Master Mates and Pilots November 1939
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
NOVEMBER, 1939 No .11 fiLIATED WITH THE AMERICAN fEDERATION Of LABOR ALSO STANDARD RAILROAD BROTHERHOODS No Wonder He's Nervous (By Baer) *' WHAT THE HECK IS '\ ~ GOINq TO HAPPEt' . TO ME WHEN THEY X '\ ;..-.r-ST_A_R_T_TO FIGHT? ~ t ·'~ 'i• Ma§te~ and jThe~ Mate. Pilot "'iM Official Journal of the Ndional Organization of Masters. Mates and Pilots of America. Published on the 15th of each month at 810-[6 Rhode Island Ave., N. E., Wa5~in9ton. D. C. ?~------------------------------------ ;~VOL. II NOVEMBER, 1939 No. 11 ijTransfer of American Ships to Foreign 'IFlags Called Camouflage for Neutrality ->+1 ,\'i~j .... (*1 1j NOI\tIMP Protests to Marititne Cmnmission Action 'ViII DeSll"oy U. S. lVlerchant l\larinc. 'ij and Increaoe Unemployment Among Or~ani7:ali()n"s r;:icmhcrs whose membership wiII be affected if these ships are transferred to foreign registry. Copies of letters received have been forwarded to Chairman Land, President Roosevelt, Chairman l3land and others, with a request that the U. S. Mari time Commission refuse to be a party to these trans fers solicited by steamship owners. Among these protests were communications from Local No. 90, San Francisco, and Local No. 14, Balti more. The West Coast protest, signed by C. F. May, pres_ ident of Local No. 90, follows: "WHEREAS the repeal of the Neutrality Act is now an accomplished fact; and "WHEREAS the repeal of this Act by the United States Congress has deprived hundreds of Americau merchant marine officers of their means of livelihood and will have far-reaching effects upon the economic condition of said American merchant marine officers and their families; and "WHBREAS extended training in the Navy and the Coast Guard will serve the twofold purpose of con tinued employment and invaluable military training; and "WHEREAS the steamship companies affected and the Maritime Commission are now perfecting a plan whereby their ships may continue operations under a foreign flag, using foreign officers; and "WHEREAS the transfer of American flag vessels to service under a foreign flag would nullify the in tent of the repeal of the Neutrality Act: Therefore be it "Resolved, The National Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots of America, West Coast Local No. 90, strenuously protests the transfer of any Ameri ~an flag vessels to service under any foreign flag; be It further "Resolved, That the President of the United States instruct the Secretary of the Navy to assign officers their lives in the war zone, or face starvation on the of American merchant marine without discrimina bread line? If the average seaman were permitted to tion of age, for duty in the Navy and Coast Guard for voice his answer, you can rest assured that he would Neutrality patrol duties during duration of the war take his chances with the submarines. when so assigned; and be it further "We ask that you make a public protest against "Resolved, That the said merchant marine·officers the transfer of American vessels to neutral flags in shall receive commissions and warrants commensur the name of the organization and that, failing to get able with their standings and ability; and be it fur- results from your protest, you demand that SOme ther . arrangements be made whereby American seamen "Resolved, That this plan be executed as speedily can continue to sail these. transferred vessels. We as possible, so that the high standard of the Ameri also ask that you expedite your action in this matter, can merchant marine may be maintained; and be it as we have been informed that the United States Line further has already advertised in English papers for licensed "Resolved, That copies of this resolution be sent at and unlicensed personnel to operate these vessels. once to the President of the United States, the Secre "This letter was formulated and ordered sent to tary of the· Navy, the commanding officer of the you at the regular meeting held November 8, 1939." Coast Guard, the Maritime Commission and to our Senators and Congressmen, also to the national offi cers of the Masters, Mates and Pilots of America and to all Locals; to the Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association, to the United States Lines, the Black Diamond Lines, to Moore & McCormick, Lykes Bros. and affiliates, the Waterman S. S. Co., the American President Lines and to other steamship lines affected, also to the American Federation of Labor and to the Central Labor Councils of San Francisco, Seattle and Portland for their concurrence and support." The Baltimore letter, signed by R. R. Ogg, presi dent of Local No. 14, follows: "The Nentrality Act, if enforced, will work great hardships on the merchant marine seamen, but if American vessels under foreign registry are