http://www.seafarerslog.org/archives_old/files/original/cca79851d08b2a6581ff3f08346871f6.PDF cb72869e304eae7959b9111970e8ddba PDF Text Text GENERAL FUND REFERENDUM ON Seafarers in all Atlantic and Gulf District ports were casting ballots in secret referendum on a ten-dollar assessment to build the Union's General Fund, with heavy participation reported as the voting ended its first week. Balloting on the assessment, which would en­ able the A&G District to continue its running fight on anti-labor legislation and keep intact all Official Organ, Atlantic & Gulf District, Seafarers International Union of NA VOL. XI NEW YORK. N. Y.. FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 1949 No. 24 ** The Tbundafion is Wron^, Harry!" 4'Of its services to the member­ ship, came after Seafarers over­ whelmingly adopted a resolu­ tion originating in New Orleans at the last two regular meetings in all Branches. Originally offered and passed at the regular meeting in New Orleans on June 29, the resolu­ tion recommended that after fa­ vorable action "for two succes­ WASHINGTON — The Inter­ sive meetings" in all ports, the national Transportworkers Fed­ question should be submitted to eration, world-wide organization a referendum vote. of maritime and allied unions The voting period began on with which the SIU is affiliated, August 1 and will continue has recommended that its mem­ through August 30 for a period bers in 43 countries impose a of 30 days as required by the boycott on the 800 „ships flying Union constitution. the Panamanian flag. URGE FAVORABLE VOTE At the same time the power­ The resolution, presented by ful federation ordered a boy­ cott of the vessels of any coun­ 36 Seafarers in the port of New try where communist-controlled Orleans, urged the membership unions refuse to work cargoes to vote favorably on the assess­ of ships sailed by ITF-affiliated ment so that the Union could continue giving the tjTpe of rep­ members. These decisions, on two of resentation that has resulted in the major problems facing free the best contracts, embracing trade unionists in maritime and top wages, overtime and ship­ allied industries, were reached board living conditions, of any at a conference last week in on the waterfront Washington attended by top ITF The 36 sponsors of the resolu­ officials and representatives of tion pointed out that the takehome pay of aU Seafarers has its American affiliates. Representing the Seafarers In­ just been increased by $90 a ternational Union at the con­ year, as a result of ^e $7.50 ference were Harry Lundeberg, monthly clothing allowance ne(Continued on Page 10) (Continued on Page II) 1TF Boycott Of Panama Ready To Roll SIU Crewmen Sail Steel Flyer When CIO Unions Ignore Strike Observing the failure of other CIO unions to recognize the CIO longshore strike in Hono­ lulu, Seafarers at a special Head­ quarters membership meeting last Wednesday voted unanim­ ously to carry out their con­ tractual obligations to the Isth­ mian Steamship Company, and ordered the unlicensed personnel to return to the company's SS The Commies Mobilize Their Waterfront Brigades By PAUL HALL, Secrettury-Treeisurer. Atlantic & Gulf District, Seafarers International Union With the Committee for Maritime Unity dead and buried for some two years now, the communists have revived their efforts for control of the world's water­ fronts. Through the medium of the recently formed World Federation of Maritime Unions, the party diehards hope to accomplish on an international scale what they failed to do successfully on the US waterfronts. The organization was- formed by communist-controlled maritime unions, meeting in Marseille which, sig­ nificantly, elected Harry Bridges, who previously had served as co-chairman of the defunct Committee for Maritime Unity, as its president. As do all communist fronts, this international body of party-dominated waterfront groups has a purely political purpose—to create chaos and confusion that will bring profit to the' conimunist movement alone. The maritime unions which the communists con­ trol lock, stock and barrel will naturally be used com­ pletely to carry out the program of disruption on an international scale. In organizations which the com­ munists do not control, the objective will be to use well-disciplined party-liners to stir up internal battles and to befog issues. ' Fortunately for the continued welfare of our Union, the communists will not be able to accomplish anything in the SIU, because here they are non-existent Elsewhere on the US waterfront, however, they have ample reason to hope for partial success, at least. Events everyday demonstrate that they have a sufficient base in several American maritime unions to keep them rocking from stem to stern. Because an unstable US waterfront—in fact, an unstable waterfront anywhere iti the world of free maritime workers—is a constant threat to the wellbeing of our membership in particular, and seamen gen­ erally, we Seafarers must maintain a 24-hour watch for the first signs of communist-inspired chaos. We riiust keep this watch on a world-wide scale, working with our brother members affiliated with the International Transportworkers Federation, to smash any communist attempt to make inroads on the free­ dom of genuine free trade unions. We must link communist schemers with the union-hating shipowners, labor-baiting legislators who seek to put unions in straitjackets, an,d the other en­ emies of a free trade union movement. We have fought too hard for too long to take any other course, and we shall come out on top. steel Flyer and sail her from the Hawaiian -port. The Steel Flyer is one of four Isthmian ships which had been tied up in Hawaii as a result of the three-month-old strike of the CIO International Long­ shoremen's and Warehousemen's Union, whose president is Harry Bridges. When a recently-formed stev­ edoring firm in Honolulu began unloading the Flyer two weeks ago, SIU Headquarters instruct­ ed its members aboard the ship to refuse to work behind a picketline and the Seafarers walked off .the ship. Meanwhile, the Steel Flyer's licensed engineers—all members of the CIO Marine Engineers Beneficial Association—remained aboard and maintained steam. With unloading completed, the stevedoring concern began put­ ting a new 6,000-ton cargo on the Steel Flyer, and the Isth­ mian company sent a telegram to the SIU, asking what course of action the Union would take. Headquarters decided to put the question to the membership for whatever decision it deemed necessary. In view of the fact that the MEBA had not recognized- the strike, and that CIO dock clerks affiliated with the ILWU in Honolulu continued working during the beef, the SIU mem­ bership voted to instruct the Steel Flyer crew to honor its agreement by retmning to the ship. Interestingly , e n o-u g h, the (Continued on Page 10) �Page Two THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday. August 5. 1949 v's mark SEAFARERS LOG Published Every Other Week 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 • Entered as second class matter June 15, 1945, at the Post Office in New York, N. Y., under the Act of August 24, 1912. 267 Your Insurance The ten-dollar assessment to build the Union's Gen­ eral Fund, on which Seafarers are balloting this month, is one of the most important questions affecting the gen­ eral welfare that the membership will face. Before a member decides how he is going to vote on this question, he should give it serious thought. He should understand that unions enjoy no special exemption from the effects of the prevailing economic situation. There are innumerable sound reasons why an over­ whelming majority should favor adoption of this assessinent. The General Fund is the source of the Union's op­ erating expenses. Although we are strong financially, most of our funds are ear-marked for specific purposes —strikes, building and the like—and cannot be touched for anything else. The decline in shipping has resulted in a loss of rev­ enue which is used to maintain the membership services, the organizing drives, on-the-spot representation, publi­ cations and the host of other essential functions of the Union. Long ago the SIU realized that the postwar shipping boom would eventually level off, and it acted according­ ly. All expenses were constantly trimmed to allow full operating efficiency with a minimum of expenditure. SAN FRANCISCO HOSPITAL J. KEENAN W. LANE We must also bear in mind that many of our smaller R. W. FRYE I These are the Union Brothers currently in the marine hospitals, ports are not self-supporting. Nevertheless, they are W. SANDERSON i maintained to provide the same representation and ser-| as reported by the Port Agents. These Brothers find time hanging S. WALERK j heavily on their hands. Do whet you can to cheer them up by vices that-are available to members in the larger ports. PETER SMITH writing them. T. ISAKSEN The,.Port pf Boston, for example, pointed out this NEW ORLEANS HOSPITAL M. CARAWAY W. R. THOMPSON Week that it is self-sustaining in only three months of the J. DENNIS M. J. LUCAS 4 ft 4 year. In varying degrees this is -true of other Branches. G. ROTZ A. TREVINO MOBILE HOSPITAL L. LANG J. HERNANDEZ J. CURTIS j It is -in periods of economic slumps, such as we now F. LANDRY M. FERNANDEZ M:. LEOUSIS find ourselves, that trade unions face the greatest dan­ S. MORGAN L. OXEN p. VANDEREIK i gers from its enemies. The labor-haters in Congress prov­ C. ELLARD T. KANADY E. DAVIDSON ! I. RHODEN S. REINCHUCK ! ed that last month, when they banded together to squash L. WILLIS J. B. ALFRED M. ROSSI L. HOWARD the repeal of the Taft-Hartley law. Opponents of water­ W. W. ROYES V. GROVER front umops-proved it again, when they sought to put G. L. BROWNELL across the Merchant Marine Reserve Bill, whith would T. J. -HOPE have forced seamen to break their own strikes. Thanks L. J. COWAN to opposition of the SIU, the Merchant Marine Reserve H. ABELL Men New In The Marme Hospitak M. J. SMYLY •• Directory Of SIU Halls bill was knocked on the head. To meet each of the problems and dangers posed by these times, the Union must be financially able to dispose of them, so that the membership will enjoy continued security. You should vote "yes" for the assessment, so that your Union can keep up the fight for your well-being as seamen. The assessment is a very small premium to pay for such necessary insurance in these times. A Time Will Come L. E. JARVIS W. SWILLEY W. JARRETT A. MAUFFRAY B. H. LAWDERBACK E. A. SANDERS H. R. PITT J. E. TASSIN C. D. SHIVELY A. SYLVERA C. BROWN D. KOROLIA W. KUSCHKE E. WARSOW, JR. A. ARVANTIS S. T. JAMISON V. LAWRENCE T. RIGBY M. H. MUNSTER i S. 4. BOSTON HOSPITAL BOB FISHER VIC MILAZZO J. J. FLAHERTY FRANK ALASAVICH 4. 4. The profit-hungry shipowners, who have been fleeing to Panamanian registry to avoid meeting union conditions, taxes and safety regulations in effect in other maritime nations, have demonstrated once again that they lack even dementary decency. Even the government which offered them refuge felt their sting last week, when only two shipowners, representing eight out of 800 Panamanian fiag ships, showed up for a meeting between representa­ tives of shipping, the ITF and the Panama govefnmetit. ISTATEN ISLAND HOSPITAL But these rugged, self-sufficient, money-hungry op­ H. E. BONEWALD N. DORPMANS erators may soon find out that |>ride and profits flee be­ 3. P. PROBST fore a boycott. J. W. t-AlLLA SIU, A&G District BALTIMORE 14 North Gay St. William Rentz, Agent Mulberry 4540 BOSTON 276 State St. Ben Lawson, Agent Richmond 2-0140 Dispatcher Richmond 2-0141 GALVESTON 308'/,—23rd St. Keith Alsop, Agent , Phone 2-8448 MOBILE .1 South Lawrence St. Cat Tanrter. Agent Phone 2-1754 NEW ORLEANS 523 Bienville St. E. Sheppard, Agent Magnolia 6112-6113 NEW YORK 51 Beaver St. Joe Algina/ Agent HAnover 2-2784 NORFOLR 127-129 Bank St. Ben Rees, Agent Phone 4-1083 PHILADELPHIA 337 Market St. J. Sheehan, Agent Market 7-1635 SAN FRANCISCO as Third St. Jeff Morrison, Agent Douglas 2-5475 SAVANNAH 2 Abercorn St. Jim Drawdy, Agent Phiaiie 3-1728 TACOMA 1619 Pacific St. Broadway 0484 TAMPA 1809-1811 N. Franklin St. Ray White:, Agent Phone M-1323 WILMINGTON, CnUf., 227% Avalon Blvd. E. B. tilley. Agent Terminal 4-2874 HEADQUARTERS. . 