http://www.seafarerslog.org/archives_old/files/original/720dfac248f0ad938e2e2ff8ca5c2c28.PDF 50918cd4f2b4482f94d61d3df6623a5f PDF Text Text SEND PACT AID IN US SHIPS: SlU Pointing to the "critical condition of the United States merchant marine," A&G District SecretaryTreasurer Paul Hall called upon members of Con­ gress this week to insure 100 percent employment of American ships and seamen in the transport of cargo under the foreign military aid bill. The A&G District official urged the legislators to support a provision guaranteeing "that all arms shipped to the North Atlantic Treaty countries be Official Organ, Atlantic & Gulf District, Seafarers International Union of NA carried exclusively in American flag ships, manned by American seamen." *ate ~~ No. 25 NEW YORK. N. Y.. FRIDAY. AUGUST 19. 1949 by Senator Warren MagnuVOL. XI Will Act Fast Next Meeting On August 31 On Vacation Pay, Says Waterman The Waterman Steamship Cor­ poration has assured Union Headquarters that eligible Sea­ farers applying for vacation pay would receive prompt payment upon submitting all pertinent infoiTnation. In a communication to A&G Assistant Secretary-Treasur­ er Robert Matthews, a Water­ man spokesman said that an ap­ plicant should have his vacation pay "within one week from the date which he applied for it in any of our offices," provided he files his application properly. In order to obtain vacation pay with a minimum of delay, a Sea­ farer entitled to vacation pay for service on Waterman ships un­ der terms of the Union contract must give his social security number and his correct mailing address, the communication pointed out. UNION REQUEST The Waterman letter was re­ ceived in answer to a Union re­ quest that the company check on the procedure for handling va­ cation applications to expedite payments: Headquarters acted after hear­ ing a couple of reports that pay­ ments were delayed, mainly when applications were made to Waterman offices in cities other than Mobile, where the principle office is located. Discussions with Waterman representatives revealed that no delays occured where applicants provided all the necessary infor­ mation to, enable the company to check its records quickly. WRONG ADDRESSES Tiie company explained that "we get a lot of requests for va­ cations from seamen who are not entitled to vacation pay. We have sent out a good many va­ cation checks to the addresses that the seamen gave us and had the checks returned because of the improper addresses. It could be that some of these sea­ men are the ones who are com­ plaining about the delay." To insure prompt receipt of the vacation pay. Union Head­ quarters advised eligible mem­ bers to present along with their social security numbers and ad­ dresses, the names of the com­ pany's ships and the dates they were aboard, when making ap­ plication for the money. • The whole process can be speeded up, Union officials stat­ ed, if only those who are elig­ ible under terms of the contract file for the vacation pay. It- is useless for others to do so, and they only cause delay for men with legitimate claims, it was pointed out. Because of the change in the Union's meeting schedule, which has been approved by Seafarers in all ports, the next regular membership meetings of the Atlantic and Gulf District will be held on Wednesday. August 31. Thereafter, the meetings will take place every other Wednesday, as customary. No meeting will be held on Wednesday. August 24. The shift in the meeting schedule was made when owners of the auditorium where New York meetings convene informed the SIU that previous commitments made the building unavail­ able on several of the Wednesday ^ghts on which the SIU would meet this fall. Since all sessions in ports' outside of New York are held in Branch buildings, the membership^ voted to accept the Headquarters^. recommendation that the new schedule be adopted on a coastwise basis. As a result of the change in meetings, the next issue of the SEAFARERS LOG—which is regularly scheduled the week following the Branch meetings—will appear on September 9. three weeks itfter this issue. Remember, the next meeting is on Wednesday. August 31 — in all ports. The House Foreign Affairs son, and in the House by Repre­ Committee has already approved sentative Schuyler O. Bland, a measure authorizing the flow which are conducting surveys of arms aid to signatories of with the objective of strength­ the North Atlantic pact and ening the nation's maritime in­ other non-communist countries. dustry. Action on the bill in the lower In his communication. Hall house is expected this week. In stated, "We sincerely believe that the Senate, the arms aid pro­ a requirement to insure trans­ gram is still under consideration portation of all arms aid to the by the Foreign Relations Com­ North Atlantic pact signatories mittee. wiU be a step forward toward "It is imperative that such a rehabilitating the American mer­ provision be incorporated into chant marine, and stemming the the bill before enactment," Hall .alarming rise in unemployment stated. Otherwise, he added, the among American seamen." US merchant fleet will continue TIME ELEMENT to diminish, Stressing the value of the "Every day more and more of recommended provision to the our nation's vessels are being national security, the communi­ laid up for the lack of cargoes. cation said that in a program The numbers of unemployed sea­ designed to tighten US defenses, men are consequently swelling absolute consideration must be daily in all sections of the mari­ given to the future of the mer­ time industry," the Union offi­ chant fleet. cial said. The lack of adequate prepara­ He pointed out to the members tion in this respect in the last of both Houses that the rapid war, it was pointed out, held up decline in the American fleet victory and resulted in the loss was already a matter of national of thousands of American lives. concern, as evidenced by the In future emergencies we shall committees, headed in the Sen- have even less time to come up with a merchant fleet to meet the demands of modem logistics, the SIU communication said. Emphasizing that the "Ameri­ can merchant marine must be ship meetings, that the anti-labor kept alive and moving — now forces were redoubling their ef­ more than ever before," the SIU forts to weaken organized labor, official added: "Wfe trust you and they offered as evidence the share with us concern for the coalition which recently pre­ future of our flag ships and the vented repeal of the Taft-Hartley security of a large section of our working population. law. They also pointed to the fact "We respectfully urge, there­ that the Union must be finan­ fore, that you support the move cially prepared to continue its to include a provision for 100 fights in behalf of Seafarers on percent participation by US ships the legislative front, where this in the final bill authorizing arms week two attempts are being aid." (For other news about SIU made to cut down the hard-won rights now enjoyed by seamen. activity in Washington see story on page 11.) (See story on page 11.) Referendum Vote Ends August 30 As the deadline drew nearer for balloting in the referendum on the General Fund assessment. Headquarters issued a reminder to Seafarers in all ports to exer­ cise their voting privileges. The final date on which ballots may be cast in this important Union issue is August 30, which will cofaclude 30 days of-voting, as prescribed by the constitution for referendums. Meanwhile, all A&G Branches reported that members were turning out in large numbers, indicating that the issue to be decided at the Union polling places was recognized as vital to the future operating efficiency of the organization. "YES" VOTE URGED Copies of minutes of shipboard meetings reaching the LOG this week revealed that a large num­ ber of crews were holding dis­ cussions on the assessment ques­ tion, and were urging favorable action. At several shipboard sessions, resolutions were adopted calling for approval of the proposed assessment in the best interest of the membership's welfare and security. MAKES IT EASY The referendum calls for a "yes" or "no" vote on a resolu­ tion, originally offered by 36 Seafarers in the Port of New Orleans, for a ten-dollar assess­ ment to offset the drop in income caused by the current decline in shipping. The New Orleans sponsors of the resolution maintained that the General Fund must be strengthened, to enable the Union to continue intact its membership services and "to combat any and all forces that might seek to destroy us." In view of the fact that "we have just won a $7.50 increase in pay, which will increase the take-home pay by $90 a year," the *New Orleans Seafarers held that it would thus be easy for the membership to meet the assessment, since it represents only a fraction of the newlywon wage increase. Others favoring the assessment pointed out, at regular member­ Balloting in the referendum on the General Fund assessment has been brisk in all ports from the moment the polls opened on August 1. In photo above Seafarers in the New York Hall wait their turn to exercise their voting rights in the highly important referendum, as ballot committeeman Joe Pacheco checks credentials. i 'I I '1 i �Page Two THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday. August 19, 1949 SEAFARERS LOG Published Every Other Week by the SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA Atlantic and Gulf District Affiliated with the American Federation of Lsdwr At 51 Beaver Street, New York 4, N. Y. HAnover 2-2784 Reentered as second class matter August 2, 1949, at the Post Office in New York, N.Y., under the Act of August 24, 1912. 267 A Plan For America According to estimates of last week, between 30 and 40 privhtely-owned dry-cargo vessels flying the American flag were idle in Atlantic coast ports alone. These are in addition to the surplus chartered ships returned each week to the Maritime Commission. And if tankers had thumbs 200 would be twiddling this week, for it is estimated that 100 American-owned fuel carriers are doing exactly nothing. • Then there's the vast number of US ships rusting in the boneyards, the only waterfront locations in this country where there are daily signs of expansion. The reason for this postwar tragedy? Just this: no cargoes, no assignments. For American flag ships, that is. Other maritime nations are not facing the same dilemma. In fact, they are speeding up their shipbuilding to meet increasing demands upon their fleets. France, for example, several months ago surpassed her prewar tonnage. And she's still building. So is England, Italy, the Scandinavian countries and others. Panama, of course doesn't build ships, anymore than she has a bone_ _ __ ^ ^ yard. The 800 vessels flying the Panamanian flag are with ^0§§ nOW IH THB mUtUIC HOSPltUlS few exceptions runaways. " Shipbuilding in the US is at a virtual standstill. You can count on your fingers the number of ships under construction in our yards. But you'd need a mechanical calculator to tally those in the boneyard. So while other maritime nations are rapidly acquiring tonnage in excess of what they had before the war, US maritime is skidding downward—but fast. And accom­ panying the tragic deterioration of our once large fleet, is the alarming rise in the number of unemployed Ameri­ can seamen, for the most part highly skilled workers— essential in national emergencies. Despite this dismal picture, those in a position to halt the trend have done little or nothing about it. Whenever an opportunity arose, the Seafarers International Union and other sections of the maritime' industry offered con­ crete proposals that would aid in revitalizing American shipping. In several instances, suQh as the plan pushed by the SIU to employ US ships and seamen in the transporta­ tion of Marshall Plan goods, progress was made. As a rule, sympathy was expressed for the plans but action was lacking. Investigations aimed at strengthening our fleet are under way in Congress at the moment, but there's no guarantee of definite action. Moreover, it will take time. Something should—and must—be done now. And something can be done, if Congress will adopt the proposal made this week by the SIU to guarantee that "all arms cargoes shipped to North Atlantic pact countries be car­ ried exclusively in American ships, manned by American seamen." The SIU demand, while no cure-all, will at least take up some of the slack, until a long range program to bolster our failing merchant marine can be formidated. Those who bear the responsibility for the welfare of our working population, and for the national well-being, should consider and act favorably on the SIU demand for exclusive employment of American ships and seamen in the transport of foreign military aid. SAN FRANCISCO HOSPITAL J. KEENAN W. LANE R. W. FRYE I These are the Union Brothers currently in the marine hospitals, W. SANDERSON , ! as reported by the Port Agents. These Brothers find time hanging S. WALERK ! heavily on their hands. Do what you can to cheer them up by PETER SMITH , writing them. T. ISAKSEN NEW ORLEANS HOSPITAL W. R. THOMPSON M. CARAWAY J. DENNIS M. J. LUCAS 4. 