progress—and lack of it—in pass­ conception of what being a union three Engineers. ing out communist propaganda man means, confessed to the crew ENGINEER, TOO Into New York this week that his only reason for being on among the crew. The crew found an ally in this came Brother Tony Pisano of the ship was to rest up and work with the 2nd Engineer who, too, Staten Island sporting a fresh ANTI-UNION UNIONISTS Send in the minutes of on a book. decided to pile off rather than coat of Southern tan. In photo your ship's meeting to the He and his cohorts were sound­ The Chief Engineer's actions above, he stands in front of an­ sail with them again. New York HalL Only in that ly condemned by the crew for aboard the Donald demonstrated The crewmembers, 28 in all, cient French submarine high way can the membership act their tactics in spending their that union brotherhood was not who signed the letter, stated that dry in Jackson Square Park, on your recommendationSf time in spreading the Moscow his intention, either. they had had enough of the boys New Orleans. and then the minutes can be line. But their wrath was most When the ship lost the 3rd As­ printed in the LOG for the explosive over the fact that these sistant in Amsterdam, instead of who preach the communist line benefit of all other SIU men did nothing in the line or naming one of the crew to the and cry for unity of maritime crews. work. Their actions were those job, the Chief took over the job workers, but who in practice act Hold those shipboard meet­ of avowed company stiffs instead himself without receiving a pen­ to the contrary in the best man­ ings regularly, and send of the fellow workers they claim­ ny for the work. All because he ner of company stiffs. ed to be. those minutes in as soon as aidn't want the Black Gang to A while later the Donald hit possible. That's the SIU wayl Romanoff, who sailed as 1st As- receive any extra money. (Fellow the States. Today, she is at sea r'sistant, the Chief Engineer and worker?) —less three former Engineers. In a move calculated to strengthen the position of the Seafarers and to solidify its gains, crewmembers of the Mirabeau B. Lamar took action at a special meeting to pro­ mote "a spirit of cooperation and brotherhood" based on Bottle Wings Otto's Mail 'Scotty' Atkins Anchors In N.O. Good Unionists Must Have More Than Slogans, Donald Men Find Send Those Minutes V i �Friday. August 15, 1947 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Eleven SIU Ships' Minutes In Brief stalled. Ship's delegate to ask TOFA TOPA. July 27—Chair-, man J. M-rshall; Secretary R. j the Port Agent for a clarifica­ Hubalck. Delegates reported alii tion on the time spent anchored overtime in order. New Business: I in the roads off Buenos Aires. Motion by itewman that a letter! XXX be sent to ihe Union in reference TOUSSAINT LOUVERTURE. to seamen's mistreatment in July 6—Chairman M. Sams; Sec­ Bi'emerhaven by the military po­ retary Lundy, New Business: lice. Seamen involved should Motion by Dodge that a letter be write their own experiences and sent to the Secretary-Treasurer present them to shore Patrol­ and forwarded to the negotiating man. Motion by M. Novakovj committee requesting a contract that a man be elected to stay on provision for overtime for the I the ship to take care of the ship's Deck and Engine Department business. while standing regular sea watch­ es on holidays. Motion carried i S. t Nolan: Stewards Delegate V\f. K. that a check be made of repairs CORNELIA. July 25 — Chair­ Kehrv/eider. necessary in crew's quarters and man John E. While; (Secretary MAYO BROTHERS. June 29— not given.) New Business: Broth­ Chairman Hank Adamowicz; Sec- repairs be made before the ship er Gunsell moved that the ship letExy Joe P. Julian. Delegates sails again. Motion by DiFerma should be fumigated. Brother reports accepted. New Business: that the Steward serve omelets William Moore moved that the F. Jangsma elected ship's dele­ of various style rather than plain three departmental delegates gate by acclamation. Motion car­ ones daily. check ship stores before she sails ried that men leaving mess in XXX rgain. Moore also moved that no messhall shall be fined 25c with SEATRAIN TEXAS. July 14— crewmember pay off until all money to go to hospital fund. Chairman Wm. Pepper; Secre­ legitimate overtime beefs are tary Sam F. Gunter. Repair list XXX settled. Good and Welfare: Point read and discussed. Motion car­ FRANCIS. July 10—(Chairman was raised by Brother Francis ried instructing ship's delegate and Secretary not given.) Motion Martens as to why the supply of to take repair list to Union hall meat sausage has run out. Dis­ carried that a new electric wa­ and company office. Good and ter cooler be installed on the cussion followed and it was deWelfare: General discussion on starboard side of crew deck. The cidecV to order a larger supply the very hot condition of the old one is worn out. Motion car­ the next time. messhall. This being on the re­ ried that locks be renewed on pair list did not make it any the 4-8 and 8-12 rooms as the cooler-. repair job done on the locks was very poor. XXX FRANKLIN H. KING. July 5— 4. i 4. Chairman W. T. Hunter; Secre­ ARCHER, May 10—Chairman By HANK tary C. J. Jensen. Deck Delegate H. McClure: Secretary C. Welsh. reported some disputed overtime Delegates had nothing to report. Some Seafarers will just be fooling and weakening themselves New Business: Motions carried: to be straightened out at payoff. XXX and their Union if they don't hit a beef with their whole-heartei To have delegates report on the Stewards and Engine Depart­ JOHN GALLUP. July 20 — interest and support. It doesn't pay to goof off—whether it be on standing of all members of their ments reported everything okay. Chairman John Werner; Secre­ just another trip out or right in a sudden beef which involves the respective departments at the Good and Welfare: A thorough tary Richard Geiling. Deck and security of every sailor's job and the security of the Union.in all next meeting; that the messhall discussion was held concerning Engine Departments reported dis­ its phases. It's your union, and all the beefs, the small ones and be kept clean; that potatoes be the rotten conditions aboard the puted overtime in their depart­ the big ones, are your beefs to win. The record of SIU beefs shows New Business: Motion served three times a day; that ship. ments Stewards Department run­ plainly that they were successful because of the honest-minded made to correct the conditions messmen refuse to serve anyone ning okay. New Business: Mo­ militant actions of not just some of the Seafarers—but every Sea­ not wearing a shirt. Good and discussed in Good and Welfare. tion carried that Steward check farer anchored in the Union Halls or just coming off a trip. Welfare: Suggestion that dele­ Repair list made up and ap­ stores in the future before the Don't let the politicians and the