51 Beaver St., N.Y.C. SECITETARY-TREASURER P«ul Hall DIRECTOR OF ORGANIZATION Lindsay Williams ASST. SECRETARY-TREASURERS Robert Matthews J. P. Shuler Joseph Voiplan SUP HONOLULU ...16 Merchant St. Phone 5-8777, PORTLAND Ill W. Burnside St. Beacon 4336 RICHMOND. Calif 257 5th St. Phone 2599 SAN FRANCISCO 59 Clay St. Douglas 2-8369 SEATTLE 86 Seneca St. Main 0290 WILMINGTON 440 Avalon Blvd. Terminal 4-313lj Canadian District . MONTREAL 404 Le Moyne Sb Marquette 5909 HAUFAX 128'/, Hollis St. Phone 3-8911 l»ORT ARTHUR. ...63 Cumberland St. Phone North 1229 PORT. COLBORNE... .103 Durham St. . Phone 5591! TORONTO lllA Jarvis St. Elgin 5719 VICTORIA, B.C.... ..802 Boughton St, Empire 4831. VANCOUVER ..565 Hamilton St. Pacific 7824 HEADQUARTERS Montreal 512 McGill St. Plateau 670 �.-..;^C'a:aiZ5aaESW3J3 "7-- .C-".—xr:-— Friday, Auguri 5, 1949 TBE SEAFARERS Page Three LOG Two Beefs And What They Mean The communist party and its trade union hacks have begun a campaign of lies and slander against the AFL maritime unions, and their chief target has been the Seafarers international Union, which has been their strongest opponent on the waterfront. Aside from their usual statements about the "Wall Street-dominated Unions" (We wonder where they were when th^ Seafarers were breaking cops' clubs with their heads during the UFE Wall Street Strike in 1948?> they have been ac­ cusing the SlU and other AFL unions of everything from "selling out to the bosses" to "splitting the working class." They are particularly incensed by the fact that the SlU Canadian District smashed the control the commie Canadian Sea­ men's Union hod had on the east coast of Canada, and by the fact that many rank-and-filers of the MEBA, tired of having their union run by commie lawyers and politiciaAs, turned to the SlU for a charter, forming the Brotherhood of Marine Engi­ neers. Seeing their influence waning in maritime—not only in the United States, but over the world—the desperate com­ mies are using all the underhand and conniving tricks they are noted for, trying to regain their once-held power. We pre­ sent here, for the information of the members who may have missed previous articles, a brief summary of the Canadian lieef, and the story of the launching of the Brotherhood of Marine Engineers. The Canadian SIU And The Commies When the communist-dominated Canadian Sea­ men's Union pulled its phony "strike" earlier this year the Seafarers International Union charged that the maneuver was strictly a pol­ itical scheme of the communists to plunge the world's waterfronts into chaos and confusion. Specifically, the communists were aiming to disrupt the shipping of Marshall plan goods to European beneficiary nations, in line with the stand taken by the Kremlin against the European aid program. The communists most certainly would have at­ tempted to instigate their plan for waterfront action in the United States, if they had had suf­ ficient strength. The strong anti-communist Influence of the Seafarers and the other AFL Maritime Trades Department affiliates, coupled with the fact that communists were on the wane on the American waterfront, made this impossible. They turned, therefore, to Canada, as the most feasible spot to start their political shenanigans. There the communists were virtually in supreme command of the waterfront, because of its air­ tight control of the Canadian Seamen's Union, which in 1944 had been expelled from the Sea­ farers International Union because its leaders refused to disavow allegiance to the communist program. Briefly, this is how the communists went about their job of wrecking Canadian shipping, which was transporting its share of Marshall Plan goods to Europe: The communist-controlled Canadian Seamen's Union had been negotiating for new contracts to cover its 100-odd contracted ships sailing out of Canada's east coast since August, 1948, but talks were stalemated after months of discus­ sion. In October, 1948, the CSU leaders requested that a Conciliation Board settle the dispute. The Board's decision was to be binding on both parties. A three-man board was designated, with the labor member being handpicked by the CSU. The Board made unanimous recommendations for a contract, but the CSU immediately reject­ ed them. The recommended contract contained the same wages and conditions acceptable to the CSU membership, but CSU communist leaders con­ cealed this fact by falsely announcing that the contract called for a 25 percent wage cut and loss of the hiring hall. The confused CSU membership, most of whom were militantly opposed to the communist-line followed by their leaders, didn't know which way to turn. It was at this point that the SIU Canadian District, which had made friends and sympath­ izers among CSU members, signed the agree­ ments the CSU had rejected and announced that it had Canadian seamen v/ho were ready and willing to man the ships. Only then did the CSU communist leaders call the "strike"—without consulting its member­ ship this time either. They discovered almost immediately that their members, long anxious to get out from under the yoke of communist domination, were joining the SIU by the hundreds and were sailing the ships. The SIU Canadian District gave wide publicity to the fact that the "strike" was nothing more than a political maneuver to use the Canadian seamen as pawns in the communists' game of international trickery. Even the communists' most violent attempts to intimidate Canadian seamen failed to stem the tide, as more and more disgusted CSU men turn­ ed to the SIU. The CSU's communist leaders, sensing disast­ er for their ill-conceived scheme, desperately sought to maintain their grip on Canadian ship­ ping by inducing CSU men in foreign ports to strike, telling them they faced pay cuts of $40 a month and similar outrageous lies. Here again they demonstrated sharply their complete disregard for the welfare of the men they allegedly represented, for they exposed them to punishment under international mari­ time laws. (CoTitmued on Page 11) The AFL Engineers And The MEBA Back in mid-May of this year, the American Federation of Labor Brotherhood of Marine En­ gineers was granted a charter as an autonomous union affiliated with the Seafarers International Union. The emergence of the BME was the result of many years of pressure from rank-and-file seagoing engineers who had long been dissatis­ fied with the kind of representation available to them. These men were fed up with having their policies of the Marine Engineers Beneficial As­ sociation, CIO, shaped by the communist party line. So tight is the grip of the communist party on the MEBA that the only way the engineers .could develop a free, democratic trade union of their own was to make a fresh start, which they did through the BME. Membership was open to all licensed engineers, provided they are not members or fellow travel­ lers of the communist party or of any fascist group. When anyone steps on the toes of an outfit like the MEBA, he steps on the toes.of the com­ munists. So the establi.shment of the AFL, Broth­ erhood drew from the communists an outburst that was loud and hysterical. The MEBA's attack was centered on the fact that the AFL Brotherhood had a charter from the SIU. Some asinine observations, like "how •can a licensed officers' union operate success­ fully when it is connected with an unlicensed seamen's organization?" were made in the course of the attack. These had little effect in face of the BME's clear statement of organization and the purposes for which it was formed. The BME is a union of, by and for the engin­ eers. It will have its own constitution, its own shipping rules and will formulate its own polic­ ies. In short, the AFL Marine Engineers will run their own affairs from start to finish, indemocratic fashion. The SIU has no designs on the engineers. The charter was issued to the BME simply because the SIU recognized the plight of the engineers in the MEBA, who are nothing more than poli­ tical footballs for the communist quarterbacks. The SIU responded to the demands of the en­ gineers because it always felt—and proved—that seafaring men can only win on the economic front if they are united and free of political domination. The MEBA is perhaps the most backward union on the waterfront when it comes to ac­ complishments for its membership. Despite its comparatively long history, it has never made advances to keep pace with the rest of the mari­ time unions. This sad fact is the result of communist dom­ ination—the use of the union for political ends only. That is why the engineers, until the char­ tering of the BME, were demoralized, disor­ ganized and lacking in everything a trade union should provide. The loudest screams against the AFL Brother­ hood came from the communist party hacks and fakers, speaking in their official capacities as communist smear technicians. In the official party organ, the Daily Worker, these party line hacks described the AFL char­ tering of the BME as a move toward "the des­ truction of the labor movement." Despite the fact that the Worker called the MEBA a "rightwing, conservative" union, it has devoted considerable space to singing the praises of the organization. The communist party does not pour funds into tlie Daily Worker for it to glamorize "rightwing, conservative leadership." Any union, or labor official, who opposes the communists becomes the subject of daily tirades in the communist party paper. Interestingly enough, the Worker made no mention of the fact that the "conservative" MEBA has for a chief counsel Lee Pressman, a leading tactician of communist unions. Press­ man was fired recently from his job as counsel to the CIO by President Phil Murray, because (Continued on Page 11) �Page Four Boston Favors Annual Levy For General Fund THE S E A F A R E^R S LOG CIGAR MAKERS WAITING TO REGISTER UNION APPROVAL By BEN LAWSON Friday, August 5. 