4. 4 L. LANG A. TREVINO MOBILE HOSPITAL F. LANDRY J. HERNANDEZ J. CURTIS I C. ELLARD M. FERNANDEZ M. LEOUSIS ' L. WILLIS L. OIEN P. VANDEREIK C. D. SHIVELY . T. KANADY E. DAVIDSON i J. B. ALLRED I. RHODEN S. REINCHUCK W. W. ROYES M. ROSSI L. HOWARD W. SWILLEY V. GROVER M. J. SMYLY J. MORTON L. E. JARVIS C. BACHMAN A. MAUFFRAY N. I. WEST B. H. LAWDERBACK 16 Merchant St. BALTIMORE 14 North Gay St. HONOLULU P. RAULERSON Phone 5-8777 William Rentz, Agent Mulberry 4S40 G. MOREJON BOSTON 276 State St. PORTLAND Ill W. Burnside St. H. R. PITT" Ben Lawson, Agent Richmond 2-0140 Beacon 4336 J. E. TASSIN Dispatcher Richmond 2-0141 RICHMOND, Calif 257 5th St. A. SYLVERA GALVESTON .308'/a—23rd St. Phone 2599 Keith Alsop, Agent Phone 2-8448 C. BROWN SAN FRANCISCO 59 Clay St. MOBILE 1 South Lawrence St. D. KOROLIA Douglas 2-8363 Cal Tanner, Agent Phone 2-1754 A. ARVANTIS .86 Seneca St. NEW ORLEANS 523 Bienville St. SEATTLE Main 0290 S. T. JAMISON E. Sheppard, Agent Magnolia 6112-6113 NEW YORK 51 Beaver St. WILMINGTON 440 Avalon Blvd. T. RIGBY Joe Algina, Agent HAnriver 2-2784 Terminal 4-3131J S. NORFOLK 127-120 Bank St. SAVANNAH HOSPITAL Ben Rees, Agent Phone 4-1083 R. M. GUTHRIE PHILADELPHIA 337 Market St. J. Sheehan, Agent Market 7-1635 E. E. STUART SAN. FRANCISCO 85 Third St. W. L. SMITH MONTREAL .404 Le Moyne St. Jeff Morrison, Agent Douglas 2-5475 Marquette 5909 C. A. EZELL SAVANNAH 2 Ahercorn St. .IZSVs Hollis St. R. PIERCE Jim Drawdy, Agent Phone 3-1728 HALIFAX Phone 3-8911 SEATTLE: 86 Seneca St. 4. ft ft Wm. McKay, Agent Seneca 4570 PORT ARTHUR... 63 Cumberland St. BOSTON HOSPITAL TAMPA 1809-1811 N. Franklin St. Phone North 1229 BOB FISHER Ray White, Agent Phone M-1323 PORT COLBORNE. ,. . 103 Durham St. VIC MILAZZO WILMINGTON, Calif., 227'/4 Avalon Blvd. Phone 5591 E. B. Tilley, Agent Terminal 4-2874 TORONTO ...lllA Jarvis Sb J. J. FLAHERTY HEADQUARTERS. . 51 Beaver St., N.Y.C. Elgin 5719 FRANK ALASAVICH VICTORIA, B.C..,.. .602 Bough ton St. SECRETARY-TREASURER ft ft ft Paul Hall Empire 4531 STATEN ISLAND HOSPITAL DIRECTOR OF ORGANIZATION VANCOUVER , .565 Hamilton St. Lindsey WilliaiRS Pacific 7824 H. E. BONEWALD ASST. SECRETARY-TREASURERS ' N. DORPMANS HEADQUARTERS. 12 McGlU St. Robert Matthews J. P. Shuler J. P. PROBST Montreal Plateau 670 Joseph Volpian J. W. FAILLA ''—-4 Directory Of SIU Halls SIU, A&G District SUP Canadian District �Frida7< August 19, 1949 Page Three fttE SEAFARERS LOG Officers Training SchDOis-Good or Bad? By JOHN BUNKER / • (This is the first in a series of articles on itiatitime by John Bunker, retired A&G District member. Brother Btmker is now maritime reporter for the Christ­ ian Science Monitor.) Recent controversy over pos­ sible closing of the Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy and the state nautical schools is be­ ing received with mixed feelings by seamen and shipping people generally. Some will say that their clos­ ing would be small loss. They will argue, especially about Kings Point, that the govern­ ment's training program for of­ ficer personnel was getting to be too much like West Point or Annapolis—departing too much from the basic needs and tradi­ tions of the merchant service. Others, of course, will defend both the Kings Point school and the state nautical academies as essential training units for the merchant service. Whether these schools keep bpen or not, the controversy over their value and their need em­ phasizes the importance of an adequate officer training proigram for the American merchant marine. It is no sense to deride these training schools, and then to offer nothing in their place. To say that the merchant ma­ rine, advancing as it has far be­ yond the days of 30 years ago When celestial navigation was considered the most essential schooling for a deck officer—^to say that the merchant marine needs no officer training pro­ gram at all is almost like saying there is nothing a prospective of­ ficer need know that he can't learn himself in spare-time study. NOT SO, NOW This kind of argument was all right years ago, perhaps. It's archaic now. The establishment of the Kings Point Academy as a wartime emergency measure was highly desirable. Those were the days when ships sailed out with third assistants shipping as "firsts" and junior third deck officers Standing a third or even second mate's watch. Officers were needed—thousands of them— quickly. Today, however, tells a differfent story. With the American merchant marine now at about the prewar level, with hundreds of wartime deck and engine officers intend­ ing to stay at sea, and with sev­ eral hundred more young "thirds" being turned out each year by Kings Point and the state acad­ emies, the question is becoming acute as to where they all will •get jobs. ADVISABILITY QUESTIONED The writer has visited many a, ship during the past year on which all the licensed deck of­ ficers had at least a first mate's ticket. There are some ships in which all the officers are liceiKed masters—days reminiscent of the '30s, when it was not suprising to go aboard a freighter and meet half a dozen mates ship­ ping "before the mast." It is ohly logical, therefor, to iquestion the advisability of cdfttinuing Kings Point. It would teeem, job conditions being What they are, that a further exten- mm'ii One reason why the officer training program for the American merchant marine is of para­ mount concern to the shipping industry today. These hundreds of merchant marine officers are lined up for graduation ceremonies at Fort Trumbull, New London, Conn., the officer training school of the US Maritime 'Service during World War II. Many of these men are slill at sea, competing for a shrinking number of officer vacancies. sion of life for this "Annapolis of the Merchant Marine" is an unjust drain on the public purse, as well as an imposition on those hundreds of qualified of­ ficers who cannot find berths under present conditions. There is another important question about the usefullness indeed We can even say the DANGER—of continuing Kings Point. From the earliest days of the American merchant marine, it has been a cherished - tradition of the service that a man "be­ fore the mast" could, by hard work, diligence, and self-appli­ cation, rise to officer status. Ask many a skipper or chief engineer today — many a port captain or shipping company ex­ ecutive—how he became an of­ ficer, and he'll answer proudly: "Through the hawse pipes". . . . "through the foc'sle." This is a great tradition, this being able to advance yourself by conscientious work and selfstudy. But it is a tradition liable to be lost, if the federal govern­ ment continues with its desire to make Kings Point a "closed shop"—another Annapolis, anoth­ er West Point. HARDER AND HARDER Many companies, of which United States Lines is one ex­ ample, are showing an almost exclusive preference for Kings Point in hiring their new of­ ficers. It is getting harder and hard­ er for the man who puts in his three years in the foc'sle, and then gets his ticket at a private school, to find a berth at sea. It may, sooner or later, be im­ possible. It is also quite conceivable that shipping firms, as they become more heavily subsidized by the government, will be "induced" to hire their officers from the government's own training school. The maritime unions, including the SIU, are right in keeping a weather eye dpen on the gov­ ernment's proclivity to train merchant marine officers, when there are ho jobs. They are right in criticizing the bureaucrat's love for keeping something in. operation, whether it is needed or not. They should be ever watcfiful that no gov­ ernment training system—select­ ing, as does Kings Point, the "cream" of American youth — usurps the right of the Ameri­ can sailor to rise in his profes­ sion. However, the maritime unions should be careful lest they des­ troy the present officer training program without putting a sub­ stitute in its place. It wasn't so long ago, remember, when Amer­ ican ships carried a very large percent of foreign-born officers because there were not enough adequately trained American men to take the jobs. WHAT THEN? If Kings Point and the state mai-itime academies are abolish­ ed what would we have in their place? We couldn't drydock our merchant marine without any assurance that it is getting some flow of "new blood" for the future. We couldn't be the only nation in the world not training our future officers in the ever-de­ veloping techniques of marine engineering, navigation,* cargo handling and ship operation. Perhaps the best answer is in some kind of an academy which, while schooling a certain number of youngsters on a three-yeartraining program for third mate's or third engineer's license, will also admit each year so many men "from the foc'sle" for a special short term program of officer training. HARD SCHOOL And, to give credit where credit is due, let's recognize the contribution of the state nauti­ cal schools to our merchant ser­ vice over many years. The Massachusetts, New York and (until its recent demise) the Pennsylvania Academies date their history back more than 50 years. They trained their cadets in the "hard school." Many of the men at sea who criticize these academies would never have sur­ vived the strenuous "boot" sys­ tem and the hard program of work-while-you-study that has been traditional at these state schools. The writer knows not a few men who have pursued long and successful careers at sea after graduation from the state nau­ tical schools. Few of them came from any but average American families. They were men who, in most cases, couldn't have afforded a college education. Yes, the time has come to as­ sess the value of Kings Point and the accelerated state officer training programs, but let's do it sensibly. Let's do it with the welfare of the American merchant mar­ ine in mind. Let's not say "to hell with the training schools," and offer nothing in exchange. Let's plan—but plan well—for the future. (A future article will discuss the history and training pro­ grams of the various state nau­ tical schools.) Four Tankers RebulR To Haul Dry Cargoes Four SlU-contracted Libertytype tankers are among 13 such ships being rebuilt to haul dry cargo because of the drop in de­ mand for fuel carriers. The tankers are part of a group of 40 that were sold to private owners by the Maritime Commission to meet the severe tanker shortage during the win­ ter of 1947-48. Conversion work has already been completed on a number of the tankers, and consists mainly of the removal of cargo pumps and special bulkheading. The job requires about 14 days of work. The SIU tankers being recon­ verted and their owners are: SS Harry W. Peer, J. M. Carras, Incorporated; SS Chrysanthystar, Intercontinental Steamship Cor­ poration; W. H. Carruth, Transfuel Corporation, and the SS Nathaniel B. Palmer, the Palmer Shipping Company. Faulty Gear Blamed For Seafarers' Death Faulty lifeboat equipment was blamed for the fatal injury to Seafarer Burton Packard aboard the SS Twin Falls "Victory in Wilmington, Del., on August 5, according to word received this week from James Sheehan, SIU Agent in the Port of Philadel­ phia. Brother Packard, an OS, died in a Wilmington hospital of a skull fracture, 24 hours after he fell to the water in a lifeboat that had broken loose as a re­ sult of a defective motor casing in the winch machinery. The SIU's Philadelphia Agent reconstructed the accident as follows: The Twin Falls Victory, Wa­ terman, was alongside her Wil­ mington dock. Brother Packard and two other members of the deck department were placing the cover over the offshore life­ boat wheh a leak in the motor casing caused a short circuit and started the motors. With the motors running, the BURTON PACKARD lifeboat was hauled up until the falls were two-blocked. The mo­ tors kept running and caused such a strain that the wires parted, causing the boat to fall to the water. The two men working with Packard succeeded in jumping clear of the falling boat. Pack­ ard attempted to do likewise, but the boat cover swung over him and trapped him in the falling boat. He landed on his head when the boat struck the water, sustaining the skull fracture which caused his death. Sheehan reported -that ship­ mates of Packard said he was "a good shipmate and a very willing worker." When informed of his death, the Twin Falls crewmen con­ tributed $61.50, which Port Ag­ ent Sheehan forwarded to Pack­ ard's mother in Millelac County, Minn., where the body was ship­ ped for burial. Brother Packard, who was born in Minnesota on June 14, 1927, joined the SIU Atlantic and Gulf District in Norfolk. He was is­ sued Book No. 45242 on April 27, 1946. He was in good standing at the time of his death and Union burial benefits are payable. ' �Page Four THE SEAFARERS Read Contracts And Avoid Roofs, Says Raltlmoro LOG '• » , - - The Geoii Life Aboard The SS Cardinal O'ConneH (ATS) Friday, August 19. 