FOR LONGSHOREMEN ONLY

[San Francisco], [1940?]. Flyer. Very good. Single sheet, one-sided, folded into 4 panels. Chips to corners, verso includes names, box numbers, and figures written in blue pencil and a scribble in pencil. Folded - 3-5/8"8-1/2"; unfolded - 14-3/4"x8-1/2") A flyer with a rhyming verse bemoaning the toilet facilities available to longshoremen on the San Francisco docks written by an anonymous dock worker using the pseudonym Spunyarn. The message is addressed to Mr. Marias, or Joseph F. Marias, who was "appointed president of the State Board of Harbor Commissioners (the predecessor of the San Francisco Port Authority) in 1939" and continued as such through World War II. [The San Francisco Examiner, May 28, 1975] The Pacific Coast Marine Safety Code circa 1940 included Rule 407, requiring well-maintained and accessible toilet facilities for those working on board a vessel or on the dock. In November 1946, the Pacific Coast Marine Safety Code was included in the longshore contract by the Waterfront Employers Association of the Pacific Coast and the International Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union (ILWU) becoming an official part of the work agreement. The code has been amended over the years but continues to be part of the contract and includes Rule 308, which states "[a]ccessible toilets and washbasins shall be available at all times for the use of persons engaged in the operations. Such toilets and washbasins shall be kept clean and in good order." Perhaps Spunyarn's message to Marias was its inspiration. The Pacific Coast Marine Safety Code circa 1940 included Rule 407, requiring well-maintained and accessible toilet facilities for those working on board a vessel or on the dock. In November 1946, the Pacific Coast Marine Safety Code was included in the longshore contract by the Waterfront Employers Association of the Pacific Coast and the International Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union becoming an official part of the work agreement. The code has been amended over the years but continues to be part of the contract and includes Rule 308, which states "[a]ccessible toilets and washbasins shall be available at all times for the use of persons engaged in the operations. Such toilets and washbasins shall be kept clean and in good order." Perhaps Spunyarn's message to Marias was its inspiration. (Folded - 3-5/8"8-1/2"; unfolded - 14-3/4"x8-1/2")