http://www.seafarerslog.org/archives_old/files/original/a3d00a34d15161155dd163f29057a885.PDF e0723e4cbd6dec01dfd1da83c2db3c28 PDF Text Text Official Organ, Atlantic & Gidf District, Seafarers International Union of NA 1 VOL. XI NEW YORK. N. Y., FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1949 > No. 34 NLRB Says 'No' To Stooging CTMA Printed below is the full text of the NLRB decision, which bitted the latest? attempt by the Cities Service-controlled CTMA to keep the CS tankermen from the freedom and protection of an SIU contract. "In response to your letter dated December 16, 1949, this is to advise you that a Petition for Certification of Representatives was filed on December 14, 1949 by Murphy, Strasberger and Purcell, attorneys, in behalf of Citco Tankermen's Association, covering a unit consisting of the sailing personnel on the Tank­ ers S.S. Abiqua, Cantigny, Chiwawa, Council Grove, French Creek, Logan's Fort and Paoli, excluding licensed officers, cadets, pursers, radio operators, bosuns and , stewards. "In accordance with Board policy the petition was dismissed on the grounds that there are now pending charges in this office filed by the Seafarers' Internation­ al Union, AFL, against the Company' alleging, among other things, that the Com­ pany has refused to bargain, and further alleging that the petitioner (Citco) has been formed in violation of Section 8(a) (2) of the Act. "Pursuant to National Labor Relations Board rules, fhe petitioner may file a request for a review of this action, with the National Labor Relations l^ard within ten days." Branches And Crews Cmdemn Trotskyites Gnlf Fishermen Group To Join With Seafarers Kill a snake, the saying goes, and its tail will twitch until sundown. And night is falling fast for the poisonous CTMA, Cities Service-dominated "union," which, already repudiated by the Cities Service Tankermen, has just been dealt another blow by the National Labor Relations Board. The Board denied CTMA's request for a col­ lective bargaining election on seven of the com­ pany's tankers on Decembejr 16, citing the fact that the SIU still has charges pending against Cities Service for refusing to bargain and for forming a company union in violation of*^——— the company union actually has the law. a single member. As a result of the NLRB re­ CTMA's request for the col­ jection, the company has one less trick left to stall collective lective bargaining election was haigaining sessioris with SIU. made v/ithin a few days after Thus, Cities Service seeunen the NLRB announced certifica­ moved a step closer to the se­ tion of the SIU over the nine curity and benefits of a genuine vessels not voted last year. Union contract. Having already been rejected by the Cities Service seamen in two NLRB collective bargaining elections in which the SIU was Heads New Body overwhelmingly the victor, CTMA's latest move was obvious­ ly intended to stall bargaining between the Union and the The possibility of the Seafarers company. ushering in the New Year with The ships which CTMA sought an employer-financed welfare to have polled were the Abiqua, plan appeared brighter, follow­ Cantigny, Chiwawa, Council ing a meeting yesterday of ship­ Grove, French Creek, Logan's owners' representatives and the Fort and Paoli. The SIU was SIU's Headquarters Negotiating certified as bargaining agent for Committee. these vessels in May 1948, after Although the SIU committee receiving 83 percent of the valid still hadn't got the operators to ballots cast in the NLRB elec­ sign on the dotted line, sufficient tion. progress was made in the talks SLATED FOR HEAP to warrant optimism. Commit­ SIU organizers pointed out that tee members said after the meet­ CTMA is trying desperately to ing that the area of disagree­ show signs of life, but that it ment over the Union's demand would wind up on the scrap for the establishment of a Wel­ heap—as did its two predeces­ fare Fund, paid for solely by the sors, known as the Unlicensed employers, was narrowing down. Employee's Collective Bargain­ SIU negotiators had laid ing Agency of Cities Service Oil before the operators a welfare Company and the American Tan- fund proposal caUing for con­ kermen's Association. tributions of 25 cents a payrcdl Both of these company fronts day for each man at the initial were ruled illegal by the NLRB. session on December 9. In attempting to revive these From the tenor of the discus­ J. H. Oldenbroek. executive organizations under the name df sions so far, the SIU Negotiat­ secretuy of the International CTMA, Cities Service has been ing Committee said the reason Transportworkers Federation— forcing pledges from its seamen no major opposition to the Union to which the SIU is affiUated by threatening dismissal to those demand had arisen was obviously —has been chosen to head the refusing to sign up. that the shipowners were satis­ Except for the handful of fied with the efficient manner in recently organized, anti-com­ munist International Confede­ CTMA organizers on the com­ which SIU crews were handling ration of Free Trade Unions. pany payroll, it is doubtfid that their ships. the same full acceptance in re­ ports i-eceived by Headquarters to date. However, because of the great distances and the short pe­ riod of time which has elapsed, most of the crews are yet to be heard from. "DUAL AND HOSTILE" The resolution, first adopted at the New York Branch meet­ ing on December 7, termed Trot­ skyites within the SIU "dual and hostile" and called for their expulsion. (Full text of Ihe reso­ lution appears on page 4.) Its text outlined the' group's aims against the welfare of the SIU and made clear to the member­ ship the-danger the group poses. The proposing of the resolution»and its subsequent adoption The Seafarers International is the Union's answer to the Union gave a pre-campaign push Trotskyites' two-month-long in­ to the AFL's drive for a "Million tensified campaign aimed at di­ Members in '50" when it was viding the SIU and turning it to announced, last week, that 4,000 the ends of the Trotskyites. Gulf Coast fishermen were join­ POLICY ing up with the SIU. With the resolution now an The 4,000-fishermen are mem­ official part of policy, the Union bers of the Gulf Coast Shrimp­ can, if necessary, take disciplin­ ers' and Oystermen's Association,^ ary action against this group one of the largest independent and its sympathizers. fishermen's organizations in the Despite the relative smallnes? Mississippi area. of/the Trotskyite organization, ^IND UP DETAILS its adherents within the SIU When the SlU-contracted Wa­ Final details of the fishermen have in recent months peddled terman ship SS Alawai pulled group's affiliation with the SIU a program of dissension which out of New Orleans on Decem­ are now being completed. was part of a larger maneuver ber 9 for a trip to the Far East, Cal Tanner, A&G District Port to stir up discontentment within she began what once would have Agent in Mobile and a Vice- maritime unions on all coasts. been a three-month blackout of As" detailed in a recent issue Union news. But the Alawai wiU President of the SIU, worked out arrangements for the affilia­ of the SEAFARERS LOG, the now have plenty of light and tion, along with W. L. Hines, Trotskyites have joined forces learning. Her voyage this time president of the Mississippi Fed­ with the Stalinist commuijists in will be punctuated regularly by eration of Labor, and U. C. Bor- the NMU in an attempt to take the arrival of the SIU air-mail sage and Leon Heira, represen­ over that union, and had recent­ Bulletin, a new feature chock tatives of the fishermen's section ly created a disturbance within full of Union news which is sent the SUP for the same reason. of " the SIU. to all SIU ships. The Bulletin, which wings its While the powers granted the The new SIU affiliate is head­ ed by Louis Simmons, president; Union under the resolution have way to the Alawai and the hun­ Mackie Fountain, vice-president; not been invoked to date, the dreds of other SlU-contracted Charles Allen, secretary, and Union expects to swing into ac­ ships every two weeks, is the Leon Strong, treasurer. Head­ tion against known offenders Union's answer to the problem soon. of how to reach the bulk of the quarters are in Biloxi. Fully in sympathy with the Headquarters • Branch resolution condemning Trotskyites and their sympathizers for acts against the Union, Seafarers in A&G Branch meetings up and down the coast on December 21 voted for its adoption unanim­ ously. Crews of SlU-contracted ships, which received the resolution in the air-mailed Bulletin, indicated CTMA's Request Fer New Election Denied By NLRB SIU, Operatws Neta- Agreement On Welfare Plan SIU Bulletin Ends News Blackout membership — the men on the ships — with the goings-on of the Union. First published last July, the Bulletin has, in six months, prov­ ed itself to be an indispensable aid in informing crews of the policies adopted and the action taken by the membership ashore. Equally important, it makes it possible for the Union to learn the sentiment of SIU crews through the response to the is­ sues brought to their attention. Before the inception the Bulletin, crews on foreign voy­ ages often went news-hungry for months, gleaning what Union news they could from ships more recently arrived from the States and, occasionally, issues of the SEAFARERS LOG, which are sent to certain clubs and bars in foreign ports. It was because of this long and complete break with the Union apparatus that the Union took under study means to bring the most news to the members in the shortest space of time, at a minimum cost to the organi­ zation. Out of this study the Bulletin was born. On July 22—without fanfare— the first Bulletin was sent to the, SlU-contracted fleet, located in every part of flie world. Almost immediately, the re(Cotttinurd on Page 3) �Jin" THE Page Two SEAFARERS Friday, December 30, 1949 LOG SEAFARERS Published Every Other Week by the SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA Atlantic and Gulf District Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor . At n 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 Looking Forward The end of 1949 brings to a close another eventful year for the SIU's Atlantic and Gulf District. Undoubtedly, the most significant events of the pe- riod were the second election in the Cities Service tanker fleet, in which the SIU was overwhelmingly designated by the unlicensed personnel as their choice for collective bar­ gaining agent, and the subsequent certification of our Union by the National Labor Relations Board. The year 1949 was also significant from the stand­ point of other major efforts made by the SIU, among them the unprecedented demand, presented to the opera­ tors a few weeks ago, for an employer-financed welfare plan. If we were to take all the accomplishments of our Union in the year now fast drawing to a close—and those of the past four or five years, if you like—and weld them all together, they would spell out two words—"Looking Forward." And those two words are at the foundation of every policy formulated by the Union. The SIU ;maintains that unless an organization has foresight, coupled with suffi­ cient drive and courage, it will soon cease achieving greater security for its membership. If we may be par­ doned for this bit of immodesty, we think we have those STATEN ISLAND HOSPITAL qualities. And we're looking at the-Pecord when" we say so. MOSES MORRIS Seafarers Members Now In The Marine Hospitals H. E. LOGE J. J. O'CONNOR What is responsible for translating these qualities C. E. SANCHEZ into achievements? SAMUEL JONAS L. F. BARNA Simply this: A strong, level-headed membership, D. P. GELINAS ^united in purpose and of undivided loyalty to their union. FRANK NEARING Without such a membership, no union can expect m forge RICHARD GRALICKI ESOLAN ahead in the face of the many obstacles unions have long CRIACO C. MARTINEZ ago learned to expect. DUSAN DE DUISIN M. J. LUCAS When the SIU some five years ago tackled the hercu­ JOSEPH F. GAMBLICH lean job of oi"ganizing the Isthmian Steamship Company, NICHOLAS CORATTI . there were sounds of "tsk-tsk," and "they'll never make L. F. ROZUM CHARLES HAWVER . it" in some quarters. But our officials and our member­ H. J. OUT ship meant what they said when they adopted the sloganj V. J. RIZZUTO .JAMES F. MARKEU "Isthmian, too, will be SIU." EUGENE LADRIERE HENRY WATSON It wasn't easy—not by a long shot. But Isthmian HENRY JOHNSON Wcame SIU. JOSEPH ARRAS L. D. DIEUDONNE The pollyannas were scattered here and there when 4 4 4 the SIU marked off Cities Service as the next organizing FORT STANTON objective almost three years ago. Again, the task was a MARTIN BLUM JOSEPH LIGHTFOOT tough one. We've come a long way in the struggle and WILLIAM H. ROBERTS the final chapter is just about to be written. CLARENCE D. SHIVELY P. SMITH But a lot of hard work lies ahead before the job is GIDLOW WOODS finished. Notorious anti-union organizations like the DONALD MCDONALD - Cities Service empire give the workingman nothing. A A. McGUIGAN 4 4 4 showdown fight is generally the only way to a successful BALTIMORE HOSPITAL F. JUDAH, Jr. conclusion. E. MATTSSON , It is particularly appropriate as we swing into 1950 A. WRIGHT that we restate a previous resol's^: "Cities Service, too, A.