fat, scheming millionaires proved. gates draw up a list of repairs. start of the voyage. Motion car­ destroy so easily our job security—our Union—and the traditional ried that no one pay off until freedom of our American labor in this democracy. Don't let the XXX disputed overtime is cleared. Mo­ company bosses ruin 'and rule labor with their atomic ideas and ARCHER. June 29—Chairman tion carried that Chief Mate be those ever-ready, wooden-headed, anti-union company finks. The C. Morsh: Secretary C. Welsh. checked on strike clearance. Mo­ company finks are just waiting to grab our jobs quicker than you Delegates reported on the stand­ tion reconsidered and struck can pay your dues or wear your white cap of militancy—which in ing of their departments. New XXX plainer words means: protecting your job, your family and your Business: Motion carried to al­ ARCHER. July 6 — (Special from minutes. future. Every Seafarer—and every Isthmian seaman who voted low disputed overtime to stand meeting) Chairman C. Morsh; X X X despite offer by Master not to Secretary C. Welsh. A commit­ SEATRAIN TEXAS. July 27— freely to have the SIU represent him on Isthmian ships—has a job log several absentees if all dis- tee of three department dele­ Chairman Richardson; Secretary to do—a permanent job of honest American militancy. Let's do it— puted overtime concerning gates and the Bosun elected to Springer. Old Business: Hot and and do a good job. launch service was withdrawn. discuss ways and means with cold water system brought up XXX Motion carried to put in for the Patrolman and Agent of hav- J again. Nothing h^ been done From Brother Joe Pilulis we received this letter dated overtime for fire and boat drill ing the Captain and Chief Mate about it in spite of orders by the August 4th while aboard the SB Evangeline: "Just a few lines held on Saturday afternoon. removed -from the ship. Quali- company to the Chief Engineer. to let you know everything is all right aboard this scow. There fications of various tripcarders Motion carried that if the sys­ aren't many oldtimers aboard except Brother Jimmy McCuller. discussed pertaining to their ac­ tem is not put in working order Boy, it sure is unusual for me to make five trips so far. Give ceptance into the Union. within 12 hours of departure of my regards to Brother Steve Messara. That's all for now." . . . vessel from New York that the XXX From Brother Steve Di Girolomo aboard the SS R. M. T. Hunter BERTRAM G. GOODHUE. crew ask the company to remove down in Baltimore: His letter reads: "Well, I got myself a Lib­ XXX (Date. Chairman and Secretary the Chief Engineer. One minute erty ship for France. We have a pretty good gang aboard—quite COLOMBIA VICTORY. Aug. not given) New Business: Mo- of silence for brothers lost at sea. a few oldtimers. too. There's A1 Bentley. George Wolfe and a lot 2—Chairman Ed. Myers; Secre- j tion carried that all groups playmore. I'll write from France. Give my regards to the gang and tary Bob Prutzman. Motion car-j -'ng c.ards are to meet in the crew Benny. Paul and Slug." r:ed to hand list of beefs to Pa- recreation room and not in the XXX trolman upon arrival in next mess. Motion carried that all port. Good and Welfare: Milk crewmembers to act neatly in We sure got the letters this week. Here's one frorn Brothe.r to be provided for night lunch, the messroom and replace foodRed Braunstein on the SS Fairport over there in Shanghai, China, Delegates to see Engineer about stuffs and utensils in their proper dated July 27th: "Well, we're finally in Shanghai. We had a nice shower nozzle. Various discus- places. Motion carried that no XXX trip over. Two more Waterman scows are here—the Iberville and sions among which were sanita-|one is to put clothing in tubs or SAMUEL GRIFFIN. April 7— the Jean LaFitte. Tldngs are sure expensive. A bottle of coke tion of meats being defrosted and buckets and leave them under Chairman Eugene Dore; Secre­ in a Chinese restaurant costs 6000 Chinese dollars. In the USS Club the Night Cook and Baker's abil- steam pipes, tary Seymour Kolchek. Com­ a beer costs 9000 Chinese dollars. There is some racket run out ity to bake. XXX plaint of two pot system being here. The government e.xchange is around 12,000 Chinese dollars Saloon Mess and Third for one American dollar. A beer costs around 20,000 Chinese dol­ XXX DEL VALLE. July 1—Chair- used. GEORGE FITCH, June 5— man Wolowitz; Secretary R. W. Cook denied that two pots are lars. The black market exchange is around 35,000 Chinese dollars Chairman Joe Hill; Secretary H.' Curtis. Delegates of each depart- being used. Much criticism of to an American dollar. A meal in the USS Club costs 40,000 Chinese Vickery. Deck and Stewards de- ^ ment reported a few hours of the meat and lack of fresh vege­ dollars—which is over three American dollars at the official ex­ partments okay. Engine Depart- disputed overtime. New Busi- tables. New Business: Steward change. Well, the weather is very hot and we leave for Manila in ment reported one hour of dis- ness: Motion by Joe Savava that asked to supply two pillow cases about a week. My regards to the boys and I'll be home sometime in puted overtime for Wiper. Mo- neither Engine or Deck Depart- each week while in the tropics. October." tion carried that the three dele- ments have time to soogie or Motion carried that each man get gates meet and arrange for the paint in the alleyways, and if the the soap entitled him plus the Say. was that Brother Dutch Bolz we saw with Brother assignment of sanitation work in Stewards Department have time number of bafs he has been short Scotty Morton? . ., Brother Bob Hicks is in town. So is Brother the recreation room and laundry.' they can do the work and the during the weeks the ship was Louis Galvani . .. From St. Lucia. Canada, a postcard from musGeneral discussion on keeping other departments will not claim out. Due to shortage of cigar­ tached Brother Joe De George who writes: "Having a swell time the messhalls and passageways the overtime. Motion by Colca ettes aboard, crew asks where —Brother Eddie Mooney, "Mac" and myself. We're on the SS cleaner. Deck Delegate John P. that all half lockers be taken off the Second Mate got the six car­ Cavalier. So long for now." Lavexy; Engine Delegate W. J.'and full length lockers be in- tons of cigarettes he sold ashore. r:.< lU BAGGAGE: A hAEMBER* SW\P ACCOMODATION, NOTAPERWMsNEM STO^^AGE RDONV. UfsAlTED FACs-mes^O NOT PeRhAlT BAGGAGE T6 0E HtLD FOR LONG UiHEN SATURATION PiOINT IS REACHED HAVE TO UNLOAD. IF V6U DOKJTCALl IT, VOUR GEAR tA)iaBF GIVEN TO 50Mt R.eC0GNI2FD CHARlTV. CUT and RUN A\ �•,^-f • n .