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Official Organ of the Atlantic and Gulf District, Seafarers International Union of North America

Vol. VIII. NEW YORK. N. Y.. FRIDAY, MARCH 8. 1946 Kn No. 10 COMMIES RUN NMU, GURRAN ADMITS . +. iPiiiii Says Membership Was Sold-OutTo CP Line; illB' Asks Ouster Of Meyers, Smith, McKenzie As His Gang Batties For Union Leadership The Communists have busted the NMU wide open. Joe Curran, NMU national president, exposed the machinations of the Red leadership in its struggle for power in the Union at a closed membership meeting on February 18. Curran revealed that the communist machine continually overrode the will of the membership. He showed the membership how the commies had dictated who was to be elected, fired and 'or brought "^up on charges. He disclosed that Joseph Stack, Shipowners And NMU Members: NMU' New York Agent and prominent in the communist par­ The Seafarers International Union of North America is ty in New York, has been doing hereby giving notice to all U,S. shipowners that, no matter how espionage work in and around badly broken up or weak the NMU becomes through the squab­ the Port of New York. bling of their communist leaders, we will faithfully observe all Since Curran's expose the NMU contracts, and will under no circumstances permit the NMU has been entirely leader- These are some of the men on the Cape Junction who are doing disintegration of the NMU to be used as a club by the ship­ less. The fight for power has gone their best to bring the Cape Junction into the Seafarers—and they're owners against the helpless members of that organization. on. No one has quit throwing getting places. With the exception of the Bosun, these men are all mud long enough to take the Several times in the past, ship operators with whom the active aboard the ship. From the left (kneeling): Nick Calzia, AB; helm. Seafarers has contracts have disclosed the fact that NMU of­ Vincente Chavez, 2nd Cook. Rear: Guy Merchant, Bosun; Phillip And now the entire world ficials Myers and McKenzie have both offered to deal with the Daum, Utility; Tex Hansen, AB; De Haven, AB. knows aB'out the communist lead­ shipowners on very liberal terms—provided that the operators ership in the NMU. A report of sign up with the NMU, instead of continuing their SIU contracts. Curran's sensational disclosures These disclosures have not caused the SIU to veer from the at the closed meeting was carried Passenger Ships Pianned straight course and attempt to pay back the NMU in their own first in the New York World Tele­ coin. On the contrary, we are making this pledge to the rank gram. It was reprinted by other NEW YORK — A summary of passengers and 39,000 cargo tons and file members of the NMU so that they may rest assured that New York papers. The wire ser­ the construction plans of eleven to South America at 20 knots. they will have every assistance in the world from the SIU in vices picked it up. ship lines has been announced American Mail Lines, Seattle, cleansing their union-house of their scabby, finking misleaders. Mention the NMU to anyone, by the National^Federation of six special Diesel powered C-2 anywhere henceforth, and any­ American Shipping. A total of type vessels, with 75 passengers We make this pledge to the NMU rank and filers, and in­ one, anywhere will see Reds. eighty-nine new passenger ves­ and 55,000 to 60,000 cargo tons tend to keep it. Now, do your shcure, boys. Make it a good OFFICIAL MINUTES sels of 1,200,000 gross tons will be from the Pacific Northwest to housecleaning while you're at it, and don't worry about the To World-Telegram reporter built, costing between $400,000,000 the Orient at 16 to 18 knots. shipowners coercive attempts. We'll back your play! Fred Woltman came the official and $500,000,000. transcript of the closed meeting, The new ships will be larger through an undisclosed source. and speedier than the prewar He broke the story on March 5. models. They will have a total Seafarer Led Filipino Regiment That was the first public knowl­ passenger carrying capacity of edge of the explosion in the vit­ 14,000 to 15,000 passengers, and In Guerilla Warfare Against Japs als of the NMU, though it had a cargo carrying capacity of 700,- been known for more than a 000 deadweight tons. Speeds will By TOM MOORE McBRIDE week that the fight for power range from 16 to ,30 knots, com­ Into the Log office in the New York Hall, the other between Curran and the com­ pared to a prewar range of from munist bloc had come to a 12 to 22 knots. day, came an amazing young man, a probationary SIU crashing climax of some sort. Four of the lines which have member named Edward G. Bender, oiler. Until recently Despite the obvious inference announced their plans have he held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, commanding First throughout his 20-page indict­ closed shop contracts with the Bolo Regiment, Isabela, Philippine Islands. He is a man ment of the Red leaders of the Seafarers International Union. who survived the Bataan Deatht NMU, Curran managed to avoid The number of vessels they plan March, escaped from the Japs an SIU ship after five days In the use of the word "communist," to obtain, total passenger and car­ and led the resistance movement port. hewing to the phrase "the ma­ go capacity, routes and ranges of in northern Luzon. Ed Bender was still reticent chine" each time he spoke of the speed, is as follows: when he began to talk, and Lutt­ men doing battle with him. Grace Line, Inc., New York, This is the first time his story rell had to prompt him to get QUIZZED SEAMEN nine ships carrying 450 passen­ has appeared in print. Up to now him started. But once he got go­ He named as leaders of the gers and 83,960 cargo tons to he had been reticent to the point ing, there was no stopping him. commie plot to control the NMU, South America at a speed of 18 of turning tail whenever a news­ Ed Bender's father was a Army Medical Corps Hospital. Ferdinand Smith, national secre­ Pennsylvanian who married a Bender wanted to do more tary; Howard McKenzie and knots. man appi'oached. His buddy, C. Alcoa Steamship Co., New Filipina. Ed is an American cit­ than work in a hospital, but he Frederick (Blackie) Myers, vice York, three vessels with 2000 E. Luttrell, longtime SIU full izen. He went to school in Ma­ didn't get his chance until De­ presidents. passengers and 40,000 to 50,000 book member, prevailed upon nila, and in 1940 joined the Phi­ cember 26. Then two non-coms Also scourged by Curran was tons of cargo to West Indies and him, however, to come up to the lippine Scouts. He was dis­ of the 86th Field Artillery, who communist Joe Stack, New York South America at speeds from Log office to tell his story when charged for disability on August knew he'd had experience, Port Agent. 16 to 20 knots. their ship hit this port. 6, 1941. When the Jap attack picked him up and took him to The World Telegram went even Mississippi Shipping Co. New Bender and Luttrell sailed came he was an Army civilian the northern front, where he further than Curran, in establish- Orleans, three ships carrying 360 from New York on March 2, on employee, a stenographer at the (Continued on Page 4) (Continued on Page 10) -mi

Page Two THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday. March 8, 1948 SEAFARERS LOG Published Weekly by the SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA Atlantic and Gulf District Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor At 51 Beaver Street, New York 4, N. Y. HAnover 2-2784 » » » & HARRY LUNDEBERG ------President 105 Market Street, San Francisco, Calif. JOHN HAWK ------Secy-Treas. P. O. Box 25, Station P., New York City

Entered as second class matter June 15, 1945, at the Post Office in New York, N. Y., under the Act of August 24, 1912. 267

3-iikj A White Elephant? Although the shooting part of World War II has been over for more than six months, full peace has not yet been achieved any place on the globe. Sporadic fighting has brokeji out in many spots, and British and Dutch troops have been used to keep the colonial peoples in subjugation. This battle to keep the colonies under control is but another facet in the fight among nations for expanded economic power, and international prestige. The last eighteen months have seen the virtual en­ slavement of half of Europe by the Russians; the dismem­ berment of Chinese territory and the de-industrialization of Manchuria, also by the Russians; the meddling in Greece b\ the British, and an overall breakdown of the machinery designed to guard against just such excesses. These actions cannot be justified and are in no way compatible with the charter of the United Nations Organization. The veto, which has given the Big Three unprece­ dented power, has been used to quell any objections to the grabbing tactics of the Soviet Union and of Great Britain, and to the continued exploitation of the Dutch colonies, Hospital Payments which has had the approval and the active cooperation of Members of Ihe Seafarers England. While the other member nations of the UNO are eniifled to a weekly pay­ certainly do not condone such activities, there is little that ment from the Union if they they can do about it under the present set-up. are laid up in a hospital. Be The basis for world peace has become fear of world sure to get what is coming war. We are attempting to build an organization to up- to you: Notify the Union of bold amity among nations, yet we have the certain know­ your ward number so that ledge that force may have to be used to achieve this end. there will be no delay in your Already there is loose talk about World War III. Surely Men Now In The Marine Hospitals receiving the money due you. a world which has seen ten million people slaughtered STATEN ISLAND WILBER MANNING fruitlessly is in no position to contemplate a new war. C. JANULLEVICUS M. J. FIELDS GEO. R. COOPER CHARLIE MIZELL The brave new world may yet come, but not through J. DENNIS the medium of an organization dedicated to the main­ GEO. A. CARROLL FRANK HOLLAND L. A. CORNWALL J. H. SMITH tenance of power politics and imperialist expansion. It D. E. SEBOLD 3. i 4- will come when no nation fears its neighbor; when all peo­ J. J. HANLEY BRIGHTON MASS. 4" 4" 41 ples are free from want and tyranny—and may that day V. SHAVROFF HOSPITAL ELLIS ISLAND be soon. D. J. MONTELEONE ELMER STEWART D. MCDONALD J. L. WEKKS E. JOHNSTON J. KOSLUSKY TIMOTHY HOLT G. PHINNEY, Jr. It if i> j. L. CAMPBELL J. SAUNDERS BALTIMORE HOSPITAL Out In The Open C. E. HASZ F. KENSFIELD H. OLUF PAUL WINTERLY The stench that has arisen at the NMU national head­ A. RAMOS J. S. NEAL STEVE KELLEY ESELE WALKER quarters has existed for years. Up to now it has been care­ .1, C. CARSON A. HUDSON STEPHEN KELLY fully covered. Hitherto, any attempts to lift the lid have H. L. GILLOT PHILIP ARCHILLOER BUCK SHERWIN R. POWELL been met with the cry of "Red-baiting." S. 4. 4.- 4 4 4 L. R. KATES Now, however, the expose comes from NMU Presi­ MOBILE C. MIDDLETON GALVESTON HOSPITAL dent Joe Ciirran who certainly should know. He has been L. L. MOODY A. "A. TROMLY TIM BURKE for the most part a willing part of the controlling ma­ L. R. BORJA R. N. STROMER M. CARDANA chine. D. CARRILLO H. HARTMAN J. C. DANZEY No matter what his reasons for the break, this much W. B. MUIR DIXON 4 4 4 is certain: He knows whereof he speaks. M. JOHN BANDA SAVANNAH HOSPITAL For the maritime industry, this story has been the % % QUAID ROBERT HANING greatest thing that has happened since the overthrow of the NEW ORLEANS HOSPITAL ^ 4, 4. 4 4 4 NORFOLK HOSPITAL old ISU piecards. HAROLD SCOTT NEPONSIT For the membership of the NMU it is an opportunity THORWALD JOHANSEN JOHN B. DARCY £. VON TESMAR to overtlirow their commie-line leadership; take over con­ WM. ROSS CHAR1,ES T. GASKINS R. A. BLAKE trol for themselves in the name of clean, honest, militant P. F. HICKS EUGENE WENGARTEN BERTEL BRYDER WM. MIM3 LLOYD Q. McNAIR J. F. CLARK unionism and prepare for the Coming day of real maritime BLYHURNE WOODS J. H. SMITH PABLO CORTES unity—a unity free from communist political control. J. DENNIS L. L. LEWIS E. V. FERRER Fxiday, March 8, 1946 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Three Report Of SlU Organizing Drive