1949 In-Transits Pay Courtesy Visits To Savannah By WILLIAM (Curly) RENTZ By JIM DRAWDY BALTIMORE—Despite the ar­ rival of a number of payoff ships, shipping in this port is on the slow side. Men are remain­ ing aboard most of the incoming ships because of conditions. In view of this situation, it is inadvisable for men to come to Baltimore hoping to ship out in a hurry. There are enough men on tap to fill any of our im­ mediate needs. We'll keep the membership informed through the LOG, and as soon as there is an upswing you'll read about it. Several of the port arrivals dtning the past two weeks were in-transits. There were a few Waterman, Bull and Isthmian ships that came in here to load up. One of the payoff beefs we had was on the Robin Gray. It involved the black gang and it should serve to emphasize a point. For some reason, a great­ er proportion of beefs in this port lately are in the engine department. SAVANNAH —In-transit ships ships were responsible for most of this port's activity during the past two weeks, but we're look­ ing forward to a slight improve­ ment in Shipping. We expect to put a new crew on the William Carruth the lat­ ter part of next week. She's in drydock at the moment. Payoffs .are scheduled for the SS South­ land and the SS Southport on Monday and Tuesday of this. week. The imtransit ships were the Steel Surveyor and Steel Fab­ ricator, Isthmian; Monroe Vic­ tory, Waterman; Cape Race, South Atlantic, and Jean, Bull Line. There were no beefs on these vessels. SUBSTITUTE READ AGREEME^ITS The Jean, by the way, is taking the place of the Dorothy for a couple of trips. That about covers the shipping side of the Savannah picture. Brother James Maxwell, who was injured the other night when his car overturned, is still under the doctor's care and all hands are wishing him a speedy re­ covery. The damage to Max­ well's car is estimated at 800 smackeroos. A couple of the local lads went to Galveston recently to ship. They stayed only long enough to look things over, then doubled right back. Seafarers in the local Marine Hospital this week are R. M. Guthrie, E. E. Stuart, W. L. Smith, C. A. Ezell and R. Pierce. The rains came aplenty during the past week, but for nought as far as we're concerned—it's still hot as Hades. Our observation is that the men in this department are not fully familiar with the agree­ ment between the Union and the particular company for which By TED ANDRYSIAK they are sailing. Therefore, we strongly advise all hands to read their agree­ ments closely. Just make sure that the agreement you're read­ By E. B. TILLEY We had our first Cities Serv­ forced to pay dues to the phony ing covers the company whose ice ship in this port since I've Citco, the company union we WILMINGTON — A couple of been out here. ship you happen to be on. know as CTMA. Isthmian vessels paid off in this Copies of our contracts are I find the brass on these ships If anybody fails to pay up available in all Union Halls, and port last week and "four ships are stiU up to 'their old tricks. immediately, he gets the gate the name of each company ap­ called on in-transit status. As soon as the men get a draw at once and is marked as being pear clearly at the top of each The payoffs were the SS Steel from the Old Man they are a imion man—a real Union man. one. The black gang men should Ranger, an intercoastal job, and • take special notice of this sug­ the SS Thomas Sims Lee, in from the Persian Gulf. Both paid gestion. No sensible seaman will deny in good SrU style. that the SIU has made its A full crew went aboard the By BEN LAWSON ship stops over in Nova Scotia. hounds and performers are prac­ membership the best represented, Lee for the return trip to the Paul Norton and Lex Fanjoy, tically non-existent up here. best informed and best paid sea­ Persian Gulf. The in-transit call­ BOSTON — Even shipping seldom seen around here, are Occasionally, a Brother will men in the world. The Union is ers were the Steel Age, Isthmian; talk was pushed aside, as, this looking for a long voyage. John­ pop in showing signs of having striving to keep up that record, Yorkmar, Calmar; Fairhope, Wa­ port sweltered in a recent heat ny Gala will take a trip any­ a bit too much under his belt. but it must have the means to terman, and the Queens Victory. wave during the past two weeks. where. E. Graham, whose baking But he doesn't linger. Just a The. mercury touched 101 de­ do so. Here's how things look for the grees just as v/e convened for is tops, just came off the baux­ jolly hello and he's gone. The membership won't stand for any ite run,. rest of the month: HELP YOURSELF our first August meeting, and We'd like to mention that gasoffbase stuff. On August 17 we have the all hands were plenty pooped. That's ,why it is necessary to William Tilghman coming in to vote yes on the referendum on payoff after a Persian Gulf voy­ Just to make matters more disagreeable, the humidity went the General Fund assessment. age. She'll crew up here. The income of the Union has On August 22, the Thomas way up, top, and we were be­ " fallen off because of the drop Cresap is scheduled to payoff, ginning to wonder if we'd ever ilipiliiiiiipiilii in shipping. It's simple to see then sign on for the Persian see the end of this blast-furnace _ weather. that, unless our General Fund Gulf run. You couldn't exactly Blame is strengthened, the Union can­ The Zane Grey, which makes not long maintain every one of the same run, wiU arrive on ships for not coming in here the services it now offers. August 26, when she will pay­ during the almost overwhelming A "yes" vote on the ballot off and sign on a crew for an­ heat. Maybe that's why Boston wasn't much of a payoff port. - will insure your security by giv­ other voyage. Most of our activity was con­ ing the Union the needed means However, the forecast is not fined to calling on ships in tran­ to continue the fight in your be­ always so bright. It just hap­ sit. V half. pens this time that four of the Well, Brothers', the Port of five ships that make the run Among these were the Canton Baltimore regrets to announce regularly are coming in almost Victory, Waterman; Kenyon Vic­ tory, Isthmian; The Cabins, The that a real friend of the seamen at the same time. here will be lost to us. Dr. Wil­ Thereafter, things will prob­ Cabins Company, Inc.; Steel Sea­ son of the Baltimore Marine ably slow down a bit. And we farer, and the Steel Executive, Hospital will soon be leaving his might add that there are enough Isthmian. post here, and all hands sure men on the beach here to take All were in pretty good shape, will miss him. care of whatever needs we may except for the Steel Seafarer, which carried some overtime He has always gone out of have in filling jobs. his way to offer a helping hand Don't forget that we are vot­ beefs. They will be settled at and" provide first-class treat­ ing on the General Fund assess­ the port of payoff. ment for ailing seamen. In fact, ment. It is your duty as a good ALL 'FORE' IT that has been true of the entire Union man to cast your vote. Big social note of the moment This quintet of Seafarers, crewmembers aboard the SS staff of the hospital. Yarmouth, make the rounds of the Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Your own security is involved, is that all hands aboard the SS We all want to wish Dr. Wil­ so why not get on down to the Yarmouth have gone in for golf golf course every time the summer cruise ship hits the son/the best of luck in taking up Hall and vote "yes?" From the in a big way. Mike Buckley and northern port. Kneeling, left to right, are Tom Fleming, Bob his duties elsewhere. Wherever \yay the boys out here are talk- Donald Hodge, both watchmen Waehler and Stan Cuslak. Standing; McKenna and Phil he does go, seamen will be meet­ ing, it seems that this port will j on the Yarmouth, are serving as Graduzzi. Brother Waehler interested his shipmates in the ing a friend. go aU-out for the assessment. 1 caddies for the crew while the 'game and they've taken to it like ducks to water. Pipe-Line Run Liberties Hit Wilmington Boston Hot? Suits 'Em To A Tee—In Yarmouth Illlljjip �Friday. August 19, 1949 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Fire The SS Puerto Rico Steps Off Proudly NEW YORK, Aug. 18—The trim, new Bull Lines passenger ship Puerto Rico today sailed proudly from Brooklyn's Pier 22 on her maiden voyage to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. There was every indication that the initial run would be a huge success. Since the vessel's arrival in New York from the Maryland Drydocks several weeks ago, the Puerto Rico's crack, 120-man Seafarers crew had been hard at work readying the liner for service. With the preliminary job over, the complement of SIU rrien aboard was determined to prove that passenger ships under Seafarers contracts would provide service" equal to, if not better than, any in the world. The 7,114-gross-ton liner, which has 199 first-class accommodations, will maintain a regular service, leaving New York every second Thursday for the three and onehalf day voyage to San Juan, arriving there Monday and leaving the following day for Ciudad Trujillo. Holding down the Stewardesses' posts on the proud Bull Lines vessel are Hilda Revesz (left) and Eva Castleberry, shown here on the stairway from the main deck. Chief Baker C. Voss (left) and Chef W. J. Reedy, photo­ graphed in the ship's streamlined gaJley, know full well that well-fed passengers are a first-rate advertisement. 4. 4. i Like everything else on the trim passenger ship, the pan­ try is a shining example of cleanliness and competence. Here are some of the lads as they were preparing crisp salads that will make the Puerto Rico's food something passengers will enjoy remem­ bering. From left to right are Marty Badger, Pantryman; Dan Malenfant. Chief Pantryman; Ed Adamko, Second Cook; Walter Patterson and Joe Demuth, Pantrymen. 4 4 4 4 4 4 In photo left are some of the Black Gang who are respon­ sible for the precision func­ tioning of the Puerto Rico's engine room. From left to right: Fred Barthes, Electri­ cian; John Van Dyke, Oiler; Ed SauL Wiper; Francis Pannette. Utility; Tony Salorio, Second Engineer; Danny Morin, Danny Haire and E. McCambridge. Seated is Victor Gustafson, Watertender. PHOTO RIGHT—Despite the load of wire he's toting up engine room Jadder, Charles Duncan (Wiper) is all smiles —probably because he's satis­ fied -that all's well on the Puerto Rico. 4 4 4^ • Spic and span and ready to help give the finest shipboard service available anywhere are the Puerto Rico's bellboys Joe Kotalik (front) and Richard Miller. Both are old hands at the job. �Page Six THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday. Auguai 19. 