14 ASSOCIATION OF IRON, STEEL AND TIN WORKERS [146 



The Grand Forge" received no rccog-nition from em- 

 ployers until 1S65. Wages had steadily increased since the 

 beginning of the war and there was little cause for disagree- 

 ment. The attempt to reduce wages at the close of the 

 war brought the manufacturers into conflict with the union. 

 The strike lasted eight months; as a result, a scale of wages 

 was devised and agreed upon, based on the selling price of 

 bar iron. This scale, made on the 13th of February, 1865, 

 was the first of its kind in the iron industry and doubtless 

 in the United States. The plan embodied in the scale of 

 1865 by which wages fluctuate in accordance with the price 

 of the product (the adjustments being made bi-monthly and 

 wages fixed two months in advance), is still in force with- 

 out substantial modification in the iron shops where the 

 union is recognized. 



The first national officers received no salaries. They did 

 the work at night, after the day's work in the mill. In 1866 

 the organizers were paid the trade wages and traveling ex- 

 penses. Later, the custom of presenting the president with 

 a purse of a few hundred dollars at the close of a conven- 

 tion developed. As the union grew in importance, the du- 

 ties of the national president demanded his entire attention 

 and a salary was provided. The secretary likewise received 

 pay for his work. In 1874 the duties of secretary were 

 added to those of the president, and the salary was fixed 

 at $1500. The organization was financed by means of a 

 tax, paid semi-annually. The levy for the support of mem- 

 bers engaged in a legalized strike was made separately. 

 Until 1870 this assessment was voluntary. The question of 

 establishing sick and death benefits was discussed in several 

 conventions, but each time the proposition was defeated. 



The first known organization in the finishing trades was 

 a local union instituted in Troy, N. Y., August 6,- 1864, 



'2 This title was changed to National Forge at the convention in 

 1870 in Harrisbiirg. The titles of the officers were also changed, the 

 Grand Master being designated as " President," and the Grand Vul- 

 can as " Vice-President." The officer of " Grand Knight " was elim- 

 inated. 