By EARL SHEPPARD pudiated the NMU, but this isn't Isthmian voting should be under enough. The job to do is to way at about the same time. One It seems that NMU is really show every Isthmian man, re­ of the principal jobs of this con­ getting worried about the Isth­ gardless of who he is, just what ference will be to see that Isth­ mian drive. Just last week the the Seafarers stand.s for and how mian activity doesn't slacken big shots held a meeting and Joe he can benefit himself and his when the voting starts. "No Coffee Time" Curran ac­ shipmates by selecting the SIU as NEW ISTHMIAN SHIPS cused some of the other national his bargaining agent. officers of sabotaging the drive, Some large 02, and 03 types and causing NMU members to Reports from all ships continue of ships and a few 04'.s are being desert wholesale. to be good. The crews are stick­ turned over to Isthmian. These By PAUL HALL All of this is reported in a front ing aboard and fast getting ships have been operated by the page article in the "World Tele­ everyone swung over to the right Army and Navy as transports. In addition to the organizational task, the Union's postwar prob­ gram" of March 5, 1946. It even course. When they are put into operation lems, the task of educating our younger union members, the Sea­ states the fact that the NMU The response to the charter this will mean a large number farers now have another job to do. couldn't even win an election membership fee of seventeen dol­ of men that must be hired to I'e- We have the task of contacting every possible member of the against a company union; citing lars has been good, and large place the Army and Navy crews. National Maritime Union. This will be just as great a problem the Standard Oil of New Jersey. numbers of Isthmian seamen Every SIU member should pitch and as necessary as our current organizing drive. Curran blames the other commies have taken advantage of this in and help. If enough men can Details on the existing situation in the NMU are carried in —Myers, Smith, Stack, et al— and become members of the get aboard these ships they too another part of this paper. We are now witnessing a very large and they blame him. Union. will be won over and the election maritime union in the stage of breaking down. All officials and The SIU has known this all ALL SHIPS VISITED will be cinched. members of this union should remember that it will do the Sea­ along. On plenty of Isthmian Various port organizers all re­ CRITICAL POINT farers no good to see the NMU completely demolished. ships NMU organizers are turn­ port that every Isthmian ship is .Summing the whole thing up The destroying of any maritime union will harm all other ing in their books and joining being visited and that the re­ in a nutshell, this is the critical unions in the industry. This is what we must go to the membership the SIU. In the last issue of the sponse is improving every day. point of the drive and every SIU of the NMU with. We must tell them; "Clean up your house— NMU rag, the "Pilot," they even There is no doubt that the Sea­ member must be on his toes. drive the fakers out. Unless you do this the NMU is sure to fall." stopped claiming any progress in farers is the choice of the ma­ If crews start piling off the Isthmian. jority of seamen riding Isthmian ship at the last minute before Seafarer's Support REPUDIATE NMU ships. Menjbers of the NMU must be told that the Seafarers will back the elections there is a danger The men on the Isthmian ships Special effort is being made to them in their demands for a clean union. This can lead to the that they will be replaced by in the great part have already re- have Isthmian committees or­ uniting of all seamens unions on common problems such as the men who don't know the score ganized on every SIU ship. The program laid out in last week's Log of a joint agreement between or by selected men that the NMU object of this is to have Isth­ will try and .send in just to con­ all maritime unions to cooperate in eliminating the wartime powers mian ships and crews contacted fuse the issue, even though they of the Coast Guard, WSA, and other government bureaus. Johnny Goes in every port in the world. Sea­ know that they have no chance of We know, and ^here's no use kidding ourselves, that we can farers members should not only winning the election. sit on the sidelines and watch the NMU collapse through internal A-Gooning contact these ships but every ef­ The picture looks good right dissention and the sell-out tactics of their leadership. If this hap­ John Rogan, NMU Port fort should be made to get Isth­ now, and if the SIU holds on to pens, and we do nothing about it, there will be nothing left to even Committeeman and commun­ mian crews to come aboard SIU what strength is now aboard call a union and the NMU membership will be left to be pushed ist "big shot," who sometimes ships and see at first hand just ships, victory is certain. Holding around by the shipowners and all government bureaus. is known as the "Assistant how an SIU ship functions. on means however, that the work As we see it, our problem is plain. We must seek out the President" of the NMU. set Special attention should be must not be lessened in the NMU members and explain to them that we have no designs on out to drown his sorrows one paid to showing these Isthmian slightest. If anything, the work evening last week. The their organization, that for our mutual protection it is good that crews all overtime sheets and must be intensified. The bigger whisky evidently made him . llieie be an NMU until such time as we unite in "One Big Union" letting tnem see at first hand the margin of victory the better under the banner of the Seafarers International. think himself a big, bad just how much they benefit finan­ the agreement will be. Every or­ The former chief stooge of the communist party, Joe Curran, tough goon so he set out with cially by becoming organized. ganizer and every man aboard a few other gas hounds to now sees fit to expose the fact that the NMU is in the clutches The Agents Conference will be every Isthmian ship mut.t pull to­ of a group which no not intend to do one single thing for the mem­ hunt a victim, and inquired held shortly in N. Y., and the gether. bership of the NMU. In Curran's own words, they are interested for several people who only in following the political line of "Zig Zag" Foster, chief of weren't around (convenient­ the communists. ly for him). When one of these called NMU Finds It Can't Piece-Off Fired By Commies up the next day Johnny It is degrading to an organization of any kind in any industry to wasn't in. His secretary, how­ have to stomach the statement made by communist chief William ever, reported that he was SIU Volunteer Ship's Organizer Z. Foster in which he states he had had to use; "Surgery on some of still on the binge. Tut! tut! NORFOLK — Despite the at­ This is nut the first time that the officials in the NMU." This must make every rank and file Comrade Rogan, the NMU tempts of NMU Norfolk Agent the NMU has attempted to "buy" NMU member's ears burn. It must more than ever before tend doesn't pay you to drink dur­ Kirk to piece-off a couple of Isth­ or '"bribe" SIU members or pro- to make him lose confidence in his organization. ing working hours—but after mian men aboard the SS John SIU Isthmian seamen, but the ..Naturally, we can expect the communists to attempt to rally and all drinking's a lot safer than Constantino, the ship is solidly unquestioned loyalty of all Sea­ reshape their program along the line of some of their previous in­ gooning—don't mix 'emi for the Seafarers, and will con­ farers has always resulted in famous slogans. tinue to be pro-SIU. their resistance to these under­ The NMU member.s must bo told not once but as often as pqs- handed attempts, and the SIU sible, that their internal problems are their own affair and that ANOTHER ISTHMIAN SHIP FOR SIU has on hand authenticated rec­ unless they and they alone clean them up, the NMU will surely die. ords of several cases in proof. The NMU membership has been told for years by the same Of the two men in question, communist leadership that are now slandering each other, that the Reese O'Scott and Bill Evans, Seafarers would do everything in its power to crush the NMU. Scotty has been sailing with Isth­ This naturally has resulted in a bad feeling between the member­ mian for three years, and his ship of the two organizations. NOW IS THE TIME FOR THE buddy. Bill, has been with them MEMBERSfllP OF THE SEAFARERS TO PROVE TO THE MEM­ for two-and-a-half years. Accord­ BERSHIP OF THE NMU THAT WE FIGHT FOR THE INTERESTS ing to them, "After we got a look OF ALL SEAMEN AT ALL TIMES REGARDLESS OF WHAT at this Mr. Kirk and his 'union' ORGANIZATION THEY BELONG TO. pals, we would not have anything THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION IS DRAFTING to do with him or his 'union'." A PROGRAM CALLING FOR UNITY AMONG ALL MARITIME STRONG SMELL WORKERS. THIS PROGRAM WILL BE BASED ON SIMPLE Scotty declared, after revealing FUNDAMENTALS, WITH THE THOUGHT IN MIND OF HAVING the attempted piece-off, "It ALL MEMBERS OF ALL MARITIME UNIONS UNITE ON ANY (NMU) stinks up'the City of Nor­ MATTER AT ISSUE WITH THE SHIPUWNEKS OR THE WASH­ folk, and I don't think Rill likes INGTON MARITIME BUREAUS. that becau.se Norfolk is his home We must push this program. We must tell all seamen of all to-wm." unions that the Seafarers are strictly for unity on all union prob­ Organizer Rocky Benson assert-, lems. We must show by our actions that we mean what we say. ted that, "These fellows are help­ ing me to organize Isthmian, and Charges Proved they will go aboard other Isth­ When talking to members of the NMU, tell them that their mian ships in any port they hit. President, Joe Curran, has verified the charges made many times Both Scotty and Bill will tell the by the SIU. That he now openly admits that the affairs and man­ story of SIU to unorganized sea­ agement of the NMU are controlled by Moscow stooges such as men who belong to Isthmian or Ferdinand Smith, Frederick Myers, Howard McKenzie, Joseph Isthmian crew of the John Constantine, snapped aboard their other non-union companies." Stack, et ab Prove to them that once again as shown by Curran's ship while docked at Norfolk, is all for the Seafarers. Reading from With volunteer ship's organi­ own words ar.d charges, that the NMU has been sold down the left (kneeling): Eseky Benson, Organiser; Dowoy Parry, OS; Ward zers like Bill Evans and Reese river completely as regards conditions and wages. Moyers. AB; Henry Ford, Messman; John Johnson, Messman; (stand­ O'Scott, plus numerous others pn Point'out to them that the good officials of the NMU have re­ ing): P. P. Gaskill, AB; Melviii Eure, AB; Reese O'Scott, AB; C. M. Isthmian's hundred odd ships, the signed or been forced out under pressure simply because they in- Tucker, FWT; Gordon Trail, Oiler; Allan Marby, 2nd Cook; Willard Seafarers is confident of the elec­ (Coniinued on Page 12) Beaton, OS; T. Proctor. FWT; Lester Smith, OS. tion's outcome. Page Four THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, March 8, 1346 Seafarer Led Filipino Gueriiias (Continued from Page 1) laid guns to cover the retreat to RESISTANCE LEADER Hm MfHIS Bataan Peninsula. Then, because Bender knew all of the back roads, he led a con­ ITHIITK voy to Bataan. There he estab­ lished gun emplacements for the first line of artillery defense. Bender still didn't know wheth­ QUESTION: What port do you want to set­ er his status was Army or ci­ vilian. He wore an Army uni­ tle down in when you retire from the Sea? form, but that didn'tr mean much. He was advised to go to head­ quarters to find out. EINER HANSEN. Carpenter- En route he ran into Major Brooklyn for me—how else can Stephen C. Sitter, Medical Corps, I follow the Dodgers if 1 don't who prevailed upon him to cstabr live close fo them? Anyhow, it's lish the hospital registration sec­ my home and I have my family tion and plan wards at the there. I like the wide open spaces newly-established Army field of Flatbush. I like the gin mills hospital. For three weeks he there, and you have to admit that worked 16 hours a day. Then the Brooklyn girls are the most beau­ casualties dropped off some. tiful you've seen. Even an old But around mid-March all hell guy like me can see that. Most busied loose again. The second of my friends live in Brooklyn. Jap convoy had come. The whole Edward J. Bender, who was a Li. Col. in the Filipino Resis­ I know it sounds funny, and very peninsula shook, day and night, tance Movement and who is now an Oiler on an SIU ship, clasps few men will say this, but it's with the bombardment. The Japs hands in solidarity with his shipmate C. E. Luttrell. Jr.. 3rd As­ Brooklyn for me. Anyway, my pounded away at the field hos­ sistant on SS Marine Perch. wife lives in Brooklyn—and likes pital where Bender was sta­ it—so I'm going to have to set­ tioned. thing he did when Bender's had other ideas though. They tle down there whether I want "I can't imagine why I didn't group came up was shout "Atten­ kidnapped a collaborating po­ to or not. get it then," he says. . tion!" Eight men came to atten­ liceman and forced him to guide CIVILIAN AGAIN tion. Immediately the Japs fell the small group past .sentry boxes When the surrender flag was on them with rifle butts and bay­ to the rice paddies toward An­ raised Bender was too busy with onets. Bender told the white man geles, then allowed him to return. wounded to leave with the first he was a Filipino of German des­ There were several families of day's Death March contingent. Philippine Scouts at Angeles Major Sitter advised him to whom Bender knew. These took NELSON BENJAMIN. 