1949 Tampa Agent Heads Central Labor Assembly Ray White, SlU Agent in the Port of Tampa, hafe ben elected president of the Florida city's AFL Central Trades and Labor Assembly. Elected with White to se* ve for the coming year was Frank Diez, president of the Joint Ad­ visory Board of the AFL Cigar Makers Unions, who takes over the Tampa labor body's vicepresidency. OTHEH OFFICERS Other officers elected at the July 19 meeting were: Hayward L. Parker, secretary; William E. AUen, treasurer; W. L. Vaigneur, conductor; L. C. Palmer, guard; and C. H. Johnson, Hazel Carl­ ton and J. R. Webster, - trustees. White's election comes as the result of SlU policy of full co­ operation and participation by port officials in the affairs of municipal American Federation of Labor groups, and is based on the view that the seamen's wel­ fare is bound with the welfare of other organized workers. ACTIVE IN COMMUNITY The Tampa central'labor body is currently cooperating with the AFL Labor's League for Po­ litical Education, in an effort to improve the well-being of the AFL unions' memberships and the rest of the community in Hillsborough cotinty, in which Tampa is located. The meeting at which the of­ ficers were elected also saw the adoption of a resolution protest­ ing the unwarranted high rent­ als in the Tampa area, and call­ ing for a leveling off to a point more in line with other living costs. BOSTON—There was no de• parture during the past two weeks from the usual slow ship­ ping in this port, but in this re­ spect Boston doesn't appear to differ from most of the other ports throughout the nation. In addition to a payoff on the SS Ann Marie, Bull Lines, we had several in-transit ships. They were the Robin Gray and two Waterman ships, the Greeley Victory and Monroe Victory. The beefs on the Ann Marie were settled right on board. A couple of beefs in the Engine Department of the Robin Gray Members of Tampa's AFL Cigar Makers Union shattered their employers' dreams of a re­ will be settled at the port of payoff. turn to substandard conditions in one of the most resounding union victories on record. De­ luded by the notion that the workers didn't want union representation, the companies called for The Alcoa Partner sent in a call for two replacements. These a cdllective bargaining election by the National Labor Relations Board. were sent immediately to the The Tampa cigar makers expressed their wishes in no uncertain terms. Out of 2.811 votes vessel in Montreal. cast, 2.751 were for the union. Only 39 voted for no union and 21 votes were ruled void. In One of our local Seafarers, above photo are some of the Tampa cigar makers as they waited their turn outside the build­ Alec Olson, is having a heck of ing where the balloting was conducted. a time on his new sloop, cruis­ The trade union consciousness of these AFL people is well-known to the Seafarers, as they ing around the harbors in these were among the SIU's staunchest supporters in the Port of Tampa during the important 1946 parts. He always finds time to General Strike. Incidentally, Sam Gompers, founder and first president of the American Fed­ drop in at the Hall, however. eration of Labor, came out of the Cigar .Makers Union. Brother Morris Norris is look­ ing for a long trjp, as is Ernie Belkner, Night Cook and Baker. Ernie's baking always makes a big hit with the boys on any These ships are the Bienville, i to strengthen our operating fund. By CAL TANNER ship he sails. Alawai, Hurricane, Arizpa, Mo- so that we may continue our MOBILE — Shipping in the bilian. Stonewall Jackson and fight on all fronts to improve It should be pointed out that the action of the membership in port of Mobile has been slov/ Jeff Davis. our position in maritime. approving the resolution for a for the past two weeks, although Oldtimers coming back to Mo- Another matter drawing a lot ten-dollar a.sse.ssment to streng­ we had 11 payoffs and eight after a trip won't recognize of favorable comment is the July then the General Fund is a very sign-ons, plus four ships m tranrenovated Hall. Repairs are 22 issue of "Topics for Ship­ good thing for many reasons. sit. Most of the sign-ons were on ^^ead full speed, and we board Discussions," issued by The smaller ports, most of which ships on continous articles, and g^j^g ^ the A&G District and being air­ are not self-supporting, should we were able to put only a few class job when they're complet­ mailed to all ships at sea. Opin­ especially go for this assessment replacements on each. ion is that this is an excellent ed. in a very big way. Ships paying off for the -last The renovations were started way in which to educate newer two weeks were the Monarch of on orders from the local build­ members. NOT SELF-SUPPORTING The port of Boston only sup­ the Seas, Wild Ranger, Iberville, ing inspectors here, and should ports itself for about three Hurricane, Morning Light, Ariz- be completed about the time of Stonewall Jackson,, our next report. When everymonths of the year. Yet the Hall pa, _ _ Alawai, _ . „ is maintained and the member­ Jeff ^Davis, all Waterman, , and I thing IS in order, we +v,i„i, think iv/r,, Moship given the same representa­ the Cavalier and Clipper, Alcoa. tion as anywhere else. It is Ships signing on and their any of the ship-shape buildings highly important that our Union destinations were: Monarch of the the Seafarers has. be financially able to continue Seas, Puerto Rico; Fairisle, Bre- A few Brothers are listed as By JOE ALGINA this type of representation, and men Rotterdam and Antwerp; the only way it can do so is by Wild Ranger, Puerto Rico; Iber- jjospital this week. They are J. NEW YORK — Business and Robin Doncaster; Gadsden, having a sufficiently strong Gen­ ville coastwise; Morning Light Curtis, M. Leousis, P. Vandereik, shipping just about kept pace American Eastern; W. R. Da vies. with the post-boom average dur­ South Atlantic; Telfair Stock­ eral Fund to enable the organi­ w T. Chpfr, British E. Davidson, S. Reinchuck, L. ing the past couple of weeks. ton, Carras. zation to sustain all ports alike. K Cavalier, Howard and M. J. Smyly. All the Seatrain vessels and If anything, the current rate of The conditiohs of our Brothers British West Indies. Bull Line scows on the intershipping established the fact that SEEN AROUND in the local marine hospital are coastal runs signed on again, as IN-TRANSITS the boom period is over and good, we are happy to report. If you're looking for former that we have to adjust to the did the Robin Locksley, Robin These men are Bob Fisher, J. J. In addition, we had several in- shipmates on the Mobile beach Kettering, Raphael Semmes and Flaherty, Vic lijilazzo and Frank transit ships. These were the this week, here are some of the new normal. the Trinity. In view of the trend, it is ad­ Alasavich. Bessemer Victory, Greeley Vic- lads seen around: P. Harrison, visable for a man paying off a There is a noticeable rise in tory and the Steel Architect. All H. Taylor, P. Leonard, T. Pearce, FUND TIE-UP unemployment up this v/ay, a were contacted and necessary H. Boone, J. Carroll, A. Olander, ship to expect to spend a little South Atlantic is tying up its condition which is also being felt replacements were sent to them. E. Jones, G. Glennon, C. Shart- longer time on the beach, before Liberty ships pending action by he is able to catch a ship again, all over the country. Naturally, Shipping is. expected to be slow zer and Mel Shipley, than he has in the past several Congress on the appropriation there are more and more non- for the coming two weeks. HowA lot of favorable comment years. needed by the ECA to continue seamen who are attempting to ever, we have seven Waterman has been heard around here on its operations for the • coming Right now is a good time to get jobs at sea. We think this is C-2s in port laying around wait- the proposed General Fund Asfiscal year. one of the times when Union ing for cargo. They are subject sessment, with many members, remind the Brothers in New The National , Security Re­ York that they should not for­ protection proves to be excep­ to call anytime cargos becomes particularly oldtimers, Stating get to file applications for un­ sources Board is planning a mo­ tionally valuable. available for them. that this is the wisest moment employment insurance benefits, bilization program in the various if they are eligible. Seamen's fields of shipping. Five committees have been set claims are handled at the office at 165 Joralemon Street, Brook­ up to deal with various phases of the program, but oddly lyn. By PAT ROBERTSON riving in that strike-bound port. Fairhope, Steel Age, Santa Clara enough all representatives are ILLNESS CASES from the management side. Not SAN FRANCISCO — Indica­ During the past two weeks re­ Victory and the Seamar. placements were sent to the fol­ one labor representative has Among the Brothers who are Men who sign off because of tions are that shipping will pick lowing ships: Maiden Victory, been named. late arrivals on the Frisco beach illness, should report to the un­ up during the coming two Waterman; Steel Traveller, Isth­ are Whitey Lewis, Twitchell, employment insurance office, as Since the seamen are the most weeks. mian; Purdue Victory, Water­ Willie McCuistion, Pete the soon as they receive s hospital important cogs in wartime ship­ For the past two weeks things man; Steel Mariner, Isthmian; Greek, and a few others who slip showing they are fit for ping, it would seem that a man have been somewhat slow, since Steel Executive, Isthmian; Mar­ who knows their problems registered and then took off to duty. a large number of the ships ar­ quette Victory, Waterman; Port- see the town. Our payoffs for the past two should be appointed to the riving were on in-transit status. mar, Calmar, and Young Ameri­ Those in drydock are J. Kee- week period included the fol­ group. Also affecting business here is ca, Waterman. We'll close by saying that the nan, W. Lane, R. W. Frye, W. lowing ships: Frances, Kathryn, the CIO longshore strike in Although we expect shipping Sanderson, S. Walerk, Peter Suzanne, Beatrice, Cornelia, and break in the heat spell, slight' Honolulu. to improve in the next two Smith, T. Isaksen and M. Cara- Elizabeth, Bull Lines; Steel as it may be, was most wel­ At any rate, I've been kept weeks, we still don't look for ~way. We are all hoping to see Chemist, Isthmian; Raphael Sem- come. Now if we can get a sim­ busy pinch-hitting' for Jeff Mor­ anything phenomenal. Among these guys back up at the Hall mes, Kyska, Claiborne, Water­ ilar break in the shipping lull, rison, who is in Honolulu to give the ships due in here are the and having coffee with us again man; Sea trains Havana, New we're sure all hands would call representation to SIU crews ar­ Oshkosh Victory, Loyola Victory, soon. York, New Jersey, and Texas; it even. Mobile Hopmg 7 Ships Get Cargoes NY Shipping Siower, But Keeps Pace Witb Post-Boom Average Saa frmckco Sees Signs Of Shipping Pick-Up �Friday. August 5, 1949 THE SEAFARERS Page Fire ' LOG Seafarers Crews Make The News ^ mmmmm-smm r* r i J'l Wilmington Agent E. B. Tilley photographed these galley men on deck of the SS Portmar when she arrived in Long Beach July 10. Left to right: A. D. Cano. Steward; C. Waldrom. Ch. Cook; C. Bouskila, Baker; A. Alcoin. MM; M. Aycock. MM, and W. Schaefer. Utility. The good crew brought the ship in without any beefs for a clean payoff. Leaving Long ^each on July 10 was the SS Winthrop Marvin, bound for the Persian Gulf. Among Seafarers aboard were men in above photo, also taken by Brother Tilley. From right to left are B. L. McNeil, 2nd Cook; Ping Sing, Ch. Cook; Richard Gragg, Steward, and F. Lord, Utility. Two crewmembers on left were not identified. 7 The Fourth of July turkey dinner on the SS Steel Vendor was a humdinger. In photo above Chief Cook Isabilo Quanico puts the knife to one of the birds, while crewmen stand by. Third from left is Charles J. Hartman, Baker; sacond from right is Bosun John (Bananas) Zeireis. Among others are James Payne, Ch. Mate; Angel Sylvestri, Ch. Elec.: A1 Robertson, MM; William Vandervlist, Pantryman; C. Sang, 3rd Ciok. Photo by Joe Dioquino. "Chips" Schoenbom relaxes in a shoreside refreshment station during recent Far East run made by the SS Steel Designer^- He and his ship­ mates stood up weH under the heat, thanks to moments like these. < The Steel Designer was put three months and 22 days, with these lads as part of the ship's complement. Standing are Brothers Hanna. Bjogum, Charlie Bush, Chips Schoenbom, Kid Par­ ker, Griffin, Smith and Nugent. Kneeling are Carlson, Hula Hula MitcheU, Risbeck and Tom Crawford. We don't know who the fifth man is. Charlie Bush brought the pix to the LOG. With the same thought in mind, these three Steel Designer men take an outside table. Around the refreshments are Sheriff Keane, Art Raifsnider and Swede Carlson, all of whom appear contented. Brother Risbeck took this photo and one at left. While the Steel Vendor men were enjoying their July 4th chow, the crew of the SS Hurricane were pumping water into the ship's port tanks to right her after the iron ore cargo shift­ ed and caused a 22 degree list. It happened off Narvik, Nor­ way at 2 AM and these lads turned to with the rest; (left to right) Popa, DM; Forbright. AB; Bamett, AB, and Scarbor­ ough, AB. Jack Simison submitted photo. �THE Page Six Del Norte Crew Starts Classes In Seamanship; Two-fold Benefits Seen SEAFARERS LOG Friday. August 5. 