per mitted to be manned by foreign seamen, we feel it be will a death blow to the U. S. merchant marine. "If the Maritime Commission is permitted to au thorize the transfer of American ships to neutral flags the effect of the Neutrality Act will have been nullified. American ships, under neutral flags, will be carrying American cargo to belligerent nations. The Mrs. John H. Pruett Dies only section of the Act which will actually remain in The Editor has learned with deep regret of the. force will be the one denying to American citizens the passing of Mrs. Phoebe Pruett, wife of our pas right to travel in the war zone, and that is the one Presi"dent, John H. Pruett, at Kittery Point, Me., section which so vitally affects American seamen. October 17, 1939. "If the Nentrality Act is so flexible as to permit The older members will recall Mrs. Pruett's genial the transfer of American ships to neutral flags for personality and kindly friendship at the numero the duration of the war, so that their owners may conventions which she faithfully attended for yea take advantage of the excessive war profits which Since Captain Pruetts' retirement in January, 1929, will resnIt from trading with belligerents, why not to Kittery Point, Me., we have not had her company carry this absurd condition to greater lengths and at our conventions. permit American seamen to transfer their allegiance Captain and Mrs. Pruett were married more than to neutral countries for the duration of the war, so 53 years. They went to the "Little Red Schoolhouse'! that they may sail on these transferred vessels? together, and when Captain Pruett went to sea at the "Even though the Neutrality Act has been passed, age of 15, they corresponded faithfully and ev we feel that it is not out of order to state our position tually were married. They had five children-thr with regard to merchant sbipping. It is our conten sons and two daughters-one of whom died in in tion that if American shipowners are willing to risk fancy. The four remaining children are all marrie their ships in the war zone, knowing that they can and highly respected members of society. expect no assistance from the Government in the The mutual devotion of Captain and Mrs. Prue ,event of their being sunk, and if American seamen was a watchword among their friends, who mOll .are willing to risk their lives sailing these vessels, her sincerely. His former shipmates join them' then these vessels should be permitted to operate. rendering our sincere sympathy and the hope th With the seamen, the whole matter resolves itself the Great Pilot will give him peace until he rejoi down to one question-would the seamen rather risk his loyal helpmate in the safe harbor of Paradise. {2) THE MASTER, MATE AND PIlO Maritime Service to Train 8~360 Seamen Yearly Left Jobless by Neutrality Law ACILITIES for training 8,360 seamen yearly in food, dining room steward routine and room steward F the U. S. Maritime Service are being made avail routine. able by the Maritime Commission to crews and of During the period of the emergency no enrollee ficers of ships which will be withdrawn from service will be accepted other than one left jobless by the because of the Neutrality Act. Neutrality Act. Applications for enrollment should The Maritime Service is the organization set up be made to the Maritime Commission District Offices by the Maritime Commission under the Merchant at 45 Broadway, New York City, and Canal Bank Marine Act of 1936 to train American seamen in Building, New Orleans, La., or to Coast Guard re deck, engine room and steward's departments of cruiting stations. Requirements for enrollment American flag vessels. under the emergency program are one year's active The Maritime Service is operated under rules and service at sea within the last three years and a cer regulations promulgated by the Maritime Commis tificate of discbarge showing that the applicant was sion which establish the policies and curriculum and a member of the crew on the last voyage of a vessel determine eligibility of enrollees. The Commission withdrawn from service by operation of the Neu selected the Coast Guard as the administrative agent trality Act. and pays all expenses of the service. The training program has been in operation since While engaged in this training the seamen will be September 1, 1938. Up to November 10, 1939, 2,883 paid $36 a month, plus clothing, quarters, subsist seamen and officers had been enroll,ed in the Mari ence, medical and dental care and transportation. time Service. The officers will receive the same benefits and will be The Maritime Service has previously taken unem paid $125 a month. Direct payments and allowances ployed seamen who have served at least two years on to enrollees for a three months' training course will' merchant ships of the United States.