2nd change to civvies as soon as pos­ them in, fed them and gave them Cook—New York, where else? sible, escape and organize guer­ money. Bender accompanied the New York is like heaven to me. rilla resistance. He managed to six to Tarlac, then set out over I have lived here since 1912 and make the change at night. the mountains toward home. He I still like it. I've never been The next day the ordeal be­ had crossed Balita Pa.ss when sol­ broke in New York, and I've gan. To start him off toward their diers of the Second Battalion, always been happy. My family concentration camp, three Japs 14th Infantry, Philippine Scouts, likes this town, and my kid has stuck bayonets in his back. An­ stopped him. Bender proved his grown up here. This is a good other twisted a piece of flesh identity, and gave the command­ city, nice people, plenty to do. from his arm with pliers. Anoth­ er, Major Enriquez, the first news and always a chance to make a er beat him over the head with of the American surrender. He living. I'm fifty-two years old a fla.shlight. told the story of the fall of Ba­ now. and I hope to live to be The worst part of this for Ben­ cent, that the Americans had taan, and the Death March. Ma­ seventy years old. and die right der was managing to keep smil- forced him and the men with jor Enriquez listened gravely. here in New York City. ling at his tormentors. If he him to do construction work. When Bender finished the major hadn't they would have killed They had agreed on this story informed his men there would be him. on the long march. All stuck to no surrender, that the 14th would They walked throughout the it when questioned, and the Japs continue to fight as a guerrilla first day and into the night. There believed it. They told the group outfit. was no water or food. It was the to disperse and go to San Fer­ JOE KRAMER. Oiler—I want nando or Porac, where they NO SURRENDER same the second day. If a man That battalion was the only to settle down in New Orleans. faltered he was beaten or bay- would become part of labor bat­ The boys tell me that I spent a talions. Bender and six friends one which remained intact onetted. The second night a med­ throughout the Jap occupation, good two weeks there once. It's ical officer looked them over. a beautiful town, and the main never surrendered and fought on Those whom he designated as too until long after the forces under street is one of the widest in the weak to continue were bayonet- Bender Will Make world. But the real reason I want MacArthur landed on the Luzon ted to death. The men were made A Good Seafarer beaches. to live there is that the women to sit on the ground. They Bender wanted to stay with are really beautiful and not too couldn't stand or lie down. The Edward G. Bender, the hard to get to know. The food guerrilla leader, will make us the outfit, but Enriquez had more ground was damp and dysentery valuable work for him. He or­ there is the best in the United set in. a fine Seafarer. States, and as for the drinks, He sailed on an SIU trip- dered him to go home to San­ SHEEP FROM GOATS tiago, Isabela, to collaborate with well, they're powerful enough. It was a haggard group which card as Wiper on the SS John I guess I'll never settle down any the Japs and do intelligence reached the point where civilians Goode on December 3. Two place, but if I do. I want to live work. He gave him a horse to were to be separated from, sol­ days later he was promoted in New Orleans, even when it ride tlie rest of 'die way. diers on the fourth day. Bender to Oiler. rains. * Ed Bender was a sad young simulated a paralyzed hand. In He was badly burned on the office he showed us how he December 31. but four days did it, and his clawlike hand was later he sailed on the Ruby so convincing we weren't sure it Victory as an Oiler. As a hadn't grown that way. It was member of that crew he be­ just as convincing to the Japs. came a probationary member. PETE SUDOL. Acting AB—I They placed him in a group of His buddy. C. E. Luttrell. don't want to live in a town 150, all supposed to be civilians. currently sailing as Jr. Third where the people act tough all Only a fev/ Japs guarded his Assistant, is a longtime, mili­ the time. New Yorkers are like group of civilians as they march­ tant Seafarer, and thinks that. That's why I'li take Bal­ ed northward, and Bender was he'll be an SIU asset. timore. where the people are able to pass the word for every­ "Look." said Luttrell, the swell and easy to get along with. one to dispose of everything GI, other day, "this guy will The girls down there are good- underwear, shoes — everything. make you a great Union man. looking and they like seamen. He knew Jap intelligence officers He's a top-notch man. and it . man when he asked the Japs in There are nice places to live, and would be the next ones separat­ doesn't take long for others Santiago for work as a book­ I think it would be a swell place ing the sheep from the goats, and to recognize it. What's more, keeper and they gave it to him. to bring up a family. There are would look for anything incrim­ he'll get out and organize About 10 percent of the people a couple of girls down there that inating. In addition, he warned them. in his hometown were collabor­ I am interested in and, who them not to do anything sugges­ "Any guy who could organ­ ators, and. he couldn't afford to knows, maybe I'll settle down tive of military training. ize an army from the ground let his family or friends know with one of them in Baltimore. There was a German in Am­ up. should be able to organize that he was in the Japs' era- erican uniform with the Japs at for the SIU." Labao, Pampanga, and the first (Continued on Page 11) Friday. March 8. 1946 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Five THE MEMBERSHIP SPEAKS

SIU PARTY HELD IN SALERNO Conditions On Azalea City A Scandal To The Jaybirds We, the undersigned members of the crew on the SS Azalea City. Waterman SS Co.. do make the following state­ Log - A - Rhythms ments of conditions which exist at the present aboard this ship, on matters which are vitally important to the crew. Toast To The SIU We also make the following recommendations concerning By E, S. Higdon what should be done in order to correct these conditions.

NO LAUNDRY FACILITIES Wonder if the land folks As far as the ship's crew is concerned, there are no such Ever stop to know things as facilities for laundering their dirty clothes. How­ What the seamen mean ever. there are two laundry rooms aboard; one aft on the To the world of "stop and go." fantail and one mid-ships near the main galley. These two Do they know the dangers rooms are supplied with sinks and adequate equipment for Filling every trip? the entire ship's company if handled properly. That is. if The risk of every man so much time for use of. and Down to the sea in a ship? so much time and responsi­ bility for the maintenance of, The seamen are the sailors were allotted to each group. That sailed before the war— As conditions now stand, the This is the beginning of a surprise birthday party given by Before the natty uniform laundry room on the fantail Seafarer members of the crew of the Mary M. Dodge at Salerno, Made the salty tar. Italy, for George Vourloumis (left, with beard). 41 River St., is locked, and not available They learned the secrets of the Fitchburg. Mass. It is easy to tell that the party is just begin- to the crew crew, and re­ sea ing. because the wine bottles are full, the birthday cake is un­ served only for the Navy The story of the brine. Personnel aboard. cut. and no one is under the table. When Roosevelt called Likewise, the laundry "Attention!" certain officers had tried to get room midships is kept locked INGERSOLL CREW The seamen stood in line. and reserved for the use only AND SKIPPER ARE them to complain. of a few select officers. From I think that you can be justly And when came the war with a what we gather there are only JUST LIKE THAT!! proud to have such men in your stout command The merchant marines were about IC officers using this laundry room. In each of these Union, and personally I am proud Dear Editor: there. rooms, there is a washing machine, owned apparently by the of their confidence and coopera­ We the members of the Deck They carried the message to individuals, who let out the use of the machines to others. tion. In a long career at sea I Department of the SS Robert G. Garcia It appears that the reason for locking the crew out of these have never known a better crew. Ingcrsoll w;ish to express our Not asking when or where. rooms is that it would interfere with the use of the washing Laurie B. Cale. thanks and appreciation to Cap­ machines. Our desire is not for the machines, but for the Master, SS Tonto tain Robert Van Bemmel for a Ships were afloat—ships went use of the laundry room sinks, which we feel that we are down. short yet very pleasant trip. It entitled to. would be a pleasure at any time WSA AND ARMY And men were thrown on high, At one time, three department delegates went above to in the future to sail again with Then dropped to the ocean wild. TEAM UP TO FUBAR On her bosom there to die. see if something could done, but were unable to kindle any Captain Van Bemmel. interest, outside of the possibility of getting a steam line Signed. Deck Department SUPPLIES FOR SHIP Their's was not the glory loud put in each one of the showers. This item should be corrected Nor the trumpet's shrill applause. immediately, but from appearances, it is going to take more Dear Editor: But "Hell, what is a victory than a mere request of the persons in authority to do so. CAPTAIN FOUND We, the undersigned officers When you're fighting for a This letter is in request of the assistance of a little more SIU CREW BEST and crew of the SS Richard Hen­ cause?" power than we seem to be able to generate. IN HIS CAREER ry Lee, desire to call to the at­ tention of the War Shipping Ad­ And when the white-clad fleet CREW PANTRY, REFRIGERATOR Dear Editor: ministration the deplorable con­ udieux. To describe said crew pantry, it consists of a tiny room I wish to express appreciation ditions existing aboard this ves­ When stopped the battle scenes- about 5 by 7 feet in which is jammed a rusty steam table for the broad minded and con­ sel in regards to food supply. Still to the sea for Uncle Sam about one-half the size necessary for the number of men servative manner in which the This vessel originally left New Always—the merchant marines. being fed; a tin stand upon which rests an equally rusty unlicensed personnel aboard the York City in June, 1945, with coffee urn. which should have been discarded a year ago. SS TONTO have acted during supplies for 42 days and at no And back of the men is a Union and an old beat up refrigerator, which likewise should have my time as master and mate time since then has an amount of We've organized to stay. gone to the junk heap a year ago. •aboard the ship. I relieved Capt. food been received adequate for We've won a place in the nation FOREVER—not just today. In addition to these items just mentioned, which should Roy M. Cone as- master after I the length of voyage undertaken, had been aboard about two be sufficient in their importance to cause some action, eight months to date. The Master So, let us lift a brimming cup the