1949 SHIPS' MINUTES AND NEWS Deck Gang Man Killed In Accident Aboard SS Edith At Galveston Pier ON THE VOYAGE TO GREECE Charles E. Scott, 19-year-old Seafarer, was killed aboard die SS Edith, Bull Lines, in Galveston on July 14, when a winch cable snapped and struck him on the side of the head, the LOG has been informed. The Edith was being worked at Pier 35 at the time of the accident. * Scott was rushed to St. Mary's hospital but was pronounced > dead on arrival. Brother Scott, an OS, was working near the Edith's No. 2 hatch when the fatal accident occured. Galveston police report­ ed that as the hatch cover was being lowered into place a pin slipped from the winch. The Edith's Deck Delegate said that Navarackas was lower­ ing No. 3 lifeboat into the stream when a faulty releasing gear caused him to plunge into the water and drown. On May 21 last, the Edith had another shipboard accident while hatch covers were being lower­ ed at Port Sulphur, La,, Mazur said. '. CABLE SNAPPED The heavy hatch cover fell free, then snapped the cable, which came down on Scott's head, the police said. The Coast Guard called a hear­ ing on the afternoon of the ac­ cident at which all witnesses testified. A. P. Mazur, the Edith's Deck Delegate told the LOG that the results of the hearing CHARLES E. SCOTT had not yet been disclosed. Brother Mazur said that Scott's gard for the young Seafarer, a death shocked his shipmates, native of New York City. all of whom had the highest re TOUGH-LUCK In reporting the accHent to As the LOG went to press, the LOG, Brother Mazur said the following message from that the Edith had been having the family of Charles E. a run of tough luck. He recall­ Scott, addressed to his ship­ ed that crewmember Stanley mates. was received at Union Navarackas lost his life about a year ago in a mishap in the Headquarters: Mississippi River. "It is with a feeling of very deep and lasting grati­ tude that the bereaved family of your late shipmate. Charles E. Scott, wish to acknowledge your warm of­ STEEL APPRENTICE. May 9 ferings of sincere sympathy — Charles Loesch. Chairman; and financial aid. May God Henry M. Murranks^ Secretary. bless you and grimt you AU hands are to try to keep safe journeys in the future. unauthorized persons out of mid­ "Gratefully yours in his ship housing. Water coolers are to be repaired; cooler in passage­ memory." way to be turned off while ship SETS FIRE A topping lift parted, throw­ ing off sparks that caused a large flash fire on deck and smoldering fires in the No. 4 and No. 5 hatches. Mazur said that it took two hours of in­ tense effort to extinguish the fires but that no one had been hurt. Of the accident in which Brother Scott lost his life, Ma­ zur said: "At this time we (Edith crew) would like to commend the Port Agent and Patrolman of the Port of Galveston for their prompt cooperation and assist­ ance, which they immediately gave after this accident." Brother Scott is survived by his mother, Mrs. W. Scott of 173 East 122 Street, New York City. t Deck Gang of Waterman's Ponce de Leon assembles on deck for photo by shipmate Larry Kretzel. Standing, left to right: Frank Knight. Touchon. Janicke. "Mac" McCormack. Hansen. Eddie Fields and Uno. Kneeling, left.to right: Andrew Hemphill. Little. McGowan. Jones and Bob Humphrey. Brother Humphrey submitted the photo. SIU Crew Hailed As Model By Passenger On SS Harry T The model job performed by the SIU crew of the SS Harry T, Mar-Trade, drew glowing praise from a passenger aboard the ship on the recent voyage to Europe. ~ ~~ * The passenger. Father Will­ iam J. Gordon, professor of labor economics at Villanova College, in a letter to Union Headquar­ Union activities were discussed ters declared: for the benefit of new members. "Personally, 1 think that the labor-relations pattern aboard this vessel could easily serve as a model for all of our merchant ships." Digested Minutes Of SlU Ship Meetings FLEEING COMMUNIST RULE After four days on the Adriatic sea, four Yugoslavia refugees who fled from the communist-controlled country, were picked up by the Venice-bound SS Gateway City. The anti-communists were left at a rehabilitation camp in the city, according to crewmember Bill Zarkas. Photo above shows -the Yugoslavs pulling alongside the Waterman ship, whose ladder has already been lowered. is in port. Delegates gave their reports. William Glick was elec­ ted Ship's Delegate. He will see Mate about changing the clock in the messroom. One minute of silence observed in memory of Brothers lost at sea. STRICT REPRESENTATION X ii, ^ Father Gordon added that "the EDITH. May 22—R. H. NicholCaptain is very pleased with the XXX son. Chairman: Louis Rizzo. Sec­ way things are going even retary. Department delegates CAPE MOHICAN. May 8 — though Ray Pulliam (Ship's Del­ made their reports. Deck Dele­ McHale. Chairman; R. Sirois. egate) holds back no punches in gate bringing up beef about Secretary. No beefs. in any of defending the rights of the men launch service. During discussion the departments, except for oneunder the agreement. Frankly, on launch service Engine Dele­ half hour of overtime disputed have been very pleasantly sur­ gate revealed that he had tried in Engine Department. Motion 1 prised." to make some satisfactory ar­ by O'Malley. seconded by Graf, While he had nothing but com­ rangements but had had no luck, recommending that crew be sup­ mendation for the entire crew. as the Sheriff prohibits the boats plied with cots, bedsprings and Father Gordon specifically men­ mattresses-and that same be in­ from coming out of the anchor­ tioned Pulliam and George Bry­ cluded as a major item on the age: Motion carried to turn in an, the Harry T's Steward. He repair list. Motion by Cinlron. stand-by overtime to Patrolman. said that Pulliam was "very cap­ seconded by O'Malley. carried Members found explanation given by Brother whose conduct recommending that if agreeable able," and very well-liked by the was criticized to be unsatisfac­ to crew, that cold supper be officers as well as the unlicens­ tory. Meeting adjourned at 7:30 served on night before payoff ed men. PM after one minute of silence night in order to give Stewards Of Brother Bryan, the Rever­ in memory of departed Brothers. Department opportunity to get end said, "he is the most hos­ finished early. Motion carried to pitable man 1 have ever met." placeTock on cleaning gear lock­ LIKED SIU MEETING er, with one key to be given Father Gordon also said that to each department. he attended a shipboard meeting, X X which he thought was ably con­ ROBIN GOODFELLOW. April SEATRAIN TEXAS. May 14— ducted. 20 — Bernard Macey. Chairman; Tom Plunkeil. ^ Chairman; L. The Villanova professor wrote Mike Zelonka. Secretary. Dele­ Willis, Secretary. Ship's Dele­ that "if the rest of the trip in gates reported no beefs. New gate reported that all repairs had Europe is as pleasant as the voy­ Business: Motion carried to have been made. Aside from three age across, 1 will be very happy, no one discharged if person was hours of disputed overtime in indeed." loggpd and have Patrolman Deck Department, there were no He concluded his letter to the check log book. Motion carried beefs. Motion carried calling for SIU by expressing his "best to have Patrolman investigate a vote of confidence in the Ship's wishes for the success of your the reason men have been forced Delegate, H. O. Tennant. Re- efforts in behalf of our mer­ to pay for penicillin. Education: chant seamen." (Cqnthrued on Page 7) �Friday. August 19* 1949 THE SEAFARERS LOG Digested Minutes Of SlU Ship Meetings (Continued from Page 6) quested that a new potato locker be procured and that lower^decks be cleaned. The toaster In the saloon is to be repaired. Recom­ mended that everyone make a contribirtion to the Steward at payoff, all proceeds to be sent to the Marine Hospital at Fort Stanton, N. M. Beefs are to be brought up at meeting and not elsewhere. MALDEN VICTORY. May 29— Campbell. Chairman; Burke. Sec­ retary. Ship's Delegate McCulloch reported that he had wired proceeds of collection to Brother Young in Seattle Marine Hospit­ al, where he is being treated for injuries suffered ashore while a member of crew. McCullbch showed receipt for the money. Chief Electrician was given note of thanks for buying and show­ ing motion pictures to crew. ried to have fresh water pipe extended from laundry to out­ side deck via the bulkhead for use of longshoremen. This was recommended in order to keep unauthorized persons out of pas­ sageways and vicinity of crews foc'sles. 4 4. 4 CAPE NOME. May 15 —Fred Shaia. Chairman; James Boyles. Secretary. Some disputed over­ time in Engine and Deck Depart­ ments, no beefs in Stewards. Mo­ tion by Shaia seconded and car­ ried that any speaker offering motion have his name and book number recorded in the minutes. Motion by Smith, seconded by Fricks. that stores be checked by Patrolman before the signon. Men are to soak clothes in buckets and not in laundry room sinks. Ship's Delegate is to see Port Steward about De­ partment heads receiving enough supplies for their men. Page Seven £11/14 PROTECT YOUR BOOK! AvaLlal>ie atall AeG Brai^cKKall^ dBor $l.5o Ba^amonleatherdObldets. slopchest is opened. On next voyage, recreation room is to be used for card playing, insted of the messroom. Steward is to call for new books for library; old books to be returned to recre ation room upon arrival in port " 4. 4. i PORTMAR. May 29 — Bill Hendershot. Chairman; Max Beck. Secrelary. Motion carried that no one is to sign off unt STEEL. KING, May 22—Earl all overtime has been checked Young. Chairman; Gene Flowers. by boarding Patrolman. Dele Secretary. Gene Flowers elected gates, reported all okay. A three Ship's Delegate. Deck Delegate man committee was elected to Tannehill reported overtime dis­ look into matter of buying wash puted in his department. Under ing machine for crew's use. A1 Education, he discussed the Anderson discussed situation on things the Union stands for and 4 4 4 By HANK the Great Lakes and recom advised all hands to read Union SEATRAIN NEW ORLE.' :JS. mended that some men try to literature brought aboard ship While there's great unemployment for American seamen get up there so there won't be June 4 — Brown, Chairman; Ca­ from the Hall. and thousands of ships laying idle in bone-yards, the Pana­ pote. Secretary. McKay elected any shortage of SIU men for manian merchant fleet is the fourth largest in the world— the ships. One minute of silence Ship's Delegate. Deck Delegate with 600 to 800 ships. In fact, a New York steamship company reported one beef pending; none in memory of departed Brothers, operates 41 ships. The sooner these "runaway" ships axe back in other departments. Suggested 4. 