- L. MASTERS • G. A. CARROLL will be SIU." i). H. BRUNIE And—after Cities Service, every other unorganized G. W. MILLER H. W. SPENCER outfit. It will sound bold to some, but we of the Seafarers C. P. THOMPSON are looking forward. G. D. REAGAN W. A. BREWER J. G. HARRIS E. F. ACHILLES W. W. SORENSEN R. M. SOUZA P. E. DARROUGH C. W. GOODWIN H. HUNTER G. L. HAND E. F. PAUL C. J. BISCUP F. KORVATIN W. J. HACKETT H. L, HORTON, Jr. 4. 4. SAN FRANCISCO HOSP. JAMES HODO JAMES R. LEWIS WILLIE WATSON T. ISAKSEN J. KEENAN RAFEL SALDANA t NEW ORLEANS HOSPITAL T. W. ULINSKI J. J. O'NEILL J. DENNIS F. LANDRY H. F. LAGAN L. LANG L. WILLIS H. H. SCHULTZ P. ROBERTS A. MAUFFRAY O. RAGLAND N. I. WEST J. R, ADAMS O. HOWELL J. JUSTUS W. W. LAMB SHIMELFEING J. TASSIN R. REED J. McNULETY W. MAUTERSTOCK L. TICKEL L. DANTIN "C. LYONS W. ROBERTS J. H. McELROY J. P. PHUGH NEPONSIT HOSPITAL WILLIAM PADGETT MATTHEW BRUNO JOSE DE JESUS J. M. LANCASTER R. E. LUFLIN ESTEBAN P. LOPEZ CHARLES L. MOATS PEDRO G. ORTIZ R. REDDEST R. A. RATCLIFF THOMAS WADSWORTH R. A. BLAKE ^ L. BALLESTERO - JOHN T. EDWARDS E. FERRER I. H. FRENCH JOSEPH SPAULDING JOSEPH SILLAK ' LUIS TORRES L. TULL FRED ZESIGER V 4. 4- 4. i' . ELLIS ISLAND HOSPITAL BEAU TEAU KNEW HENRY P. GALLAGHER EDWARD SNOWMAN • NOPEMING ?MINN.) .'I SANATORIUM C. HAGBERG 4 4. 4 SAVANNAH HOSPITAL ^ J. J. CERDA L,. A. BROWN L. RINECHUCK 4 4 4 MOBILE HOSPITAL TIM BURKE m-: F. BURROUGHS H. WESTPHAL R. FOSTER •••"y Vi-yKjy •, L. HOWARD * O. THOMPSON �Page Three THE SEAFARERS IOC Friday. December 30. 1949 Air-Mailed Bulletin Keeps Crews Informed Accurate delivery of the Over^as Bulletin to SlU-contracted ships throughout the world is made possible by the day-by-day record of vessel movements kept in Union Head­ quarters. Boards like those shown above contain names of every Seafarer-manned ship, its ports of call, and dates of arrival and departure. Inauguration of Bulletin service enables SIU men at sea to read of Union news shortly after it breaks. (Continued from Page I) sponse from tte crews indicated a hearty reception. Every suc­ ceeding Bulletin, which was nukde more attractive and- had a greater news content, brought more enthusiastic praise^ from the ships. One of the outstanding rea­ sons why the crews are unani­ mously in favor of the Bulletin is because it is the answer to that old bugaboo; rumors. As Seafarers well know, rumors of­ ten spread from ship to ship in foreign ports, gathering new twists in snowballing along imtil dozens of crews find them­ selves embroiled over a matter that has no foundation in fact. Seafarers on unusually long trips know the disruptive conse­ quences of a rumor campaign, which they happily report are now effectively squelched by the appearance of the Bulletin. 1 For an example of how effec­ tively the Bulletin works in this respect, take the SS Alawai, which, after leaving the Canal, will make its first stop at Hon­ olulu. Mobile Stresses Importance Of Elections By GAL TANNER MOBILE — Shipping in this port for the last week was fair, with approximately 129 bookmen and 28 permitmen shipped for the period. In addition to this, we shipped 87 men to relief jobs on tugboats and shifting gangs. • Ships paying off during this period, all in good shape, were the Antinous, Monarch of the Sea, Kyska, Warhawk, Arizpa and Wacosta, all Waterman; the Seawind, Seatraders; the Cava­ lier and Clipper, Alcoa. Signing on were the Madaket, headed for Japan and Korea; Monarch of the Sea, Puerto Ricobound; Kyska and the Warhawk, headed for Europe; Arizpa, for Mediterranean; Clipper and the Cavalier, back on the Alcoa pas­ senger run to the British West Indies. All sign-ons were smooth, all repairs and beefs having been taken care of prior to the signon. In-transit for the period were the Bessemer Victory, Steel Scientist, Stonewall Jackson. The membership is again re­ minded of the importance of Pre-Xmas Boom Helps Savamah By JIM DHAWDY SAVANNAH—We had a preChristmas shipping boom that lifted 35 men off the beach here in two days. It was all over on December 14, however, and at present shipping is slow. The vessels responsible for the pre-holiday lift were the follow­ ing: SS Southwind, SS Southport, both South Atlantic, and the SS Jean, Bull. These ships paid off and then signed on. In addition, we had a couple of visitors, one of which' was the SS Steel Fabricator, Isth­ mian. The other was a Cities Service scow, the SS Bradford Island. Biggest event of the holiday season was the Christmas dinner and party held in the Hall on December 21, This affair was made possible by the generosity of the crews of the Jean, SouthWind, Southport and Cape Rape. These" men deserve praise for their donations. * Seventy meals were served to members, their wives and guests, and Fred of the Soda Shop here put out a very fine dinner. After the meal was over there was dancing until 10:30 PM. Thanks are also due the fol­ lowing people and .organizations for their help in making this holiday festivity a success: The Social Club, McDermottSj BoPeeps, VFW, Metaxas, South Atlantic SS Company and Southem Marine Supply. Those who were present will certainly remember the good time they had for a long while to come. A few of our Brothers are in the local Marine Hospital at this writing. They are J. J. Carda, suffering from a broken leg, L. A. Brown and L. Rinechuck. turning in jobs in ample time to secure a replacement before the ships saiL, shorthanded. Anyone who takes a job, and then finds it is impossible-to sail it, must notify the Hall in ample time to secure a replacement or face charges before the member­ ship. Start the new year off right by registering and voting in the City, County, and State elec­ tions. For information on get­ ting registered, contact any of the officials in the Branch and they will be glad to give you the score. It is your duty to the organi­ zation to register and vote in all elections, to help elect the friends of labor and defeat those who are unfriendly. The Mobile Branch wants to extend its best wishes to the Seafarei's International Union and their friends, for a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year. There a Bulletin, mailed a week after the Alawai sailed, will be waiting. After the next port, Yokohama, the ship hits Keelung," where a Bulletin will be waiting. The ship will take a quick bounce to Manila and when it returns to Japan an­ other Bulletin will be in the mailbag. She'll then swing homeward for stops in Honolulu—another Bulletin—and then to the Pan­ ama Canal, possibly another Bulletin, then home for a pay­ off on the Atlantic Coast. Quite effective in making barren terri­ tory for a rumor to gain nutri­ tion. The story of the Alawai can be multiplied by the number of ships under contract. At almost evex-y port touched the crew is given the news of the Union in capsule form. And if the Union takes action on a matter of un­ usual impoi'tance, the member­ ship on the ships is made aware through a special mailing, as in the case of the Hawaiian Strike and the chai'tei-ing of the Bro­ therhood of Marine Engineers bv the SIU. THE SET-UP The base of operations for the Bulletin is, of coui-se, .the SIU Headquarters at 51 Beaver Street in New York, where, on a 6th floor wall, a Sched - U - Gr-aph contains the names of everj'' company and ship under conti-act to the A&G Disti-ict. Each ship has a line of its own, a transparent tipped flap. On a card beai'ing the ship's name'is a description of the vessel and where it operates in the world. Next to the name is a per­ forated marker which lists the ship's itinerary, if on 'a regular run, with the next port of call showing through the transparent tab. (Tramp ships have only the next port of call given.) A plas­ tic signal tells when the ship is scheduled to leave the port. At the right side of the graph, signals tell whether the vessel is "company-owned or chartered, on a regular run or ti-amping. A black and white striped signal identifies an idle ship. Every day the signals are changed to correspond with the movement of the ships and the change in operating status of the various company fleets. The positions and expected movements of the ships are se­ cured from various marine sour­ ces and transcribed to the charts. For a mailing, the chart is con­ sulted for the anticipated move­ ment of the vessel and its dis- . tance from Headquarters. *• A port is then selected for each ship. The primary aim is to reach a ship as soon as possible, and still not figure the time so closely that the mail may miss the ship. Early in the week of a mail­ ing, the charts are checked and rechecked; each ship marked down for a particular port. Some­ times it is impossible to assign a port to a ship, in which case the Bulletin is sent to the com­ pany office to go out with the first cx-ew mail. GOES TO PRESS After the port is selected off the graph, the company's list of agents is consulted for an ad­ dress. The envelopes are then addressed and stamped. Later in the week, the edi­ torial board of the Union decides what items are to be given the highly valuable Bulletin space. Almost invariably the set-up parallels that of the SEAFAR­ ERS LOG. Once decided, the Bulletin is written, edited and laid out in the Union offices. A sensitized multilith plate is made and the final product run off on the SIU multilith machine. To keep the air-mail cost down, the news is run off on tissue thin sheets. The entire operation costs the Union but a small fraction of a similar print-; ing job. The entrance of the Bulletin into the field along with the SEAFARERS LOG and the edu­ cational meetings makes com­ plete the SlU's news-dissiminating set-up. With almost evex-y ship re­ ceiving the Bulletin regulax-ly, the member who doesn't know what is going on in the Union should be a rax-e bird. It's like one ship's delegate said in his comments on the Bulletin: "If a member is uninformed now, it's his own fault." DISCUSS BOSTON'S MARITIME PROBLEMS Little To Report From •Pbiladoliriiia By JIMMY SHEEHAN PHILADELPHIA — There, is little to report from Philadejlphia. Shipping has slowed down quite a bit here, from what it had been, but those ships that did hit this port have been pretty clean. We had the. Southstar in here, and had to replace a couple of men who missed the ship in Albany, New York. The stoiY doesn't end her^ however, as those lads will find out. Otherwise, things have been running smoothly, and there are a lot of new faces here. That means that many of the old on^s have gone, and that's what we like to see here—a turnover on the beach. Well, here's hoping that all Of you had a very Merry Christmas and the best wishes for a Happy New Year. The Senate subcommittee studying the needs of the American shipping industry held con­ ferences in the Port of Boston recently at which AFL maritime unions were represented. In photo above, left to right, ve Daniel Donovan, iLA vice-president; Capt. John Diehl. MM&P; Douglas Hartman, agent for iiie Senate subcommittee; Capt. Waller Costello. MM&P Boston Port Agent, and Ben Lawson, SIU Boston Port Agent.