facilities provided for the washing of dishes, and of months as Chief Mate and I of this vessel has repeatedly re­ To the banner of the SIU know that there were lots of other mess equipment used by the crewv are not far short of quisitioned The War Shipping And drink it down—every drop— grievances and wrongs going on criminal. We say this because of the knowledge which is Administration and the U. S. To a Union staunch and true. common, that there has been and IS available to the proper at the time I took over. Army for stores only to have the agency, (W.SJl.) all the needed equipment necessary. Other The three unions. Deck. En­ greatest part of his requisitions Then, shake your hands, across ships have it; why hasn't this one? gine, and Stewards have com­ ignored. The appended copy of the world the latest requisition submitted A Brotherhood of the Sea. To continue, the facility for dish washing is. in short, ported themselves in a business­ and the list of stores actually re­ In fairness there is freedom one small tin sink about 18 inches square and 12 inches deep like manner and we have ceived amply bear out this state­ And the truth shall make you with an equally small drain board. In this small sink, the straightened out all the trouble. ment. We are aware that a ma­ free. dish washer must handle all the dishes, silverware, glasses I wish to commend them for jority of the items requisitioned and utensils necessary for feeding about 80 men. Need­ their patience and cooperation are available at this port both less to say. it is an extremely unsanitary condition and if for and thank them for their trust for Army and civilian use and we BROTHER THANKS nothing mofe important than the health of the men of the and confidence in me. feel that they arc being unjustly crew, some form of immediate action should be taken. It is About when the ship was get­ SHIPMATES FOR withheld from members of the absolutely impassible to sterilize dishes with this set-up. ting in shape to live in com­ Merchant Marine. FUNERAL TOKEN This so called pantry set-up for the ship's crew, if on shore, fortably there was rharted an Dear Editor: would have been condemned by the Department of Health agitation against a certain mem­ We therefore respectfully re­ before it ever left the shipyard, if it had been inspected ber of the crew whom I consider quest that the situation be rem­ Please have the following print­ properly. a very competent man. When it edied as quickly as possible as ed in the Log: our present diet lias caused our From what we gather from the past few trips, the story was demanded of me that I dis­ "I wish to thank the crew of health to deteriorate to the point has been that the "Azalea City" would only make ONE rate this man I refused, as in where, in a short time, we will the SS Cranston Victory for MORE trip carrying troops; that after that trip the ship my judgment he is perfectly no longer be able to perform our the kind expression of sym­ would go into the shipyard to be reconverted. This being the competent and satisfactory. Later duties necessary to the care, pathy in the recent death of reason for not doing any work on her. Well, since they first I was gratified to receive a peti­ maintenance, and operation of my father. Since I was unable started saying that, the ship has made at least three trips. tion from the three SIU unions. Deck, Engine, and Stewards this vessel. to attend the funeral, the col­ We propose that this story that they give, should not be the lection will be used for masses reason for this ship to go out in the same condition again. which was signed by all the un­ (Signed by everyone on licensed crew members of the board except Captain, and grave decorations. Signed. THE CREW ship, upholding this crew mem­ Chief Engineer, and Navy " "Thank you, Shipmates," ber and deploring the fact that Personnel) Jack Paszkiet Friday, March 8, 1946 Page Six THE SEAFARERS LOG ih SHIPS' MINUTES AND NEWS

Peacetime Festivity Returns To Passenger Ships 'Neptune Reigns At Equator By ROBERT P. MORAN End Cargo With an air of peacetime festivity, the SS Robin Tux- ford welcomed back her first return voyage to South and Jeopardy, East African ports after several years of war service in the European Theatre. Highlighting the journey was the "solemn" initiation Crew Asks •»of all pollywogs into the Royal A resolution requesting the Order of King Neptune. Passen- scrapping of articles and sections gers, as well as officers and of various Union and company crew, underwent all the mental agreements pertaining to the safe­ anguish and physical tortures ty of the vessel and cargo was that the murderous band of shell­ passed by crew rv.embers aboard backs could improvise. From the the John Bartrain at the Feb­ rising of the Equatorial sun 'til ruary 18 meeting. dusk, the ship was in a literal state of turmoil and the show­ The crew also voted to attend ers and passageway bulkheads the first possible shoreside Union throughout the ship were an meeting to introduce a similar ebony hue that evening. resolution and to see that such Steve Bzdil and Frank Ward, resolutions are pushed by mem­ Chief Engineer, spent a most en­ bers at all Union meetings. joyable afternoon shearing off The Bartram resolutions stress­ the numerous victims' hair into a ed the following points: diversified as.sortment of fanfa.s- That on numerous occasions tic coiffures. Perhaps the most overtime claims for securing of memorable one was that given gear not secured or ill-secured at to Don Brewer, the Third Mate, the time of sailing have been dis­ who had been charged with puted and payment has not been "scrambled-eggitis." made to claimants on the basis of Calmar Says To this day Mr. Brewer does such work being necessary for the all of his entertaining out-of- safety of the vessel. Mail Is Being doors so he won't be forced to LIFE vs. MONEY take his hat offt That on occasions of securing Carried-Fast GRAPEFRUIT COURSE such gear in severe storms, a The King and Queen were Recently a letter was received seaman's life is more at stake portrayed by M.P. Lee and Roy in the Log office which made than at other times, constituting, Berket, respectively, the latter the charge that mail sent to the in effect, a gamble of the sea­ of whom became a very curva- SS Midland Victory; of the Cal­ man's life for company money. cious ruler with the assistance mar Line, had never been re­ Tlial company agents have, on of some giapefiuit and ati ullra- ceived by the crew. The letter many occasions in the past few High jinks and hilarity are the order of the day aboard the feminine bedspread. was sent from Seattle, Washing­ years, taken advantage of sea­ Tuxford as it crosses the Equator. King Neptune sits with his Despite the gagging concoc­ ton, and said, in part, "When we men by declaring various slight Queen and courtiers (upper left), but somehow the courtiers look tions the "dentist" threw into the signed on, we were told that all difficulties as emergencies in a little bored with it all. The blind folded ship's mascot (upper pollywogs' mouth.s, the ungodly mail sent to us care of the Cal­ which the safety of the ship is right) protests as the "ship's dentist" approaches with a pair of baths in the fish-oil pool, and mar Line, 25 Broadway, New involved. pliers, and a lady passenger (lower left), dressed for the occasion, various other harassing events, York City, would be forwarded That all other contingencies and gets a big "surprise" splashed all over her countenance. We don't the entire show was accepted by to us. Out of the five ports we exceptions are included in the know what has startled the other one, (lower right), but Brother, all in a most congenial manner. have hit inside of the U. S., we companies' figuring of freight it must be plenty horrible, judging by the look on her face. Even the less gregarious were have received on the average of costs, margins of profit, et al. on hand for the laughs. one letter apiece. Where the hell All of these add up to, the is our mail." USE FOR GUN-TUBS Bartram crew believes, excessive Freylinghuysen Crew Asks On the trip homeward, as far abuses on the part of the shipping We called the Calmar Lines north as Trinidad, the crew companies and exploitation of where a Mr. Squier said he al­ Action Against Officers found much good use for the seamen. A petition asking that action be a compartment without sanitary gun-tubs—they were converted MORE ACTION TAKEN taken by the SIU against the of­ facilities or a guard. But there into make-shift swimming pools, There was plenty of additional ficers of the SS Frelinghuysen, was a heaving line in the com­ with the fan-tail serving as the action aboard the Bartram at whom it accused of misconduct, partment, and the lad undertook "beach." Of course, every time this meeting, presided over by has been received by the New to hang himself. A crewmember the ship took a sudden roll, the Chairman Knies and recorded by York Hall. It is signed by eight discovered him and cut him water splattered over all passers- A. Nagy. New motions car­ members of the crew. down. Despite artificial respira­ by and placed the "proprietors" ried included: The instances cited in the peti­ tion and two shots in the arm, he in a most precarious position. That the meeting condemn the tion concern the Second Mate, ex­ remained in a ^ coma for three With the return to peacetime previous crew or crews for lax- cept for one concerning the hours. sailing, for which the merchant ness in the preservation and care Third, so the other officers seem In the course of the trip, the seamen fought so valiantly, not of their fo'casles and messhall, to have been thrown in for good Second ordered the seaman on only the ships have been painted and for concealing live ack-ack measure. But, if by their silence, watch to turn over the wheel gaily again, but also the lives of warhe^ids and 20 mm. shells un­ the Master and First condone the to a lady passenger who was a the men who sail them have be- . ready had received a complaint der lockers and in ventilators of actions of the Second, this would novice. She managed to get the come brighter, and humorous letter from the Midland Victory tlie ship. be reason enough for action to be ship 10 degrees off its course. On things, such as this initiation, That the meeting commend the brought against them, also. another occasion, the Third Mate crew. are once again painting the Philadelphia Branch for its sup­ On one occasion, the petition ordered a seaman to turn over the SIX SHIPMENTS highways of the sea with the port of SIU Steward Joe (Doc) charges, the Second, while in­ wheel to another woman, also a He looked up the records and color of bygone days. Sussman in his fight against the toxicated, struck three members novice. told us that six mail shipments Coast Guard on charges of failing of the crew with a wooden club In the minutes of the Union had been made to the crew of the port ahead of the ship. If to attend boat drill in Philadel­ v/ithout provocation. meeting aboard ship, it was re­ the Midland Victory. The last something happens, or if there is phia t-ecently. Sussman was Much more serious was the vealed that members of the deck four shipments were as follows: some hold up, the agent forwards aboard merely to collect his case of the minor who was not department were unjustly log­ February 21, to San Francisco; the mail to the next port. standby pay when the Inspecting a member of the crew, but as­ ged for coming to work an hour February 23, 25, and 27, to Port­ When the ship is eastward Officer had ordered him to man sisted in two departments while late. The men in question had land, Oregon, Another shipment bound, and in the Atlantic a boat in 25-degree tempera­ in port for meals and a place to no means of transportation, so is being planned to catch the ship Ocean, deliveries are made by ture and a 55-mile gale which al­ sleep. The Mate, it is reported, they went aboard another Water­ at the Canal Zone on the way having company representatives ready had parted a line aboard struck the child. Later, upon sail­ man ship and had someone sig­ back East. go from New York with the mail, the vessel and set four vessels ing, the boy was discoverd to be nal their ship to tell of their He explained that shipments to meet each ship with the loss aground in the Delaware River. a stowaway. He was locked in predicament. of mail are scheduled to reach of the least possible time.