\ Friday, August 15, 1947 TaWslEAPAn^RSLOC VHE MEMBERSHIP SPEAKS rAMG In Germany Blasted For Treatment Of Seamen To the Editor: While on the SS Gateway City, I had a chance to go up the Weser River to Bremen. As it was Sun­ day and about 6 P. M. we were met all along the Weser by the -German patrol and E Boats, which were seized by the Amer­ ican Army and Navy. There were also gay party boats with all the high ranking officials en­ tertaining their lady friends and guests. We docked at Bremen late Sunday and went ashore the fol­ lowing day. In Bremen I noticed quite a few American soldiers strolling the streets with their sweethearts, and, of course, the usual IviPs in their white helmets. As civilians, we seamen dress accordingly. But we still are American citizens. If we stop to talk to a girl the MP requires her to show papers. If they are not in order, she is confined for a three-day period. OFF LIMITS All the taverns are out of bounds for us civilians and if you were quietly seated in one, the first thing you know an MP is behind you ordering you out. We left Bremen and went to Bremerhaven, where we unload­ ed that part of our cargo that was whiskey. As soon as the unload­ ing was finished about 40 Ger­ man police descended on the ship and started a search for stolen whiskey. They were aided by an American MP lieutenant and a soldier who was stationed at the gangway to pi-event shore liberty. The search was conduct­ ed, the result was nil. Nothing was found. Because of this incident I would like to state something that is on my mind. I may be wrong but I think we are as good as any of those ranking officers, and we are as much American as any of those GIs walking the streets of German cities. If it hadn't been for the part we play­ ed, our efforts and toils, they would not have had the tools of war or the rations which the ships delivered when the conflict was at the critical stage. WE'RE PAYING FOR IT I know the saying, To the victor belongs the spoils, etc. No one is trying to take it away from them, but 1 think your taxes and my taxes are helping keep this thing alive. I thought we fought the war to rid the world of the SS troops and the Gestapo. But I don't Ft. Stanton Patients Thank Butler Crew To the Editor: Seafarers patients in Fort Stan­ ton Marine Hospital wish to thank the crew of the Ovid But­ ler for the donation we received from them. We appreciate it very much as the money meant a lot to us. We are happy to know that our Brothers have hot forgotten us. Marion D. Penry Fort Stanton Hospital think the American people know or understand that the American Military Government is using the same tactics and the same po­ lice that built the Nazi fortress in Europe. When 1 went to school 1 was taught that an army travels on stomach, meaning on the food and rations—not on v/hiskey for the high officers and officials. If we are trying to preach our form of government, well then, let's praise and uphold it, not just a few favorites. I won't sign my name to this article as I am not an authority cn government laws and I may be wrong in regard to the mili­ tary controls but I think the members and their families should know how their taxes are being spent in Germany. We certainly have a right to expect a little decency. Crewmember SS Gateway City (Ed. note: The writer of this letter requested that his name be withheld.) SIGNAL HILLS ENGINEERS ARE GOOD UNION MEN To the Editor: We of the Black Gang, on the SS Signal Hills would like to take this opportunity to notify all SIU and SUP men who sail with Pacific Tankers to be on the lookout for the following En­ gineers: Wallace Payne, Chief Engineer; Clarence Barr, First; Nick Pirone, Second; Lee W. Bingall, Third, and Paul Dosher Jr., Third. You can't find a better bunch of En­ gineers to sail with, they are good union men and will go more than half way with anyone who sails with them. We signed on two NMU men who were on the beach at Genoa, Italy, and they would like to ex­ press thjir thanks to a good and welcome crew. Both Frank Kelemen and John Childers—we were glad to have you with us, and hope to see you again some time. We are enclosing a letter of thanks to the black gang from the Chief Engineer, in hope you can find space in the LOG to print it. Black Gang SS Signal Hills Whole Town Knows Wolch's White Cap To the Editor: Referring to the article in fly­ ing discs in the July 11 issue of the LOG, I would like to point out that the people in this town see one every day. When I walk down the street I wear my "disc" all the time. I'm now home with a bum leg and just taking it easy as I read the LOG and sip cold beer. Well, here's hoping the TaftHartley Law sees a quick ending. "Chisler" Welch St. Cloud, Minn. (Ed. Nble: Amen, WolcH;} COOLING OFF IN VENEZUELA 'Pop' Martin Hits Log With Bale Of Verse To the Editor: Enclosed are some blurbs which may be of some value. Made two voyages in that air conditioned luxury liner, the Del Sud. My word! Now I'm in an old blister of a Pacific Tanker's mudbank solarium that has been dragged to a shipyard for a fitout. Really thought I was signing on one to be out to sea in a few hours. The crew, the ship, the cargo and the sea. A sailor's life. Not as in luxury liners; alumi­ num deck housing from main deck to radio shack, aluminum feather-light deck chairs for the All is not work for an SIU crew, writes Brother Lester J. passengers and a flock of booms Moore, as this photo of three SS Carlsbad crewmen shows. with fqur fold steel blocks reeved Downing cool cole drinks are (left to right): Collin Stepper, with SVz inch line and with milePercy Foote Jr.. and Lester J. Moore, Locale is the jungle port long IV2 inch steel pendants, fit­ of Caripito. Venezuela. ted with shackles heavy enough to pick up 40 tons of weight. SEAFARER FINDS Oh, I was speaking of lilxury! But labor is a luxury, an envy, UNION BROTHERS if one is in a wheel chair. But 'SWELL GUYS» that Del Sud rigging might put me there. To the Editor: However, she's not unique. She Well here I am stuck in Aruba has two sister ships—and how for medical treatment. any marine awhitect can be paid I was on the Piatt Park, a T-2 for making thrice such mistakes. James (Pop) Marlin Pacific tanker job. The crew was really a swell bunch of guys (Ed. nole: Pop Marlin sent especially the Black Gang, of a raft of verse to the LOG. All which I am a member — wiper we can say is the guy's a. crackto be exact. erj&ck. His stuff will appear The Skipper was really a swell from time to time. For a be­ Joe. 1 am just a youngster in the ginning, a couple of samples Union, but what ships I have sail­ appear below.) ed on, I have foUnd the creWs to be swell eggs and fine union brothers. There was a time when I didn't believe in unions, but now that 1 have joined the SIU I Hit Or Miss know what it means to be in a By JAMES (POP) MARTIN good union. Lots of luck to you Brother Stepper halts for all. Log'A-Rhythms caihefaman Lester Mobre. R. M. Bailey Member's Mother Asks Aid In Search For Daughter To the Editor: Will you kindly publish the accompanying photograph of my daughter, Velva Joy Robbins, in your paper? She has been miss­ ing from, home almost a year— since Aug. 20, 1946. My son, William Chadburn, is a member of the Seafarers In­ ternational Union. I know that the LOG is read by a great many people and there is. a chahce that some reader may see my daugh­ ter and recognize her by this picture. We are so very anxious to find her. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated. Mrs. Maty A. Robbins 202 High Street Portland, Maine (Ed. note: Velva Jo'^^ Rbbbins is 15 years old, weighs about 120 to 130 lbs. and is about 5 feet 4 inches tall. Thd miss­ ing girl has datk blond hair, blue eyes>' freckles and a * fair complexion. A Portland' Police ~ Depairtmeht bulletin says she ' Within these lines perchance are rhymes, (Me old man kissed the Blarney Stone.) But if, betimes, the waste pile finds. This manuscript all sad and lone. Remember this: To write—or miss— (I use the search and seizure method) Is a form of bliss, say some sophists: Did their knuckles ever run with blood? As You Were By JAMES (POP) MARTIN VELVA JOY ROBBINS "will look older than her age and may be wearing her hair done up or cut short." It is feSred she may be a Victim of amnesia. Anyone knowing her whereabouts can' communicate with her mother," or the pblice deiit.,' Portland;' Mb.- Heading north to Trinidad, Beneath a full round moon, I wrote this mess of doggerel Two Watches, in bechune. It must be I'm a luna-tick For, I've learned, long agC, I cahnot wfife a blooming lick Theh let u^ leave it so. Free Speech By JAMES (POP) MARTIN Free speech is fine. Right in tnc lini^; The ship->4iAd its fun Now FH hiave mine. �'Friday, A^igust ISj 1S47 THE SEA P A RE R S LOG Page Thirteen 'A Rolling stone Gathers No Boss'; O'Doyle *Duke' Tosses Legion For A Deserved Fall To the Editor: What is the philosophy of a seamen? We often hear people ask this but seldom have an answer. Yet, although he may not realize it every seaman has a philosophy of some kind. His way of life inevitably causes him to form some attitude to­ ward living. Often, people ashore will find a philosophy of life that leads them to follow the sea. Many of us have met people of education who do not hava to go to sea yet find in that way of life a satisfac­ tion and contentment they do not know on land. I once sailed with a man of personal means who still found that his success was empty, that hap­ piness for him lay in the vagrant, gypsy life of an ordinary sailor. Some seamen have the "live-for-a-moment" phiksophy, whose outstanding exponents are Omar Khayyam and Frenchy Michelet. Ah, lake the cash, let the credit go Nor heed the rumble of a distant drum." O.-, as we would say today, "good whiskey and bad women." These happy children of nature find life's meaning in the light of women's eyes, in gay song and the kiss of the grape. For them every hour is a sweet glass of wine, to be joyous­ ly drunk in this warm, merry Tavern of Life before we go into the cold night outside. FRENCHY IS RIGHT They have conquered the world by refusing to right it—instead, they enjoy it. Wisest ones! Frenchy, how right you are. Then there are "the race of men who don't lit in." There's a race of men who .dun't fit in, A race that sif ffiH' Theirs is the curse of the gypsy blood. And they roam the world' at will. Yes, these are the restless ones, who must al­ ways be over the next hill. Not for them the daily struggle, the dulling grind, the sour dregs of monotony. They may settle down for awhile, but soon their feet begin to itch and they are off chasing sunsets again. Finally, we have the seagoing hobo. His motto might be, *'A rolling stone gathers no Boss," modestly include myself in this category. We usually sail in the Black Gang, as we consider work a deadly poison. Also, down there we have plenty of time to discuss philosophical questions. Plato had his grave outside Athens—give me a seat under a cool ventilator. SEAMEN DON'T FALL EASILY As a rule, seamen are without sham, they are unimpressed by high-sounding titles and big Ironts. In the life of the sea, a man is only as good as his own manliness makes him, he is only as worthy as he proves himself. How often we determine to hug the land, only to become dis­ gusted by the hypocricy, the pretense, the pulls and false fronts of life ashore. Alway.s we turn back to the sea, the honesty and cameraderie of life afloat. I have taken the sea as I found it. Its sunshine and its rain I've never been known to hound it, I've never been known to complain. "Steamboat" O'Doyle To.the Editor: t ne of my own experiences. Dur­ ing a submarine attack on a troop I know you only run a rank ship which was carrying about and file paper, so here I go again 2,800 soldiers and on which I was blowing off steam. But the beef the Bosun, two Looies began is on the up and up. I hope to shoving the men below deck. God, one of those white-collar I saw what was happening and punks will read the greatest (old topside what was up. The paper ever published. result was that the Major over First of all, I was reading the phony American Legion publica­ Donald Duck ordered the men tion and all of a sudden I came topside. So you can see what one across a piece about blowing off man with a little deep sea ex­ steam. Their 40-day wonders perience could observe as com­ were saying that during air raids pared to these guys who were over ships, all hands, from the supposed to know the score. As Captain on down, were safely a matter of fact, during all the tucked below decks. That is one sinking off Okinawa, did one gun of the damndest lies I ever heard. crew aboard merchant ships fire And all you Brothers know that upon the enemy? I would like it is such bunk as that that is to know. We seamen who sailed these keeping us from getting the bene­ fits of GI loans, housing and so ships during all the hell and fire of the war, who saw 6,000 of our on. Now to point out to the Jun­ men go to the bottom, are now iors what it was all about from taking ex-servicemen into our organization every day. They are getting the advantages of our conditions and we're trying to se­ cure more decent living for them. Yet the Legion thinks it fought the war single-handed and it expects any recognition to be given to it alone. To the Editor: Duke Himler Mother's Slant On Union Shows She Knows Best Before he left for his last trip my son asked me to send the en­ closed LOG donation. We have been getting the LOG pleading eyes of Johnny Ward I across many a beer table, many To the Editor: at our house for the past six tell you boys, a feller would have a milk bar and even on No. 4 months. I save them for him, but Ahoy there, Port Arthur call­ to be plumb hard-hearted to turn hatch, I guess its one for the I before I put them away I read ing you all. Boy, am I doin' good. him down, so I stayed on. executive department to clarify. them ail the way through and I've been here eight days now, Seriously though, shipping is There seems to be a lot of dif­ and in eight days more I reckon awfully good here in the Gulf ferences of opinion as