1949 THEY'RE BEHIND NEW SHIPBOARD SEAMANSHIP CLASSES Determined to make the SS Del Norte the best man­ ned vessigl afloat, SIU deck men on the Mississippi Steam­ ship Company's sleek passenger-cargo ship have inaugurat­ ed shipboard classes in seamanship. "We want to organize things* so that those who are willing to contracted ships to follow. Such learn won't have to do so the a system of shipboard edhard way," said Blackie Banks-i "cation, right at the point where ton. ton, the Del Norte's Bosun, who it could be the most practical, is one of the oldtimers sparking would be of inestimable value the Union education program on to both the Union and the membership, he predicted. the cruise ship. Outlining the unique project. Speaking of the benefits of Brother Bankston declared that the classes accruing aboard the the benefits would be two-fold. Del Norte,. Bankston declared: First, it would enable the men "It has done nothing but good "who are good material and who on this ship." are willing to leam" to become The classes in seamanship expert seamen. aboard the Del Norte are held in iiilii addition to the highly successful WILL AID NEGOTIATORS Here are some of the members of the SS Del Norte's Deck Gang now aiding program of shipboard Union educational The second advantage would meetings, which are conducted education designed to strengthen the arm of Union negotiators and to make the ship's crew the be of great value to the Union by Brother Bankston, and Thur­ "best in the' field." None of the men were identified, hut that's Blackie Bankston. the Mississippi as a whole. As Bankston put it, ston Lewis. Del Norte crewmeip;. vessel's Bosun, sitting on the hit at the right. "This in timn would help in fut­ hers are among the most avid ure negotiations to keep getting readers of Union Education De­ the best contracts and wages in partment publications. the maritime industry for the The Del Norte crew has ac­ Seafarers." quired the use of a 16 mm. The seamanship classes have sound motion picture projector been underway for two trips and and all hands will soon have By RED CAMPBELL will continue as long as the an opportunity to see the SIU Backing the SIU fight on the crew deenis it necessary, Banks- films, "Battle of Wall Street" Having recently completed my annual "ulcer a la Waterman" legislation to establish a Mer­ ton explained. treatment aboard the SS Fairland, I find myself on Beaver Street and "This Is The SIU." chant Marine Reserve, 19 crewServing as the Del Norte's members aboard the SS Strath­ still shaking the coal dust out of my hair. The Chief Mate I left "Professor of Seamanship" is cape vigorously protested the in Norfolk on a previous shaking. However, with all the distrac­ Bob Garn. According to Banksbill as being in conflict "with tions ten thousand tons of coal can bring, (for days the crew look­ ton, Brother Gam tackles his ed like the extras from the Jolson Story) our trip to Venice was our traditional rights." educational duties with astound­ somewhat eventful as all Waterman hops are. Seamen who have had So­ ing enthusiasm. In a letter to the House Venice as you know is the city of watery streets—a decided "He doesn't mind one bit doing cial Security taxes deducted subcommittee considering the saving to "the taxpayer in the way of brooms. On street corners from their pay should check his share in teaching wire splic­ biU, known as HR 4448, the instead of traffic lights they ing and reeving blocks—in fact, their old-age and survivors Strathcape Seafarers- said the have bell-buoys. For the vaca­ insurance accounts with the proposed legislation was "an in­ he loves it," Bankston said. Social Security Administra­ sult to the seamen who answer­ tioning baseball umpire, local Response to the seamenship tion. The right of a seaman ed their country's call in World opticians sell seeing-eye fish. As classes among Del Norte deck for those famous singing gondo­ men has been more than grat­ or his family to Old Age War II." liers, they're nothing but an un­ ifying, Bosun Bankston pointed and Survivors Insurance ben­ Urging defeat of the bill, the organized bunch of off-key gar­ out. There has been "good at­ efits depend on the wages Strathcape men said "we see no lic crunchers. At all funerals, tendance" at all the sessions reported and entered on the good purpose served by use of each pall-bearer is supplied with held thus far and the progress seaman's wage record. The threats, force and military reg­ a bilge pump. Every hotel ad­ size of the benefit also de­ of the classes indicates that there imentation." vertises its "sunken living room" pends on this wage record. are some good pupils taking The SIU's denunciation of the —why not?—the Grande Canal A special post card. Form part. bill, which would have forced OAR-7004 is provided for seamen to break their own runs right through it. Every ele­ vator has a periscope. They even HOPE OTHERS WILL FOLLOW this purpose, and can be strikes, coupled with the storm catch herring in the mouse-traps. The Del Norte Bosun express­ obtained by simply writing of protests made by the Strath­ ed the hope that the seamanship or calling at your nearest cape crew and others, apparent­ This is the only place in the world where the house detective classes would establish a pattern Social Security field office. ly had good effect. Nothing has takes soundings. for ^ crews aboard Seafarersbeen heard further of HR 4448. Our journey to town was a bit long but we enjoyed the com­ pany of an old fashioned bus driver—when he hit somebody RED CAMPBELL he stopped. At this time of the The "shining example of good seamanship" displayed by the crew of the Osh­ year the town is overflowing with American tourists. The Venetian kosh Victory when the Waterman ship ran aground off the Mexican coast on June Chamber of Commerce stands by to take care of them when they 11, has been hailed by Capt. V. B. McFaddm and Chief OflFicer Anthony Reale as "a go broke. Two bread lines will be introduced—one white, one rye. 19 On Strathcape Venice Dampens Red's Spirits; Aided SIU Fight 'See America First,' He Cries On Reserve Bill Social Security Topside HailsOshkosh Vic Men's Know-how real credit to the Seafarers In-* Complete text of the letter temational Union." follows: The ship's , officers' glowing "It gives us great pleasure in commendation of the Oshkosh writing this letter of commenda­ tion for the crew of the Osh­ Seafarers was contained in a let­ kosh Victory. On the night of ter dated Jime 18 and received June 11, the vessel ran aground at SIU Headquarters in New off the coast of Mexico and York. from the time of the groimding Specifically referring to the to the time the vessel was safe­ work performed by the men in ly underway again, the work and refloating the vessel, the offi­ effort put forth by the crew cers' ' letter declared that "this should be marked as a shining crew, man for man, will stack example of good seamanship up agakist the best srew afloat." and a real credit to the Sea- farers International Union. "During the two days the ves­ sel was aground the crew worked uncomplainingly and with such a fine spirit of co­ operation that it is safe to say that this crew, man for man, will stack up against the best crew afloat. Both myself and the mate feel that if ever again we should find ourselves in serious difficulties we hope that once again we may have a crew like this ene." MEAT BALLS WON'T LEAVE TOWN However, while you're stiU financially able, you can dine at the "Chit-Chat." Each afternoon they feature very fitting chamber music—fit for a gas chamber. Eat one meat ball here and I guar­ antee you stay here. The Saturday night special is only 50 lire. You get a cup of coffee, a salami sandwich, and a stomach pump, (a highly recommended stomach pump.) The porter in the men's room quit—he couldn't stand the smell from the kitchen. Some people think Italian cheese is exported—it's deported. That stuff could never get to be as old as it smells. Another feature of the "Chit-Chat" is its midget waiters—you never know when you get short-changed. To top everything ^Ise Off, the grape-treaders had a sit down strike—^kinda messy. Which all brings to mind my favorite pre-war slogan "SEE AMERICA FIRST." �is&£Si "[-ffi-aammfi Friday. August S, 1949 THE SEAFARERS LOG Digested Minutes Of SlU Ship Meetings Page Seven S&maiSmsm! DOROTHY, May K — M. C.' have been returned dirty and the matter of the dumbwaiter McCranie, Chairman; F. Wray, stained. Other Robin ships have overtime brought to the atten­ Secretary. Minutes of previous had the same trouble. Motion tion of a Patrolman. Dumbwaiter meeting accepted as read. Old by DeVito that Patrolman check is out-of order, necessitating the business settled. Delegates re­ high prices of slopch'est. carrying of food up to the third ported that everything was go­ deck. Motion carried to have Pa­ XXX JOHN W. BURGESS. AprU 24 trolman check with company of­ ing smoothly, with no beefs in any of the departments. Motions — J. Furton. Chairman; M. ficials as to the poor service carried: to have water cooler re­ Smith. Secretary. - Minutes of given by chandlers aboard. Mo­ placed or repaired in Savannah; last meeting read and accepted. tion carried that a better grade to refer to Patrolman the mat­ New Business: Crew agreed that of stores be put aboard. Motion ter of obtaining a clock for the men will play poker in recrea­ carried that more frozen foods crew's quarters aft; to give a tion room and clean up after be put aboard. Good and Wel­ vote of thanks to the Stewards game. Motion carried to give fare: Suggestion made that Pa­ Department for the swell chow Stewards Department a vote of trolman see that 'ship is ade­ and cooperation they gave all confidence for a job well done. quately stocked with fresh food. hands. Crew's Messman, Gun Good and Welfare: Suggestion ningham, suggested that crew made to exchange library upon try to keep messroom tidy at arrival in the States. One min­ night. Meeting adjourned at ute of silence .for Brothers lost at sea. 7:20 PM. X i X .XXX INEZ. May 7—^Lov^, Chairman; HELEN, May 8—E. Gonzalez. H. A. Orlando. Secretary. Dele­ gates reported that all' books Chairman; J. A. Highlower. Sec­ were in good standing. Deck and retary. All delegates' reports 4, 4, Engine men gave vote of thanks were accepted. Motions carried W. E. DOWNING. May 25 Brady. Chairman; James Hickey. to Stewards Department for their to have Patrolman clarify beef Secretary. Delegates' reports re­ cooperation. No beefs on board. concerning BR eating in crew's vealed minor disputed overtime G. Malby was elected Ship's mess at meal time, and to set­ in Deck Department, . disputed Delegate. Under Good and Wel­ tle dispute between Chief and port time in Stewards Depart­ fare, department delegates were Second Cooks. Under Education, ment. Discussion on notice post­ reminded to submit repair lists the Bosun explained the way ed by Captain on conditions of to Ship's Delegate before arrival a good Union man should con­ payoff at Beaumont, Texas. Del­ in port. Meeting adjourned at duct himself aboard ship. The repair list of the previous trip egates in respective departments 7:10 PM. was checked and it was found to make repair lists, copies to By HANK XXX ROBIN GOODFELLOW. April that everything had been taken be given to boarding Patrolman In two shakes of a fantail, Brothers, we're piling on the scales on arrival in payoff port. Sug­ 30 — irincent Meehan. Chair­ care of with the exception of a gestion by Chairman Brady to man; Howard Rice. Secretary. few items which will be at- of this column a fish tale as true as Florida fishing is world famous. fenlist Day-man Berl Qhlsen as a Delegates reported no beefs. New tended to by Deck Delegate Brother Larry White has confessed to some mighty fine Florida baiting and biting. In a lightweight workout he caught a 12 pound hew permitman. Move was ac­ Business: Motion carried to have when he sees the Mate. bass. And down in Boca Grande he pulled no punches in giving a claimed by all members present. KO to a heavyweight whopper—a 163 pound tarpon. Without .any One minute of silence in memory grunts, Larry sure can be classed as a professional fisherman, be­ of departed Brothers. lieve us or not. . . Several weeks ago that cribbage-playing champ. 