.... I " 'I'j" ' " 'i'"' '-I '''r Friday, March 8. 1946 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Seven It Was The Falrland's Last Trip ^The Crew Wasn't Supcstitious, But HAVE YOUR SAY j Things Happened ... THE SEAFif^RER WAY f^ Not a single member of the crew of SS Fairland could have been called really superstitious when they signed on for her thir­ a teenth voyage at Portland on De­ cember 14. And none of them can be called really out and out superstitious now. But some of them probably won't be as anx­ ious to sign on any ships making their thirteenth voyages in the future. Not that they're super­ stitious, mind you . . . It looked like an entirely aus­ picious voyage from the start. UlOLO TriOSE Then everyone learned they SHIPBOARD/MEETINGS would lose Christmas. The Fair- land would cross the dateline on — FOR ORGANITATION, Monday, December 24, elim­ —FOR EDUCATION, inating Tuesday, from the year. Baker Charlie Smith, who - FOR SOLIDARITY / dropped into the New York Hall recently, said everyone was dis­ cussing the year without a Christ­ mas when, on Sunday, December 23, there came a terrible hissing from the engine room. It was followed by an emergency alarm and then a general alarm. CUT AND RUN ENGINE ROOM FIRE "Lifeboat stations," someone By HANK shouted. "This is the McCoy." If you see a pair of seamen,' baby girl who would like to see A boiler tube had blown and one short and smiling and the him home for a while longer. kicked the fire out into the en­ other, big and poker-faced, it it J. 1. gine room. Thirty minutes later will be Jack Lawtun and William We haven't seen Johnny word was passed that the fire was Wolff merrily making the best of Flynn for some time, so it must out. But the ship was wallowing it here in New York ... It looks be true he shipped out fast in a trough without power, and like Blackie Gardner, Peg-leg rather than wait around for the a hell of a storm was swinging Andersen and Bill MacQuistian, boys . . , Lee Berwick, former down from the Aleutians. The the writer and orator, arc not to­ bartender, nearly shipped out Here's the way (lop) Ihe seas looked from the deck of Ihe one boiler out of commission had gether again as they have been last week—but it was just a Fairland during a quieler moment of Ihe storm when Seafarer taken the water and steam of . . . Fireman Bush blew in from coastwise job to Baltimore. Charles Smith was able to get on deck and make a picture. And the others. Condition of the re­ Frisco, said hullo to Frank Rad- j Anyway, smiling little Frenchy if you think those seas weren't pounding, Jook at the torn and maining boiler was unknown. zwila, and will rest up awhile J Marcaux sailed on her and will buckled plates (arrow). This is the way the Fairland looked when Finally word came from the en­ with his swollen ankle while his | no doubt be back here again, she reached port. gine room that one boiler could lawyer keeps working on that' to see Danny Ellsbury. be used. Four hours later steam old ca.se of his. XXX was up and the screw began turn­ XXX Wc heard Frank Bicniuk say he MINUTES OF SIU SHIP MEETINGS ing over, slowly. The Fairland Cook Pete King might ship out, was getting rather tired of stay- could now head into the huge even though he's waiting to settle i ing around—so in the near fu- combers. The wind was now his case. It ain't so easy to wait' ture we may see Frank depart- DIGESTED FOR EASIER READING gale velocity, but the ship still too long, especially when there j ing "dis cruel world of New could make four knots an hour, are some shipmates on a good OCCIDENTAL VICTORY, Feb. York" . . . Robert Zulauf was an­ OCCIDENTAL VICTORY, which gave her steerage way. ship hoping you'll sail with them 10.—Chairman B. Cadman. Deck other one of the guys on the Sept. 31. — Chairman D. John­ The storm increased during the . . . Red J. Whitten blew into: Spartanburg Victory, which had Department reported overtime son; Secretary D. West. Engine night. Everything that could town and is taking things easy, as I the honor of being the first U. S. was checked and OK'd for trip. tear loose did so. By morning usual. Delegate reported on overtime Motions carried: Crew will not i ship in seven years to visit Fin- the wind velocity instruments S. i. J. ' land. that was lost by oilers on last pay off until black gang overtime reached maximum—force 12. And Oldiimer Andy Thevik is trip due to delegates' ignorance. is thrashed out; all except two XXX the wind kept increasing. Little George Kelly, Messman probationary book members were ready to ship out, afler talking Chief Engineer agreed to pay on that Delaires voyage is now accepted into the union; one new A REAL COMBER things over with Paddy Han­ overtime on Second Engineer's ; working on a contract job in Eng- member to be referred to Patrol­ son and his little brown pipe verification. Motions carried: At 2 p. m. on the 24th came ; land. Perhaps it's a waiter's job man so that rules and regulations ^. . . What's Rum and Coke West That one man from each depaiT- a crash that shook the ship from" or something like that . . . We of the union can be explained to waiting for? Every week rolls ment be assigned to keep gun­ stem to stern. Men went for their by and he's still smiling his haven't, seen or heard about him. Good and Welfare: Stew­ ners quarters and messroom life jackets. A tremendous wave "Fienchy'' Nnrman Guillel since ard questioned reason for elect­ way around, and talking about clean^ each week; Steward to hit the starboard beam. Among Coffee-drinking Morgan? Per­ '43 and we're wondering if he ing SUP man as Deck Depart­ keep laundry clean and supplied; other things, it dismantled a stai'- haps he's waiting for another knows wc have a New York hall? ment delegate. In his opinion this soaking clothes not to rem.ain in board running light 60 feet above shipmate or a certain ship? was against rules of the union. XXX laundry more than 24 hours; all the waterline, poured water down Cook Teddy Hess was ralher Crew stated they elected man on XXX men to cooperate in keeping mess the funnel, swept away five life Charles Copeman and Johnny anxious to ship out with one recommendations of former crew. room clean. rafts, dislodged a lifeboat and Cabral are preparing to ship out, of his shipmates—but the guy List of improvements for ship X' ripped out and crumpled 45 feet although they miss Pete De Fazi he was asking has a bad leg drawn up for future crews benefit. OCCIDENTAL VICTORY, Oct. of half-inch steel plate along the —who now sails as Third En­ right now, so he can't do it . . . 6.—Chairman M. Ziroli; Secre­ XXX starboard rail. gineer. Pete's brother, Richard Say. Where's Joe Buckley now? tary D. West. Deck Department JOHN GALLUP, Nov. 4. — But the storm had done its De Fazi is still in the Army, al­ Down there for the Mardi Gras to request overtime for call back Chairman Vendetta; Secretary worst. After that it subsided, though he once sailed in the SIU with Tom Gould. Slug Siek- to ship while berthed at Colon, Way. Motions carried: One man gradually. and still talks about the boys. mann and Jimmy Crescitelli. C. Z. Steward Department re­ from each department to inven­ Next afternoon, after a survey, XXX XXX quested firemen to eat soon after tory ice boxes and store rooms: Captain Anderson decided re­ John Marciano likes to hang Baker John Bove is still trying noon watch so cooks wouldn't All passengers to be prohibited pairs were necessary and changed around the beach but Teddy Cuc- to ship out—but for a good run. have to spend so much time in from entering crew messhaHs; course for Honolulu. The storm chiarelli can't afford such a thing. •Perhaps this week will be good hot galley. Good and Welfare: Steward to report to skipper if had kept the Fairland from cros­ After all, Marcy hasn't got any for all concerned . . . We've no­ Decided on seating arrangement any member of crew takes cups sing the dateline, and it was responsibilities . . . We thought ticed Pete Sudlo and "Chips" for mess room; ash trays may be or pitchers and does not return Christmas. It remained Christ­ we got a quick glimpse of AB Hansen toiling away the daily obtained from steward as long them. Good and Welfare: Men mas all day, and the passengers Harvey Hill last week, whizzing hours playing five-hundred rum­ as supply holds out; pantry complained about being served and crew of the Fairland cele­ in and out, but then we might be my—while waiting for more jobs should be kept cleaner and food second rate meats such as hot brated it all day. The weather mistaken . . , Bosun James Scott on the board. Say, Chips, do you returned to icebox; watches to dog.s and chili. Steward ex­ was still rough, but the sun was might ship out for just one more know about Bosun Dick Brady get flashlights so as to get to and plained that it was the best out—in more ways than one to trip, if there's a ship going South working and living up Jamaica, from look-out. he could do. the guys aboard the Fairland. Africa way. He has a wife and Long Island now? Page Eiglit THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, March 8, 1948 New Berths Boom Boston Shipping By JOHN MOGAN BOSTON—Business and ship­ land—at the present time there is ping in this port continued good considerable snow on the ground, for the second week in a row. and more and moi-e of same as All kinds of rated jobs are on the one proceeds northward. Which board and, in many cases with no is why the delegates get a little takers. It looks as though the green ai'ound the gills when it activity is not going to die out develops that someone has to go for .a while, as the prospects to Portland for a payoff. for the coming week show three All we need now is the good payoffs for Monday. word that something is paying Puerto Rico Gets New Painting Of Andy Furuseth This increased business is no off in Searsport (135 miles far­ By BUD RAY doubt due to the fact that the ther north) and the delegates will Army has just about pulled out of really get sick! But there is al­ A GOOD NEIGHBOR SAN JUAN—Things are about this port completely, making ways the morsel of cheer—North­ the same here, with shipping available a good many berths, ern Maine is a delightful place in picking up and the shipping list the lack of which had been a the summer—or is that a very getting longer, and more ships definite drawback for shipping stimulating thought to those running steady. Most every one here. members who arc stuck up there is happy who gets hei-e, or gets for two weeks or more in this Eastern Steamship is readying happy soon after docking—what weather? I'll take a small bet up two of their ships for the with rum plentiful and no short­ that it isn't! passenger trade and expect to re­ age of lovely senoritas for the Well, when we get to talking sume operations early in the sum­ boys to spend their spare time about the weather it means that mer. Standby crews have been with. we're fresh out of news—so we'll placed aboard both ships while Phily's wonder boy. Soapy quit for this week. they are being reconverted, and Campbell is with us and in love; it's beginning to look like old now I am waiting for the wed­ home week, what with all the ding bells to peal. Tex Sorensen oldtimers showing up around is here and he is getting tired of Boston. NO NEWS?? me running him down to take a job. He hid in the head of the PAY IN FULL Silence Ihis week from ihe Texas Bar for an hour when T. By way of creating a problem, Branch Agents of ihe follow­ Lockwood told him I was looking many of these oldtimers are pos­ ing ports: for an Oiler. sessors of books which are in BALTIMORE bad standing, and, at our last Every week there are more PORT ARTHUR Branch meting, this problem was NMU men coming to the Had SAVANNAH given an airing. It was voted wanting to join up and sail ships MOBILE by the membership present that, where they get conditions and de­ NORFOLK M. Rosado, eminent Puerto Rican painter, (left) presents his if these members should be re­ cent contracts to sail under, and GALVESTON painting of Andy Furuseth to Agent Bud Ray. instated at a meeting, it should representation by a Union that TAMPA be part of the findings that they is run by the membership and not be required to pay in full before a bunch of political-minded being permitted to ship. Membership Opinions Are Sought commies. BEARING A GIFT In other words, the feeling was By ROBERT A. MATTEWS strong that these members not be Late Opening Well, I should soon be in the allowed to pay up on the in­ SAN FRANCISCO — Business are getting $1.50 straight time and land of the sturdy north-men to stallment plan; but because of Seen For Lakes picked up on the West Coast last on the Pacific Coast the mighty attend the Conference, and get a the shipping situation today, they week with several repatriated Bridges has only been able to get taste of the ice and sleet. I. am must be fully paid up before be­ By ALEX McLEAN crews in for payoff. Joe Wread $1.15. bringing a beautiful portrait of reports the following crews were On March 18 the Annual Andrew Furuseth that was done ing permitted to compete for jobs BUFFALO—Following a tradi­ in Seattle for payoff: SS Abel Agents' Conference will begin in by our neighbor below the hall, with members who have kept tion of longstanding, the thoughts Stearns and SS James M. Porter. New York. All the various Mr. Rosado; Puerto Rico's own their books paid up regardless of of waterfront marine men in All these men will get $75,000 for Branch Agents will be in atten­ master with the brush and pal- circumstances. these early pre-spring days al­ the repatriation voyage, plus dance, together with the Secre­ lette. Of course, in many cases, this ready are turning to speculation overtime for any work performed tary-Treasurer and Assistant Sec­ is going to be a distinct hardship; on the opening of Great Lakes We are having a few ships to on repatriating vessels. retary-Treasurer. but the policy was decided upon navigation. load at Humacao, which is an Payoffs in Wilmington have At this conference will be anchorage, and transportation is only after a lengthy period of Their verdict today: a com­ been so slow that we v/erc forced charted the course which the free and democratic discussion by paratively late opening, certainly to let Brother Drawdy go as Pa­ Atlantic and Gulf District will all hands. much later than in all the war trolman down there. He expects follow during the next twelve years. Engineers and fitting-out WE TOLD *EM to ship in the Coastwise ships for months. Undoubtedly there will crews aren't expected to board There were a couple of Calmar awhile. be many problems to be met and ships in the harbor before April ships in to payoff and crew up dealt with which are most vital 1st at the earliest. Vessels won't It is reported that Harvey here in the past ten days. The Brow^n, International President to the membership of the Union. new agreement made the pay­ be ready for sailing until after mid-April. of the Machinists' Union, will SPEAK UP offs infinitely easier and more attempt to settle the four-month Because of the fact that the satisfactory for all concerned; Strikes have curtailed ore cony old strike of the Machinists in SIU is controlled democratically and, what is equally gratifying, sumption and there won't be any the San Francisco Bay area, over by the rank and file, it is most the old hesitation of the mem­ great hurry-up demand for the the heads of the local Machinists' essential that we get some ex­ bers in taking a Calmar ship was red mineral at lower lake ports Business Agents. In the event the pression from the membership on missing and the vessels were early in the season. Grain trade strike is terminated, shipping the various problems which will crewed up in good time. prospects also are viewed as poop tough, as anyone can tell you should pick up quite a bit in San arise. I, for one, would like to In view of these favorable re­ by these marine forecasters, who has ever loaded there. It Francisco and vicinity. hear what the members think of takes from thirty minutes to an sults, it sems surprising that the milling procedure. the following: Calmar Corporation held out WELL, ARRY hour and a half to make the trip The Buffalo Federation of La­ Union control of the Slop Chest; against an agreement for so long. one way; then you have to wait bor, central body of AFL unions Now comes word that the long­ The four-watch system; Unifor­ The thought naturally follows for a barge to load before making here, expressed emphatic oppo­ shoremen might pull a strike on mity-of Contracts; Formation of that an SIU agreement with Isth­ the trip. sition to the proposed St. Law­ the West Coast. There has been a Credit Union for the member­ mian would also be equally bene­ ROUND TRIP rence seaway project. Federa­ some job-action over hiring of ship of the Atlantic and Gulf Dis­ ficial to the seamen and to the When I went to the Bull Line tion President Robert Smith sent checkers which could possibly trict members; A Union-operated company. Incidentally, it does about' it, all T got was a short lo Senator Carl A. Hatch, Demo­ spread over the entire coast. An^ training school; A well-rounded look very likely that, if an elec­ answer and "It isn't in the Con­ crat of New Mexico, chairman of other thing, the Longshoremen educational program. tion were to be held today, the the Senate subcommittee holding tract." But Capt. Fortunatti for WRITE IN SIU would be adjudged the bar­ hearings on the proposal, the Waterman is trying to remedy These are just a few of the gaining agent by a substantial following telegram: this condition on ships loading majority. questions which will arise. Now for him. So I think that when "Buffalo Federation of Labor, let's see you guys write in to the contracts come up for renewal, However, it is no tii re to be­ representing largest dues-paying come complacent, but rather a Log with your opinions and, also, there should be a clause in all of labor group in this area, vigor­ time for redoubling our efforts take these things up in your them for at least one roundtrip a ously opposes St. Lawrence sea­ in order to insure the Isthmian meetings and discuss tliern. Let day to and from the ship to shore way project as impractical and yo*ur agents know what you want whenever they are at anchorage. Line contract for our Union, And visionary." the only positive insurance avail­ and expect to get out of your Charles B. Martin, G16, is to The federation has been on able to us is to have the ma­ Union. relieve me while I am gonet-up record for several years in oppo­ jority of the crew of every Isth- The Isthmian organizing is still north; any of the oldtimers who sition to the seaway, and Mr. main ship consist of SIU mem­ going along in fine style on this sailed out of the Gulf and Sa­ Smith said the telegram to the bers. coast with all ships being con­ vannah in the hectic days when Senator not only reaffirmed that tacted at every opportunity. | we started will remember NO CONSOLATION stand but also supported the re­ are not exactly pleased with the Everyone concerned is all set for him. So imtil we meet March The weather here is about what cent individual action of affilia­ fact that the AITi Longshoremen the election, with possibly the ex- ! 18th keep her steady as she goes might be expected for New Eng­ ted AFL Locals. on the East Coast and the GuH ception of the NMU. ' and full speed ahead.