4. in the American merchant marine the better—for our seamen PETROLITE. June 1—Frank that coat hangars be obtained ...There sure are a lot of Seafarers in town with mustaches. for ship. Delegates to» make up Livingston. Chairman; Robert E. One of them is Charlie Bush—who sailed in three weeks ago repair lists now that ship is Bishop. Secretary. Repair list re ...And this week there was Brother Crowley who raised his going into drydock. Crew is not ferred to Ship's Delegate. Mo mustache after a voyage on the Robin Trent... Brother "Wally" to leave clothes boiling in the tion carried that recreation room laundry buckets. One minute o: Wallace says favorite bars for SIU brothers are the Penguin ^ be taken care of by all depart­ Bar in Lorenco Marques, Southeast Africa emd the Ambassador CITY OF ALMA. May 26 — ments, starting this week with silence for departed Brothers. Bar in Rotterdcun, Holland... Steward Harold Peeler is prob­ Joseph Felton. Chairman; C. Wil­ the Engine gang. Suggested that SEATRAIN NEW JERSEY. ably still in town...To Bill Gray. Ship's Delegate aboard the son. Secretary. Deck Delegate re­ schedule be worked out to per­ Seatrain New Jersey—a bundle of LOGs for Seatrain men ported that disputed overtime mit all departments to use wash­ May 23 — John Jellette. Chair­ will be available in John's Bar over in Edgewater. New Jersey. had been settled by Patrolman. ing machine at regular time so man; W. Connor. Secretary. Dry Motions carried: to wire port that there will be no confusion cleaning man had pass taken 4 4 4 Happy birthday to Percy Boy- of the bauxite run. In "Amuay ahead and have Patrolman meet It was noted that most repairs away from him in New Jersey. ship upon arrival; that anyone had been done at the shipyarc Motions carried: That Ship's er, the humorist of New Orleans, Bay. Venezuela, where American performing on ship to be brought and by ship's personnel. Remain­ Delegate speak to Patrolman who is now aboard the Isthmian beer sells for two boli^ ^ vars (which is sixty cents in up on charges. Suggested that ing items are to be shipped to about having 4 to 8 lockers in Engine * Department's foc'sles scow, steel Advocate. Percy has Americano currency) he met anfood left over after meals be Baton Rouge by the company. ports and hasn't other electrician, Ed Larkin, moved; that Ship's Delegate see been in five left in the pantry. One minute Chief Mate about having poop navigated ashore yet. No doubt who's been working ashore. Broof silence in memory of depart­ deck washed down once a day; he'll take some last-minute bear- ther Johnston is due in New ed Brothers. that Ship's Delegate speak to ings and celebrate his birthday York around October time . . . 4. t t Patrolman about men missing on August 28 when the ship sails Speaking of New Orleans, BroOREMAR. May 24—C. Parker. ship. Chief Mate agreed to have from Calcutta... From New Or- ther Jack Parker is now aboard Chairmem; W. J. Fogarty. Sec­ poop deck washed as requested. leans we have word from Bro- a ship in La Guaira, Venezuela, retary. Delegates reported that ther James Johnston, Chief Elec- and Brother Thomas "Rocky" all was running smooth in three 4 4 4 EDITH. May 22—R. H. Nichol­ trician on the Alcoa Ranger for Benson is aboard the SS Del departments. Charles Omahundru son. Chairman; Louis Rizzo. Sec­ two trips, that he's slightly tired Santos now in Rio de Janeiro. elected Ship's Delegate. Motion retary. One beef in Deck Depart­ carried to have Patrolman an­ 4; 4. 4 4 4 4 We hear from Bill Rowe, here in New York, that Brother FAIRLAND. May 15 — Ralph ment about launch service. This nounce over loud speaker in the Bill Chapman may still be in the New Orleans Marine hospi­ Hall that permit men ride with DePaolo. Chairman; Frank Har­ beef was discussed thoroughly; tal. Speedy recovery. Bill...Roy Grundner and Ziggy Wydra him to the docks to take jobs per. Secretary. After delegates Engine Delegate tried to make are two of the many Seafarers aboard the SS Puerto Rico... in case there are any pier head reports, a motion carried rec- arrangements for service but had Leo Siarkowski, in New York now after his Waterman scow jumps. This will prevent non­ commending that matter of food no success. He found out that was bone-yarded, is waiting for his shipmate, Ozzie Okray, union men from getting the jobs. supplies be taken up with New Sheriff prohibited boats from due in soon from his homesteading ship the Algonquin Vic­ York Patrolman unless requis- coming out to the anchorage. Mo­ tory ... Seafarers Birth Department—Congratulations to Mr. & tions are filled more accurately. tion carried to turn standby Mrs. Leo Feher of Weehawken, New Jersey. They are the Port Steward has been swinging overtime over to Patrolman for heavy red pencil. Motion carried settlement. One minute of siproud mom and pop of a boy weighing 7 lbs. 8 ounces... to check slopchest and list to be ence in memory of our departed There are probably a lot of brothers who are laughing at the turned over to Patrolman to Brothers. sight of the ship—which looked like a short stool—which was 4- 4i 4. make sure it is more adequately pictured in the newspapers recently. The inventor of this 4 4 4 SOUTHSTAR. May 29 — Hay ^ stocked for essential items. Ship's ROBIN TRENT. May 29 —F. sea-going stool claims his twin-hulled vessel can revolutionize Queen. Chairman; W. J. Walsh. Delegate Fred Travis. Electric- Gorenflo, Chairman; Pat Murphy, ocean travel for passengers because it has no roll at high Secretary. Ship's Delegate Ray ian, wished it to be stated in Secretary. Motion carried sug­ speed. Well, that's what he says, anyway. Queen. Deck Delegate E. H. Den- the record that this crew is 100 gesting that ship's office be con­ 4 4 4 chy and Engine Delegate J. Ter- percent SIU. He added that it verted into quarters for Bosun The SEAFARER'S LOG will Clement llospedales is all ready raciano reported no beefs. Stew­ had been a great pleasure to and Carpenter, as their present be sailing free of cost to the to turn to shipping out with his ards Delegate C. Gilbert stated represent the boys because of quarters are in bad condition. homes of the following brothers: mustache after doing some vaca­ that two hours daily is to be their good fellowship and spirit Motion carried calling for meettioning ... Brothers, the voting is paid to Second Cook for break­ of cooperation. mg with Patrolman before pay­ Charles Albury of" New York, still going on for the new assess­ ing out meals and" doing all off to discuss needed repairs and William Barne of Alabama, Jack ment which would immediately 4. 4. 4. heavy work for Chief Cook, who ROBIN WENTLEY. June 5 — things in general. Captain was Allen of Alabama, Glen Bene- strengthen the Union and various has been placed on light duty Stanley G o n d z e r. Chairman; consulted about a spare room field of Florida, Clement Brunet organizational and educational by US Army doctor in Trieste. Ricky Molika. Secretary. All re­ for ironing facilities. He said of Louisiana, Joe Morgan of programs. It's your right to vote Messman is to appear before pairs listed during last trip were be had to gpt approval from the j North Carolina, James Pugh of and to vote right for the SIU ... trial committee before shipping taken care of. Except for dis­ office. This matter to be taken Louisiana ... Brother Jack Green­ Brothers, keep your jobs ship­ for missing ship in Genoa, in- puted overtime in Engine Die- up with the Patrolman. Ship's haw, the oldtimer, is in town, shape aboard ship. Protect your ciurring loss of wages for one partment delegates had no beefs unds are to be used to have j after some hospitalization. "Rope- agreement by doing the jobs the man 'because no replacement to report. Motion carried to have washing machine repaired. Leo yarn" Jack says he'll probably SlU-way—the right way. Hold was required. Notice is to be ship fumigated; previous job 'igg volunteered to take care do some homesteading on one of those meetings — and keep the posted at least six hours before was imsatisfacfory. Motion car­ of the ship's library. i the Seatrain scows . . . Brother ships clean and happy. attd-IdeiatiCiicatwaW'£oldeAr, tuitlv -the SJU tcheeX otv the CdVCr, (AJUI fegf ^four IwK a3i«^ iVt Coti3iition-. CUT and RUN �Page Eight THE SEAFARERS Friday. August 19. 1949 LOG Penmar Survivor Says He Lost Out When Spirits Were Unveiled In Raft BETTER WATCH YOUR STEP, BROTHERS I 1^ ^, / f . a me it was a tongue-swallowing when, in his brief statement to ordeal. -It was strictly a bum go the LOG, he attempted to de­ Shipping being what it is, from the start, for the Penmar, scribe the crowded condition of - felt that the next few,weeks I'd after leaving Halifax had to be the life boat and the two rafts. have to be on the beach would turned back because of her in­ (The ones who had lifesuits took be well-spent by my entering ability to hold her speed in a turns on them with the others, the dry-dock for a repair job. seven-knot convoy. Luck rode for a good sea was still running So here I am in the New Or­ with us into Halifax for we were and everyone on the raft was leans Marine Hospital. unescorted but made it to later assured of being continually wet.) With one week already behind join a five-knot convoy. The two rafts were lashed to­ me here and with . about three Things ran smoothly and then gether, then a line was attached more to go, I truthfully want to the subs started to work the froih one of them to a lifeboat say that nowhere have I been convoy over, sinking a ship here to make sure we all remained in treated more thoughtfully or and one there. Then we ran into one group. When my turn came considerately by everyone from a beauty of a North Atlantic to relieve a man on a raft, orderlies on up. I strongly rec­ storm that smashed to pieces one was glad of the change. At least ommend the New Orleans Ma­ of our two lifeboats. And to top on the raft you could stretch rine Hospital to anyone who it off, we lost our convoy. The out fuU length. There were about plans on entering a drydock. storm smashed into the aft deck 50 men in the boat, which was While out on pass the other quarters and into the aft below buUt for about half that many, day I stopped at the Hall to deck quarters and caused us to reminding me of the subway see who was in town and I lose most of our gear, including rush in New York. picked up copies of the LOG the rubber suits. DARK SECRET Playing piraies? No, these uncomfortable lads are just to read on my return to the But one thing I hadn't known pollywogs awaiting the initiation that will make shellbacks DOWN THE DRAIN hospital. On reading that night The seas also kicked into our about was Brother Zielinski's out of them in ceremony held aboard the Del Sud, as the I noticed several articles of in­ storerooms and on coming out bottle of gin. If I had known Mississippi cruise ship crossed the Equator on a recent trip. terest. into the alleyways they brought about it, I surely wouldn't have Photo was submitted by Paul Fernandez. RECALLS RUGGED DAYS macaroni, bread, etc., along to cussed him out for being so The first was in "Here's What plug the scuppers to add to our heavy. I Think" on page 5 of the June woes. We ate one cooked meal At any rate, after being 10 issue, in which the question in two days because the incoming heroes in dungarees" for three was "What incident gave you seas broke through the skylight days, the Coast Guard cutter Bibb fished us out of the drink. We the greatest thrill of your sea­ and knocked out our galley. later wanted to kick up a fund Then one afternoon our naval going career?" to pay back for the gear the Brothel Benno Zielinski, Deck gun crew fought off a surface Coast Guardsmen furnished us, Engineer, stated his as the tor­ sub attack. One gun crewman CHARLES A. FLETCHER ANTHONY ADNRIOLA but this was nixed as "out of pedoing and sinking of the SS was swept overboard and lost, order." They were a good bunch. Penmar, Calmar. Brother Ziel- despite the fact that we turned Contact Herbert P. Sklar, 262 Get in touch with Mrs. Jo­ sinski niay or may not remem­ back and threw dunnage over­ We did have a plaque made to Washington St., Boston, Mass. hanna Fletcher, 10 Miner St.,. ber one of the two Oilers who board, hoping to give the man secure to the bulkhead of the Hudson, Pa. Si 4. were in the same lifeboat with something to float on if he found Bibb. THOMAS V. DRZEWICKI 4 4 4 him when it hit the water after it. This happened in the middle It's too bad some of the mar­ EDDIE DEVLIN the ship was struck by the "tin of a steering control breakdown. tinets in shoreside CG' jobs are Get in touch with Local Board stiU trying to police the mer­ No. 4, 901 West 8th St., Wilming­ Otto McLean of 2404 Deers (Nice, huh?) fish." St., New Orleans, La., would We got underway again and chant marine instead of trying ton, Delaware. I haven't seen him since, but like to know your address. I'd sure like to. I ran into the when I went on watch at 8 PM to use their dubious talents to t t 4 JAMES J. GORMAN 4 4 4 Bosun of the same ship about I went below very sadly. Those help it out in the same man­ EDWARD RYDON three years ago in France, and men not on watch were sitting ner as did the crew and officers Write your mother at 2147 the First Mate at the Battery in in the messroom betting on what of the Bibb. Get in touch with your broth­ 33rd