4. i 4. Weaver Manning, was in town. Last week his SS Tulsa shipmate. MANGORE. May 8—(Chairman Bill Todd, came in—and back again at those pinochle games on the not given); Masdn, Secreteury. recreational deck. . . Bill Gale is in town again with a good old Delegates reported number of Florida tan on his face. No doubt Bill would say "And where else books and permits in their de­ would I get the tan". . . Big Dutchy Bolz is anchored in this over­ partments. Brother Keefer elec­ of the date of voyage and name heated town after his trip on the tanker SS Michael. JOHN (Dominick) NEWEI,L ted to confer with the Patrol­ 4, » 4; There is a letter for you at of ship you referred to in your man at the payoff. Motion carOldlimer Harry Gallagher writes he'll appreciate hearing ried that repair lists be made the Seamen's Church Institute, recent letter to New Orleans from his shipmates while he'll be dxydocked for some time in Agent Earl Sheppard. out by each department delegate 25 South St., New York City. the Ellis Island Marine Hospital in New York. He says every­ and turned over to Ship's Dele­ XXX XXX thing is swell there—except there's no night lunch. Anyway, gate to be presented to Patrol­ VICTOR E. JOHNSON JOHN R. WEBB he wants his shipmate. Steward Frank Simone, on the Raphael man. Steward instructed to notify Get in touch with your father, Get in touch with your wife, Semmes to know (but he's only kidding) that he's hospitalized crew as to when stores and care of Adams Restaurant, 1100 Ed R. Johnson, Box 163, Woodbecause of eating bad food. . . Several Brothers with smites linen are being brought aboard. Magazine St., New Orleans, La. hull, 111. on their faces are wondering what ever became of B.T.O. Peto Discussion on amount of toilet XXX XXX Loleas lately? They have been informed that he's studying at soap to be issued. Matter of JACK LEONARD THROWER MELVIN RICE Sheepshead Bay to be a waiter so he can sling hash at his overtime for making ice to be Communicate with your moth­ Get in touch with Mrs. Shirley cousin's restaurant. . . Mike Rossi, the smiling Bosun, is now referred to Patrolman. One min­ W e s s e 1, Supervisor, Seamen's er, Laverne Rice, 208 Penn St., aboard the Waterman scow, Andrew Jackson, somewhere in tho ute of silence for Brothers who Church Institute, 25 South St., Waxahachie, Texas. North Pacific Ocean right now. . . That international traveler lost their lives at sea. New York City. of a cook, who is always wearing a mustache on his face, ALVIN^HENDERSON XXX Jimmie Crescitelli (his first name is really Eugene) just tame Your lawyer, at 291 Broad­ PETER MACKIE into port from Naples. How was Rome, Jimmy?. , . Les .Ames Get in touch ^at once with way, asks you to get in touch is sweating out New York weather after being on the Wesl Local Draft Board No. 32, 301- with him. Coast—mainly Portland, Oregon. 303 Hinson Building, Tampa, Fla. XXX X X X HARLEY WOLD XXX X X i Brother James Biehl is down in New Orleans light how. How's Please write to M. E. Jones, DEL MONTE. April 12—Henry ANDREW BAILEY everything with you, oldtimer?. . . Speaking of New Orleans, two Gerdes. Chairman; Bob Creel. Get in touch with your wife 2517 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago Brothers from Mobile are in town right now, meeting a lot Secretary. Election held for at 1253 East 35 St., Brooklyn, 12, m. shipmates. It's Bob Schaeffer and C. Ray. We have had the pleasure Ship's Delegate. John Alman el­ New York. XXX of being told that Bob Schaeffer is-famous.-He's the-Casanova o4 " THORES E. DICKENS ated by acclamation. Deck Del­ XXX Get in touch with Benjamin the Vieux Carre down in New Orleans. . . And this reminds us of JOHN SUCHEVITS egate reported some disputed Brother Tony Pisano. He is the Casanova of Bourbon Street. . . Please get in touch with Roy B. Sterling, 42 Broadway, New overtime which he believed to Brother "Wally" Wallace, who came in after a trip on the Raphael te good and payable. Other Roberts, SS Portmar, care of York City, regarding your case. Semmes, is probably wondering if Bob High has been turning to delegates reported all in order. Calmar Steamship Corp., 25 •for those baseball games aboard the Robin Kirk—due in New York CARLOS F. HERNANDEZ Suggestion by Neagle that each Broadway, New York, N.Y. soon. . . By the way. Brothers, we have-heard that • coffee-(and Communicate with William man clean wash room after use. XXX doughnuts) put out to the New York membership twice daily on Mahler, 170 Broadway, New MALCOLM M. CROSS Exhaust fans suggested for all the recreation deck is better tasting than any of the nickel or dime Get in touch with your wife York City, regarding your case. foc'sles. One minute of silence coffee these restaurants have. Not only is the coffee that good but Florence, at 736 Cary Drive, San Phone BEekman 3-3289. for departed Brothers. it is plenty appreciated by the Brothers. Leandro, Calif. XXX XXX 4i 41 4> MARTIN BLACKWELDER ROBIN LOCKSLEY. June 19 XXX Here are a few items you can shoot the sea breeze about Vincent O'Reilly wants you to —O. Klippberg. Chairman; J. De­ JOSEPH LEBLANC anywhere in the world. According to an article we >read it said Call at once at the office of get in touch with him at 2427 Vito. Secretary. Delegates re­ that a good cook is made of the following ingredients—(1) ono ported no beefs. New Business: William Mahler, attorney, 170 Ninth Walk, Jackson Heights, part artist (which makes us think that Brother Norman Maffic, Motion by Walter Gustavson that Broadway. He is holding gear New York. He has checked your who is all artist, probably would be a perfect cook); (2) two suit in the New York Hall. delegate check repair list. Mo­ and money for you. parts inventor; (3) three parts efficiency plus a dash of person­ tion by Lester Keyes that when 4. 4. 4- ' XXX ality. Well, and with a little gravy overtime any cook can bo ELEANOR MARIE HOTVILLE FRANCISCO RUFINO the Patrolman comes aboard, he, a super-dooper genius. . . Accordingg to experts the odds arc Get in touch with William Get in touch at once with Wil­ the Steward and Ship's Delegate (no fooling) 3,500,000 to 1 against turning up a perfect "29" Mahler, attorney,, 170 Mahler, 170 Broadway, New find out why there wasn't liam cribbage hand. Wanna bet?. . . Is it hot these days. It sure is York City, regarding your case. enough food purchased in US Broadway, New York City. the humility of getting this humidity day after day. Even Hie before trip began. Motion by XXX XXX perspiration has perspiration. Well, Brothers keep the ships LAMAR PICKETT O. (Bill) GONSALVES Steward Albert Vetu that no clean and happy. Your jobs and contracts are your security. Get in touch with your parents Please advise Joe Algina or laxmdry be sent ashore in LourProtect them by sailing the ships shipshape—the SIU way. -enco Marques, because goods Joe Volpian at New York Hall in Miami, Fla. btiw-g OTL the refierexidum -fov AW. awwiia.! Gewera,! Puwd" As^essmewi: oiill continue fhtrii jpiUQu^ So. Hea4dpQrtlien£aaciest; AsG ha.ll and. cast your vote. It's your tinion.. and. it5s upijp you to help run "' CUT and RUN �Pagie iSighi THE SEAFARERS Gray Proposes Pooling Cola Of Hospital Donations LOG Friday, August 5. 1949 Bees Trim Bale Cotneau Team, 12-10 To the Editor: After losing two games by close margin^ on previous trips, the Cola Bees defeated the Ca­ To the Editor: nadian Baie Comeau All Stars, I had an eye-opening talk with 12 to 10. The Canadians chalked the Union's Special Service Rep­ up nine runs in the first inning, resentative, Joe Volpian, the mostly on Cola Bee errors. other day. He showed me files The softballing Seafarers set­ containing the names of the large tled down, however, and limit­ number of SIU men in hospitals ed the Canadians to only one run throughout the world, some as for the remainder of the game. far away as Honolulu. Spectacular hitting' netted the Some of these men are no Cola Bees their 12 runs in the longer eligible for Union hospi­ closing innings. The All Stars tal benefits because they have was composed of the best play­ deceived their $3.00 weekly ben­ ers picked from four teams in efits for the maximum 52 weeks, Baie Comeau, where the Colabee ^he Union, however, is taking picks up newsprint for the US. care of these men out of the Tiie appearance of the Cola general fund. Bees on the Canadian playing I have also learned that cer­ field always brings out a large tain groups of men in some of number of SIU rooters. These four Seafarer stalwarts appear in the lineup when the marine hospitals are send­ BILL GRAY The Cola Bees keep in shape ing out form letters to compan­ the Cola Bees, representing the ship of the same name, meet at sea by practicing in the num­ ies on whose ships they have softb^l opposition in the port of Baie Comeau. From left to fund, specifying that it is to be ber two hold on the way to Can­ previously worked, asking for right: Slim Serralin, John Dugina, Bernie Friedman and Ed used for the benefit of sill mem­ ada. contributions from crewmembers. Nooney, whose fast ball and curve puzzle many a Canadian bers in hospitals. The money will John J. Dugina batter. One man in this group has for­ thus be earmarked for the spe­ warded one of these letters to cific purpose for which it is Seatrain, another man to Missis­ intended. sippi, another to Alcoa, and so Judging by what I saw in our on. Headquarters files, I realize what As a result of these direct ap­ a swell job is being done for peals, the men in one hospital the members in the various hos­ are receiving excessive benefits pitals. If we Seafarers have con­ To Ihe Edilor: factor in supporting or defeat­ working men and women. while the men in the far away fidence in our Union—and there places—all of them good Union is every reason that we should Concerning Brother Raymond's ing various bills in Congress. In conclusion, as a member of Being able to accomplish this, the AFL, I believe it is not only Brothers — are getting along as — we will make our hospital article on the possibility of the it stands to reason that we also to our advantage to support the best they can on the regular $3.00 contributions to the regular hos­ SIU actively participating in the could be instrumental in helping political aims of labor but also weekly benefits given by the pital fund, and leave it to the AFL's political education pro­ carry out the political purposes our duty as a legitimate trade Union. Union to see to it that all mem­ gram, I, and many others whom of the American Federation of union. TO REGULAR FUND bers in all hospitals receive I have talked to, are all for it. Labor on other issues affecting C. N. Mclnis , I suggest, therefore, that the equal benefits from the proceeds As Brother Raymond points out, there was a time when the men donating money at the pay­ of our donations. promises made by the majority offs to their Brothers in the Bill Gray of the politicians to labor was Marine Hospitals, contribute this Ship's Delegate just so much vot^-getting ba­ money to the regular hospital Seatrain New Jersey loney. However, today, in Presi­ dent Truman and many Con­ By I. H. Pepper gressmen, who were labor-sup­ ported in their elections, we have men who have consistently Over the forest green he rode... proven themselves to be true Cracking a