-r.- Friday, March 8, 1946 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Nine

Carnival Pays Coolie Wages NOTICE! Beware Of Jacksonville Gestapo By C. J. (BUCK) STEPHENS Seat ayera Sailing By LOUIS GOFFIN NEW ORLEANS — Shippingt As Engineers JACKSONVILLE — Things to escape the snowballs up north. iand business for the past week Not In Contract have quieted down here since our We've seen Brothers Van Dyne was pretty good, with the out­ All members—retired and old standby, the SS Newberg, and Barrett, and an old picket- look for the coming week fair. former members—of the SIU, left us for Galve.ston. We don't line mate from Baltimore, Char­ The Carnival Season started now sailing as licensed En­ know what to expect in the way lie Schrunk. last Thursday night here in New gineers, report to the New of ships, so we will just have Brother Jones, who a.ssisted in Orleans and, believe it or not, it York SIU Hall as soon as pos­ to wait around with our fingers the Branch for awhile, is getting had its labor troubles also. In sible. crossed. A few oldtimers have himself readied up to sit for his the past the light-bearers had shown up in this port recently Second Assistant Engineers ticket. been getting $2.00 a night, and We wish him luck. the generous Fathers of the City WATCH YOUR STEP decided to give them a raise of 50c to make it $2.50. But the GULF COAST We have been ad\ised to tip off any of the boys who figure on men requested a $5.00 parade coming down here to keep a rate, or no lights. They don't weather eye open for the local belong to any Union. TUSBOAT gesiapu. They make It a point So the first parade started off to arrest any merchant seaman, with about three lights to the if he as much as stumbles, on the float; the Friday riight parade pretext that he is drunk. Quite had around two and some had a number of guys have been only one, so as they go along the pinched, and the fines in this outlook for the parades look town are plenty steep. mighty dark. NEUf S OF SIU TUG AMD TOUl FLEET IN GULF AREA Brother Stringfellow, Steward We visited the Commissioners The head of the Saturday night office recently, and all we saw parade has appealed through the on the Cape Remain, swings into By VERNON SMITH were Lieut. Commanders. It seems local press to all discharged serv­ peacetime shipping. that every officer in that office come up for negotiations in re­ ice men to carry the lights at the Copies of the new proposed i.s strictly a two and a half stripei". gards to amendments. low wage of $2.50, and give their amendments to existing contracts We haven't had any tiouble Certain company stooges have brother service men and families between the Seafarers and River with those birds yet, but while Philly May Have been attempting to sell the men a break so they can see some Terminals Corp., Coyle Lines and we were there we told them of on the idea that "the old eon- good parades. What low depths Whiteman Towing Co. have been our position regarding the Coast tracts have expired and arc no these labor-haters will go to, to submitted to the operators and Guard. They came up with the LongshoreStrike longer in effect." Such is not the try and beat the working stiff negotiations are already under usual crap about, how happy they case! It is true that tlie old out of a few dollars! By BED TRUESDALE way. However, Bailey De Bar- would be to get out of the Mer­ and phony contracts which the They contend that all parade deleben. General Manager of the chant Marine picture, but we PHILADELPHIA — Business Marine Division of Coyle Lines, SIU inherited are in the process expenses are carried by a few remains good in this port and, didn't notice any rush to leave local individuals and should be objects to an eight-hour day on of renegotiation, but the contracts from all indications, will continue those cushy jobs or to tear off cut as low as possible. Why in the tugs. He claims, "the in­ are as binding today as they so indefinitely. We paid off a those uniforms. the hell don't they make some dustry (towing), cannot consider were the day they were signed. Bull and two South Atlantics this any contract, the basis of which If any of these finks try to sell FORTY SHIP OUT week, and there are several scows is an eight hour day." you boys anything to this effect Have shipped around forty lying offshore which will also let the hall know about it. We'll men in the last few days, and Now there's a prime example probably take full crews. get the guy on the right track— have persuaded fifteen men to go of a man talking through his hat. However, there's a longshore­ and in a hurry. to Galveston. Of course we all know that what men's strike in the offing and, We are still being troubled Bailey objects to is the payment We squared away two beefs if it materializes, it will probably with the oldtime finks who sailed of overtime after eight hours, but over at RTC the other day with­ foul up shipping until it blows non-Union all through the war. when he attempts to speak for out any trouble. On the first over. Now that there is no RMO in this an entire industry, he's putting one, W. Walters had the bucket The unorganized ships keep the port, they come looking for a up a bum argument. For Bailey's tied to him for refusing to leave local piecards hopping. We have Union ship. information, I'll mention offhand the tug he was assigned to and been successful in getting a num­ Along with them there are nu­ just a few of the towing com­ going over and swab the decks ber of SIU men into these scows. merous kids looking for seamens panies which have not only con­ on another one of their scows. We continue to hit them when­ papers. We use the youngsters sidered an eight-hour day, but Walters was told to "either do it, ever the opportunity presents it­ when they are needed, but the of these local merchants here foot have signed contracts with the or else." Well he got the "else." self. But as soon as I contacted com­ finks are strictly out. We send the expenses is beyond me. They There are a number of men on SIU which calls for an eight- pany officials on this matter, he are raking in the gravy with all the beach here — Wednesday's hour day. was promptly reinstated and then the visitors in town. meeting was well-attended. In SOME EXAMPLES quit immediately after reinstate- The speed dei'by here in N. O., fact, there were as many standees The most recent of these was jnent. has ended and it was won by as there were members who the Mobile Towing and Wreck­ Pat Gallagher and Louie Meri- REINSTATEMENT found seats. ing Co.—an eight-hour day con­ dith. The Merchant Seaman was Frenchy Michelet blew into tract. The Moran Towing Com­ On the other beef, one of the in up until two nights before the town with the avowed intention pany recognizes an eight-hour boys who was shipped on the end, and he wound up by slip­ of making a ship to Italy. We day as per our agreement with Patrick of RTC returned from ping out of the ring and busting understand that the gang waiting them. The Eastern transporta­ his vacation to find that the a couple of ribs. I knew they to ship with him has invested tion Co.; the Southern Transpor- finky skipper had hired a farm would have to really bang him heavily in bicarbonate of soda. hand in his place. Well, that up to get him out; maybe next "Ski" Janowski, the local Dis­ boy was al.so promptly reinsiated time our seaman will bring home patcher, is going to ship with and his transportation, both ways, the bacon. Frenchy as a Deck Engineer — was refunded. I'm enclosing a snap shot illus­ seems he's getting too fat and How some of the skippers on them to the NMU hall so that the trating the latest duty of a Stew­ wants to shed forty pounds or so. these tugs can be so chicken is birds of a feather can flock to­ ard. It is a shot of Brother We wonder how Ray and Sam­ beyond me. Listen to some of gether. Stringfellow, Steward of the Wa­ my are making out 'way down the complaints listed on one tug POEM terman Scow, Cape Komain. Be­ yonder. We understand that the in a letter recently received in Hero is a little poem that has lieve it or not. Brothers, but he necessities of life are ridiculously ^mi this hall: a good meaning, and we thought is playing the role of nurse maid high there. Why, they tell us Captain consistently refused it would fit into a seamens paper. in this picture. The mother of that whiskey is a buck a throw. to buy sufficient groceries. Cap­ the young one was seasick most Oh, yes — we visited Saint tain refused to obtain clean "FUTURE" of the trip, so Brother String- Agnes hospital where several SIU linen—result, no changes in Sail fast. Sail fast. fellow carried on. Never let. it hrnthers are laid up, apparently linen between Dec. 23. 1945 and Ark of my hopes, ark of my be said that an SIU Steward is indefinitely—or as long as these tation Co.; Martin Marine Trans. Jan. 22. 1946. dreams; not prepared for all events, and snazzy nurses keep trotting Co., and the Dougherty Co. in Refusal to okay overtime pay Sweep lordly o'er the past. cannot tako them in stride. around the wards anyway. their agi'eemenls with the SIU for Armistice Day, Thanksgiv­ Fly glittering through the SUIT'S recognize an eight-hour day. ing Day and New Years Day. strange beams. Space prevents me from listing No overtime pay for making Sail fast, sail fast. all of the SIU eight-hour tug and breaking hose connections Breath of new buds from off HE CAN'T SEE SPOTS IN FRONT OF HIS EYES contracts, but any time Mr. Do One of the boys sweating it out on the third deck of the by deck crew when handling some dying lea Bardeleben doubts the above New York Hall, waiting for a ship, is finding his wail expen­ fuel oil. With news about the future scent, statements, I'll be more than glad sive. He whiles away the time playing 500 rummy with an­ No overtime pay for deck the sea. to show him copies of the above other Seafarer. Stakes are a "coke" a game, and he hasn't crew when handling cargo. mentioned contracts. won a coke since the game started three weeks ago. Some of these skippers have The United Textile Workers- AFL, representing 96,000 work­ Almost every other habitue of the Recreation Room has Recently there has been some really been ^getting away with :l gotten interested in the long distance game. They're rooting misconception on the part of a murder down in this section, but ers will hold its ninth biennial >1 for the consistent loser. They want to see him win at least few members regarding the exis­ within the next 60 days the SIU convention in Washington start­ one game, and some of them are talking of chipping in for a • tence of the present contracts will have this muddle all cleared ing Apr. 29, Intl. President An­ pair of glasses to help him do it. with RTC, Coyle and Whitemans. away and then we'll start unload­ thony Valente announced last They feel he might have a chance if he could see his cards. This is due in part to the fact ing all of the finks off the Gulf week. The last convention was that the present contracts have tugboats. held in April, 1944.