—Photo Courtesy of Christian Science Monitor �Page Four THE SEAFARERS Unanimously Passed Trotskyites Are - Below is printed the complete text of the recently passed resolution which brands the Stalinist communists and the Trotskyite com­ munists as "dual and hostile" and "enemies of our Union." This resolution was voted on by the mem­ bership of the Atlantic and Gulf Branches at regular shoreside meetings and by the crews on every ship at^ sea. THUS FAR, THERE HAS NOT BEEN ONE VOTE RECORDED AGAINST THE RESOLUTION, which gives one a clear picture of what the SIU member­ ship thinks of these union-busters. Comments on the resolution from the ship­ board meetings will be carried in future issues of the LOG. WHEREAS, the Seafarers International Un­ ion since its creation in 1938 has consistently fought for the advancement of its members' shipboard and general economic betterment, having battled for and won increases in wages from an average of $72.50 per month to the present high scale, and during the same period shortened the hours of work, made better the food and foc'sle conditions; and WHEREAS, in the process of raising the living standards of seamen the SIU has suc­ cessfully fought our traditional and open ene­ mies, the shipowners, both across the conference tables and on the picketlines; and WHEREAS, at the same time the SIU has also fought enemies not so obvious as the ship­ owners, such enemies being the Communist Party and splinter groups originating from the Party; and WHEREAS, members of these political splin­ ter groups are more difficult to recognize as plotters against our Union and all it stands for, inasmuch as some of them hold Union books and through activities in the Union subtly at­ tempt to present themselves as good and active union men; and WHEREAS, the actions of these disruptors, aimed at trying to cause seamen to believe them to be good union men, are in reality a mas­ querade, a cover-up, for the group's real aims, aims which call for using the trade union movement for their own ends, these to be achieved through communist tactics explained by Lenin and quoted by Trotsky on page 30 ^ of his book, "Their Morals and Ours," which states: "It is necessary to be able ... to resort to all sorts of devices, maneuvers and illegal methods, to evasion and subterfuge in order to penetrate into the trade unions, to remain in them, and to carry on commuftist work in them at all costs;" and Friday, December 30. 1949 LOG Of Our Union' Conrniunications have already been received from the following vessels, re­ porting their action on the resolution which condemns the Trotskyite communists and the Stalinist communists as enemies of the SIU Atlantic and Gulf District. Although the majority of the arews have not yet reported — their votes should be in within the next week — not one dissenting vote has yet been cast against it. This has been, it is obvious, one of the most popular moves taken by the Union. The crews aboard the following ships have all unanimously passed the reso­ lution condemning the Trotskyites: SS Seatrain New Orleans SS Alcoa Cavalier SS Greeley Victory SS Chicasaw SS Steel Flyer SS Robin Gray SS Wild Ranger SS Puerto Rico SS Steel Voyager SS Black Eagle SS Rosario SS Ann Marie SS Del Sol A SS Seatrain New York SS Seatrain Texas SS Antinous i SS Steel Surveyor SS Bessemer Victory SS Andrew Jackson SS Canton Victory SS Mae SS Alcoa Partner SS Steel Seafarer SS Del Sud SS Alcoa Planter SS Alcoa Corsair SS -Fairland SS Southstar SS Atiniston City SS Del Valle SS Alcoa Roamer SS Iberville SS Morning Light SS Golden City SS Kyska SS Yaka SS Kenyon Victory SS Southwind SS Alcoa Pilgrim SS Del Viento SS Angelina we go on record here to deal with the sup-r porters of these union-busting groups individ­ ually and collectively as enemies of our Union as well as enemies of all American seamen, and that any member of the SIU who is a mem­ ber of, contributes to or as a fellow traveler THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the knowingly follows the policies of any of the Communist Party (Stalinists) and all so-called above organizations, be declared an enemy of splinter parties of the CP, such as the Socialist' the SIU and be made to stand charges, and if Workers Party (Trotskyites) be declared dual found guilty be expelled from the Union for and hostile to the best interests of the SIU; and aiding and abetting enemies of this Union; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that in , BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy view of their disruptive record on the water­ front within the NMU and other unions and of this resolution be put aboard every SIUtheir blind following of the anti-trade union contracted ship and be given full publicity theory advocated by Lenin and Trotsky that throughout our Union. by these union busters it can be seen that they have no concern for the. welfare of our Union nor loyalty to our membership, but instead would—if they could—destroy our Union and all it has gained for the membership; WHEREAS, among the groups endorsing and supporting the boring-from-within policy of Lenin and Trotsky described above is the Socialist Workers Party, better known as the Trotskyites; and WHEREAS, this splinter faction, because of its failure to make any extensive headway in dhe SIU, is at the present time following the cwnmunist philosophy of either rule or ruin by maihng its odorous newspaper to SIU ships as well as distributing anti-SIU handbills, which bear the libelous signature^ "SIU Committee," the purpose being to first confuse our members by the use of the SIU's name and then dis­ rupt, divide and take over either some part or ail of our Union; and • WHEl^AS, from their own official records quoted here and actions presently being taken . Th® resolution branding, Trotskyites and other commie splinter groups as dual and hostile to the SIU originated in the port of New York at the regular membership meeting on December 7. In ab^ve photo, part of the meeting is shown as the mMttbars indicated their desire to acc^t the resolution by unanimotis vote. Not a note of dissent was beards, as speakers took the Ooor in support of the resolution and urged a firm stand agaiast the communist fackons seeking to divide and disrupt the .SIU. , �Page Five TBE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, December 30, 1949 Trotskyites Raise Cry Of 'Sill Goonism' To Hide Own Reign Of Terror in Seattie read what the Tretskyites had to say, on Dec. 19, aheut the "geonkm" ef SlU effkkds, after the immh&ship had mmked them as en&aies of the Uakm ?O0t-3ttWlt9etli:frFri.. Dec.23, 1949 Sailors * Official Beaten, Badly Hurt And then read what the Trobkyfte-Alahoney gang did to an SUP effkial on Dec. 22, three days later TMg MmTAHT IHONDAY. I>ECEMBER 19^ 1940 SWP Threatened With Violence By SlU OHicials Six Assailants Recognized By Robert G. Gummings Severely beaten by six as» sailants, an official o£ the Sailors Union of the Pacific was in a critical condition in Columbus Hospital Thursday,, suffering from a possible; skull fracture. He is John Fox, 43, 9501% 21sfe Ave. N. W., dispatcher for the Se* attle branch of the American Fed* eration of Labor affiliate. The beating was the most se» vere in a series of outbursts of violence which have kept the Sc» attle branch in tifrmoil since last July. Fox was so badly beaten that hospital attendants would not per* mit police detectives to talk with' him Thursday afternoon. The'waterfront was tense mean­ while, awaiting the next move, as threats of reprisals were freely bandied about by friends of Fox^ ALL RECOGmZED— Fox told The Post-Intelligencer he identified all of his assailants. All, he said, were supporters of former members who had been expelled by the union during the course of the current rift. One of them tried to pick an NEW YORK — Paul Hall, secretary-treasilror of the argument with him in a tavern, Seafarers International Union, has responded to The MiK^ but Fox tried to dissuade hinu tant's exposure of his gangster-ridden regime in the SIU he said. Finally, after constant urging, he stepped outside. by gangster threats against the' They went tO' a parking lot Socialist Workers Party. Phone ~ outside the union hall at 1st Ave. . talis by Hall's agents, and one. and Clay St. suspected to have been by Hall At first. Fox s'aid, he tried ta himself, have been made threaten­ It would seem that' when hold his would-be assailant ofi^ ing rs}ids and physical violence but after the latter "gave him on the SWP. These calls followed the Trotskyites are weak in the boot," he "dropped him." a meeting of the New York numbers they yell, "democ­ A friend of the assailant then brandh of the SlU where a lynch racy" (that is, the right to UNION ASSAULT VICTIM-^—Cuts over eye, swollen nose and mouth took up the melee with Foj^ atmosphefe against Trotskyism disrupt and wreck). But when give mute evidence of the beating John Fox, Sailors' Union dispatcher, and four men came out of an­ was worked up by the qfhcials (as in Seattle) they have other nearby tavern. One trip­ received from six assailants in union internal rift. and a motion ^as jamnied through numbers and the cops on ped Fox. Then ^ all of them (Post-IntelUsencer Photo by Dick Cameron.) declaring the SWP "dual and their side, well— "put the boots" to him, while hostile" tg the SIU. he was down, he said. These threats are typical of Bob Dombroff, Seattle agent the way the SIU ofhcialdom of the union, who recently was practices "democracy" inside and threatened at gunpoint inside the outside their union. Out of a clear union hall, was vehement over The membership has spoken most decisively A&G District began acting up, and began to blue sky, the SIU membership this latest development. promote friction within the organization, the was presented with a six-page on the question of the Trotskyites. Unani­ tirade against Trotskyism in the mously, thus far, they have gone on record Seafarers took the only action they could to 6 WITISESSES— protect themselves and their Union — they Nov. 4 Seafarer's Log, The fol­ He said there were six wit­ lowing issue of the union paper to declare them "dual and hostile" to the SIU -branded them enemies of the Seafarers. nesses to the assault and addeds continued with some drivel alraut and "enemies of the Union." In addition to their disruptive tactics, the "I have repeatedly reported :Tt'otsky and Kronstadt and acts of lioience and threats of There had been a long series of anti-Union Trotskyites are not above using goon squads Viciously lumped together the acts on the part of Trotskyites before the mem­ to terrorize the membership, as the above violence to the Seattle police. TTrotskyists and the fascists. But bership. acted—notably their war against our clipping proves. "If the police force won't no sooner had The Militant picked affiliate, the Sailors Union, in the Port of preserve law and order, it will We are also told that this is not the first up these attacks, exposing •the. Seattle. The membership saw how these would- incident of its kind, that other members of become my duty to protect our reasons behind then;, than the members as I see fit.'' the SUP have been ganged up on. The vb e a t i n g occurred. early SIU ofhcials left the plane of be revolutionists acted in other unions—^par­ We wonder how long they expect to get Wednesday evening" but Fox did "discussion" and went over to ticularly in the NMU—combining with the not report it,to police.and went methods they feel more at home Stalinist variety of communists in desperate away with this in Seattle; how long a few crackpots, and their strongarm cohorts, expect to theJiospital Thursday, only at with — threats, violence and' rule-or-ruin tactics to capture control. The membership read, too, what the "frot- to be able to intimidate the entire member­ the urging of friends, after. Jt« police methods. !had shown up for work, at th» skyites had to say about their attitude toward ship of the SUP. pED HERRING limion hall as usual. We also wonder if they have any idea of unions, and in their own words, saw them This sequence of events proves admit that all they wanted to do is to control starting the same thing on the Atlantic and to the hilt that the attack on all unions for their political purposes, using Gulf Coasts. We are not, as the record shows, Trotskyism was nothing but a whatever means they could: "devices, maneu­ partial to them, by any means. But we'd like "red herring" drawn across the, vers, illegal methods." . ' to give them some friendly advice. Don't try it. So when the few pitiful Trotskyites in the \* Just A Thought A wofd Of Advice To The Trotskyites .M �I»age Six THE SEAFARERS LOG SouthwindMen Jump IntoVacationDebate, Urge Six-Month Limit On Shipboard Stays Friday. December 30. 