Street, Astoria, N. Y. Later the Army took us under New York two years later. Also time we would get hit by a "tin er, Fred, at 361 West 22 St., 4 4 4 "Cut and Run Hank," who was fish." (The Bosun won. He said their wing in a camp in Iceland, New York City. GEORGE RAY BROWN 10 PM. We got it about 9:50 PM.) where we spent another two also with us. 4 4 4 Brother Zielinski may put the Brother Zielinski surely made weeks. The two weeks more Get in touch with John DreiFRANK PASCHANG experience as a big thriU, but to a masterpiece of understatement aboard the old Seminole. Still sch, 1175 Evergreen Ave., Bronx two weeks after that we payed 59, N.Y. Your radio filter has been sent off in New York. to your home by George Leide4 4 4 ON DECK OF THE STEEL ADVOCATE Paul T. Cassidy mann. LEO J. WHITE To the Editor; ."S;i MARINE WOWS BUDDIES WITH SIU'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS These Seafarers aboard the Isthmian scow certainly look contented, if the smiles mean anything. In front row. left to right; M. T. Coffman, AB; F. Bona, OS; B. Smith, Bosun; F. Alusson, Dk. Maint.; J. A. MacKenzzie, AB: L. Dixon. Rear row: T. Snow, OS; R. Comstock, AB; T. Patton, AB; N. Mamat, AB; Third Cook, end T. Madias, Dk. Maint. Ship's Delegate MaoKenzie sent photo to LOG. To the Editor: Just a few lines to let you know that I enjoy the LOG very much. I've just returned from Guam after an eight-month stay, and in all my seagoing career I've never hit a port as dead as that one. I'm looking forward to the day when I can go back to sea with the SIU. I have my whole outfit inter­ ested in the SIU and they can't believe our Union has done so much for the men in maritime. I would appreciate it if you would send me a copy of the agreement so I can prove that what I tell them is so on SIUcontracted ships. I'd like to hear from old ship­ mates. Write me at Maint. Co., 1st Prov. CSG, Daggett Annex, Barstow, Calif. PFC O. L. Richardson, USMC Serial No. 1087532 Please get in touch with your wife, care of Mrs. Helen Banach, 296 Harding St., Worcester 4, Mass. 4 4 4 CHARLES E. DEMERS Get in touch with your wife immediately. She says that it is JAMES E. ROSE, AB urgent. Address is 25 Hecla St., - SS Sieel Artisan Dorchester, Mass. 4 4 4 The Isthmi^ Steamship Com- . JAMES F. KANE pany'itrequests that you call at Your mother, Mrs. Mary Kane, their office at 68 Trinity Place, ^ 162 Bolton St., So. Boston 27, New York City. You may have Mass^, asks that you get in some money due. 4 4, 4 touch with her as soon as pos­ OSWALD W. PEDERSON sible. 4 4 4 You may collect $29.22 trans­ JAMES J. GORMAN portation money by calling at Your mother has been wor­ the Actium Steamship Company ried about you and asks that office at 44 Whitehall St., New you please drop her a note at York City. 2147 33rd St., Astoria 5, N.Y. SS TELFAIR STOCKTON 4 4 4 SS ALCOA RUNNER CREW Crew, who paid off in New Crewmembers of this vessel York on Saturday, July 30, has who are owed money by Bill transportation coming. Write to Gonsalves should write to him John M. Carras, Inc., 24 State " Street, New York. . care of the New York Hall. �Friday, August 19, 1949 THE SEAFARERS —AND NOBODY GOT CLIPPED, EITHER LOG Labor, For(;ed Into Political Arena, Can't Duck Challenge, Member Says To the Editor: The deck of the SS Chrysanthysiar resembled a busy Times Square tonsorial parlor during a recent trip when it was discovered that all hands needed their locks trimmed. Here are a couple of crewmen being prettied up in photo by Luis Ramirez. FWT. Year On Ship Ripens A Man For Vacation lilllll WW''''"''' mmm To the Editor: Even though I have a wife and five papooses I put my crossmark on rule No. 1, when we had a referendum last spring on the question of the transportation yule. (Rule No. 1 was the one for­ merly in effect which required that where transportation was due a crew, all hands must ac­ cept it and get off the ship. Rule No. 2, which was adopted in the referendum last fall and which is now in effect, made acceptance of transportation money optional. If a crewmember accepts it, he must get off the ship and have a re­ placement sent from the Hall. Those who do not accept the transportation money may Stay on board. —Ed. Note) Now let's do something about homesteaders. After a man has put in a year on a ship, let him take his vacation pay and get off and give his Brothers in ]the SIU a break. GOOD FOR ALL It will do us all good. After toe year, a man should be A guy didn't have to go shaggy on the Raphael Semmes either, as this shot of Ralph Padilla in the barber's chair shows. Brother Nick Coratti did the shearing. ready to take his vacation money and make an opening for some­ one else. He certainly should have accumulated some money by then. I have a wife and five kids and I've had three vacations dur­ ing the past year due to the old transportation rule. But I'm not kicking. If only we can get these homesteaders to take a vaca­ tion before they die of old age on these steady run ships. I'd like to see some letters from SIU Brothers on the homesteading question. Jesse (Cherokee) Joy I was thoroughly aroused by Brother Raymond's article in the June 10 issue of the LOG. It was both timely and tactful. And it brought to mind the par­ allel between the SIU and the United States just before the na­ tion entered World War II, end­ ing a policy of theoretic isolation but all the time being drawn in­ to the larger waters of external activity by the strong tide of circumstances. We can no more forego poli­ tical action today than we. can our fight for wages and condi­ tions, so inextricably are the two entwined. Even if we had a free choice in the matter, the dye would be cast for participation on the ground of principle. We as working men have been struck a low blow and should retaliate by fighting it out with our political foes in every mu­ nicipal, state and national elec­ tion to be held. Did not Taft and Hartley by a negative pro­ cess push our union and other unions into the political arena' when they insisted on officials swearing they were not mem­ bers of the communist party? CLOSED SHOP OUT Did they not invade the sanc­ tity of conscience of each indi­ vidual member when they said we must work with scabs, who would share all of our benefits but none of our obligations (closed shop outlawed); or when they, would compel us to act as strike breakers, possibly to the end of self-destruction, if our members hit the bricks in "a legi­ timate beef (secondary boycotts outlawed)? The implications and insults contained in the law leave us no recourse but action. There­ fore, when the looming battle for the senatorial seat in Florida takes place,, the SIU should ex­ pend every energy to see that our friend, Claude Pepper, is returned the winner over that labor-baiting open-shopper, Tom Watson. But this is only one of the many campaigns to be fought. Up to the last presidential el­ ection, most seamen were poli­ tically passive. With the exten­ sion of the absentee ballot to sailors, however, that situation may change. Certainly, we Sea­ farers must alert ourselves to effective use of the ballot. In these days of rapidly diminish­ ing jobs due to Panamanian reg­ istries, boneyards, a meddling Coast Guard, we must exert every pressure to maintain our present economic status. BIG OPPORTUNITIES We must get our families and friends to support candidates sympathetic with our views. Fac­ ed with peculiar difficulties, but also with immense opportunities, we can become politically as­ sertive and give those views force of law. What better way can we destroy the myth spread by the Peglerian school of prop­ agandists that seamen are sec­ ond-class citizens? It is up to us to weld work­ ing people with separate econ­ omic interests into a cohesive constructive voting unit. We have got to show them that ours is a common cause. When the employers dictated the Taft-Hart­ ley law, they aimed, it at the workers. Try to bring the seem­ ing incompatibles together. For example, join, or get those close to you to join the consumers' cooperative in your neighbor­ hood. By this means some con­ tact may be formed between or­ ganized workers, unorganized small farmers and white collar workers. Together, these three elements could guarantee elec­ tion of any worthy candidate. It should be remembered, how­ ever, that when the Seafarers enter the political field, it is no short-run, short-range proposi­ tion. Victories that are won should be followed up to con­ solidate gains. Too often in the past workers withdrew from poli­ tics once they saw their pro­ grams enacted into law. When enforcement failed to follow, what should have been positive law was reduced to the status of abstract political philosophy. Nevertheless, labor has nc mean record of political achieve­ ment. Its courageous, uphill struggles for reform produced the following: a free press, pub­ lic education, abolition of im­ prisonment for debt, end of con­ vict labor, elimination of prop­ erty qualifications, establishment of the eight-hour day, abolition of the yellow-dog contract, health and safety laws, social security and old age pensions, workihen's compensation and many others. The SIU has evolved to meet new conditions in maritime as Remove Halo And Act Human, McKay Tells '100%ers' To Ihe Editor: ' Quite often, I read about people who are in the habit of hollering about being 100 per­ cent Union, In the first place, if iBome of these people were to take stock of themselves, they might find they rate zero in the ranks of labor. The so-called 100 percent imion man is about as extinct as the dodo bird. As much as the rest of us try to live up to the best principles ,of .unionism, we all slip once in iawhile. Here are a few things for the feo-called 100 percenter to ask himself: Is all the clothing he wears, even to his shoestrings manufactured by organized la­ bor? Were they purchased in a tmion store? Is he sure that the restaurant where he eats em­ ploys 100 percent union help? Was the food that he ate, raised or butchered by union men and women? How about his pet ginmill? Was the barkeep and others strictly union help? How about hs take-home bottle and con­ tents, did he look to see if these were put out by union labor? Chances are no. Every­ thing that this 100 percenter wants is okay. But he thinks we ought to get rid of the poor guy who is only a poor 95 percenter. Now if these same characters are merely referring to the fapt that they are 100 percent SIU and are only interested in doing a good job for the SIU, here are a few things for them to remember: Always boost your union, but not in the ginmills. Help it to expand. Be sure and inform the Page Nine men who sail unorganized ships just what the SIU can do for them. Help your organizers to organize. Don't stick' your ship­ mates for money or standing watches. Work and live up to the Union contract. Keep your name out of the log book and away from the Coast Guard. Oh yes, Mr. 100 percent, I have watched your kind in the more than 30 years that I have packed a Union book and I'm still looking for the 100 percent man, except, of course, where he exists in the minds of the so-called super militant, who usually turns out to be a mem­ ber of some other group or un­ ion. And generally his only aim is that of seeking to destroy the uhion which is able to secure for him decent wages and living conditions. Don't forget, that we as sea­ men have the natural failings as all other people in every walk of life. We try to correct the things that need correcting. We try to give our Union and every­ thing we have to help it carry on in the fight for a decent life for us all. Let me say in conclusion that no part of this article is aimed at any particular person. Merely at that small group that are supposedly 100 percent in every­ thing they do. Fortunately, those who are always critical of their shipmates and fellow union mem­ bers are only a very small minority. To err is but human, of course. But for anyone to think that he is always 100 percent right and that the correct things are only those that concern him personally—well, that stinks. William McKay new conditions developed. The Seafarers are dynamic and vital