i--.n Page Ten THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, March 8, 194« SlU Crew Feeds Starving Greek Children PATHOS, Greece. Dec. 11 —^ Forget The Dead were contributed by all hands, li­ Thomas DiFazio, Sleward of an censed and unlicensed. CHOW LINE FOR CHILDREN American Steamship, the Edweird The labor of preparing and K. Collins, yesterday sent an in­ serving the food was contributed vitation to fifty poor children of by the Stev/ards Department. the city of Patros and gave them And best of all, money was col­ all the means to have a good time lected to buy shoes and clothing for quite a few hours. so that each guest could be given * * * a useful gift. The menu, at the dinner, in­ This news report, taken from a cluded soup, hamburger steak, Patros newspaper, does not tell mashed potatoes, string beans, the whole story. It does not tell cake, fruit, and candy. And of of the quantities of food which course, all the bread, butter, and was distributed by the crew out marmalade that the kids could of their own rationg. It docs not eat or carry with them. tell of the clothing and shoes which were bought by the crew DEATH STRIKES and given to the children. It does "Some of the youngsters" said not tell of the • starvation and DiFazio, "were so afraid that this death which was witnessed by would be their last food for a the crew. long time, that they stuffed their pockets with bread and butter. When the relief ship, Edward Maybe reading this story in the K. Collins, steamed into the pox't Log will cause other crews to do of Patros, the crewmembers im­ The tarpaulin behind the chil­ the same thing when they hit mediately made plans to give dren cover starvation dead. foreign ports." what additional help they could. The kids pay the mound no mind The hunger that is ravaging all Lined up with mess gear, the kids wait for the feeds. Some of A pot of stew was prepared each —they're waiting for food. of Europe was witnessed at first these children would now be dead, if it weren't for the Collins crew day for distribution to the desti­ hand by the crew of the Collins. who gave of their own food so that these innocent victims might live. tute people who lined up at the While the townspeople of Patros etc. Soon we had enough food gangplank. The leftovers from were lined up at the gangplank, each meal was also given to them. saved up to give a party for these waiting for food, some of them kids." COME AND GET IT! As DiFazio says, "It was impos­ died and had to be covered with sible for us to eat when we knew PARTY GIVEN a tarpaulin. This happened quite that children were going hun­ On December 8, before the ship a few times, and although the gry. So we started a little plan. left Patros, a party was held for crew had seen death strike before, Each day the crew would do fifty Greek children invited by they never could become used to without something. One day, the crew. The vessel was deco­ seeing men, woihen, and children no butter; the next day, no mar­ rated with American flags. Cho­ die from hunger and exposure malade; the next day, no meat, colate bars and chewing gum before their eyes. Curran Admits Commies Control NMU, Says Members Are Soid-Out (Continued from Page 1) fight for the membership, placed He and 20 other union members ing him as an agent of the Krem­ in u position where they were wrote a letter to The PiloL charg­ lin during and after the war, sup­ called all kinds of names." ing that Port Agent Stack had plying information on troop and — OR ELSE! been rigging meetings as he saw convoy movements to the Com­ Myers and McKenzie, he said fit. munist national headquarters at "made the decisions and then The World-Telegram, mean­ 31 East 12th Street. handed them on to the national while, had obtained evidence that Government agencies, the office . . . Men were driven from the NMU "machine" to which Telegram substantiated, found the Union and whispers and ru­ Curran referred functioned di­ that seamen returning on con­ mors maligned all dissenters. rectly out of Communist head­ voys were quizzed about the size "The Union is in the hands of quarters. It learned that the of convoys, their destinations, a machine, a machine that is go­ communist national committee cargoes, number of troops trans­ ing to tell you how to work or laid down an official party line ported and identification of troop for the NMU at its secret meet­ else. I will not be a party to a The happiest word in Greece these days is—food! And hungry units. ing on February 5. machine. The machine tells you kids fill up for first time since the war. In his report to the member­ who is a phony in the Union, the On that date, the Telegram ship Curran piled conclusive machine tells you who to elect, says, William Z. Foster, com­ proof upon many items of CP who to fire. munist national chairman. Warn­ ON SEA TRITON, IT'S THE SIU leadership and disunity in the "The machine tells you who to ed that the party already had NMU ranks already well known bring on charges ... If you want cracked down on NMU comrades to the Seafarers. it, it is okay with me, but if you who got out of line and warned He asked the membership to don't want it you have to have that more expulsions would oust Smith, McKenzie, Myers the facts and nobody should es­ come. He said; and Stack, charging that a com­ cape. Anyone who is part of a "We have a very dangerous mittee appointed to inve.stigat.e machine should be thrown out situation In Uie NMU. We have disunity in the NMU had failed quickly . . . You are the ones done our best to try to adjust the to bring facts to the members. who can bust it up." situation and have been unable "It doesn't trust you with these Curran said he could "stand to accomplish it. facts," he said. here the next three hours and give you dozens more examples "The principal reason is our He told the members how the own comrado.s in the NMU. They commies had sold the member­ . i . "I want to see the truth for a change. I want to see recogni­ are not carrying out the party ship down the river on wages line or we would have a differ­ during the war, backing the War tion that the Union is the rank and file." ent situation in the NMU. This Labor Board on its low-wage is intolerable. policy, in line with the party's RIGGED MEETINGS policy of subordinating all union But Curran warmly defended "There has been a little sur­ issues to helping Russia win the an opposing faction of NMU of­ gery in the NMU but apparently war. ficials who were party members not enough. If these comrades "From that time onward," Cur­ but have fallen from grace with­ continue in defying the party ran said, "those who had dis­ in the commie circle. Their line, we will have to do some agreed with the national council "crime" in each Case seems to more surgery." Some of the Isthmian crew members aboard the Sea Triton. found themselve.s picked out, have been that they questioned And the Telegram says that Reading from the left (kneeling): Billy Burke, AB; Gretsky, OS; one by one, and character assas­ the party line or deviated from it. NMU Vice President Blackie Rodriguez, AB. (standing): Bill Stroy, Bosun; John Neilson, AB; sinated and, one by one, made to One of them, Charles Keith, a Myers, a member of the com­ Shelby, FWT; Martinez, AB; Michaud, AB; Blea, OS; Beauchamp, either leave the Union or, if they delegate, was expelled from the munist national committeej was MM. Volunteer ship's organizers Strom and Gordon were busy desired to stay in the Union and party because of "factionalism." present at the meeting. working, and so couldn't be included in the shot. Friday, March 8, 1946 THE SE AI A RERS LOG Page Eleven BUTJ^TI?^T

Here It Is Seafarer Led Filipine Guerillas (Continued from Page 4) out all of the collaborators in the able to live in the high altitudes, Back pay checks from the city of Grand ploy to spy on them. Faces turn­ area. The Japs tried to retaliate. somehow, Bender says. Rapids are at the Chicago Hall for the Broth­ ed the other way as he walked They were ambushed each time Bender's first contact with the down the street. Men spat as he they came into the mountains. Americans came when he brought ers and Sisters. passed. The Bolos fought five major bat­ the prisoners to Captain Sher­ But in three months he had tles with them. Few Japs es­ man, commanding Co. I, 145th gained the confidence of the Japs caped. Infantry. The Captain ordered CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS Ernbstine Butler 22.17 and couM go anywhere. Ho was Once the Americans were es­ the Lieutenant Colonel to pa­ Otto Carlson $56.70 Merina Davis 21.81 able to smuggle medicine and tablished on Leyte they request­ trol an area along the highway Carl Edwai'dSon 27.60 Wm. H. Ferrill 22.17 ammunition to the guerrillas, ed information on Jap supply to Baguio, and Bender followed John Erwood 16.44 Anna Grier 19.54 able to pass on to them infor­ depots, ammunition dumps and the Captain's orders. Raymond Forst 27.60 Willard Hess 21.57 mation on Jap supplies and con­ concentrations. The Bolos were A month later the GI's took Howard Hill 26.08 Mattie Jackson 22.17 centrations through his brother, able to supply it about Santiago, over, and Bender ordered his Richard Hossler 23.65 Mildred Jenkins 22.17 bi'other-in-law and untie, who Isabela, and all of the am.muni- men to go home. Otto Horner 46.64 Alice Jones 22.17 acted as messengers. tion dumps and rice granaries in For a month Bender taught at George Koche 27.20 Phillip Kirschenbaum 22.17 the area were pin-point bombed. the small arms school at Camp JAP CULTURE Roosevelt, Ilocos Sur. Then he August Melmros 25.14 Mack Rogers 21.81 Meanwhile, the Bolos had Then came the day when the found out repatriation to the Thomas McKoe 25.41 Clyde Worser 21.12 hacked an airstrip out of the .Taps ranght them. Renrier'.s United States was open and his Frank Milkus 28.58 Ted Zabrowski 21.47 jungle with bolos and plows. Pi­ brother-in-law and uncle were tendered resignation was accept­ John Murphy 23.09 Robert Burkholz 20.95 lots who were brought down shot. His brother Frank begged ed. Meanwhile, though, the First Cornelius Schapcr 24.40 Madeline Graham 24.15 were spirited to the airstrip, and the Japs to shoot him for four Bolo Regiment of Isabela, P. I., Robert Snyder 23.02 Russell Jones 22.17 light planes carried them back to hours, before they did. They had was officially recognized by the James Toughy 21.79 John O'Neill 22.17 Allied airfields to fiy again. Tech- Harry Bjork 20.08 Janet Pettit 22.00 disrnvered he was an American U. S. as part of the Philippine Manus Boyle 29.08 and pulled long strips of skin Army. Many of the men who Comad Graham 26.61 from his body with pliers, a little fought with bolos in rags now Oscar Grande 29.08 at a time. wear U. S. Army khaki. The Karl Holm 22.32 Ed Bender fled to the moun­ regiment now is commanded by Ed. Horton 29.08 tains. Major Enriquez had been Lieut. Col. Alejandro C. Mani- Harold Lamrock 9.99 kilJed, but he got in touch with kad. Clyde Patzkowski 25.14 Capt. Matiana R. Balauag, com­ Bender never has been deco­ Ray Quilan 26.61 manding Co. G, 14th Infantry, rated for the part he played in Albert Rosenberger 26.61 who asked him to organize a securing northern Luzon for the NORFOLK John Russell 25.19 guerrilla outfit to support his Allies, but he doesn't mind. He's Ernest Rddlewicz 22.74 Individual Donations $ 1.00 company, which had been re­ proud to have killed some of duced to 115 men, including of­ the Japs who flayed his brother, Donel Zelser 18.08 NEW YORK Oscar Zacher 19.71 ficers. Bender did. He recruited proud to be sailing under the Individual Donations $ 9.00 men, and they recruited other Charles Bank 17.12 U. S. flag and the Seafarers In­ SS STEVE TAYLOR 4.00 Ernest De.sjai-din 21.83 men. In no time at all he had a nicians were flown in. Among ternational Union banner. SS CECIL BEAN 22.00 Hazel Fogel 22.68 regiment of five battalions of 350 them was a Filipino boy, Lieut. SS MONROE 6.00 men each. Officers were elected. Anderson Jones 19.54 Larry Guzman, who became the SS A. A. INGERSOLL 27.00 As regimental commander, Ben­ Joy Kookcr 22.17 idol of the Bolos because of his SS J. M. GILLIS 24.00 der assumed the rank of lieu- MONEY DUE Edith Larson 22.17 artfully contrived mines and SS HAGERSTOWN VIC. .. 