165] GOVERNMENT 33 



Early in the history of the union, the president appointed 

 deputies, one for each state, whose duty it was to organize 

 local unions, to visit localities where strikes were imminent 

 or in progress, and whenever possible adjust the difficulty. 

 No provision was at first made for paying these officials. 

 In 1867 the system of state deputies was abandoned, the 

 country was divided into districts, and a deputy' appointed 

 for each district. These officials worked at their trade, and 

 received compensation for lost time and traveling expenses 

 incurred in the discharge of their duties. This feature of 

 government was carried over without change into the Amal- 

 gamated Association in 1876. 



As the Association increased in size, however, and new 

 functions were constantly being assumed, it was found diffi- 

 cult for the president and the deputies to perform all the 

 duties of administration. New offices were created to meet 

 this condition. The president was given the assistance of 

 a secretary, to be appointed by him and paid fifty dollars 

 per month. In 1880 the convention created the office of 

 secretary, the official to be elected from among its delegates 

 at a salary of $1000 per year. Again, in 1890 an assistant 

 secretary became necessary. In order to concentrate the 

 funds in the hands of one responsible person and thereby 

 facilitate administration, the offices of secretary and treas- 

 urer were combined in 1901. 



Instead of deputies, the Association created the office of 

 vice-president, whose duty was that of strike deputy and 

 organizer. One vice-president was elected for each of the 

 eight districts. These officials appointed three deputies to 

 assist them in their duties. They were paid for lost time 

 and expenses. In 1905 the system of district vice-presidents 

 was altered. Five paid vice-presidents, one for each divi- 

 sion — boiling, finishing, sheet and tin — and one for the East, 

 were elected. In 1909 this number was reduced to two 

 who were continuously employed at a fixed salary of $1440 

 a year." One vice-president represented the boiling and 



•The convention of 1916 increased tlie salary to $1800. 

 3 