whip, To the Editor: hospital here, with one scheduled friends of labor. Racing the wind... Just a few lines to let the to be discharged today. That's BUCK STONE WALL about all the news now. I hope boys know I am here, of all Death in a flaming robe. places, in the San Juan Marine to see you all soon. I want to Because Congress is still dom­ say hello to all the boys on the inated by a reactionary, laborA hundred thousand acres burn. Hospital. fifth deck and to Paul on the hating element, these men have Brown-eyed doe with speckled fawn I have been in hospitals twice second. been defeated in the attempts Trembling, know not where to turn. before, once in 1911 for typhoid Dr. Jaime Valitmour was just to repeal the Taft-Hartley law and once in 1925 with a broken in and said just one more week. Remember not one quiet dawn. leg. Outside of those two <ex- Then to get a ship back to the and replace it with a -fair labormanagement relations bill such Over the forest green he rode... cursions, I had never been sick states.. as the Thomas-Lesinski bill. a day. That is, outside of a little Scaling peaks. H. J. Hanes It therefore seems like plain hangover. But a trip around the Hurdling streams...' common sense to me to try to do comer would fix that up. BURNS GRATEFUL something about this situation. Death in a flaming robe. During the current stay in the By doing our utmost in support­ hospital I have had two opera­ FOR HOSPITALITY Men sweat and curse iand pray for rain. ing labor's political aims we can tions. Right now I feel fine, OF SIU BROTHERS help put men partial to labor No rest. Through heat apd night and day : left New York on Dec. 15 weigh­ in Congress and thus assure la­ To the Editor: They labor on the mad terrain, ing 201 pounds. At present bor of a fair deal. Where giant firs flare up like hay. tip the scales at 170. I should like to ^express my It is only natural that a young thanks to the crew of the SS organization should concern it­ GOOD CHOW Over the forest green he rode... Greeley Victory for the cooper­ self with becoming strong in­ . Onward and onward, As I say I feel fine. This is ation and kindness they showed a" nice hospital. Lots of good to me when I was stricken with ternally first. However, we are Faster and faster... food, with chicken three times appendicitis. I was Bosun at the now a strong, well-knit and so­ lid organization and we are in Death in a flaming robe. a week and eggs every morning. time. a position to try to improve con­ Of course, if you have an eye At the same time I. want to Crisp, charred spines of trees poke skyward. for beauty you must look at the thank the Brothers in the Tampa ditions by appropriate political Conscious of immodest dress nurses. We have a nice fellow Hall for the splendid hospitality action. They drape themselves in shrouds of srrioke. at the office here. He makes the they gave my wife while I was WE CAN DO IT rounds once a week, and some­ recuperating from the appendix The mountains blush in nakedness. We have proven time and times twice. operation in the Tampa Munici­ again that we are able to sup­ Over the forest green he rode... He has lots of waterfront to pal Hospital. port and win beefs for, and in Knowing no mercy. cover and it keeps him pretty These men all showed them­ collaboration with, other unions. busy at times. Leaving but blackness... selves to be true friends. These, as well as our own. Joseph E. Burns There are six SIU boys in the Death in a flaming robe. , Also, we have been a potent Support Urged For AFL Campaign To Oust Anti-Labor Congressmen In 1950 Elections Log -A - Rhythms FOREST FIRE H. J. Haites Expects To Leave Drydock Soon, Head For US �Friday, August 5. 1949 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Nine A Seafarer Sketches His Shipmates Del Sud Carries Good Crew Bessemer Victory Men Are Subjects For Norman Maffie But Designer Missed Boat SMttTY ^ To the Editor: ' 'ScHoswf-f?-' L'V" —:r=rrrr-' v Vi^ 1 tiB£^ ! I have just spent a few months aboard Mississippi's luxury liner, the SS Del Sud. I find that I prefer Baltimore's new Ore ships to it. Of course, the run made by the Del Sud has the Ore ship's beat a long ways, but the de­ signers of the Ore ships made up for this, in my opinion, by doing a better job than is evi­ dent on the Mississippi wagon. fff: For one thing, the reefei, en­ gineers on the liner are always catching it from one end or the other. The crews' quarters are air-conditioned, but the Stew­ ards Department lives right over the engine room. There is no in­ sulation and if the air is cooled enough for them to be comfor­ table, the passengers and the Deck Department are too cold. If the reefer tries to warm these people up, the Stewards Depart­ ment has to squak. And this works the other way around in the winter. Chow, draft and a cat perplex the Deck Gang. SMALL LAUNDRY. be expected of a Ship's Dele­ gate. AI Flyim is taking his vaca­ tion this trip after a year of fine work on board. Keith Winsley, better known as Honolulu, heads the crew and arranges such sports as baseball games with the crews of other ships in various ports. Max Lipton, who usually gets the chairman's job at the meet­ ings, does just as fine a job in the galley as he does presiding over the meetings. Hans Spiegel has been handling the Stewards Department Delegate's job for quite a while now, and he has plenty to do as he has more men in his department than in the other two departments combin­ ed. So with all these good Union men aboard—and I have only mentioned a few of them—the Del Sud should keep right on being a fine home for SIU men. With all these men working hard as they do, they kind of make up for the designer's mistakes. For myself though, I'm likely to go back up to Baltimore and try another Ore ship for awhile. Paul Ferandez The crew's laundry is too small and it is right beside the watchmen's foc'sle who sleep in the daytime, and every time someone uses the clothes drier it wakes them up. Then when the glory hole steward has to take the dirty linen to the lock­ er, he has to go topside, through the passengers' quarters and down another ladder up forward. To the Editor: Nor are there any wash bowls In response to Brother Buck­ in the crews' foc'sles. ley's article in the LOG (June For a ship as modern as this 22) in which he opposes com­ I was a bit disappointed, but we pulsory vacations,' I would like have a fine crew aboard to keep to point out what I think are the spirits up. Warren Wyman a few discrepancies in his reas­ has been doing a fine job as oning. Brother Buckley makes quite Bosun, after relieving Rocky Benson. Jack Hartley keeps a point of job security. Also as things rolling as smooth as could to the right of a Union member to remain on ships, as long as he wants to. It is my belief that the jobs belong to the membership of the Seafarers and not to any in­ dividual. A man may say that he is entitled to stay on a job as long as' he wants to regardless of the scarcity of jobs, but on To the Editor: second thought he should re­ Here is something good for the member that he was not alone membership which I have just on the picket line and that the accidentally discovered. job was fought for by all mem­ The American Seamen's Friend bers alike. No one member, or Society is maintaining a rest one group of members gained home on Staten Island, where anything by themselves, but all seamen can board and room for of them pulling together did. three dollars a day. The home is IN THICK OF IT located on 6640 Hylan Boulevard, Tottenville, Staten Island, and In some instances, many of the is the only such rest center now Brothers were at sea on a com­ operating in the Port of New pany's ships that were being York area. Most of the others struck in the states and there­ closed up after the war. fore it was necessary for mem­ The building is a former man­ bers on the boach to hit the sion, not just a lean-to. Bathing bricks and win the beef. facilities are located right on the The jobs contracted to the property, which is in a country­ Seafarers International Union be­ like atmosphere. There are, of long to all membeis and if it course, games, books, radios and becomes necessary to apportion other recreational material avail­ the jobs and set a time limit able. so that all membeis can work The fare from Manhattan to part of the time instead of some "the home is 17 cents, including members working all of the subway, ferry and bus-transfer. time, then that is what should The bus stops right at the door. be done. Every full book member of I understand any American seaman who feels he needs a this Union is entitled to his rest is eligible. Mrs. Lee-Martin share of the work and any other is in charge; the phone number viewpoint than this is basically is TOttenville 8-2828. Perhaps wrong. Irrespective of Brother Buck­ you would post a notice on the bulletin board or insert a line ley's views there are many men or two in the Union paper to in the Union who are sobe*', in­ let the boys in on something dustrious and capable of hand­ ling even his job. good. William W- Land> 1 F. Smith Member Says Jobs Should Be Shared Rest Center Wins Praise As Good Deal For Seamen Maffie found the Black Gang pensive and orderly. ' i/icrc/$.ys-i ^ i • MOB • ^ ^ ' «o ^ - """ •" Jytti W}f^6: WR>T€5 H6i/Se -- • "i The galley was always jumping. �Page Ten THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, Augusl 5, 1949 Minutes Of A&G Branch Meetings in Brief SAN FRANCISCO—Chairman. two window fans for the Hall W. McCuistion. 23138; Recording here. Motion by L. Dardin car­ Secretary, W. L. Busch, 50829; ried, instructing Galveston Reading Clerk, Pat Robinson, Branch to place complete min­ 30148. utes of its meetings in the re­ All minutes of previous meet­ port to Headquarters, and to PORT REa REG. REa TOTAL SHIPPED SHIPPED SHIPPED TOTAL ings in other Branches read and DECK ENG. STWDS. REa DECK ENa STWDS. SHIPPED notify the Secretary-Treasurer approved. Brother Robertson re­ that this has not been done. 16 23 13 52 3 8 12 23 ported that he is serving as Act­ Boston 4 4 4 143 126 108 377 89 62 53 204 ing Agent during absence of New York. Philadelphia 29 21 14 64 SAVANNAH —Chairman, Jeff 20 20 14 54 Jeff Morrsion, who had gone" to Baltimore 111 111 97 319 Gillette, 37060; Recording Sec­ 105 109 75 289 Honolulu to represent SIU A&G 44 Norfolk 39 retary, W. J. Brantley, 111; Read­ 22 105 30 27 21 78 District membership in that port 18 Savannah 10 ing Clerk, Charles Rice, 40707. 17 45 8 9 6 23 during the longshore beef. Rob­ 8 Tamna Headquarters' report read and 6 5 19 7 7 6 20 ertson stated that the affairs of 92 accepted. Agent reported that Mobile 70 62 224 50 48 31 129 the port are in good shape, with • 105 96 123 324 99 89 142 330 shipping had been on the slow the prospects for shipping look­ New Orleans 88 Galveston 90 58 236 18 12 22 52 side. Job calls came from the ing better. The report on the Cape Nome in Charleston, and 42 West Coast 32 23 97 25 21 12 58 San Juan Hall submitted by the Carabulle and Canton Vic­ New Orleans Agent Earl Shep- GRAND TOTAL.. 