to a Bo­ when I read of the high- stand­ ards of work you require, I am I'll have Senator Claghorn head- right now and any of you rated sun's overtime whether he should proud of my son. I know he has in' for Alaska. men who want to get shanghaied be at par with top man in the to be a good workman to stay in No offense to the boys in the can surely have your choice department, or should be allow­ the Union. Gulf as I may pay off here again down here. ed to be as per agreement. Also next trip and I'll want the same When I read of your fights fpr Brothers, did you ever have a if that means after watch-standgood representation and coopera­ man sneak off on you at coffee er's Sunday watches are deduct­ better living conditions aboard tion from Brothers Johnny (Plug- time and get married? No? Well ed. ship, and of your fight for safer ugly) Ward, Johnson and Alsop we did. A Brother from Philly. working conditions, I worry less Now, if you execs can put that they gave us a few days ago I won't give you his initials but about my son. something in black and white to at our payoff. I think all mothers, wives, his name is George Noble, one sort of clarify this I am sure The boys were really on the of our able ABs, who went sweethearts and sisters of sea­ ball and the whole crew of the ashore, met the gal, took her on it will settle a lot of disputes men would feel the same if they among shipmates. SS John W. Burgess wishes to a coffee date and pinched him­ read the LOG. Seamen should Not much more to say fellas, thank them all. be encom-aged to send the LOG self next morning and found out except that now it's hotter'n to their homes. he was in the company of the seven halos down he:re and I'll JOHNNY WON HIM OVER Well, it's goodbye, mom, I'm new Mrs. Noble'.' A Noble act, warn all you fellow salts the Mrs. E. O. Voss off to Yokaham'. Gol dern it, George, but oh, what coffee. Battle of Post Office Street can­ San Antonio, Texas Brothers, there's a question in not be won. I know. Going to I wanted to go back to Germany (Editor's Note: Thanks for but with that homely face and| my mind which I've heard argued sign off now and go looking for the boost; your receipt is in the a tall cool one, so smooth sailing mail. Every issue of the LOG carries a form which, if filled and good luck to a good SIU. out and mailed to 51 Beaver St., Walt Gardner N. Y„ will send the LOG wing­ Port Arthur, Texas ing into homes of Seafarers. Good Payoff, Noble Act Cheer Gardner THE BEEF BOX CARDS, GAMES AVAILABLE SOON IN N. Y. HALL RECREATION ROOM Galveston, Texas (Ed. note: The American Le­ gion's "all for us" campaign is nothing new. To veterans it shoots off hot air about how it is trying to work in their in­ terest. But it is strictly an "against" organization. It has done nothing about housing, minimum wage legislation, etc. What it has done is to back all anti-labor legislation and fa­ vor every move to make life tougher for the working stiff, in which category most of the Legion members fit. It pats him on the back, takes his dues and uses them in a way that is ultimately to his disadvantage.) Send Those Minutes Send, in the minutes of your ship's meeting to the New York Hall. Only in that way can the membership act on your recommendations, and then the minutes can be printed in the LOG for the benefit of all other SIU crews. THEY HELP MAKE SAILING SMOOTH ON ALCOA CORSAIR With all the money that is donated by members to the SEA­ FARERS LOG and Hospitalized Brothers, why can't some of this money be donated for cards, checkers and chess boards for the rec­ reation I'oom of the New York Hall? To maintain the return of such games a man can be required to leave his shipping card until he returns the game or cards. With a sufficient supply to cover the demand, this method should insure cards and checkers on hand at all times. John J. McHale, 47464 Thomas Bluilt, 47465 John J. Bluitt, 34320 William O'Brien, 34316 Anthony Skillman, 32189 ANSWER:—Cards and checkers formerly were available for all hands in the recreation room of the New York Branch. But the speed with which they disappeared made it difficult to keep a sufficient supply of replacement material. The cards were mutilated and destroyed, in addifipn to being removed from the Hall. Very soon, however, recreational material of this type will again be available. While the Brothers are using them it is hoped they will bear in mind thed others hope to enjoy their use after they are finished. By taking proper care of these mEiterials and returning them to the desk when finished, all hands can be assured of a chance to use them next tune they are in port. Able delegates aboard the third of Alcoa's luxury cruise ships, gtdher in crew's messroom to perform paper work that is part of their duties as crew representatives. Left to right: John Mayrbot, Waiters' Delegate; Frank Palmer, Galley Delegate; A. (Blackie) Bankston, Ship's Dele­ gate: Frank L. Campodonice, Engine Delegate, and Clifford (Tex) Sharpless, Deck Delegate. Photo by Ed Loflin, Night Steward on the C^oinair. �Page Fourteen THE He Came, Saw And Took 'Rolling Job' To France SEAFARERS LOG Friday. August 15. 1947 HAY AND HORSEPLAY IN CHERBOURG wont out on deck to locate the bosun. The time was about 2:30 in the After reporting to the bosun, I tfternoon; the place, the SIU was soon at work helping to se­ Hall in New York. cure the ship for sea. Looking Like so many other fellows, I around I noticed that the deck was hanging around the Hall load consisted of six locomotives hoping that a job would materia- and six tenders. That didn't • lize on the board and that leave much room for walking would be one of the fortunate around. Later I learned that ones to ship out. Shipping-out there were 12 more locomotives was becoming very imperative to and tenders below in the holds. me because of the fact that I had Soon word was passed to stand about two dollars left in my by fore and aft and we sailed just pocket; and for a sailor to be as the gathering darkness was ashore in New York or any port beginning to make a conglomera­ for that matter with but two dol­ tion of silhouettes of the New lars and no ship, isn't a very York skyline. Being on the eight comfortable situation, which a lot to twelve, it wasn't long before Seafarers aboard Ihe SS Earl A. Bloomquist went crazy over horses when the ship called at of you no doubt have had the op­ it was time for me to go on the French port. Among the lads who went haywire was Brother Bud Walterman shown in photo portunity of finding out. watch. The first of many watches at left as he stopped traffic on one of the local drags while he fed a nag. "Just hay. but mighty Well, to get back to the story, to be stood on board the MV good." neighed the four-legged haybag. I had been keeping in touch with Gadsden before voyage number In the photo at right Brothers Mike and George of the Bloomquist appear to be enacting a little the