1949 OF SEATRAIN CRASH The current Union-wide debate on compulsory vacations tpok another turn this week, when crewmembers of the SS Southwind announced that they favored a rule limiting stays aboard one ship to six months. The Southwind plan, set forth in a resolution signed by the 23 crewmen, also recommended re­ negotiation of the contract clause to give men with six months service on a single vessel a oneweek vacation with pay, instead of two weeks at the end of one year, as agreements now provide. According to the. Southwind resolution, the six-month limita­ tion "would insure a much greater job turnover, thus allow­ ing more and more members to ship, and give economic rights to all..." With damaged piping and bulwark at its side, crimped The text of the Southwind Seatrain Texas freight car rests on the ship's deck, having resolution follows: been knocked from its cradle by* the force of a collision with , "Whereas: Due to the fact that the SS Exefors in New York harbor on December 16. Photo many of omr contracted compan­ by Seafarer Glenn Vinson. ies are now operating fewer ships and the chances of organizing the unorganized has reached a standstill; and "Whereas: Our membership has decreased and the available jobs now are at an all-time low, Eddie Brett. Ship's Delegate, signs resolution aboard we propose that the membership Southwind at sea. as Tony Michaleski. Wiper, smiles approv.^ go on record to remedy this sit­ A twilight collision in New York harbor on Deceny • ingly. Looking on is Julio Colon. Messman. Photo by "Mac" uation; and McAuley. ber 16 put the Gulf-bound Seatrain Texas back in port. "Whereas: There is little ship and give economic rights in the event the membership for midship repairs and the American Export freighter chance of our membership de­ to all; therefore votes this resolution into effect, Exefors in drydock with her* — — creasing in the foreseeable fu­ "Be It Resolved: That this re­ that officials meet with all con­ bow stove in. Crewnfen rushed from the messture, we propose that time solution be voted on for two con­ tracted companies and negotiate room onto the deck to lifeboat aboard aU SIU contracted vessels secutive shoreside meetings, and No one was injured on either stations but a quick examina­ a- new contract clause, allowing be limited to six months; and if passed, Secretary-Treasurer those men who stay on a ship ship. The accident gave many of tion showed that the ship was "Whereas: This would insure prepare a referendum ballot for a full six-month period, one the Texas crewmen whose homes in ho danger of flooding or are in the New York area an catching fire. Damage was con­ a much greater job turnover, with a 60-day voting period; and week's vacation with pay." thus allowing more members to "Be It Finally Resolved: That Several motions recommend­ unexpected opportunity to spend fined to the ship's side-plates and ing compulsory vacations after Christmas at home. a freight car lashed on deck. one year's service aboard a ship The force of the collision also INTERRUPTS CHOW to those, entitled to two weeks twisted a deck cradle, the bul­ vacation have/been carried at The crash occurred at 5:30 wark and piping. shoreside meetings. The mem­ i'M, during dinner hour, as the The more severely damaged bership, however, is on record Seatrain Texas was making her Exefors sustained a bashed in by "SALTY DICK' in favor of a union-wide discus­ way through, the narrows off bow and a flooded hold. Exactly sion of the question before any Staten Island on her regular run how the crash occurred wasn't definite action is taken. to New Orleans and Texas City. immediately known and the re­ Duke (Red) Hall has left the The fellow you see walking sults of an examination by the Clipper, and has been replaced down the street with a slight Coast Guard have not been an­ by Fred Diekow. . . T. E. Dick­ limp and entering the penny nounced pending completion of ens and J. P. Shuler are in arcade is Felix Caillovet. He had hearings. town. Dickens asked me who trouble with his knee but the was the uglier. How do I know, doctor took care of it. . . "Dag­ TAKES CRASH PIX I said. . . A certain Captain ger" wants the membership to Glenn. "Vinson, crewmember of is making it tough for himself know "Fat Boy" Hill has finally The" mother, of Walter E.- Rob­ by telling passengers the wait­ retired from the sea and vsdll erts, 23-year-old Seafarer who the Texas who made snapshots of the crash damage, held the ers are well paid and not to tip never return to the salt water. was lost at sea in the storm that them. . . Ernest Eklund, Cook, Rubin (Born to Lose) Barrett buffeted ;^e SS Calmar in the view ^that the Texas' troubles recently left a Marine Hospital lost his car and belongings re­ Columbia River mouth en route might have been greater but the and plans to ship out soon. bulk of the crash was absorbed cently, yet you'll always see him to Seattle last month, thanked by a pipe-laden freight car on The Mississippi Shipping Com­ smiling. A member of our Union his shipmates tjjis week for the deck. is often broke, but he'll be wearpany celebrated its 30th anniversary recently. A couple of ing his $37.50 alligator shoes. I floral wreath and contribution Describing the crash, Vinson parties were held aboeird the hear that when he goes to bed, sent in his memory. stated that the crew was startled Del Sud in New Orleans emd he puts these shoes under his and shaken up by the sudden­ company officials congratulated pillow. . . Kenny Miller is stiU Mrs. I^berts* sentiments were ness of the accident, but almost the crew for their fine job. . sailing out of the Gulf, but is conveyed to the * LOG by her as one they grabbed their life "Big Tex" is driving his Ford aiming to go back home soon. son Francis, also a member of jackets and rushed to. the main after a recent operation and is "Big John" Zavadil wants the SIU. Francis was aboard the deck, where they saw the Exe­ everyone to know he was in­ Afoundria in Honolulu when in­ ready to sail. fors with her bow stuck into the I'm asking Santa Claus to nocent in the Santos incident. formed of his brother's death.' Texas' midships. bring me a package containing Someone else was caught by the He paid off the Waterman ship "1 took time to look at the compulsory vacations. And a Brazilian customs men and the and flew home to Somerville, WALTER E. ROBERTS Mass., to be with his folks. other ship," "Vinson stated. "Her culprit gave Zavadil's name. happy holiday season and New bow had a rip in it from the Zavadil, chef on the Del Mar "Walter, who was washed over­ port in the South Pacific' during Year to all the membership. . . anchor down. As for her crew, recently was married in Montev­ board in the storm that also the war, Ralph Domonici has retired from all 1 could see were boat covers the sea for a short while. He's ideo. . . Toney Pisano, the Cas­ took the life of First Mate Clar­ A graduate of Somerville Jun­ and oars flying in all directions." driving a truck with "Dad's anova of Bourbon Street, is back ence Hutton, joined the SIU in ior High School, Walter resided Cookies" on it. His son,^ Ralph in New Orleans and spends most early 1947, after having been with ^ his mother at 3 Eliot St., Repairs to the Texas were Jr. is working in a brewery and of his evenings at the Catholic discharged from the Navy. He in Somerville. Three sisters and completed on December 28. The Maritime club on Camp Street. served on a Navy attack trans- two other Brothers also survive. ship resumes her run today. liking it. Seatrain Texas, Freighter Crash In New York Harbor Voice Of DL Sea Mother Of Late Seafarer Thanks Crew For Tribute �Friday, December 30, 1949 THE SEAFARERS LOG Pago Seven Pigested Minutes Of SI0 Ship Meetings MARYMAR. Oct. 23 — John and Welfare it was recommend­ ed that everyone eligible vote Schwabland, Chairman; Guy in current Union elections. Walter, Secretary. Ship's dele­ gate read letter received from XXX EDITH, Nov. 18—Vincent GenSeattle Agent on Wiper who co. Chairman; Pittman. Secre­ ipaid off in Tacoma. No beefs in tary. Steward claimed; tliat he Deck and Stewards Departments; has right to equal overtime. eight hours of disputed over­ Three department delegates in­ time in Engine Department. Mo­ spected meat boxes and passed tion carried to turn all disputed on their cleanliness. There were overtime over to Patrolman at no signs of overtime work hav­ payoff. Ship's Delegate said he ing been done in the meat box would be glad to answer. any as the Chief Cook claimed. As questions concerning Union and to dii-ty galley, there are heel after brief discussion, motion marks where the Cooks put carried to, go, into Good and change books in ship's library. their feet and they are supposed Welfare. Discussions on condi­ Vote of thanks given Stewards to clean that themselves. Mo­ tion of shower heads in Deck. Suggested that sardine cans be Department for excellent food tions carried: to have Steward and service throughout the tiup. Department Patrolman come used to feed. aboard t'l settle the beef: to have 4. 4. CAROLYN. Nov. 5—C. Gann, FRANCES. Nov. 13—Bill Jan- all thrci delegates and Patrol­ YOUR PICTURE IN YOUR MBMBERChairman; D. McCracken, Secre­ ish. Chairman; Luis -Ramirez. man check the stores. Vote of SHIP BOOK, SO THAT IT CANNOT BE tary. Delegates reported that no Secretary. Motion by Carr. sec­ thanks*given to the Cooks. 4.- 4. X beefs existed in any of the de-. onded by Olson carried that re­ MISUSED INCASE YOU LOSE IT. BRING moving gangway ladder before DEL RIO. Nov. 19—Sidney partments. Each delegate is to IT DOWM TO THE SlYTH FLOOR AT H£ADtake care of repairs in his de­ the sailing time posted on-bul­ Turner. Chairman; Leonard Crad» QUARTERS AND A PATROLMAN WILL letin board should be stopped. dock. Secretary. Minutes of last partment, with repair lists to be SUPERIMPOSE THE UNION SEAL, AS Chairman will refer matter to, meeting read and accepted. Del­ posted. If permissible, crew AN ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARD. • Patrolman. Engine Delegate Ram­ egates reported everything okay, would like Steward to go as irez suggested that men wishing with only Engine department Chief Cook on next trip, as he to make noise should confine having three hours disputed overis doing Chief Cook's work any­ themselves to their own quar­ way. Steward would like to ship ters where they cannot disturb tirne. Discussion on fans for as Chief Cook himself. One min­ i-est of crew. Discussion on beef crew mess, with suggestion that ute of silence in memory of de­ concerning Steward's cleanliness they be put on repair list. Vote of thanks given permit men for parted Union Brothers. and supervision of the galley. good work done on this trip. 4> 4. t LOYOLA VICTORY. Nov. 13— by Hank J. Kase. Chairman; Curley Welch. Secretary. Ship's delegate report­ Full of that happy-to-be-back-before-Christmas-holiday-spirit ed that beefs had been settled "Bing" Miller and Bob Thorhmen sailed in wishing the best to all. to crew's satisfaction on West XXX We're kinda sure Bob and Bing were still steering a straight course 4. 