696 6*24 542 1,862 454 412 ~ 394 1,260 tory in Jacksonville. A replace­ pard and Engine Patrolman ment was sent to the Beaver Buck Stephens was read in its Victory, as one of her crew got ance with recommendations of constitution, the New Orleans bright, he reported, as a settle­ entirety, and the membership off to go to the hospital. Sev­ Building Maintenance Commit­ resolution calling for a referen­ ment in the grain elevator strike voted to approve it after full eral ships are due to call during tee's report, which has been ap­ dum on the proposed ten-dollar appears far off. With quite a few discussion. A resolution on a the next two weeks. Minutes of proved by membership in all General Fund assessment was grain ships scheduled for this voluntary ten-dollar assessment other Branch meetings were ap­ Branches. Under Good and Wel­ presented for the second succes­ port, the beef has affected our was read and discussed. The proved. Motion carried to ex­ membership concurred in the fare membership discussed the sive time and the membership shipping, one ship has already cuse Frank Oetgen from the resolution in a show-of-books urgent need for repairs on the voted overwhelmingly for adop­ been diverted to Galveston. meeting.. Following a reading tion. The Agent spoke on local Agent saicL that if strike should vote. Under Good and Welfare, Norfolk Branch building. shipping and discussed the pros­ be settled before next meeting, x>f the New Orleans resolution it was urgently recommended MOBILE — Chairman, Louis pects for the coming two weeks. there should be a pickup in for a ten-dollar assessement for that the assessment be approved Neira, 26393; Recording Secre­ Motion carried to place on pro­ shipping. Report oh San Juan the General Fund, there was by the entire membership. Also tary, James L. Carroll, 50409; bation for two years a permit- HaU read in its entirety. After full discussion on the question. discussed were the San Juan Reading Clerk, Harold J. Fisch­ man, who had fouled up on full discussion, a motion carried A motion to adopt the resolu­ situation, the Honolulu beef and er, 59. three different occasions during unanimously to concur with the tion was carried unanimously. the organizational problems fac­ Motion carried, to read only the past three weeks, ashore and report. Motion carried to adopt Membership- voted approval of ing the Union. New Business of other ports. aboard ship. The case was dis­ resolution calling for annual as­ the report on the San Juan Hall, reaffirming their previous rec­ BOSTON — Chairman, J. Brother Fischer read the Agent's cussed thoroughly and the mem­ sessment to build General Fund ommendation that the Hall be Greenbaum, 281; Recording Sec report, stating that the Agent bership held that, if the man to enable Union to continue its closed and a representative stay retary, B. Lawson, 894; Reading was in Washington with other was to be given a chance, he broad functions. Meeting ad­ in PR to handle Union affairs. SIU International officers to dis­ should be placed on probation. journed to permit showing of Clerk, M. Norris. 4 4 4 Minutes of other Branch meet­ cuss the proposed Panamanian Under Good and Welfare the film, "This Is the SIU." boycott. He said the officials question of gashounds and per­ BALTIMORE — Chairman, 4 s. ings read and accepted. Agent were also going to attend Senate formers came up, and several William Rentz, 26445; Recording reported on the status of ship­ PHILADELPHIA— Chairman, ping in this port. Dispatcher an­ and House hearings on bills af­ speakers pointed out the dangers L. Carden, 40375; Recording Sec­ Secretary, Eddie Mooney, 46671; nounced the number of men reg­ fecting labor and matters of in­ to the Union if their actions retary, D. Hall, 43372; Reading Reading Clerk, A1 Kerr, 29314. Trial Committee's report was istered and shipped for the pe­ terest to the maritime industry, were to be permitted to con­ Clerk, S. Bergeria, 7142. Minutes of previous Branch read and accepted. Minutes of riod, and Patrolman's report was particularly the closed shop pro­ tinue. t t 4, meetings were accepted as read. other ports approved. Several read. A motion carried to accept visions of the Taft-Hartley law. NEW ORLEANS — Chairman, Agent gave his report on the men were excused from the the Headquarters' report to the The Agent's report said that membership. The New Orleans there were eight C-2s in port to Bill Higgs, 223; Recording Sec­ status of shipping, which has meeting after presenting accept­ resolution calling for a ten-dol­ take full crews. A report on retary, James Tucker, 2209; not been too bad. He also out­ able reasons. The resolution lar general fund assessment to building renovation stated that Reading Clerk, Buck Stephens, lined some of • the organizing from New Orleans recommend­ activities with which this port ing a ten-dollar General Fund bolster the Union was read for the repairs on the Mobile Hall 76. would probably be completed by A motion carried to hold over is concerned. Motion carried call­ assessment carried by a vote of the second week, as per consti­ next meeting. As per the consti­ until the next meeting the cases ing for concurrence with report 340 to 2. Motion carried to ac­ tution. Following discussion, a tutional requirement, there was of 11 men charged with activit­ on the San Juan Hall submitted cept and concur in report on vote was taken and the resolu­ tion was adopted unanimously. a second reading of the ten-dol­ ies harmful to the Union, in or­ by Bull Sheppard and Buck the San Juan Hall. Under New lar General Fund assessment der to give them ample time to Stephens. Motion carried to ac­ Business, a motion carried call­ S. NORFOLK — Chairman. Ben resolution, put forth by New Or­ appear before the membership. cept Secretary-Treasurer's report ing for the appointment of mas­ Bees, 95; Recording Secretary, J. leans members. Membership vot­ Minutes of other Branch meet­ and the Headquarters report, as ters-at-arms at the meetings. A. Bullock, 4747; Reading Clerk, ed to adopt the resolution, fol­ ings read and approved. Port well as a motion to adopt res­ During Good and Welfare the lowing the action taken at the Agent stated that business af­ olution for a ten-dollar assess­ Union's film, "This Is the SIU," B. Taylor, 28926. last meeting on this proposal. fairs of the port are in igoOd ment, which was presented by was shown and was well-receiv­ Motion carried to accept pre­ Brother S. N. Hurst and J. R. shape but that shipping and in­ New Orledns members. Under ed by the memmbership. Meet­ vious meetings' minutes as read. Matthews took the Union Oath come had fallen off. Outlook, for New Business, motion carried ing adjourned at 8:05 PM, with Headquarters' report to the of Obligation. next two weeks is j very recommending that Agent buy 342 members present. membership read and approved. tt iThe Port Agent reported on GALVESTON — Chairman, shipping in Norfolk, particularly mentioning the payoff of the SS Keith Alsop, 7311; Recording Taddei, which recently signed a Secretary, R. Wilburn, 37739; Union agreement. The company Reading Clerk, J. Byrd, 34683. (Continued from Vage/A):-^ r wage fights in the interests of NMU versus Great Lakes oper­ paid off under the new scale, in­ Galveston and other port min­ gotiated by the SIU just a .few the membership on several leg­ ators—that the Hiring Hall is illegal under the T-H law. cluding last spring's $3.50 wage utes of previous meetings were weeks ago. ' .' , . islative fronts. increase and the recent $7.50 read and accepted. Port Agent The resolution stressed , the ' They pointed to the dangers Those backing the assessment clothing allowance. Agent rec- discussed shipping in the port fact that "it is "at dll times nec­ td the Union Hiring Hall con­ proposal declared that funds to •ommended that a vote of thanks for the past two weeks and the essary to be able to combat any tained in the recent ' Federal fight these battles can only come be given Brothers Mahoney and prospects for the coming two and all' forces - that might .seek .Court ruling—in the case of the from the Union's General Fund. Stevens for their efforts in bring­ weeks. Patrolman's and Dispat­ to destroy us" and that, fpr the ing the ship in Union style, with­ cher's reports accepted. The re­ Union to, be in a position to do out beefs or disputed overtime. port on the San Juan Hall sub­ so, the. General Fund must' be The membership responded en­ mitted by Earl Sheppard and strerigtHehed. The ten-doU^cr as­ mie unions, when it means los­ (Continued from Page 1) ing cabbage, which is what the thusiastically. Agent said the Buck Stephens was read and a sessment was offered as the .best, company appears to be a good motion carried unanimously , to means by , which this needed MEBA, which did not see fit Hawaiian situation proved. one and is an excellent addition concur with recommendations strength could be obtained... . to leave the ship to help their Meanwhile the SIU membership to the SIU fold. Five ships are made in the report. The resolUi^ Members speaking in beh^ CIO affiliate—even though the refuses to hold the bag for the scheduled to arrive here in the tion to place the question of a of the resolution at the July l3 AFL Seafarers showed them the commie-controlled ILWU — es­ next seven days to payoff and ten-dollar voluntary assessment and July 27 meetings in A&G way by pulling a "suitcase par­ pecially when the company in­ two others to pick up cargo. At on a referendum ballot was ports pointed out that anti­ ade"—are threatening the SIU volved is Isthmian, which was the moment there are ten ships adopted for the second succes­ union forces in Washington were on the west coast with action organized only after an exten­ in port that could call crews, if sive meeting. redoubling their efforts to keep by the same CIO longshoremen, sive campaign which lasted two cargo for them become available, i- X t. restrictive labor legislation on because the Brotherhood of Ma­ and a half years, cost several the Agent annoimced. The reso­ TAMPA — Chairman, R. H. the books, and offered as evi­ rine Engineers, SIU, is proving htmdred thousand dollars of the lution to put question of ten- Hall, 26060; Recording Secretary, dence the coalition which has too popular with the member­ Union's money, and meant backdollar General Fund assessment E. R. Smith, 20057; Reading prevented repeal of the Taft- ship of the commie-ridden breaking work under intolerable conditions for hundreds of vol­ to a referendum vote was adopt­ Clerk, N. Ellis. MEBA. Hartley law. ed unanimously. Motion carried Only New Business of previous Other supporters of the assess­ But maritime observers won­ unteer organizers—^not when the instructing Agent to get started meetings in other Branches was ment stressed the fact the Union der just how much cooperation ILWU does not expect the same on building repairs in accord- read. As required by the Union must be financially prepared to is possible between these com­ support from its own affiliates. Shipping From July 13 To July 27 Members Referendum Boilots On Fund Two CIO Affiliates Ignore ILWU Strike �THE SEAFARERS Friday. August 5, 1949 Page Eleven LOG The Canadian SIU And The Commies (Continued from Page 3) At this stage of the game, the communists' plans for sabotage of the anti-communist nations' economies began to emerge in the clear. Canadian and British communists, working hand-in-glove, began a campaign to draw British waterfront workers into the plot. Despite the pleas of British trade union officials, communistcontrolled dockers in Bristol and Avonmouth pull­ ed unofficial, wildcat stoppages and refused to handle Canadian ships. Goods for Britain lay rotting in the ships while the communists re­ joiced. The International Transportworkers Federa­ tion, representing millions of anti-communist maritime and transport workers in many nations condemned the "strike." Arthur Deakin, head of Britain's General and Transport Workers Union, and William Lawther, president of the Mine Workers Union, branded the "strike" as a communist plot to wreck Brit­ ain's economy. The Bristol and' Avonmouth dockers finally heeded their union officials' pleas and voted to return to work. The communists then turned to London, where two Canadian ships with CSU crews were await­ ing unloading. Richard Barrett, communist sec­ retary of the British Stevedores Union, succeed­ ed in tying up more than half of the shipping in London. Communist party members paraded in London's streets urging support for the tieup. The Communist-controlled Italian Confedera­ tion of Labor and the French