organizers office just in case two was over. skit for the entertainment of Bud Walterman. who is at the camera. Nobody said so but the nag It took us 14 days and some something should show up there. looks like the one in other photo. Looks pretty tired with the whole set-up. too. He should have cdd hours to reach Le Havre. As Walking in to check with A1 demanded more hay. Kerr for about the tenth time to the weather we had, it was that day, he said he had some­ typical North Atlantic winter thing and told me to stick around. weather. If you should ask any­ So, sitting down with one of the one who was on board that trip magazines which I had already they would tell you we rolled lead about umteen times; I wait­ rather than sailed to France. In fact, a lot of them including ed until he was finished with whatever he was doing. Then he yours truly are convinced that the called me over saying he had a MV Gadsden would roll in dryjob for an AB, on a coastwise dock. The reason for a lot of this rolling, I believe, is due to ship sailing that same night. To the Editor: the fact that the Gadsden has a WANTED A LONG TRIP jumbo-boom located approxi­ The SIU went on record to in­ As desperate as I was ^for a mately amidships which is the dorse the Union Optical Plan and ship, I was stiU a litUe particu-[ |,ig„est I've ever seen. It's 85 feet ran an article on it in the SEA­ lar as to what I would take for long and is tested for 137 tons. FARERS LOG, but I notice that I'd been on the beach for some That to my way of thinking is very little publicity has been o real jumbo-boom and is every­ given this wondlerful service. thing the name implies. Taking For men wishing glasses and into consideration that the Gad­ not desirious of paying some guy sden is but 324 feet long and a small fortune, the Union Op­ has a beam of only 50 feet, with tical Plan is the place to go. that jumbo-boom sticking up Located on Union Square in among the clouds one can readily New York at 152 Fourth Avenue, ."•^ee that it wouldn't take much to the Union Optical Plan is the The vessel gets a new coat of Nothing shy about Bob of the start things rolling. Seafarers endorsed optical serv­ paint. That's Bob wielding the ice. From personal experience I UNLOADED WITHOUT HITCH Bloomquist. He quickly obliged Walterman with this gag shot. brush. found that they can't be beat. Unloading the locomotives and I found them to be straight tenders took five days. That 1 forward and honest. No high think is very good time, taking pressure or attempt to sell me a into consideration the fact that bill of goods. They gave me fast that particular type of working service and the bill was easy to time and wanted a long trip if at gear was new to all but two of take; about one-half to one-third all possible to get one, so I turn­ the deck-gang. The operation To fhe Editor: The Steward has just about what it would cost elsewhere and was completed without accident ed the job down. painted the ship by himself and the quality of the glasses is tops. What happened on my last Going back down below to to personnel or damage to cargo, that takes care of the overtime as The SIU is to be complimented have another look at the boards which is another example of the trip, I think, would make in­ far as we are concerned. on their fine work in endorsing fine seamanship that makes up I found them just as empty as teresting reading for the Union Incidentally, we have to sign this establishment which has the they had been when I had gone the rank and file of the SIU and members who have not sailed a for $6 to get a cot which must be backing of several other big SUP. up topside. returned in perfect condition to unions. Admission to the Union Leaving Le Havre on the 17th non-union ship. While I standing there calling I don't Optical Plan is simple: Just flash of January, we all looked forThe Steel Age, an Isthmian get our money back. myself all sorts of jackasses, giv- ^ard""To"'"rolling "back^to" NeT know if U. S. Steel needs the your SIU book and you'll receive ship, is a name to remember. Its money that badly, or if it's the the best. mg special attention to the seagoing type of jackass for turnMaster, Captain Jaenecke, is the Skipper's gravy. Noah Greenberg type of man whose speeches to ing down the job, A1 came m The ship is overrun with rats the crew at lifeboat drills are and called for an AB on that y^easy same ship. It was like a reprieve rp,' .. i-- ^ . something for the books. His last and its common to come across Boston AMMLA , , The weather on the first two speech on the boat deck took 55 them in the alleyways and pan­ Has Copies of LOG to me so I gave A1 my card and • . . . said "I'll take it" I minutes, and through it all it tries. ' • ' pected—we had a gale. The To ihe Edilor: We went back up to his office Gadsden rolled 40 degrees, was the same story: RESTRICTED ON DRAW Thank you for the copies of the "I am the boss; there is only and he began to write me up on strange as it may seem, I slept We haven't had a draw as yet, SEAFARERS LOG which you one boss on this ship, etc., etc. his sheet. About that time fate through that particular roll and but coming into Honolulu we are are now sending this Boston liNo one is to come up to see me seemed to step in and take com- pm not complaining about it. going to be allowed $15. The of­ brary of the American Merchant about any matter whatsoever. No mand of the situation for the Going over I noticed that every phone rang and A1 talked for time. I shaved the bad weather one of the crew is allowed any­ ficers draw will be what they Marine Library Association. several minutes. When he hung we were having seemed to get where near the officers quarters ask for. There are several men Copies that are not taken during up he asked, "how would you worse. Now I'm not supersti- and any officer found In the on here just for the ride and we the week, I'm glad to put into a hke a job on a ship going to Le lious at all so I don't think the crew's quarters will be provided expect them to drop off in Ma­ libi'ary packed for delivery to nila. some ship. Havre sailing tonight? I of course shaving had anything to do with with a room down there." The crew is not too bad; we took the job. We have been receiving the the weather, but, did I shave SECOND ON TABLECLOTHS have some SIU men aboard and pilot for ever so long, now I'm Getting my gear from the bag- coming back? No! What kind of He also insists that there must many SIU sympathizers. The especially glad to have the LOG. gage room I started for Wee- weather did we have? Outside nawken, N. J., not knowing that of those first two days we had be a difference in food between NMU meQ are a definite minority Our library is always avail­ I was headed for one of the most perfect sailing weather, sunshine topside and the crew. The crew aboard, but regardless of Union able to your members when they outstanding trips of my sailing and all. So, your