4 4. Coast. Each delegate to get a STEEL SEAFARER, Nov. 20— BESSEMER^ VICTORY. Nov. draw list and repair list. Brother back for another trip to those swell ports they hit. Next time, 13—F. Starkey, Chairman; L. R. Welch pointed out reasons why Charles Burns, Chairman: J. though, we're gonna ask them what ports? ... Two Seafarers from Waller, Secretary." No beefs to we should be vigilant in pre­ White. Secretary. Department Reading, Pennsylvania, were in town. John "Brush" Buzalewski report, according to Ship's and serving Union gains. Discussion Delegates reported. On point of and Bob Kreml. The nickname "Brush" means John's mustache the Department delegates. Mo­ on transportation. Electrician information member asked and we're also sure we've spelled Bob's last name correctly, too tion (by John Duffy) carried or­ agi-eed to repair radio in mess- whether one department may ... Brother James Helms is still building himself a home out in dering resolution to be drawn room. F. E. Gardner, Steward, hold a meeting to take action Queens, Long Island, and being that he's also in the business of up and sent to Headquarters has promised to give Brothers against member of that depart­ roof sidings and repaiis he said he could use one or two skilled ment. Chairman ruled that this recommending that a member a big. Thanksgiving dinner. was possible. Motion carried to guys- on the beach who are having it rough... Swift recovery to who stays aboard a ship for one Duke O'Connor, turning to for some weeks of convalescence out in have all crewmembers chip in year and is entitled to vacation Staten Island. By the way, Duke has a mustache. (Hardly anyone at end of voyage to purchase pay is to get off and take this comes into New York with a beard. Could be too many guys read spare parts, or trade in, wash­ pay. The motion carried after that recent book telling all about what different beards mean.). ing machine. Delegates are to much discussion. Brother Charles 4. 4X collect money. All hands caution­ i,ee spoke on the procedure for Back from Antwerp this week was the SS Black Eagle. ed to take good look at sailing introducing a resolution and its Fred Kleiber. who sure goes for Western records, is one of the board before going ashore and subsequent handling. Member­ crew-members^ who has been volvmtarily helping address or to live vip to agreement by re­ i X ship was reminded to return all mail envelopes and other things for many weeks. Also aboard STEEL DESIGNER, Nov. 13— porting back one hour before cups to the pantry. Suggested is Pete Gvozdich, Deck Delegate, who told us that his ship- M. Beck, Chairman; B. Schmilz, scheduled sailing. that Patrolmen do business in mates, Les Ames and Whitey Tesko were on the hot-PersianSecretary. Motion by Keane, sec­ XXX. the recreation room, rather than Gulf run with the Steel Artisan. Hey. Pete, another shipmate. onded by Nugent that petition MAIDEN CREEK. Nov. 24— messhall during meal times. Pete Karas. was asking for you recently here in New York... be drawn up to obtain wages Charles Wells, Chairman; M. C. Either up in Massachusetts for the holiday stretch or but on a * t- tfor Wiper Bumalay from Man- Kleiber. Secretary. No beefs re­ trip is / Richard Maley—a fair guy with a typewriter. THOMAS CRESAP, Nov. iila to New York, as he had been ported in any of the depart­ Charlie Norris, Chairman; K. M. in Manila on previous trip ments. Suggested that unsatis­ XXX Nesheim, Secretary. Agreed that Q£ vessel and is now returning factory medical treatment aboard Happy New Year to oldtimer Earl Spear up in Portland, Maine cold drinks will be served twice workaway and is be called to Patrolman's atten­ ... The same best wishes to all the crew and Donald Fisher of a day while ship is in the trop- j.gqnij,g^ gggj^ tion. Motion carried to have all Ohio and Richard Ransome of California aboard the Steel Navigar ics. Motion carried instructing game as other Wipers. Steward water tanks cleaned, scraped and tor recently hitting Colombo, Ceylon. Ceylon, fellas, Ceylon... Delegates to see Old Man about Syzmanski explained that Bum­ cemented. First-aid kit needed Charlie Davis, oldtimer and Texan, didn't come a-visiting with sougeeing the foc'sles. Motion alay had been left at Cebu be­ for engine room and galley. Dup­ any true long-spun yarn about how big Texas is or carrying his carried that Skipper issue item­ cause no sailing board was post­ licates of repair list are to be famous sea-going shipmate of a rabbit as he did several years ized list of all wages at payoff. ed until 5:30 Simday night and placed in messhall to insui-e ago. Charlie drawled in with another swell Seafarer, Bill Gray, Suggested that crew keep mess- ship sailed early Monday. Man action. who in his salad days, as we like to express it, corresponded inter­ room cleaner at night. One min­ is day worker and left ship Sun­ nationally with people in the architectural business. Charlie and ute of silence in memory of de­ day to go to his home in Cebu, Bill spun us the news about how everybody, from topside to parted Union Brothers. below, were making a happy ship out of the Seatrain New Jersey with intentions of returning to —and that they had a Christmas tree, all the trimmings and cigars work Monday morning. Chau-to enjoy. They also had special praise for Chief Cook A. Sistrunk man Beck spoke on proper con­ XXX who bought in Havana, Cuba, hand-painted menils for all the ROBIN TUXFORD. Nov. IB— duct aboard ship, duties and tables with a picture of the New Jersey on top. They must be J. Connell, Chairman; James Encleanliness of foc'sles. Suggestion by Tilley that all crewmen do­ sor. Secretary. Only one beef— beauties and only cost a buck apiece. nate five dollars for new wash­ regarding feeding of animal— XXX XXX ing machine at first American reported. This a Deck Depart­ Albert Lavoie. one of the many brothers - volunteering to SEATRAIN TEXAS, Nov. 11— ment beef. Motion by Stanley help out whatever there is to do—filling up envelopes, framing port. Harry L. Franklin. Chairman; Evenchuck. seconded by Henry photographs of various beefs we won. etc.—dropped into New-_, , John Messick. Secretary. Harry XXX York happily yakata-yakating about the swell crew and officers Franklin elected Ship's Delegate PENNMAR. Nov. 13 — John Shepeta that more frozen vegaboard the Waterman scow. SS Yaka... Two coffee time toasts and Edward Jones elected Stew­ Marshall. Chairman; Edward Mc- tables be stored inasmuch as to the crew of the SS Puerto Rico! (1) Never having beefs ards Department Delegate. Mo­ Cormick. Secretary. Motion by fresh supplies are not available since her first trip under the SIU flag. (2) Putting out the best tion carried to request Union of­ George, Finklea. seconded by in East African coast ports. Mem­ newspaper afloat, the Advocate. Blackie Colucci proudly stated ficials • to investigate establish­ Fred Donaidson thai? beef on bership was reminded that Union that the only reason the soft-ball team of the Robin Hood ment of certified hospitals on stevedores doing sailors' work literature is prominently display­ ed in PC and crew messhall for in Vancouver should be turned challenges all softball teams to beat is because they're only in all Seatrain ships. Motion car­ use by all hands. Under' Good over to Patrolman for settle­ South African waters. Because of this situation, Blackie no ried to install "square windows" and Welfare, it was suggested ment. Motion by Flaherty, sec­ doubt will immediately expect the soft-ball team of the Robin in-, wheel house to allow Quarter­ that Softball equipment supplied onded by Davis that Steward Hood to concede defeat by proxy—via air mail!... To every masters better view. A proced­ SIU Brother, ashore and afloat, we wish a happy and healthy ure for education meetings is Marshall, Cooks and Messman be by Robin Line be returned to New Year and good will to all the. people in the ports of to be planned and executed. thanked for efficient and cheer­ Mate in good condition for next the world. Louis Swan volunteered to ex- ful service rendered. Under Good crew's pleasure and recreation. fwMYdmsevF CUT zn& RUN �THE S EA,F ARERS Page Eight FHde7' Dteemb«r 30, 1949 LOG THE MEMBERSHIP SPEAKS A NEXT-GENERATION SEAFARER Oldtimer Miffed By Critic. Of Off-Hour Splicing Class To the Editor: I have a beef in the form of a question. I have been going to sea for a long time. On every ship I have been on I have made it a point to teach the younger fellows a little of what I have learned in my 28 years at sea whenever they come to me. I figured this was my duty to my Union Brothers, as long as they are willing to try. As you know the closing days of a trip keep the Deck Gang pretty busy and me being a Deck Maniac, I don't get too much time between eight and five, so here's what happened: BY SPECIAL REQUEST On a Friday at 6 PM, the 12 to 4 OS and the sanitary man, also an OS, came to me /<and asked me to open the "Rum and Coke Splicing Academy." I did and we held a session in the carpentry shop for an hour. The sanitary OS practiced what I had taught him for an hour and a half one night. When we knocked off, I was in the pantry getting coffee and the 12 to 4 OS came to me and said one of the younger ABs told him he ought not to be do­ ing that kind of stuff on account of the union was against that practice as wire splicing is a FACTORY job. When I heard that, it took the heart right out of me. It makes me wonder sometime, what the hell i^ the use? It's true these two kids were unfortunate in having to learn on their own spare time, while I was able to help the others during my regular 8 to 5 working day. My idea is that if everyone helps the other fellow, we will be able to produce more pro­ ficient sailors and in turn be able to demand better contracts. Now my question is this: Have I done wrong in showing these fellows some.of the ropes in my off hoiurs? If I have, I am will­ ing to stand corrected. and take Merry Xinas To All Greetings from members, crews and various organiza­ tions have been received by the SEAFARERS LOG wish­ ing the membership and offi­ cials best wishes for the Holiday Season. Those who extend their best for a Mferry ChristmaO' and Happy New Year are the crew of t^ie SS Ponce DeLeon, Al­ bert F. Mazarelle. Dr. Joel Dasch. Apostleship of the Sea. the crew of the SS Can­ ton Victory, Charles Oppenheimer, James and Johaima Purcell, John Jellette, Luis Ramirez, Mitch Zankick, Henry. Beckmann, George H. Seeberger and Mitch's Top Inn. The, SEAFARERS LOG hopes that all hands enjoyed a good Christmas and ex­ tends its best wishes for a Happy New Year. any consequences, but if I have­ n't I would like to know about it. G. L. (Jerry) Thaxton SS Monroe Victory (Ed.' Note: We think Bro­ ther Thaxton's conscientious efforts to teach younger men some of ^the essentials of good seamanship are commendable. His spirit is the kind that makes for a greater Union ot better'^ seamen. Certainly any sailor worth his salt would want to know how to splice. The LOG would like its read­ ers to submit their comments on the question raised in this letter.) Williams Seeks Buyer For Paint Shop Near Frisco To the Editor: Would you mind me telling the Brothers about a painting business that I am forced to sell because of a note falling due. It is located in a prosperous and growing city of 20,000 people near San Francisco. The shop is the largest of its kind, for which I pay $100 a month rent. It has aU the latest equipment, including a truck, sprayers, mix­ ing machines, etc., enough to handle the biggest jobs in town. ESTABLISHED 1937 This is a going concern, es­ tablished jn 1937 and is managed by the same superintendent who worked for the former owner. I will sell it^for $5,000, half the price it is worth. And I wiU take a note to cover the large stock of paints. Brothers who are interested in this offer can write to me at the address below. Incidentally, I have been a member since 1941 and am paid up to 1951. R. L. Williams Box 7205 Seamen's Unit Rincon Axmex San Francisco, Calif. RAILROAD WORKERS LIKE LOG ARTICLE ON TROTSKYITES To the Editor: I would appreciate a couple of extra copies of the LOG (Nov. 4) containing the article in which you told of a very small part played by the finky Trotskyites. Quite a few men out at the C&O freight car repair shop here just outside of Toledo are inter­ ested in the article and in pass­ ing it around. I think it was a very good ar­ ticle and that' there should be more of them exposing such or­ ganizations for what they really are. Thanks very much. Robert Squire Toledo, Ohio " (Ed. Note: The copies re­ quested are on the way.) Ship's Book Fund Gets $10 Boost From Shipowner To the Editor: We crewed up the SS Mother ML, of the Eagle-Ocean Trans­ port Company, with a 100 per­ cent SIU crew in New Orleans and left that port on November 17. While enroute to Charlestori for our cargo of super-phosphate destined for Fusan, someone sug­ gested that we chip in for some 'reading material. The result of the collection ex­ ceeded our expectations, with each member of the crew and every topside man donating a dollar. The Skipper gave a five spot. The Skipper is Thomas Mazzella, who is well known around SIU halls. Meet three-year-old John Stm Miguel, sturdy son of Mr. While making my rounds to and Mrs. P. San MigueL John accompanied his. Dad, a Deck swell the fund I was stopped man on the SS Puerto Rico, on visit to New York Hall recently by a well-dressed elderly gen­ to extend holiday greetings to all hands. tleman who asked me what I By the way, the LOG welcomes photos of Seafarer's chil­ was doing and who I was. I told dren. How about sending in a pic of your pet. him and he immediately handed me a ten dollar bill with his blessings. He was, I later learn­ ed, Marcus Lyras, president of the company. The total collection amounted to $51, which enabled us to buy a wide variety of take any action against them books and ma'gazfties. To the Editor: On some ships these days we becai^e outside of his occupa­ BREAKS LEG occasionally find a man sailing tional maladjustment, he may During our stopoff in Charles­ as a Cook-or a Baker who is not be a good shipmate. I would, like to offer the sug­ ton we had a bit of bad luck. qualified for those ratings. Dur­ ing the war, there were occa­ gestion that whenever a crew Brother - Jesse J. Cerda fell off sions when ships were ready to decides a man is not qualified the gangway and fractured a sail but were short a Cook or to sail as Cook or Baker,' they leg in two places. He is in Ro- . Baker. Any Messman was hur­ record their reasons for his not per Hospital, Charleston and, due riedly given an endorsement and being qualified and then turn to complications, will be there dispatched to the ship to fill that them over to the boarding Pa­ for some time. All of his friends trolman, who, in turn, should are urged to write. vacancy. Some of these men continued forward them to Headquarters. Aboard the ship every man is There a master record could doing a bang-up job, especially sailing in those ratings, although they know little about the work be kept and when sufficient evi­ old "Cinnamon Roll" Pappy involved, and in some cases, dence has been presented to the Reed, famous for his cream puffs membership, the man who is on Sunday. Pappy's got to watch cared less. We would like • to see some found to'be incompetent should out though, for Chief Cook John form of acticHi taken to correct be compelled to sail in a lower Knowles is giving him some this situation. As a rule, the rating, until such time as he strong competition. Little Johnny Mahoney crewmen who are shipmates with establishes his competency. Ship's Delegate Fred T. Miller such characters are reluctant to Competency Rule For Cooks, Bakers Urged By Seafarer oCog. - To Tlie Perpetual Beefer by Lige But a slug of rum will make him 'think He's boss with all his might. This is the daily sing-song.^ From s<»ne rummy sailing souls. Who always crowd the Stewards gang. From the ramparts to the poles. This He's He's He's No angels, we, the Steward clan. We try to do our work. Along he comes-, this beefing man. This foolish, gabby jerk. beefing boy who ne'er lets up. always like a gnawer. always wanting just "that thing." batty in^the drawer. There's nothing right to hear him teU, The steak is always tough. But when he hits the beach—"oh boyi" Ifs hot dogs in the rough. The Boston Baked are hard as hell. Yet he orders a full house: He stows away the food pell-mell. And calls the Cook a louse. • He never sailed in Ye Good Olde Days. He never ate beef stew. He's used to one-arm doughnut trays. Bui now he'll mew and mew. He's quiet as hell without his drink. Then everything is always right. He sneaks ashore, returns too late. To help his pal get through. But he'll harp like hell about his rate. And about you, and you, and you. ''' Beware this jerk, this beefing bum. He's out to do us harm. To burn within when full of rum. So send him back to Marm. - --U," r- '• V'-' Fardwell you jerk, performer, too. We know your kind from scratch.So bide your time, we say adieu. We've locked the union latch. Some beefs are just—^there is no do While others are so phony. So take a lesson from that tout: Be right, and that's no baloney. mi•'1i4 �.•:«l December 30. 1949 THE SEAFARERS A HEJtDS'UP ISTHMIAN CREW IN INDIA jliPlisiil illpi iiilii lill Expected to arrive in the US shortly, the Steel King crew was still many weeks away from home when photographed in Calcutta. Here at coffee time are—standing. 1. to r.—John Muno, Carl Fransom. Paul Hellehrand and C. Terry. Front row: Charles Armstrong. Marvin Blizzard and John Stanford. The Black Gang hits the deck for a bit of evening air and the usual exchange of hot air. Z.eft to ^right: Van Allst, George Hale, Bertil Svensson and C. Terry. Photos were submitted lo the LOG by. C. Dunn. LOG SIU Favomble Job Ratio Doesn't Warrant Compulsory Vacations, Seafarer Asserts To ihe Editor: The statement made by a Brother in a recent LOG article attributing the presem *une,iiployment in the SIU to home­ steaders is, I believe, very mis­ leading and should be refuted in order that a responsible and sober segment of our member­ ship, even in the minority, should not be unjustly blamed for some­ thing' that does not even exist —unemployment among the book members of the SIU. Even if it exists, that state­ ment is misleading, because it implies that there are over three million unemployed Americans because factory workers, farmers and other wage and salaiy earn­ ers are staying on their jobs af­ ter a year's en\ployment and not quitting, as is being proposed Occupying what must be the favorite hang­ out for the Steel Kingers, a quintet of Sea­ farers face the camera apd bare their teeth. Left to right, the men are: Y. Talberg, Leo Dwyer. Paul Hellebrand. C. Terry and Gordon Anderson (seated). Brother Labels Charge That Homesteaders Can't Be Good Union Members As 'Nonsense' To the Editor: . I wasn't going to take either side of the compalsory vacation issue, but I feel I must answer my old shipmate. Brother (Salty Dick) Martinez' article on this subject. Page Nine but that the SlO has a job for every bookman. We all know that the only reason a bookman able to ship happens to be on the beach is because he either doesn't want to ship or because he is pretty fussy as to which DISAGREEMENT ship, where it's going, who he If this is so, and I believe it can ship with, and how much is, the beach can't be getting too overtime he can make, keeps crowded, that is. Brothers, if him there. you really want to ship. I also NO REASON FOR RULE disagree with the Brother's state­ ment that "the SIU has a policy As long as the SIU has a job that says, a job for every book­ for every bookman, there is no man." reason why any member should says "shipping has slowed down and the beach is pretty crowd­ ed." Then a little further on he admits "any bookman knows he can ship out between two and four weeks." Brother Martinez writes very well as a rule but in this par­ ticular article he does not give juiy concrete reason why the compulsory vacation rule should ^ adopted by our membership, jn fact, the Brother contradicts ibis argument for it. The ti-uth is not that the SIU covet or try to deprive another . In one paragraph Martinez says a job for every bookman. memb^ of his job, w^hether he has had that job a month, a year, five years. Providing, that is, that the Brother has been and is living up to his Union agreement, constitution and by­ laws. by many labor economists in the One aspect that we should consider is, what effect will the SIU. The membership should find policy or rule of making one a better solution than depriving give up his job after a year have any one of our members of his on our organizing efforts. (The fundamental and constitutional present shipping rule v/hich aprights to work as long as he plies to men taking vacations wishes if the current unemploy- amounts to this; giving up his ment in our Union is to be al- job.) Will crew members of unleviated. By forcing one to be organized ships, especially those unemployed so another could be who have long service with the employed does not solve the company welcome this system? I believe not. problem in the least. HAVE TRADITION ALTERNATIVES , During the last war, when the To ease the unemployment in very existence of our country our Union which exists mostly was at stake, our Union clung among the permitmen, I believe strongly to our traditional policy the following suggestions would in not approving many proposed be of great help: rules which would force them 1. Intensify our drive in or­ to take any job against their ganizing the unorganized com­ will." We should continue that panies. policy and disappiove any rule 2. Make an all-out demand for that would force anyone to take a welfare fund which of course or quit any job against his own will include the permitmen. Inwish, provided he abides by all 'lensify our campaign to liberal­ Union rules and contracts. ize the present unemployment A man knows, more than any­ insurance systems of several one else, his own or his families States so that unemployed sea­ needs, and when he can afford men may obtain unemployment to be out of a job without plac­ benefits with little restrictions ing his dependents in dire need. and red tape. It is not evei-y member who has , 3. Clamp tighter on the is­ a large family that can, after a suance of Union books. Absol­ year's employment, save enough utely no book should be issued" to tide him over while he waits except to men who are aboard indefinitely for another job. His an unorganized ship who had rating aboard and the run his been fired for his union efforts ship is making will determine to at organizing and those who are a large measure his take home aboard at the time of the elec­ pay and his saving. tion when the SIU won. NO JOB PROBLEM 4. Modify the present vacation Is the unemployment among rule in our Shipping Rules-where the SIU book merpbers so ser­ a man taking his vacation may ious or alarming that we should return to his ship after a vaca­ even consider a i-adical change tion. This will give it the real in our traditional policy? The meaning of VACATION. I know answer is NO. According to the of several men who would take "State of the Union Report" of their vacations yearly if they 1949, we have 10,523 book mem­ could go back to the same ship bers. Total jobs available on after their sj'acation instead of contracted ships are 10,021. This going to the bottom.of the ship­ leaves only 502 book members ping list. unemployed at any given time Let us preserve our tradition. if all the jobs available are fill­ Let us maintain our policy. Let ed by book members. The number is so small and- every member keep his right of inadequate' to provide the nor­ choo.sing to stay or quit a ship mal replacements that we have at his own convenience, provid­ to take in and maintain over ed his presence aboard a ship 4,000 permitmen. The presence is satisfactory to the Union and of permitmen on practically evep' the company. Let us keep un­ contracted ship proves this con­ changed our Union's excellent tention and supports our official record and prestige in the realm claim that we have a job for of trade unionism. Joseph Blake practically every book member Philadelphia. Pa. of our Union. IT MAKES A NICE CHRISTMAS GIFT Citrus Packer Got Off Easy In Mine-Loaded Tokyo Bay To the Editor: In reference to an article in the LOG and shipboard news pulletin concerning war bonuses and mines, I would like to tell you of an