enough to be dependable for the future. It is not just enough for us to want a strong union, we must want it and work for it intelligently. To vote is not only a privilege, it is an obligation as well. We can use our collective intelli­ gence in many ways to good advantage to benefit our own cause. The public can be edu­ cated to our side through pam­ phlet distributions, door-to-door petitions and stump speeches. Of course, we must take care not to overemphasize these activities to the extent of giving second place to our basic economic job. Everything we do politically should be coordinated with the activities of the AFL Labor's League for' Political Education. We have the potential for a powerful lobby in Washington. This program may seem in­ adequate to some, ambitious to others. I am not concerned with the shape it wiU finally take, as long as we come up with some­ thing concrete. At any rate, whatever course of political ac­ tion we may decide on, it should be (1) a force for con­ structive good; (2) subordinate to our own primary economic purpose, and (3) permanent. Having long since attained our economic majority, we should move on to political maturity. Out of our path, NAM, the SIU's lobby is on its way! John Cole Crews Urged To Get Bound Copies Of Log To Ihe Editor: Bound volumes of the LOG have been available for some time now and many ships have them in their libraries and a considerable number of mem» bers have purchased copies for individual use. However, a large number of these bound volumes still remain on the shelves in Headquarters. This is perhaps due to the fact that ships' delegates have ne­ glected to notify the Patrolman at the payoffs that copies are wanted for the ships' libraries. As a result, crewmembers aboard these vessels have been deprived of the valuable store of information contained in the bound volumes. These bound LOGS are avail­ able in semi-annual editions for the past few years. They are attractively bound in durable covers. The cost per volume is $2.50, which is what the Union paid to have them bound. To get these handy reference books aboard each vessel, it is suggested that the ship's dele­ gates raise a fund, then present an order for the volumes want­ ed to the boarding Patrolman. An official receipt will be is­ sued for the amount received and the volumes ordered wiU be forwarded to the ship.,' Individuals desiring copies of the bound LOGs can obtain them at the fourth floor baggage room of the New Yoi-k Hall, or by writing to the Editor, SEA­ FARERS LOG, 51 Beaver Street, New York 4. N.Y. Freddie Stewart �Page Ten THE SEAFARERS Friday. August ld> 194d LOG Minutes Of A&G Branch Meetings in Brief PHILADELPHIA — Chairman. D. Hall, 43372; Recording Secre­ tary, S. Bergeria, 7142; Reading Clerk, S. White, 38302. Minutes of other Branch meet­ ings read and accepted. Agent reported on shipping in this port. He mentioned that the Steel Flyer is due here on about Au­ gust 17, and that the SS Alexan­ der was paid off in the past week. Motion carried approving decision to sail Steel Flyer from Honolulu, since CIO unions had ignored longshore strike there. Shipping From July 27 To Aug. 10 PORT Boston New York. Philadelphia Baltimore Norfolk Savaimah Tampa. Mobile New Orleans Galveston West Coast GRAND TOTAL REG. DECK REG. ENG. REa STWDS. 15 154 56 109 42 13 11 88 60 80' 13 130 45 108 36 21 8 63 53 67 10 111 31 52 20 13 6 104 70 32 30 26 34 658 570 483 TOTAL REG. 38 395 132 269 98 47 25 255 183 179 90 1,711 SHIPPED DECK 6 78 43 60 40 3 9 107 64 IT 29 45^" SHIPPED SHIPPED ENG. STWDS. 5 73 40 54 31 3 8 97 60 16 23 410 TOTAL SHIPPED 6 67 31 4327 3 9 103 51 14 20 17 218 114 157 98 9 26 307 175 47 72 374 1,240 be excused from the meeting. One minute's silence observed in memory of departed Brothers. Under Good and Welfare, there was broad discussion on the possible ways the Hall could be improved.' Meeting adjourned at 7:40 PM, with 120 members in attendance. 4 4 » MOBILE — Chairman, Louis Neira, 26993; Recording Secre­ tary, James L. Carroll, 50409; Reading Clerk, Harold J. Fischer. 59. Minutes of meetings in other Branches read and accepted. Port Agent Tanner reported on his recent trip to Washington, where he attended the meeting on the Panamanian boycott. He also spoke of the building repairs and reported on the prospect for shipping in the next two weeks. He concluded his report by urging the members to cast their ballots in the current ref­ erendum on the General Fund Palmer, T. M. Griffith and J. C. eral Fund assessment on which accepted as read. Patrolmen and and there was no reason for our Viera took the Union Oath of ballotting is now being conduct­ Dispatcher reported, as did the men to hold the bag for- them. Obligation. Under Good and ed. The Union film, "This Is The Hospital Committee. One minute Secretary-Treasurer's financial Welfare, membership discussed SIU," was shown and was en­ of silence in memory of departed report and Headquarters' report Panamanian boycott and man­ joyed by all hands. Meeting ad­ Brothers. 210 membprs were to the membership read and ac­ ning scale for Isthmian Stew­ journed at 8:25 PM, with 98 present when meeting adjourned cepted. Donald J. Stilley took ards Department. Many men members present. at 8 PM. the Union Oath of Obligation. spoke in favor of adoption of i i 4, Meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM, the General Fund assessment, BALTIMORE — Chairman, A. SAVANNAH —Chairman, Jim with 145 members present. several of them pointing out that Bernstein, 2257; Recording Sec­ Drawdy, 28523; Recording Sec­ 4; the assessment represented only SAN FRANCISCO—Chairman, the price of a round of drinks or retary, G. Maslerson, 20297; retary, L. E. Hodges, 255; Read­ W. McCuislion, 23138; Recording a few hours' entertainment Reading Clerk, A. Stansbury, ing Clerk, Jeff Gillette, 37060. assessment. Motion carried in­ Previous meetings' minutes, structing Agent to get competi­ Secretary, Roy Pierce, 46515; ashore. Meeting adjourned at 4683. tive bids on air-conditioning Reading Clerk, Pat Robertson, 8:45 PM, with 378 members Oath of Obligation was ad­ Secretary-Treasurer's financial ministered to Jim Spencer, John unit for the Hall. Secretaryreport and Headquarters' report 30148. present. Treasurer Hall reported on the A., Whittaker, Leo Stephenson, accepted ' as read. Port Agent Branch minutes read and ap­ S. t- X proved. Acting Agent reported BOSTON—Chairman, M. Nor- A. Lopez and Edward McCor- said that several men had been state of the Union. After Hall's that voting was going ahead ris, 5725; Recording Secretcury, B. mick. Previous meetings' min­ sent to ships calling here in report, which was well received, satisfactorily, with many men Lawson, 894; Reading Clerk, D. utes read and accepted^ Several transit. He said the William Car- the Union film, "This Is The. coming off ships to cast their Sheehan; 22856. men were excused from the ruth is expected to come out of SIU," was shown. Patrolmen's ballots. He said that Brother Minutes of previous meetings meeting by the membership, af­ drydock shortly, and added that and Dispatcher's reports wfere Tilley had notified him that ship­ in other Branches read and ac­ ter presenting valid reasons. Ag­ the Southland and the South- read and accepted. One minute ping for bookmen would be good cepted. Agent reported on the ent discussed shipping in Balti­ port are scheduled for payoffs in of silence in memory of de­ for the next two weeks in Wilmore during the past two weeks this port. Membetship Voted to parted Brothers. Meeting ad­ •' mington, as there were several and the possibilities for the com­ excuse two of the three men journed at 7:45 PM, with 258 vessels , on the Persian Gulf nin ing period. Headquarters' reports who had written in asking to members present. signing on. All beefs have been settled, he said. Patrolman and Dispatcher's reports read and ac­ status of shipping in this port. cepted. Trial committee was elec­ Patrolman and Dispatcher also ted to hear charges made made reports. Headquarters' re­ against a creWmember. Under port to the membership and Sec­ Good and Welfare, there was retary-Treasurer's financial report general discussion on the Hawaii read and approved. One minute longshore strike, interchangeable of silence in memory of departed shipping from port to port and Brothers. Meeting adjourned at on the General Fund assessment. 7:30 PM, with 59 bookmembers Meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM. in attendance. t S, i. ,«p. h NEW ORLEANS — Chairman. GALVESTON—Chairman, Ray A BPnoKLr ccmiasmoH or wars reow THI aR*rAKeR8 too Johnny Johnston, 53; Recording Sweeney, 20; Recording Secre­ Secretary, Herman Troxclair, tary, Keith Alsop, 7311; Reading The Atlanic and Gulf District's recently inaugurated world-wide information service has 6743; Reading Clerk, Buck Ste­ Clerk, R. Wilburn, 37739. touched off unanimously favorable commeht among the Seafarers on the high seas. Response phens, 76. Galveston and other port min­ to the first two issues of the SEAFARERS BULLETIN, the bi-weekly digest of the leading news Charges read and trial com­ utes of previous meetings ac­ items from the SEAFARERS LOG which is airmailed to all SIU ships at sea, reveals that the cepted as read. Port Agent spoke mittee elected. Motion carried that charges against several on shipping of the past two Union's latest effort to keep all of its membership abreast of maritime events of interest is being members be referred to next v/eeks, and discussed the possi­ enthusiastically received by all hands. meeting in order to" give ac­ bilities of, the coming period. Accompanying the BULLETIN is material offering topics for shipboard discussion. Repro­ cused men chance to appear for Dispatcher listed the number of duced here are the mastheads of the two new SIU services and excerpts from some of the first hearing. Agent announced that men registered and shipped in comments received at Headquarters: miy member wishing to sit in each of the three departments SS DEL SUD, Virgin Islands—"Received first edition of the BULLETIN and entire crew of with trial committee could do during the last shipping period. Del Sud extend their approval and congratulations to Headquarters on another step forward. Will be , so to observe how it functions. Auditing Committee, composed looking forward to another edition when we get to Rio de Janeiro." Several members sat in on the of Frank Fisher, Gene PaschaU SS ARLYN, San Juan, P.R.r—"Received BULLETIN and posted same. We think this is a very and Charles Fox, reported on the finances of the Branch for the good idea, a^ it keeps us posted on what is going on." SS LAFAYETTE, London—"Crew thinks BULLETIN is a very good thing and will be look­ week ending August 6. Oath of Obligation was administered to ing forward to .getting news much faster this way. BULLETIN will be a great help, as men at sea two members. Meeting adjourned will be able to keep up with what's going on in different ports in US." hearings. Port Agent said that at 7:40 PM. SS MARINA, Philadelphia^"Would like to congratulate the originators of the SEAFARERS shipping prospects for next two BULLETIN for a wonderful idea^Tt can't help but prove successful fof the purpose it serves." A* 4" weeks were not too good. He NORFOLK — Chairman, Ben SS DEL VALLE, At Sea—"A good step forward in keeping the membership at sea well in­ said the grain elevator strike Rees, 95; Recording Secretary, J. formed as to activities ashore. PSpe the good work is continued." was over and that this develop­ A. Bullock, 4747; Reading Clerk, SS AMES VICTORY, Santa Maria, Cuba—"Our copy of BULLETIN received and crew favors ment might h61p local shipping, T. HUl, 1410. continuing it and sends Vote of.thanks. Future editions will be appreciated. Keep them coming as if grain ships that had been di­ Previous meetings' minutes ac­ we are on 18 months articles." ' verted to other ports were re­ cepted as read. Agent reported routed to New Orleans. He urged that men had been .shipped to all members to ca.st' ballots in the Tini, Taddei, Strathcape, the General Fund assessment ref­ Sea wind and John Dickinson. erendum. Since resolution for Four vessels had payoffs. Out­ the assessment originated in New look for the next two weeks is Orleans, he stated that it was not bright, he reported. Dispatch­ only fitting that this port regis­ er gave shipping and registra­ ter a large vote, and especially tion figures. July 22. 