guess is as good tablecloths are supplied from the sympathies or affiliation, the are in Boston. Again, thank you, experiences. saloon after they have become ship is a rough one. Without a! and keep it comingi as mine Brother. contract to keep things smooth, It v/as close to four o'clock As I mentioned before the too dirty for the officers. Maria Grey Kimball everything seems to come up that wfeen I reached the ship and Gadsden had a mixed crew of •On overtime it is the usual Port Representative Sitter going through the usual pro- SIU-SUP and in closing I'd like story. After two months on the leaves us with our hands tied. AMMLA Oh, what we could do on this leeedure of finding the right to say, it was a pleasure to sail ship we find ourselves with (Ed. Note: The AMMLA in ship with a contract. foe'sle, signing articles and so with so many swell guys. about two hours overtime each Boston is located at 408 At­ forth, I changed clothes then Wayne MacAlliste • outside of our Sunday work. Harold Weiss lantic Avenue.) To the Editor: Optical Plan Saves Dough For Seafarer Crew Of Unorganized Ship Hamstrung By Lack Of Pact Iw �* , THE SEAFARERS Friday. August 15, 1947 Page Fifleen LOG BUIjmiN -W-"il ?Js-:U-Ah- Retroactive Wages I PERSONALS GENE RUDNIKI For information concerning your case, contact William Vig­ or, 339 Third St., Dunellen, N.J. Tel. Dun. 2-6618. 60 BEAVER STREET NEW YORK, N. Y. XXX Newman, Guy W 6.06 HAROLD A. ARONSON. Jr. MS COASTAL ADVOCATE 4.20 Begley, Raleigii $ 69.23 Roupe, Gosta E Your mother requests that you 17.74 contact her at once. Comeaux, Arnold 92 Scherzer, Edw W. C. Davis. $1.00; .M. J. Kavanaugh, 94 NORFOLK Felker. Edwin 26.30 Shulman, Abe XXX Okomoner. $1.00; Dalles. Steward $2.00. Snyder, Howard 7.00 Mattsson, Emil H 23.60 JOSE MADUREIRA Department. $9.00; W. H. Little. $5.00; SS SPENCER 94 McRae, Philip W 15.20 Spencer, Edw. :. E. I... Zedaker. $3.00. T. J. O'Rourke, $2.00; D. M. RaPlease get in touch with your 94 Neri, Fell pi 94 Tallcy, Sirroth vasa, $1.00; A. L. Yarborough. $2.00. wife immediately. NEW YORK Weackler, Gilbert 8.83 D. Morrison. $3.00; C. Seroczyskie, 5. 1 5. Jr s. S. SS GATEWAY CITY $2.00: E. Hodge. $1.00; O. Kaelop. It MS COASTAL DEFENDER F. Delgalfc. $1.00; L. E. Pefft. $3.00; $2.00; T. D. Guida, $3.00; C. S. SHIRLEY E. BURNETT Erwin, Willard W $ 6.06 SS EDWIN T. MEREDITH R. Burton, $2,00; J. Dirksmcyer. $1.00; Hammen. $3.00; F. E. Browalow. $3.00. Please contact your mother J. R. fiansen. $3.00; J. .\1. Check. C. Downs. $3.00; J. W. Brake. $3.00. Gambler, Joseph 33.39 Martin, Thomas E. 29.40 Ramos, Hipo' 6.06 Margvaiat, Edgar 24.96 immediately. $4.00; C. E. KuII. $4.00; M, Figueroa, SS USSR VICTORY $2.00; R. H. DeGraf. $1.00; E. W. Vandiver, Thomas 9.98 McRae, John 29.40 4. 4 J. W. Bingham. $3.00; O. L. HagnesKurz. $1.00; T, Narciellus, $1.00; P. ley. $2.00; Carl Gerken. $3.00; D. H. Perry, Dennis E 29.40 JOHN M. CORCORAN J. i 4Saline. $5.00; J. .M. Ruiz. $1.00; J. Prince. $2.00; P. L. Moody. $5.00; A. SS. EDW. G. JANEWAY X X A Please contact Judith Corcoran G. Napoleon. $1,00; P. Lohse. $5.00; J. Margct. $1.00. Blanton, Wilbort $ 6.36 SS ELOY ALFARO 1. T. Pearse. $2.00; J. Fedioir. $1.00; immediately. SS R. GOODFELLOW P. Lacruzyclias. $1.00; J. McKemy, Bonich, Rudy 5.36 Barron, Joseph F 94 G. Caliaro. $2.00; E. C. Pease. $1.00. XXX $1.00; D. Caustel. $5.00: C. Fernandez. Hitchcock, C. A 60 Bell, Leroy 94 INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS WILLARD S. GERBER $3.00: J. Bednap. $2.00; I. Firado. O'Neill, George S 16.80 Bryant, Ernest W 94 H. J. Tucker. $3.00; S. Barlizo. Please contact Paul M. Pinciss Phillips, Robert 21.00 Carr, Melvin J $2.00; P. Merletto. $2.00; J, S. Tar9.80 SS ROSARIO at 185 Devenshire St., Boston aba. $1.00; J. S. Wood, $2.00; H. S. Garcia, Pedro 94 X & X J. Straka. $1.00; E. J. Martin. $1.00; Wilson. $1.00; P. H. Nelson. $1.00; SS EDW. K. COLLINS Goeman, L. P 112.82 10, Mass. J. Prendergast. $1.00; E. E. Scott, A. Kula. $2.00; E. F. Raposa. $1.00; XXX $1.00; D. R. Brodeur, $1.00; Norman Albritton, James $ 9.33 Hall, John P 5.20 J. A. Wilkie. $2.00; R. Doupe, $2.00: -Sutton, $1.00; J. Gibs, $1.00; D. L. MR. MECKLEY Balazo, Gustave 94 Hardy, Samuel H 94 W. Husson. $2.00; B. B. McCafJerg. Shumata. $1.00; H. Luckey. $1.00; Davis, Harry 94 Kearsey, Eric F 3.62 Please contact Mr. Carl G. J. Staremon. $5.00; F. Dodge, $6.00; $1.00; M. C. McCranie, $2.00; W. B. Walters. $3.00; P. Pinkowski.. $1.00; Eakcrt, Bernard 94 Lallave, Domingo 46 Herr, 33 North Drive Street, J. DeYeonardo. $6.00. D. Kissel. $1.00; W. J. Lowe, $1.00. Ellers, James P 94 McNichols, Thomas J 20.52 Lancaster Pa. SS SEATRAIN NEW JERSEY E. Carlson, $1.00; F. E. Epps, $1.00; Ensor, James 3.22 Minichillo, Louis 7.00 D. J. Donahue, $1.00. XXX E. Volinovsky, $2.00; R. lovino. $l.ftO; Jenkins, Henry 17.28 Parker, Jack R 94 SS COASTAL STEVEDORE F. F. Forsythe, $1.00; A. Saunders. DALE F. ELLIS F. T. Andrews, $2.00; J. Lombardi. $2.00; R. M. Joseph. $2.00; R. P. Kennedy, James 94 Price, Charles H 1.40 An important letter is waiting $2.00; R. C. Evans. $2.00; H. Brooks. Sirois. $2.00; M. Perry. $2.00; M. Macgregor, Wm 6.06 Revelle, Thomas E 1.40 for you at the New York Hall $2.00; J. M. Halpin. $2.00: J. F. Gross. $1.00; M .Scapivakis, $2.00; E. Marsden, La Verne 7.94 Woodfall, Charles 4.20 Ross. $2.00; C. M. J. Gummesson. Kreme. $2.00; A. E. Hallaway. $1.00; Mail Room. $2.00; H. Marey. $1.00; F. Bonifont. S. Hutchinson, $1.00; J. Novak, $2.00; XXX $1.00. J. Hernandez. $1.00; j. Reilly, $1.00: ERICK SOMMERS H. L. Conn, $2.00; M. Medina. $1.00; SS JEAN FREDERICK POLVES D. R. Evans. $2.00; J. J. Williams. A. Lopez, SI.00; J. S. Martin. $1.00; ASHTABULA 1027 West Fifth St. Phone 5523 Edward Becker, Chief Mate of $2.00; C. Herring. $3.00; J. Sapia, G. Martinski, $2.00; C. Hutsell, $1,00; BALTIMORE 14 North Gay St. the Frederick E. Williamson, re­ $3.00; W. H. Williams. $2.00; J. S. A. H. Thurmon. $2.00; M. Davis. $1.00; .Anderson, $5.00; J, Marcano, $1.00; A. J. W. Savage. $1.00; H, F. Johnson. Calvert 4S39 quests that you get in toucii Flores, $1.00; J. C. Brumbaugh, $3.00; $3.00; J. T. Chaffin, $3.00; M. Oliver. BOSTON 276 State St. $3.00; W, B. Leeke. $3.00. Boudoin 4455 with him through the Waterman G. Micelli. $3.00, BUFFALO 10 Exchange St. Steam.ship Co., 19 Rector St., SS QUINONIS Cleveland 7391 New York. R. F. Burside. $2.00; C, Bennett. CHICAGO 24 W. Si^perior Ave. $1.00; W. Parker. $3.00; J. Martin, XXX Superior 5175 $2.00; M. Akins. $1.00; .A. Beams. HENRY ROCK CLEVELAND ...1014 E. St. Clair Ave. $5.00; R. Reddick. $1.00; H. Tamm. P. M. BROWN (Continued from Page 3) Main 0147 Your wife asks that you write $1.00; J. S. Guerra. $1.00; M. Oliver. A check for 27 V2 hours over­ 1038 Third St. J. Roza. $1.00; J. C. Chaffin. Steel Corporation, Marine Di­ DETROIT her at 810 Third St., Morgan $1.00; time is waiting for you at Wat­ Cadillac 6857 $2.00; B. W. Arnola, $2.00; F. E. vision, Isthmian