incident that occured on this ship, the Citrus Packer. As you know, we were washed abound in Tokyo Bay on Sept. 1, 1949. • During the , .same typhoon, three mines were washed ashore, within a radius of 800 yards from our ship. The Army sent men to. explode .these, mines and we - watched the operation, so .we. know they , were not duds. If these mines were found in this manner, how can we be sure that there aren't more?' It was just a miracle that one of them did not hit our ship dur­ ing the storm. We will never know how close they came, but I know that , many a prayer was said after we saw them. And the crew realized how lucky we were that we Trusses these mines during the storm. It certainly looks as though there is still plenty of argument to support payment of war bonr uses. R. E. WhiKT Ship's Delegate The old cry that homesteading causes a man to become a poor Union man and, a company stiff is a lot of nonsense. You are either a good Union man or not —no job or coridition changes you. Therefore, Brothei-s, when the resolution is voted on, I shall vote no, and I hope the majority of our membership does likewiset'^ I agree wholeheartedly with Brother Joe Buckley that a four^watch system would be much more constructive and would insure the job security to which every member is entitled. . Drank Bose M. D. Faircloth (rightj shows Brother R. (Salty Dick) Martinez an ash tray made from an elephant's foot. Faircloth said he was giving the foot to one of his friends. Martinez is now in New 6rleans waiting lo ship; Faircloth is on the Fort Bridger. �Pag* TMI TUE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, Daeember 30, 1949 MOBILE:—Chairman. J. Park­ cilities clean in the Hall. Meet­ er; Recording Secretary, J. Caring adjourned at 8d0 PM, with roU, 50409; Reading Clerk, Har­ 362 members present. old Fischer, 59. 4 4 4 Minutes of meetings in other NEW YORKP—Chairman, LindPORT REG. REa" REG. TOTAL SHIPPED SHIPPED SHIPPED TOTAL Branches read and concurred in. DECK ENG. STWD8. REG. DECK ENG; STWDS. SHIPPED sey Williams, 21550; Recording At this point Port Agent Taimer Se^etary. Fr^die Stewart, 4935; 9 13 19 41 13 8 7 28 Reading Clerk, Eddie Mooney. introduced Brother Gartman of Boston. 138 138 134 410 122 101 77 300 the Radio Technicians Union, New York Minutes of other Branch meet­ 64 39 Philadelphia. 43 146 32 13 26 71 ings read and approved, with Local 1284. Gartman discussed 106 69 61 236 54 53 52 159 exception of Tampa New Busi­ the strike his imion is conduct­ Baltimore 48 50 33 131 2 1 3 ness containing committee rec­ ing against Station WABB. His Norfolk. 19 12 7 38 19 9 9 37 ommendations for renovation of talk was well taken by all pres­ Savannah 14 11 9 34 16 18 15 49 building. Motion carried to non­ ent, and Brother Tanner urged Tampa. 78 53 Mobile 59 190 62 51 44 i 157 concur with this report in view that we go on record, to support 70 72 92 234 87 78 95 260 of previous membership action the Technicians Union in their New Orleans 47 37 Galveston 47 131 29 27 14 -• ^70 naming New York as next port beef. The Agent also discussed 35 • 29 19 83 30 27 15 , the status of shipping and named West Coast .72 whose building is to be improv­ the vessels scheduled to arrive GRAND TOTAL 628 523 523 1,674 466 386 354 1,206 ed. Port Agent said that ship­ in port .during the next two ping had been holding its own weeks. He also reported on the here, and that most sliips we;re progress of the Union negotia­ on charges until all involved member-ship read and approved. tion. Motion carried to have oof- coming in shipshape. He also tions for a Welfare Fund, and of can appear at a hearing at this Motions carried to ' accept and fee set installed here, as it is in cautioned men against fouling the apparatus ^eing set up in Hall. One minute of silence in concur in minutes of other New York. Amendment recom­ up or drinking aboard- ship. connection with the Cities Ser­ memory of deceased Union mem­ Branch meetings. Port Agent mending that coffee-making be Communications from men wish­ vice beef. Agent concluded his bers. Meeting adjourned at 7:30 said that shipping had been slow, taken care of by volunteers also ing to be excused from meeting report by announcing - that the PM, with 134 members present. although a number of vessels carried. Meeting adjourned at were referred to the Dispatcher. official reopening of the Hall 4i 4" 8125 PM with 375 bookruembers Secretary - Treasurer's financial NORFOLK—Chairman, J. A. would take place some time after present. report accepted as read. In re­ the first of the year, the exact Bullock, 4747; Recording Secre­ port to the membership, Secre­ 4 4 4 date of which would be set tary. J. L. Hodges, 50555: Read­ tary-Treasurer discussed the sta­ BALTlMORE-^Chairman, Rex shortly. Motion carried to adopt ing Clerk, B. P. Rees, 95. tus of negotiations with the op­ resolution on expulsion of Trot- Motions carried to accept as called on in-transit status. He Dickey, 652; Recording ~ Secre­ erators on the Union demand for skyites and commie splinter read all Branch minutes of pre­ also named the ships scheduled tary, G. A. Masterson, 20297; an employer-financed welfare groups. Motion carried that we vious meetings. Headquarters to arrive here during the next Reading Clerk, A1 Stansbury. plan. He said the Union negotireport to the membership read two weeks. He mentioned the 4683. a'ting -committee was sticking to and approved. Motion carried to Christmas dinner to be given in Motion carried to suspend, reg­ concur in Headquarters Rein­ the Hall on the holiday eve. ular order of business and go statement Committee's report of Motions carried to accept Head­ into Obligations and charges. F. November 23—December 6. Mo­ quarters Reinstatement Commit­ E. Walker, Macon Welsh and tions carried to accept following tee's report and Balloting Com­ Paul D. Lawrence took the Uny committee's reports: Port Bal­ mittee's report. Resolution to ex­ ion Oath of Obligation. Charges loting Committee, Donations pel Trotskyites and other com­ read' and approved. Trial com­ donate $50 to Radio Technicians Committee and, the Tampa mie factions for their disruptivq mittees' decisions concurred in. for use in their strike. Secretary- Branch Building Committee. Mo­ maneuvers was-adopted unanim­ Minutes of all Branches meet- its demand for one fund admin­ Treasurer's financial report and tion carried to adopt and .concur ously. Under Good and W^are ings->ead and approved, except istered by a committee reprO-. Headquarters report to the mem­ in resolution calling for expul­ a rising vote of thanks was given for motions to non-concur with senting the Union, the operators bership read and approved. Mo­ sion of Trotskyites for their dual to Mrs. Robertson, Mrs. Levy, Savannah and Galveston new and one impartial member. He tion to adjourn carried at 9:45 and hostile activities within our Patrolman Robertson and Agent business. Resolution recommend­ reported that some operators PM, with 255 members present. Union. Port Agent discussed the Morrison for their efforts in pro­ ing expulsion of Trotskyites for stressed a preference for their status of shipping in this port, moting the Christmas dinner to their disruptive tactics was un­ own individual funds (.and were SAVANN.lU»-^l^rman, Jim stating that this week a sharp be given here in the Hall. Meet­ animously adopted. Communica­ unwilling to contribute to an in­ Drawdy. 28523; Recording Sec­ drop was noted in the number ing adjourned at 7:20 PM, with tions read from several mem­ dustry-wide plan. The Secretarybers seeking to be excused from Treasurer stated that this would retary, J. H. Babson. 31845; Read­ of job calls.. Communications 46 members in attendance. meeting were read and referred not be agreed to by the Union, read from several members seek­ ing Clerk, J. Floyd, 50633. 4 4. 4 to the Dispatcher. Headquarters because of the unnecessary ex­ Secretary-Treasurer's financial ing to be excused from meeting. NEW ORLEANS — Chairman. report to the membership ac­ penses involved in duplication of report read and approved. Port Motion carried to refer requests Major Costello, 114; Recording cepted as read. Port Agent spoke detail work. He pointed out that Secretary. George Allen, 114; Agent said Southland was ex­ to Dispatchei'. One minute of on the state of shipping in this this would sap the reserves of Reading Clerk, Buck Stephens, pected to payoff in Charleston silence in memory of departed port. Motion carried to accept the welfare fund, which should 76. December 22 to sign on foreign Brothers. Motion carried to ad­ Hosjiital Committee's report. One be operated with the least pos­ Minutes of previous New Or­ articles. Until the first of the journ at 8 PM, with 161 mem­ leans meeting and financial re­ minute of silence in memory of sible adn^inistrative expenditure. year, shipping is expected to be bers present. port read and accepted. Charges departed Brothers. Under Good Seveial members took the Union slow, he said. Minutes of other 4. 4. 4. Branch meetings read and ac­ PHILADELPHIA— Chairman. against crewmember of Del and Welfare there was discus­ Oath of Obligation. Meeting ad­ cepted, except for motion to non­ J. Sheehan, 306; Recording Sec­ Norte read and concun-ed in, and sion on keeping the sanitary fa­ journed at 8 PM. concur with Galveston New Bus­ retary, C. Kimball, 52; Reading motion carried that all ports be notified that these charges are iness. Under Good and Welfare Clerk, William Click, 48741. several questions were asked in Minutes of previous meetings pending in this port. Minutes of regard to the Christmas, party in other Branches read and ac­ meetings in other Branches read to be held in the Hall after the cepted. Motion carried to write and approved, with exception of regular membership meeting. Mobile for clarification of motion Savannah New Business. Port SIU, A&G District SUP Motion carried to adjourn at made under New Business. Agent Agent said that shipping was BALTIMGRE 14 North Coy St. HONOLULU .16 Merchant St. 7:45 PM, with 75 members in at­ reported that shipping had slow­ slow but that affairs of port are William Rentz, Agent Mulberry 4540 Phone 5-8777 tendance. ed down quite a bit. Ships com­ in good shape. For the coming BOSTON 276 State St. PORTLAND Ill W. Burnside St. ing in were pretty clean, he said. two weeks, 10 payoffs scheduled Ben Lawson, Agent Richmond 2-0140 t Beacon 4336 DispatcherRichmond 2-0141 BOSTON—Chairman, T. Flem­ The business of the port is in thus far. A new Hall has been RICHMOND, CaUr. 257 5tll St. 308Vg—23rd St. ing, 30821: Recording Secretary, good shape and the Agent added opened in Lake Charles, he said. GALVESTON Phone 25^ Keith Alsop, Agent Phone 2-8448 B. Prine; Reading Clerk, B. Law- that, a lot of new faces are be­ The address is 1419 Ryan Street MOBILE 59 Ciay St. 1 South ' Lawrence St. SAN FRANCISCO Douglas £-8383 son, 894. Phone 2-1754 ing seen in the port. Secretary- and Brother Johnny Johnston is Cal Tanner, Agent NEW ORLEANS. 823 Bienville St. SEATixE 86 Seneca St. in charge. The Agent invited all Minutes of previous meetings Treasurer's financial report and Main 0260 in all Branches approved as report to the membership read members, their wives, and fam­ E. Sheppard, Agent Magnolia 6112-6113 NEW YORK .51 Beaver St. WILMINGTON...... .440 Avaion Bivd. read, except for motion to non­ and approved. Motion carried to ilies to the Christmas Eve- party Joe Algina, Agent HAnover 2-2784 Terminal 4-3131 concur with new business of adopt resolution branding Trot­ to be held in the Hall here. NORFOLK 127-129 Bank St. Phone 4-1083 Savannah Branch. Motion car­ skyites and commies as dual and Communications from Brothers Ben Rees, Agent 337 Market St. Canadian District ried to concur in Agent's report hostile and calling for their ex­ asking to be excused were re­ PHILADELPHIA J. Sheehan, Agent Market 7-1635 in which the status of shipping pulsion to prevent their further ferred to the Dispatcher. Reso­ SAN 404 Le Moyne SL FRANCISCO :.. .85 Third St. MONTREAL.. in this port was discussed. Sec­ attempts to divide our Union. lution to expel Trotskyites and Jeff Morrison, Agent Douglas 2-5475 UNiversity 2427 SAVANNAH 2 Abercorn St. FORT WILUAM. .llS'/g Syndicate Ave. retary-Treasurer's report and Brother Joseph P. Merkel, Book Jim Drawdy, Agent Phone 3-1728 Ontario Phone 3-322t Headquarters report to the mem­ No. 32519, took the Union Oath SEATTLE 2700 Ist Ave. HAUFAX iZBVt Hoilis St. bership read and approved. Mo­ of Obligation. Motion carried to Wra. McKay, Agent Seneca 4570 Phone 3-8911 tion carried to adopt resolution refer communications from ab­ TAMPA ..1809-1811 N. Franklin St. PORT COLBORNE 103 Durham St. calling for expulsion of Trotsky- sentees to the Dispatcher. 