19>i9 Under Good and •ol 1 ffe. I la large "yes" vote. Excuses re­ Welfare, Agent pointed out the ferred to the Dispatcher. W. A. necessity for carrying the Gen­ New Overseas Bulletin Well Received SmPBQfiSD DISCUSSIONS '«w UWQM/MATTERS • �Friday. August 19, 1949 THE SEAFARERS No Change In New York Shipping r But At Least The Heat's Gone MORE ACCLAIM FOR SIU'S WALL STREET FILM Department of Research and Education OF THE KEIVTVCKY STATE FEDEUATIOM OF LABOR 312 ARMonv PLACE LOUISVILLE 2, KY. Page Eleven LOG By JOE ALGINA PHONE CLAY 7761 SAM EZELLE Director • JIM WOLFE AMI, Director August 4, 1949 Paul Hall, Secretary-Treasurer, SeaTarers Int'l Union of North America 51 Beaver Street, New York 4, N. Y. Dear Sir and Brother: We are today returning your film, "The Battle of Wall Street" with the greatest of thanks. The film has been shov/n to the students of the •"•entucky Labor school (attended by 44 delegates from 20 diff­ erent Int"l unions) and also to several v/orkers edu­ cation classes here In Louisville. We have seen most of the flljus produced by the CIO, APL film council, and various International unions and have used many in our Kentucky workers education ' program. The Seafarers film Is the best v/e have yet come acrossi The response to'Tiie flhn has been exceptlonally good here. The strikebreaking tactics of the police, the cowardly scab, the biased newspaper-— elements all too common In many of oirr strikes here In Kentucky are vividly documented In "The Battle of V.'all Street". I thlnlc that a great lesson In brotherhood Is found In the film as It proves unmistakeably v/hat can be done v/heii unions cooperate to attain a goal. Congratulations! Praternally./* . NEW YORK—The heat spell broke in New York during the past week, but shipping remain­ ed pretty much at the level maintained in previous weeks. On the payoff side were the Steel Chemist, Steel Seafarer, Isthmian; Purdue Victory, Azalea City, Waterman; Dorothy, Su­ zanne, Frances, Rosario, Cornelia, Bull; Cape Mohican, Mar Ancha; Robin Sherwood, Robin, and Evistar, Triton. The sign-ons included all the Bull Line payoffs, the Steel Chemist and the Robin Doncaster. Most ships are coming into this port in ship-shape condition. The vessels paying off during the past weeks were true to form in this respect and the crews appeared happy. HERE'S HOPING Five ships that usually sail out of this port were laid up some time ago; and we're hop­ ing that they will be pulled out for service in the near future. If and when they are, we'll let it be known. Right about this time, many of the original members of -the Union are finding that their membership books are filled up. These men have been carry­ ing these books since they were issued to them 11 years ago, and they can be justly pro'ud of the fact that they have taken part in the campaigns which have seen the Seafarers raise seamen's standards one hundred-fold. New books are now being is­ sued to replace the old ones, but men wishing to do so may keep the original books—and I should think they would. There's a hell of a lot of sentifnent at­ tached to them, for they are a symbol of our progress. GOOD MOVE As you will read elsewhere in this paper, your Union has urged members of Congress to insure 100 percent participation of Am­ erican ships and crews in carry-, ing whatever arms our govern­ ment decides to ship to nations that signed the North Atlantic Pact. The condition of the US mer­ chant marine at this point cer­ tainly makes our position justi­ fiable. It is a tragedy that those who can do something about it neglect our merchant fleet, un­ til an emergency arises. Here's their chance to get on the ball at the right time. Bull Lines' smart new passen­ ger ship, the Puerto Rico, left yesterday for her maiden voy­ age to Puerto Rico and the Domincan Republic. We're wish­ ing the ship and all hands good sailing. -€?• The letler reproduced above is typical of the scores of messages lauding the SIU's stirring documentary, the "Battle of Wall Street." which are arriving at Union Headquarters. More and more requests for copies of the film are also coming in, from trade unions and community organizations throughout the nafion. The possibility is that in the very near future the "Battle" will be most widely exhibited labor movie in the land. The "Battle of Wall Street" is available to unions and SIU crews for $40, which includes postage and insurance. Central labor bodies, state federations and union conventions may borrow the film for special showings at no charge. Requests for purchase or loan of the film should be sent to the Seafarers International Union, Atlantic and Gulf District, 51 Beaver St., New York 4, N. Y. SS J. B. WATERMAN R. J. Kelly, $2.00; C. J. Dougherty. $3.00; J. R. Murphy, $3.00; N. A. Fisher. $2.00; W. L. McCarthy, $1.00; J. Vilos. $3.00; W. C. Patterson, $T.T)0; S. L. Birkland, $3.00; H. M. Kohv, $3.00; C. M. CigantelU, $1.00; H. Pifren, $1.00; E. A. Bishop, $1.00; M. Pi»rarinski, $1.00; J. Boldiszar, $1.00; C. A. Bobbe, $1.00; J. Luciani. $3.00; Seafarers Moves To Preserve Seamen s Cains The SIU's Atlantic and Gulf District took steps this week to protect the interests of seamen, whose pending suits for damages incurred on government-owned vessels have been invalidated by a recent US Supreme Court de­ cision. At the same time, the Union voiced its opposition to proposed changes In the Federal Employes Compensation Act, now being considered by the Senate Labor and Public Affairs Committee. In telegrams to the committee. Paul Hall and Morris Weisberger. International vice-presidents, urged that seamen be specifically excluded from the federal com­ pensation law. Unless action is taken to ex­ clude seamen from HR-3191, "seamen of this country would Buffer a severe setback," the SIU officials declared. In the Union's opinion, 1:he wording of the law would per­ mit seamen working governmentowned ships to be classified as government employes and, there­ fore, entitled only to workmen's compensation. Hall and Weisberger told the committee that if seamen were not excluded from the proposed law, they would be prevented from enjoying the benefits of the Jones Act and the Federal Em­ ployes Liability Law, on which the rights of seamen to seek indemnity for injuries and dis­ abilities are based. "Compensation does not go far enough," the Union officials said. The proposed law, they main­ tained, would, deny seamen ac­ cess to the courts to obtain main­ tenance and cure and indemnity for personal injuries sustained in the course of their employ­ ment. In the case of McAllister ver­ sus the Cosmopolitan Shipping Company, the high court ruled that seamen with claims for damages sustained on govern­ ment-owned ships operated by private companies under the General Agency Agreement can only sue the government and not the private operators. This is a reversal of the same* court's ruling of several years ago in the Hust versus MooreMacCormack case, in which it was held that the seamen could sue either the government or the operator. LANE BILL Legislation in behalf of the seamen whose cases have thus been voided has recently been offered in Congress by Repre­ sentative Thomas J. Lane (D., Mass.). Lane's bill, HR-4051, would allow men who had al­ ready "begun suit against pri­ vate operators additional time to now enter suit against the government. Specifically, HR-4051 would grant seamen, who have cases pending against agents for gov­ ernment ships under the Gen­ eral Agency Agreement, one year from date of enactment of the bill in which to enter new suits naming the government as defendant. This is necessary because, un­ der the Statute of Limitations, a man wishing to sue the govern­ ment must do so within a period of two years from the date the damages were sustained. Most of the cases affected by the Supreme Court decision have been pending for that length of time or longer and, unless rem­ edial legislation is adopted, the actions cannot be renewed against the government. ASKS MORE TIME The SIU -las informed Rep­ resentative Sam Hobbs (D., Ala.), chairman of the House subcom­ mittee considei'ing HR-4051, that the Lane bill does not go far enough in protecting the rights of the men affected by the court's decision. . The Union proposed additional relief by calling for extension of the time limit beyond what is provided in the bill. The SIU recommended to the sub-committee chairman that, in addition to the one year pre­ scribed in the Lane measure, the bill should also grant men seeking damages one year from the date their pending suits would be dismissed in which to file directly against the gov­ ernment. E. Jones. $3.00; R. A. Grunder. $1.00; R. Peter. $1.00; P. Charles. $1.00; S. F. Prusinski. $1.00; R. Cregorio, $1.00; I. S. Whitney, $1.00; D. Mease, $1.00; S. Watson, $2.00; G. Flecha, $1.00; C. J. Hawley, $2.00; S. R. Waller, $1.00. SS GOV. GRAVES C. B. Gepec, $3.00; E. J. Gerce, $1.00; A. Demodo, $1.00; L. CoUins, $1.00; A. W. Claude. $2.00; E. A. Lumbanc. $2.00; j. P. Campbell, $1.00; A. .T. Diamond. $2.00; J. F. Pacheco,. $1.00; E. L. Wentz. $1.00; M. J. Karlovcc. $2.00; C. jurewicz, $3.00; W. Wright, $3.00; M. Kalkis, $3.00; W. M. Hayes, $3.00; H. C. Wirtz, $1.00; F. Gorgas, $2.00; W. Giszcak, $2.00; C, J. Meller, Jr., $3.00; W. Kenny, $3.00; E. R. Jordan, $2.00. SS WOLLCOTT E. E. Sjoholm. $2.00; J. E. Morgan, $3.00; E. M. Eaton. $4.00; J. C. Gellathy. $2.00; F. Tdoio, $2.00; A. W. Mc.Arthur. $3.00; E. Jetter. $2.00; L. H. Uochapell. $2.00; J. B. Kilgoro, $1.00; R. Bryant, $2.00; J. Freeman, $2.00; B. Coleman. $5.00; N. Hall, $2.00; K. Larsen, $2.00; L. Harris, $3.00; J.\F. Williams, $2.00; J. Mar­ tin, $3.00; B. A. Solomon. $2.00. SS R. SEMMES J. P. Hayward, $3.00; J. J. Haggarty, $1.00; A. HufTstadt. $1.00; J. Valincia, $1.00; H. Viik, $1.00; M. E. Medina, $1.00; J. Milukas, $2.00; W. Newhoff, $1.00; F. S. Simione, $2.00; J. Dedicatoria, $1.00; L. N. Evans, $4.00; R. M. Garrod, $5.00; J. Bedner, $1.00; S. W. Kliderman, $1.00; J. P. Rowan. $2.00; H. A. Croke, $1.00-; J. E. Badcer, $2.00; H. C. Peterson, $1.00; R. Vantz. $1.00; R. G. Wilt, $1.00; .R. A. Rhodes, $1.00; P. Loleas. $1.00. SS NEW LONDON T. P. Clark, $1.00; .A. A. Bernard, $2.00; R. G. Grigg, $1.00; M. W. Houx. $1.00; H. W. Gigham, $1.00; H, H. Mossburg, Jr., $1.00; W. E. Bigham, $2.00; V. Maflfucci, $1.00; C. R. Pimental, $1.00; J. M. Flaherty, $1.00; G. P. Nicastro, $2.00; W. P. Doherty, $1.00. SS SEATRAIN HAVANA A. Olaguibel. $1.00. SS SUZANNE L. F. Rivera, $1.00; R. OUver, $1.00. �THE SEAFARERS Pag» TWOIT*. LOG Friday, August 19, 1949 T-!- ,0'^ S,TfWi\3^ i\i <<«• »tv« >#4 Vft< LVO**' \0 Siv®' b*'*' v»* -f> v.»* Iv* 0« ^vS". . ..*. 1*^ ia»* »W 4oV« i*v* -V>N v»f ,,ot^9 \.e»* * i »» "^A- *•« ^ 9^;'* . Nl* VI » \&im§ cniheGeneml Fcau3,Assessjtien1r ereiiduiti ends on., Soeh. I£ gouliaven' voted yet, go to-llie neangst Ae<5 Hallani tiw? TOKFFP V^miOM^a»» toCWmNueWFff&MTflPi AiaSFJoes wmKF I 'AT, • Ite .Afelviivsjjfepi savsee \N^ »« Vo lot � 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 19, 1949 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. XI, No. 25 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: SEND PACT AID IN US SHIPS: SIU WILL ACT FAST ON VACATION PAY, SAYS WATERMAN REFERENDUM VOTE ENDS AUGUST 30 A PLAN FOR AMERICA OFFICERS TRAINING SCHOOLS -- GOOD OR BAD? FOUR TANKERS REBUILT TO HAUL DRY CARGOES FAULTY GEAR BLAMED FOR SEAFARERS' DEATH READ CONTRACTS AND AVOID BEEFS, SAYS BALTIMORE IN-TRANSITS PAY COURTESY VISITS TO SAVANNAH PIPE-LINE RUN LIBERTIES HIT WILMINGTON BOSTON HOT? SUITS 'EM TO A TEE--IN YARMOUTH THE SS PUERTO RICO STEPS OFF PROUDLY DECK GANG MAN KILLED IN ACCIDENT ABOARD SS EDITH AT GALVESTON PIER SIU CREW HAILED AS MODEL BY PASSENGER ON SS HARRY T NO CHANGE IN NEW YORK SHIPPING BUT AT LEAST THE HEAT'S GONE SEAFARERS MOVES TO PRESERVE SEAMEN'S GAINS Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America 1949 Periodicals Seafarers Log