Confederation of Labor both followed the communist line to the letter and parroted in turn that they would urge their members to refuse to unload Canadian ships. Meanwhile, the communist world labor body, the World Federation of Trade Unions, last week formed a new seamen's and dockers section to be used "to promote peace"^of the kind they prompted on the Canadian and British water­ fronts. By July 22, the British trade unionists and the nation at large became so bitter over the com­ munist torpedoing of their nation's economy that the dockers agreed to return to work. This break came shortly after British author­ ities seized two Americans and one Dutch na­ tional on charges that they were sent by com­ munists to England to block settlement of the beef. The men were Louis Goldblatt, secretary-treas­ urer of the Pacific Coast branch OT the CIO Longshoremen's Union and chief aide to Harry Bridges; John Maletta, a member of the same union's executive committee and Johann Blankeozee, secretary of the communist controlled General Maritime Union of Holland. Thus the plot of the communists to wreck Ca­ nadian and British shipping ended—^for the time being. But the communists are determined to continue their waterfront sabotage in the interest of the Soviet Union because of the principal role of maritime in most nations' economies. They have bolstered their setup by the foriti,ation of the seamen and dockers section of the WFTU. ; All the communist party bigwigs throughdut the world, especially those in maritime organi­ zations, will be on the alert for opportunities to use the waterfronts for achieving the movements' objectives. Of coures, everything will be done under the guise of genuine trade union beefs. The Seafarers, who long ago called the ham­ mer and sickle a ball and chain for workers, in­ tends to continue its vigilance in fighting the communist plotters whenever and wherever they threaten the security of free maritime workers. The AFL Engineers And The MEBA (Continued from Page 3) he consistently followed the party line and buck­ ed CIO national policy. The mere fact that the official communist line is to smear the SIU and the BME, just as it does every other genuine, democratic trade union, proves that these organizations are offering to their memberships something impossible to at­ tain under communist domination—good wages ahd conditions under contracts negotiated by. the rank-and-file, free from political maneuvering. The communists' principal purpose is to keep seafaring men from accomplishing these objec­ tives. Their aim is to keep maritime in a state of continual confusion, so that they may control the situation for the party's own political inter­ ests. Satisfied merchant seamen are always a threat to the aspirations of the communists. Com­ munist politicans cannot thrive in a healthy at­ mosphere. The fact that several shipping companies are now operating their vessels under contract to the AFL Brotherhood of Marine Engineers means that the licensed engineers can look forward to a new era of unfettered trade unionism, and that one more communist-dominated waterfront union is on the skids. As was also proven in the case of the Cana­ dian Seamen's Union, if rank-and-file maritime workers are given an opportunity to get out from under communist domination, they'll take it. The commies may be on the wane, but they're not out of the picture by any means. As their grip on waterfront workers slips more and more, they'll become more ruthless and fight dirtier to implement the party's hard and fast policy of "rule or ruin." This means that those men sincerely interested in the preservation of clean, democratic trade unionism in maritime will have to keep their heads up, and not ever allow themselves to be taken in by the malicious lies and slanders that are the trade mark of the communists. Meanwhile, since the MEBA and the commu­ nist party are trying to undermine the SIU, all Seafarers crews are requested to follow the fol­ lowing policies: To regard all MEBA officials boarding, or at­ tempting to board, SIU'vessels as hostile to our organization. To inform all shipboard engineers that the SIU has no designs on their jobs or security—but also to point out that engineers can further their own interests by joining the Brotherhood of Ma­ rine Engineers. To watch out for tools or stooges of the MEBA and/or communist party spreading anti-Seafar­ ers propaganda, and to notify SIU officials in the first port the vessel hits of the lies spread and, if possible, the names of the individuals in­ volved. UF Readies Boyeott Of Panamanian Shipping h SS PONTUS ROSS Crewmembers who paid off this ship in Seattle on July 7 can collect their clothing allow­ ance by calling at or writing to, Smith and Johnson, 60 Beaver St., New York City. Applicants should give their social security numbers and ratings held aboard the ship. t. A tMARION GARROWAY Chief Cook SS Steel Rover Voyage No. 4 Get in touch with Mr. Wool­ len, Insurance and Claims De­ partment, Isthmian Steamship Company, 68 Trinity Place, New "Sfbrk City, where you can, pick up your hospital discharge. » KALJO POPP Your passport has been foiind 'ahd is being held for you on the 6th floor of the SIU Hall, 51 Beaver St., New York City. (Continued from Page 1) president; Paul Hall, first vicepresident, and vice presidents Cal Tanner and Morris Weisberger. _ Also present, at the meeting were John Owens, secretary of the International Longshoremens Association; Tommy Atkins, pres­ ident of Local 88, Masters, Mates and Pilots, and Charles May, national president of the MM&P. The action in the Panamanian situation was taken as an ans­ wer to the refusal of Panaman­ ian operators to take seriously a mediation meeting sponsored by the Panamanian government at its Embassy here. Only two shipowners, repre­ senting eight of the 800 ships flying the Panamanian flag, showed up' for the meeting, at which it was hoped the longthreatened boycott couid be avoided by discussions aimed at eliminating some of the sub­ standard conditions prevailing on ships of Panama registry. Originally scheduled for May 1 last, the boycott was post­ poned by the ITF after the Pan­ amanian government asked for a chance to correct some of the abuses on ships which have been using Panama registry as a ref­ uge from Union wages, condi­ tions and safety inspections. "ONLY ALTERNATIVE" The ITF's president, O. Becu, who is also head of the Belgian Transport Workers Federation, said at the meeting that the boycott "seems to be our only alternative. "We have exausted all other possible means of agreement," he said. He warned that "the boycott may suddenly come up­ on the shipowners." In a resolution adopted at the conference, the delegates stated: '"The labor representatives con­ sidered the attitude of the ship­ owners as definite proof that they had no intention of deal­ ing with the unions, nor to ac­ cept the efforts of the GoveiU- ment of Panama to mediate the difficulties between seafarers and themselves." A 'definite date for the boy­ cott will be set by a special com­ mittee. The decision to boycott ships of countries whose communistcontrolled unions refuse to work ships sailed by members of un­ ions affiliated with the ITF, was made to counteract any disrup­ tive tactics attempted by the newly-formed communist World Federation of Maritime Unions, which has designated Harry Bridges as president. DIRECT ACTION Thus any future actions by communist-controlled waterfront unions to tie up ships manned by ITF members, such as occur­ red in Great Britain when com­ munists halted loading and un­ loading of SIU Canadian District vessels, will be met by direct, concerted action by 5,000,000 workers affiliated with the ITF. In dealing With the Panam­ anian flag problem, the ITF con­ ference pointed out that ABs on those ships receive as little as $30 a month, compared with $233.50 on US ships. Reduced manning scales have resulted in as few as 27 men on ships which should have 45 te 50 in their crews. The ITF also explained that American, British, Greek and other ^ owners had transferred 800 ships to Panamanian regis­ try since the end of the war, to avoid meeting union standards and seamen's legislation of the world's principal maritime na­ tions on safety and taxation. AHENTION! 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. �•> N® 38447 ^•^#1 REFERENDUM BALLOT Seafarers International Union Of North America Atlantic and GuU District REFERENDUM BALLOT Voting Period From August 1 To August 30, 1949 INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTERS: Vote either YES or NO on the (oUowing reso­ lution by marking a cross (X) in the appropriate box. Do not use a lead pencil in marking the ballot. Ballots marked 'with lead pencil will not be counted. Mark your ballot with pen and ink or indelible pencil. DO NOT PUT ANY OTHER MARKINGS ON THIS BALLOT. FOREWORD ^etings held up and down the coast on July 13 and ]tted by 36 members in the Port of New Orleans, Uted to the membership, as per Constitution. WHEREAS: The SIU. Atlantic and Gii contracts embracing wages, overtime an maritime industry, and irship enjoys the best bar none, in the WHEREAS: Anti-union forces elected to office in utmost to enact and keep anti-union laws on the are doing their and • WHEREAS: We have just won a $7.50 increase in pay. which will increase the take-home pay by $90.00 per year, and WHEREAS: We can never become too strong financially, as it is at all times nec­ essary to be able to combat any and all forces that might-seek to destroy us. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That we go on record as assessing ourselves a $10.00 Annual Assessment, to be known as a General Fund Assessment, and BE-IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That $2J)0 of this Assessment be given to the International for General Fund purposes, since the International to which we belong has beeu active in our organizing program, and actively partici­ pates iu all .crganizing drives that come under the heading of maritime, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That if this resolution carries, and we earnestly recommend that it does, as every true S'U member should vote "yes," that copies of this resolution be sent to all ports to be acted on for two consecutive meetings, and BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED: That all Branches shaU notify Headquarters of the wishes of the membership and. if this resolution is carried. Headquarters shall stand instructed to prepare ballots and this resolution shall be submitted to referendum, the voting period to commence August I. 1949. and to run for 30 days through August 30. 1949. ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF THIS RESOLUTION? Yes I I I I m ^ 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 5, 1949 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. XI, No. 24 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Description An account of the resource Headlines: GENERAL FUND REFERENDUM ON ITF BOYCOTT OF PANAMA READY TO ROLL SIU CREWMEN SAIL STEEL FLYER WHEN CIO UNIONS IGNORE STRIKE THE COMMIES MOBILIZE THEIR WATERFRONT BRIGADES YOUR INSURANCE A TIME WILL COME TWO BEEFS AND WHAT THEY MEAN BOSTON FAVORS ANNUAL LEVY FOR GENERAL FUND TAMPA AGENT HEADS CENTRAL LABOR ASSEMBLY MOBILE HOPING 7 SHIPS GET CARGOES NY SHIPPING SLOWER, BUT KEEPS PACE WITH POST-BOOM AVERAGE SAN FRANCISCO SEES SIGN OF SHIPPING PICK-UP SEAFARERS CREWS MAKE THE NEWS DEL NORTE CREW STARTS CLASSES IN SEAMANSHIP; TWO-FOLD BENEFITS SEEN 19 ON STRATHCAPE AIDED SIU FIGHT ON RESERVE BILL VENICE DAMPENS RED'S SPIRITS; 'SEE AMERICA FIRST,' HE CRIES TOPSIDE HAILS OSHKOSH VIC MEN'S KNOW-HOW Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 8/5/1989 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America 1949 Periodicals Seafarers Log