14.00 tonant mlonel. Ida Lou Lavelle 24.15 booby traps which accounted for SS JOSEPH I. KEMP SS ELWOD HILLS 26.00 THE BOLO BOYS hundreds of Japs. Mary McNeely 22.17 SS GEO. WASHINGTON .. 26.00 The men who joined the ship Maxinc Miller 22.68 Bender's First Bolo Regiment AIRSTRIP BATTLE in New York and paid off in San SS OCCIDENTAL VIC 38.00 had little more weapons than the Barbara Quayle 19.18 When the Americans landed on Francisco can collect transporta­ Bradford Spake 24.35 NEW ORLEANS name implies when they started tion by writing to the Interocean out. But the bolo is an effective Luzon, a good portion of the Margaret Best 21.47 SS JAMES SWAN $20.00 Steamship Corporation, 311 Cali­ weapon, ambushed Japs found. Japs were occupied with fight­ Nettie Brown 22.17 SS COSTAL fornia Street, San Francisco, Cali­ Soon the outfit was fully pro­ ing the guerrillas. The Bolos cut Sidney Barton 21.81 COMPETITOR 11.00 fornia. vided with Japanese weapons. off some 2500 men who were SS CAPE TRINITY 12.00 ft ft ft Then the Americans began drop­ trying to reach General Yama- SS THOMAS NELSON 9.00 SS THOMAS WOLFE ping supplies and ammunition. shita's headquarters to the north. SS FIRE ISLAND 15.00 SlU HALLS In no time the Bolos had cleaned The battle was fought at the air­ The crew which paid off in San NEW YORK 51 Beaver St. SS WALTER strip, and when G-2 asked for Francisco March 1, has one HAnover 2-2784 CHRISTIANSEN 6.00 prisoners there were only eight night's lodging coming, which BOSTON 330 Atlantic Ave. Liberty 4057 Individual Donations 1.00 Jap survivors. Many others had can be colected by writing to Wil- BALTIMORE 14 North Gay St. PERSONALS been taken prisoner, but weren't liams-Dimond and Company, 215 Calvert 4539 PHILADELPHIA Market Street, San Francisco, PHILADELPHIA 9 South 7th St. DWIGHT SHELDON Phone Lombard 7651 SS D. WILLARD $45.00 California. NORFOLK 127-129 Bank Street individual Donations 570.00 Write your grandmother im­ ATTENTION! ft ft ft 4-1083 TOTAL $886.00 mediately. She has important in­ NEW ORLEANS 339 Chartres St. The following men have over­ Canal 3336 formation for you. The following members have SAVANNAH 220 East Bay St. various papei's at the New Or­ time coming from the Mississippi 3-1728 FRED A. BARTHOLOMEW leans Hall. These can be obtained Steamship Co.: MOBILE 7 St. Michael St. 2-1754 About The Draft Contact the Customs Agency, by writing to A. L. Stephens, Sr., A. K. Knox, $6.48: H. C. Roach, SAN JUAN, P. R 45 Ponce de Leon Customhouse, New Orleans, Mr. 339 Chartres St., New Orleans, La. $5.04; C. Dean Jr., $4.32; L. R. San Juan 2-5996 All men who come within W. L. Whitney, in reference to Guy, $17.28. GALVESTON 305 Vi 22nd St. the provisions of the Draft Discharges: Stephen J. McNee, doeumonted gas crow voDSol Jr.; W. C. Block, J. B. Sharpc, ft ft ft RICHMOND, Calif 257 5th St. Law should keep in touch 'May,' SS ALCOA PATRIOT .SAN FRANCISCO 59 Clay St. Wm. Cai'llon, James W. Sullivan, with their draft boards while t ^ ir Orville' E. Abrams, Bertrand P. The following men have three SEATTLE 86 Seneca St. on board ships. Do not de­ PORTLAND Ill W. Burnside St. MELVIN V. HAY Palmer. days plus overtime coming to WILMINGTON 446 Avalon Blvd. pend on the Purser io do this Please write to your mother. Dues Receipts: A. M. Bert, F. them: HONOLULU 16 Merchant St. for you. He may fail lo do so, ^ t. A Baptiste, J. I. McCants, E. E. C. Mclntire, D. Gunn, G. Losee, BUFFALO 10 Exchange St. and the first thing you know, ROBERT C. WILSON CHICAGO 24 W. Superior Ave. Fletcher, R. Hansen. F. Hills, Jr., R. Malinen, H. Chil- you're not a civilian anymore. Call Silas B. Axtell immedi­ CLEVELAND 1014 E. St. Clair St. Argentine Passports: Wilfred B. ders, D. Turpel, A. Mackowski. DF.TROIT ' 1038 third St. ately to sign releases. He is hold­ DULUTH 831 W. Michigan St. ing check. Spring, John A. Maloney, Roland Joseph Chavez, K. Clark, J. T. Hebert, Ren J. Martinez. Miller, R. Greppi, R. Prozinski, VICTORIA, B. C 602 Houghton St. 4. i ft VANCOUVER 144 W. Hastings St. Various Papers: Eugene Car- James Ramer, John Spinosa. • tAMPA 842 Zack St. NOTICE! ROBERT G. FENDERS M-1323 The books of Robert S. Russak, Your book, left behind on the hart, Louis Hussey, Kenneth A. The money can be Collected at JACKSONVILLE 920 Main St. Alcoa Steamship Company, 17 and Don G. Cameron are being SS Spartensburg Victory is be­ Neff, Lyle E. Fowler, J. S. Mc- 5-1231 Rye, Irvin A. LeBlanc, Lester T. Battery Place, N. Y. C., write or •PORT ARtHUR 445 Austin Ave. held at Headquarter's offices in ing held for you at the Phila­ Phone: 2SS32 Hofstad, Ferdinand C. Trenchard. cal. New York. delphia Hall. s Paae Twelve THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, March 8, 134S Edmund Fanning Crew Condemns Isthmian Sea Triton Welcomes Seafarers NMU For Stalling isthmian Vote By A. GORDON and R. STROM BOSTON — Another Isthmian t NEW YORK — It really was a pleasure and an encouragement vessel, the SS Edmund Fanning, EDMUND FANNING DECK CREW for us to find the Isthmian men followed tlie lead of some sister on this ship, the SS Sea Triton, as ships by holding a shipboard receptive as they az-e towaid the meeting, eleeting delegates, and Seafarers' drive to organize Isth­ passing a resolution condemning mian. Brother, they really listen attentively! the dilatory tactics of the NMU in When you start talking SIU to playing the company's game by these seamen, they actually seem stalling the election. to take the words right out of After the opening of the meeting your mouth, and ask you various D. Collins and A, Bauseo were questions concerning the Sea- elected chairman and secretary fai-ers. Union contracts, represen­ tation on beefs, and working and respectively. J. Ahern was elect­ living conditions aboard SIU ed Deck Delegate; J. Garvin to ships. represent the Engine Dept.; and Several of the boys weren't H. Weising as Stewards Delegate. satisfied with just filling out Considerable discussion then pledge cai-ds, and so took out ensued regarding the possibility Seafarei-s books, taking full ad­ of having the Isthmian election to vantage of the charter member pffer of an SIU membership book determine the colleclive bargain­ for only $17. We expect a num­ ing agent held in the near future. ber of other fellows to also take At the conclusion of discussion, out books befoi'e leaving poiT. it was regularly moved, support­ BRING 'EM HOME 100% ' > ed and carried that the Seafarers Thei-e are two or thi'ee NMU International Union of North men on board the Triton, but one America be petitioned to repre­ of them has already signed an sent the crew of the Edmund SIU pledge card, assuring us that Fanning. Here's the Fanning's Deck Department, taken aboard their ship -while docked cit Boston, Fifth he fully intends to vote for the Seafarei's. With the rest of the CONDEMNS NMU from the left in the rear row is Bosun Antoniou, supposedly NMU, who wanted to be included with the rest of these Isthmian Seafarers. crew at present shaping up over Whereupon the following peti­ 90 per cent for the SIU, we ex­ tion was drawn up and signed pect to bring 'em home 100 per by 23 crew members present: BLACK GANG OF THE FANNING cent at the completion of our "We, the undersigned mem­ five month trip. bers of the crew of the SS Ed­ These boys are getting impa­ tient for the Isthmian collective mund Fanning (Isthmian Line) bargaijiiiig election to come up, being in dire need of a rep­ and of course they know the resentative to conduct collec­ reason for the delay, also whom tive bargaining in our behalf to blame for it. They're pretty with the Isthmian Line offi­ well riled up at both the com­ pany and the NMU for continu­ cials, do hereby petition the ously stalling, thei-eby prevent­ Seafarers International Union ing them from enjoying their of North Aiiierica to so repre­ democi'atic privilege of selecting sent us. the union of their choice to rep­ "Further, we also request resent them. that the Seafarers International How about some of you -broth- Union of North America do ei's jumping into this drive with both feet, and do this job of or­ everything in its power to bi'ing ganizing Isthmian up good? With about an immediate election your assistance, all Isthmian within this company, and thus ships will then line up for the obviate the efforts of the Na­ Seafarez's as well as the Sea tional Maritime Union to stall Triton! (See picture on page 10), the election, which stalling tends to benefit only the Isth­ mian Line company to the de­ triment'of us seamen." Let Us Have 'Em 90% SIU The Log wants at once the After leaving Norfolk, the Fan­ names and addresses of bars, ning crew, upon learning the clubs frequented by seamen, score, swung to the SIU with the particularly in foreign ports, exception of three men either un­ so that they can be put on decided or for NMU, making it The Fanning's Engine crew display their sentiments in no uncertain terms. These Isthmian men with their SIU sign are typical of the great majority of Isthmian seamen who are all for the Seafarers. the Log mailing list. With better than 90% for the Sea­ the postal delivery to ships farers. snafued, this remains the only One amusing incident concern­ practical way of • getting the ed the Bosun, who is a whishy- Clearing The Deck Union paper into the mem­ washy NMUer, and refused to berships hands. It takes no great imagination to knock the men off so that a (Continued from Page 3) have read in the Pilot or been see what would happen if the So do it today—send us the shot of them might be taken. told by their leadership. Now insisted on fighting for the wel­ shipowners succeeded in knock­ names and correct addresses However, when the deck gang is the opportunity for us to show fare of tho membership and not ing dowii one maritime union. of your favorite places all knocked off anyway, the Bosun members of the NMU in jusi the Communist party. If this happened all maritime over the world, with an es­ made a mad dash to get in the what manner the Seafarers op­ THESE THINGS MUST BE unions would be weakened, and timation of the number of pictui-e himself, proving some­ erate on a day to day work basis. TOLD THE NMU MEN, AND the wages and conditions of all Logs they can use. thing or other! Actually, the THEY MUST Now is the time to let them see BE TOLD IN A that the membership of the SIU seamen lowered, Build the Seafarers by Bosun isn't really NMU, accord­ FRIENDLY SPIRIT. WE MUST building the Seafarers Log! ing to the crew—merely misled NOT BRAG ABOUT THEIR shapes its policy and program. ALL OF THESE THINGS by their phony "propaganda. Unless we do this to help the MUST BE TOLD TO THE NMU TROUBLE OR ACT AS THOUGH good members of the NMU to put MEMBERS. WE MUST AP­ Now that the Fanning crew has WE ARE GLAD THEY ARE their organization in a workable PEAL TO THEM TO WORK IM­ UNION MEMBERS APPLY TO had a taste of union democracy HAVING. SUCH PROBLEMS. condition, minus the leadership MEDIATELY TO CLEAN UP THE SIU FOR MEMBERSHIP, in the form of a shipboard meet­ It would be well for members of the communist scabs and finks, THEIR UNION. ALL BRANCH THEY MUST BE TOLD THAT ing, electing their own delegates of the Seafarers to invite rank BEFORE THEY ARE ALT.OW- to take care of their many prob­ and file members of the NMU to we will stand a good chance of OFFICIALS OF THE SEAFAR­ ED MEMBERSHIP THEY MUST lems and beefs, they're all for visit the Seafarers Halls. Many seeing the unfortunate picture of ERS INTERNATIONAL UNION GO EA.CK AND COMPLETE the Seafarers' brand of unionism of them know nothing about the the shipping companies smashing MUST FOLLOW ONE POLICY. THE HOUSE CLEANING JOB and membership representation. Seafarers, other than the lies they the NMU. WHEN NATIONAL MARITIME IN THE NMU.