Steamship Com­ DULUTH 531 W. Michigan St. City, La. Parker. $1.00; B. R. Kitchens. $5.00; erman Oifices, 17 Rector Street. pany, and the SIU of North Am­ Melrose 4110 C. E. Lee. $1.00; W. R. Walsh, $2.00; New York, N. Y. XXX erica any section or sections of GALVESTON 308 —23rd St. WILLIAM E, PEPPER Phone 2-8448 the Taft-Hartley Law to the 16 Merchant St. Please communicate immedidetriment of our Union call up­ HONOLULU Phone 58777 atcly with your wife at P.O. on all maritime workers to join JACKSONVILLE 920 Main St. Box 1801, San Francisco, Calif. us in a general Maritime Strike Phone 5-5919 The SEAFARERS LOG as the official publication of the Sea­ XXX until such attempt or attempts MARCUS HOOK 1% W. 8th St. farers International Union is available to all members who wish Chester 5-3110 have stopped. ROBERT WAYNE JONES to have it sent to their home free of charge for the enjoyment of 1 South Lawrence St. The SIU-SUP in the event MOBILE . Please get in touch with your their families and themselves when ashore. If you desire to have Phone 2-1754 that United States Steel Cor­ MONTREAL Mrs. Lola Jones, 811 the LOG sent to you each week address cards are on hand at every 1440 Bleary St. mother, poration, Marine Division, Isth­ NEW ORLEANS 339 Chartres St. Dante St., New Orleans. La., or SIU branch for this purpose. mian Steamship Company at­ Magnolia 6112-6113-phone Walnut 2320-W. 51 Beaver St. i However, for those who are at sea or at a distance from a SIU tempts to prolong this strike un­ NEW YORK 4 4 4 HAnover 2-2734 hall, the LOG reproduces below the form used to request the til the deadline of the Taft- NORFOLK 127-129 Bank St. M.ARIO AYALA ALEJANDRO LOG, which you can fill out, detach and send to: SEAFARERS Hartley Law, August 22, 1947, Phone 4-1083 Of 405 Pacific St., Brooklyn, LOG, 51 Beaver Street, New York 4, N. Y. 9 South 7th St. shall on or about that date re­ PHILADELPHIA LOmhard 3-7651 N.Y. Mrs. Julia Ayuso requests quest all workers in the Mari­ PORTLAND Ill w. Burnside St. that yoLi get in touch with her PLEASE PRINT INFORMATION time Industry to join them in a Beacon 4336 immediately at Pasaje Villamil general Maritime strike to es­ RICHMOND, Calif 257 5th St.' 1304 c^,,nturce. Puerto Rico. To the Editor: tablish for all Seamen the pi'ivPhone 2599 4 4 4 SAN FRANCISCO 105 Market St. ileges of the Union Hiring Hall I would like the SEAFARERS LOG mailed to the Douglas 5473-8363 JOHN HISKO and Rotary Shipping System, re­ SAN JUAN, P. R. . . 252i Ponce de Leon Write to your wife at Read- address below: gardless of the Taft-Hartley Act. San Jnan 2-5996 Besides hearing reports from SAVANNAH 220 East Bay St. ; ington. New Jersey. Phone 8-172S the co-heads of the Strike Com­ 4 4 4 Name SEATTLE 86 Seneca St. mittee, and passing the import­ ANGELO GODINA Main 0290 ant resolution, the meeting heard TAMPA 1809-1811 Ni Franklin St. "Nothing yet." Write to Shorty Street Address three messages of support from Phone M-13S3 at Peapack, New Jersey: Ruth. 615 Snsnniit St. Captain William Ash, Secretary- TOLEDO City State Garfield 2112 Business Manager of Local 88, WILMINGTON .440 Avalon Blvd. MM&P; Charles A. Leone, ReTerminal 4-3131 Signed gkmal Director of the CIO Ship- VICTORIA, B.C aOZ Brighton St. Garden 8331 \ yard Workers, and M. David JOHN THOMAS COTTMAN 144 W. Hastings St. Book No, j ' Keefe, head of Local 205, United VANCOUVER Pick up your baggage at the Paciac 7824 \ Financial Employes. New York Hall. Smith &" Johnson MK Meet Maps Beef Extension SIU HALLS MONEY DUE Notice To All SIU Members NGTIGE! �Page Sixteen Seafarers Pulls The Pin On Isthmian 5• T. i V:i 4 ii t Just before the action started, picket captains and Masters-at-Arms get last minute in­ structions. A short wihle after this picture was taken, ^oid came to start the tie-up, and this peace­ ful scene came to an end, not to be repeated again until the strike is over. Many of the men pictured above are veterans of other SIU strike actions. The tie-up became effective at 12 midnight, August 12, and within a short ^ time swarms of Isthmian men reported to the New York Hall for instructions. Above is the crew of the SS Richard Alvey. Led by Bosun Joe Shea, front row center, and AB Jakob Lundoy, this crew walked off in a body, leaving only one fink behind. Strike Committeemen Bob High and Charley Tannehill are left and right of Shea. "Head it. Mister Operator; that's what we mean." Every Isthmian ship in the United Stales was locked up within a short lime after the strike started. Let Isthmian look at this picture and get the right idea. And any other ships that come in will also be tied-up. The crew of the SS Harold I. Pratt, docked at the foot of 29th Street Brooklyn, led by Norman Lindsey, hit the bricks right off. By the time a LOG photographer got to the scene, soon after the action began, picketlines were already established, and everything was running smoothly. That's the way it was with each of the other seven Isthmian ships docked in and around New York. iiiiilll '), Isthmian's New York hiring hall, 68 Trinity Place, which they want to substitute for the Union Hiring Hall, was also pick­ eted. Nobody went through the lines to apply for a job. The entrance to the docks at Columbia Street, Brooklyn, was also guarded by watchful Seafarers. Some of the picke'ters for this gate came from the Robin Grey, docked nearby. Behind , picketline is the Steel Artisan, one of Isthmian's biggest, but not going anyplace right now. •BBS! I j ^ 1 r' I � 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 August 15, 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. 33 Description An account of the resource Headlines SEAFARERS TIES-UP ALL ISTHMIAN SHIPPING WALKOUT IS 100 PERCENT EFFECTIVE; SIU RECIEAVES PLEDGESOF SUPPORT FROM OTHER AFL AND CIO UNIONS N.Y.MEET MAPS BEEF EXTENSION AFL UNIONS FURNISH FOOD ISTHMIAN STRIKE 100% EFFECTIVE WEATHER IS HOT IN GAVESTON AND SO IS THE SHIPPING SITUATION FULL BOOK MEN CAN SHIP ANYTIME THEY WANTTO FROM PORT TAMPA SIU ORGANINIZING DRIVE MEETINGS WITH GOOD RESPONSE AS GREAT LAKES SEASON PASSES THE HALF-WAY MARK ALLREMAINS QUIET ON THE BALTIMORE WATERFRONT PATROLMAN SINGS LOUD PRAISES FOR THE GOO SHIL J.M. HARLON CSU SEAMEN LONG DUPED BY COMMIE LEADERS COLUMBIA TELLS MEN ALL--EXCEPT HOW TO GET RAISE NEW YORK PATROLMAN TURNS RACKET=BUSTER ANOTHER GOOD THING GOES DOWN THE DRAIN COAL SHIPMENTS TO EUROPE KEEP NORFOLK BUSY NITRATE TO PHILLY CONFINED TO ANCOURAGE BELOW WILMINGTON COMMIES ALWAYS CONTROLLED NMU AND CURRAN FOLLOWED LINE IN PAST SS LAMAR CREW ADOPTS CODE FOR SHIPBOARD CODUCT TO MAINTAIN PRESTIGE OF SIU GOOD UNIONISTS MUST HAVE MORE THAN SLOGANS,DONALD MEN FIND THE ROLLING STONE GATHERSNO BOSS':O'DOYLE 'DUKE'TOSSES LEGION FOR A DESERVED FALL HE CAME,SAW AND TOOK 'ROLLING JOB' TO FRANCE Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 08/15/1947 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America 1947 Periodicals Seafarers Log