250 Ray White, Agent Phone M-1323 Phone: 5591 ates and other commie splinter members were present when a commies was read. The resolu­ WILMINGTON, CaUf., 227 »/g Avaion Blvd. lllA JarvJa St. E. B. Tiliey, Agent Terminal 4-2874 TORONTO igroups which have been seeking motion carried to adjourn. tion was adopted by a unanim­ HEADQUARTERS. . 51 Beaver St., N.Y.C. Eigin 5719 4o undermine the Union's con­ 4 .4. 4' SECRETARY-TREASURER ous. vote. Headquarters repdrt to VICTORIA, B.C. ... .602 Boughton St. tinued drive for gi-eater security SAN FRANCISCO—Chairman. the membership read and ap­ Paul Hall Empire 4531 -DIRECTOR OF ORGANIZATION for the - membership. Charges M. Bernstein, 2257; Recording proved. Motion carried to. reac­ VANCOUVER. 568 HamUton Sfc Lindsay WUilams against member accused of being Secretary, P. M. Robertson, 30,- tivate books of Melvin Schrade ' Pacific 7634 ASST. SECRETARY-TREASURERS drunk on gangway watch and 148; Reading Clerk, Jeff Morri­ and Salvatore Candela." George HEADQUARTERS.,... v .512 McGUl St. Robert Matthews J. P. Shuler pilfering stores were read, and son, 34213. ^ Montreal Plateau 676 . Joseph Voipian Duxworth and Thomas Hyde a motion carried to hold him Headquarters report to the took the Union Oath of Obliga- A&G Shipping From DOG 7 TO Dot, 21 Directory Of SIU Halls �THE SiEAFARERS LOG Fxiday, December 30, 1948 Page Fleren la I WIMT tttllMK., • 1 QUESTION: The membership has called for discussion on the advisability of setting up a credit union within the Union. What do you think of the plan? JOHN JELLETTE, Sleward; We seamen are quite apart ^•rom the rest of the world beicsuse of the nature of our work. We're in a port for a payoff, then out. We don't get to banks be­ cause we don't have time or be­ cause we're not ^ure when we'll ^et back there. I think that it is fitting and proper that we have ^ banking system of our own which will permit us to save conveniently and to draw such funds as we may need at any |>ort where the SIU has a Branch. It would encourage us to accumulate money. Then, when we're in need, the rest would be ioasy. I'm for anything that builds security fpr seamen. -LAN MACDONALD, AB: There are plenty of factors in favor of such a plan. A credit union is protected by a Federal Agency, just like banks are. If we had such an organization, it is likely that-'we could borrow money at a rate of interest con­ siderably lower than that charg­ ed by commercial banks. It would provide an incentive for seamen to save money by mak­ ing deposits at the payoff. He would then have a xtaeasure of security in the event of need during a strike, lockout or per­ sonal emergency. It might even be possible to make allotments to personal accounts in the credit union, an excellent way-.of saving.~ . W. J. HEIDY, Steward: ROBERT MCNAY, FWT: ORLIE PRICE, Bosun: MARJAN REINKE, DM: A good idea, I'd say. I'm in favor of a credit union which a man can join by buying shares. As a responsible member, he would then be entitled to bor­ row if he needed money. But I don't think anyone should get the idea that a credit union is just an easy way to make a touch. If everyone favoring the idea understood that he would have to contribute his share, and participate in its administration, there would be little confusion. And it could be made to work with a minimum of effort. It all depends on the guys who join up. If they are serious and con­ scientious the plan can work. I first saw mention of this topic in the SIU Overseas Bul­ letin while 'I was aboard ship, and it was roundly discussed by the crew. The consensus was that we didn't think it could work. The majority of men were afraid that a lot of guys might think they could make a good' thing out of a credit union, and thus spoil its chances for success. They might borrow whether they needed money or not, and too many loan ai^lications would pile up. I want to say that the fact that this matter was' brought to our attention by the Bulletin proves the value of this over­ seas news sheet. I think that if it were possible to get a credit union working, it would give a man a chance to fall back on something when the going got a bit rough finan­ cially. Speaking for myself, I've found that I could use a few bucks to tide me over until the next ship currives; because I didn't put some cash away after a payoff. Somehow, a guy doesn't always get around to sticking a buck in the bank. If we had a credit union and I could bank at the port of payoff, I'd salt something away. Then, if I needed some dough, I'd have something to' fall back on. I think it's a pretty good idea. If a fellow should need money immediately—maybe for medical expenses for his family — the credit union could be a big help to him. It is much better than having to rely on loan sharks or the pawn shops. I know fel­ lows who had to put everything in hock when such an emergency came up in their families. We dis. cussed the idea aboard the Steel Voyager, and I believe most of the crew was in favor of such a plan. In the ouiports, a credit union would make it possible for a man to get his money without a long wait, and he could de­ posit it in any port he happened to be in. PETER KARAS, AB: CLARENCE SANSOM, Steward: DON WILLIAMS, MM; JAMES DUBOSE, AB: The credit union sounds like it means the end to red tape in getting loans for seamen. A man's financial status is easily known and his ability to pay can easily be determined through the gen­ eral shipping picture. The low rate of interest—about one per­ cent—sounds very attractive. I would join such a set-up with­ out hesitation. With a credit un­ ion a fellow can bank in his Union Branch, without having to run all over town to find a reg­ ular savings bank. All of his business could be transacted in one port under one roof. Bank­ ing in the Union Hall would en­ courage thrift among Seafarers —a good idea in itself. A credit union has a* particu­ lar appeal to me, and it will ap­ pear attractive to a majority of members. For example, we are all acquainted with that uncom­ fortable experience of riding a train across the country after a payoff, with a big roll of bills. If we had a credit union, all we'd have to do is stop in at the nearest SIU Hall in the pay­ off port, unload our cash and pick it up when it is needed in another port. Under such a set­ up, there'd be no more need to chase around for a d>ank and travellers checks. And better still, there'd be no more un­ necessary risks in. carrying pay­ off money around. While I don't understand the idea of credit unions fully, I have a pretty good idea of how they work and setting one up within our Union sounds like a good idea to me. As I see it, a credit union would mean that a man belonging to it would have a branch office of his bank in every port where there is an SIU Hall. I'm from New Orleans, but ship out of New York, and I would have real trouble trying to cash a personal check in a city wliere no one knows me and I have no bank 'account. This sounds like the answer to a seaman's money problems, that arise as he moves -around the counh^. .. 1 have discussed this idea of establishing a credit union with­ in our org'anization with a num­ ber of people. As a result, I learned that several other unions have tried out such a plan, wiih disastrous resuLts. Should we set up a credit union and something goes wrong, it would cast a re­ flection on our Union and not on the guys in charge of the credit union. The point is that credit unions are one thing—^ruu by members who join them vol­ untarily. They are the ones re­ sponsible. I am against anything thai mii^it met turn out well andi reflect wffairly on ffie BIU. �Page Twelve THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, December 30. 1843 &^ort Of four SfU Affiliotes Buoys Spkits Of Betoil Clerics Ami Streugtheus Pkketiiues Their spirits buoyed by the presence of crewmember3 off the SS Florida and members of the SIU's affiliated unions, AFL Retail Clerks are funding the picketlines in Miami, Fla., determined to win a bitter fight for decent wages and conditions for the employees of the Tip-Top grocery stores. The support the seafaring and allied workers of the SlU are giving the Retail Clerks Union springs from their conviction that the legitimate economic beefs of one AFU pnion are the concern of all. Miami is witnessing a sound demonstration of AFL trade union cooperation in Retail Clerks' strike, as shown by pickets signs in photo above. These-picketing men of the SIU's Atlantic and Gulf District, Sailor's Union of the Pacific, Marine Allied Workers and Brotherhood of Marine Engineers know that a defeat for the Retail Clerks would be a defeat for the cause of trade unionism everywhere. In short, they know; the score. Most of the SS Florida crewmembers, whose vessejl runs between Havana and Miami, are veterans of im­ portant SIU beefs, among them the P&O strike and the 1946 General Strike. Sparked by Ship's Delegate Mario Reyes these Seafarers volimtarily turn to on the RetaU Clerks picketlines everytime the ship hits port. Christmas being a particularly tough time for a man to be on the bricks, the Florida crew held a tarpaulin muster, the proceeds of which were turned over to the Retail Clerks to enable them to have as decent a holiday; as possible under the circumstances. The Retail Clerks Union representative in Miami haS expressed deep appreciation and high, praise for the Sea­ farers' support in the Miami^ beef. He said that if other unions in Miami would lend one-tenth of the aid given by SIU men, the strike could be won in 24 hours. As several SIU men on the Retail Clerks' picketlind put it: "The fight for union conditions should be the business of every man and woman who enjoys the advan­ tages of working under a union contract. Christmas trees stand outside struck Tip-Top market but that's as close as the store owners come to demonstrating good will to all men. Signs of Iwo pid^bls maicWiig in front of the anti-union Tip-Top shop toU passorsby of the MJLWs and SUP's support. "And if working people who need a helping hand in' an important beef can't turn to their brother unionists, where else can they expect to get support?" , Identification of men did not accompany these photos, but all of these pickets were out on the line in the name of gpod trade unioxdsm. Retail Clerks are asking people of Miami not to patronise Tip-Top groceries because pro­ prietors refuse to bargain in good faith with the union. � 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 December 30, 1949 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. XI, No. 34 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: CTMA'S REQUEST FOR NEW ELECTION DENIED BY NLRB NLRB SAYS 'NO' TO STOOGING CTMA BRANCHES AND CREWS CONDEMN TROTSKYITES SIU, OPERATORS NEAR AGREEMENT ON WELFARE PLAN GULF FISHERMEN GROUP TO JOIN WITH SEAFARERS SIU BULLETIN ENDS NEWS BLACKOUT LOOKING FORWARD MOBILE STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF ELECTIONS PRE-XMAS BOOM HELPS SAVANNAH LITTLE TO REPORT FROM PHILADELPHIA UNANIMOUSLY PASSED RESOLUTION DECLARES TROTSKYITES ARE 'ENEMIES OF OUR UNION' TROTSKYITES RAISE CRY OF 'SIU GOONISM' TO HIDE OWN REIGN OF TERROR IN SEATTLE SOUTHWIND MEN JUMP INTO VACATION DEBATE, URGE SIX-MONTH LIMIT ON SHIPBOARD STAYS SEATRAIN TEXAS, FREIGHTER CRASH IN NEW YORK HARBOR MOTHER OF LATE SEAFARERS THANKS CREW FOR TRIBUTE SEAFARERS HELP STRIKE OF MIAMI CLERKS Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 12/30/1949 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America 1949 Periodicals Seafarers Log