1 93 J FINANCES 6 1 



of wage disputes to the local unions and their strikes were 

 financed largely by voluntary contributions.^ 



Until 1870 the puddlers financed strikes by "voluntary 

 donations."^" The Sons of Vulcan, in the convention held 

 at Harrisburg that year, passed a resolution empowering 

 the president " to levy a per capita tax upon all taxable 

 members . . . sufficient to pay to each member" engaged 

 in a legal strike "the sum of not less than three dollars a 

 week."" Strike levies were made, but only about one- 

 third of the assessments were paid.^ In 1874 a new system 

 was adopted, whereby each district supported its own 

 strikes. ^^ Only when one-third of the membership was on 

 strike was national aid granted. In 1876 provision for a 

 "protective fund" was incorporated in the constitution of 

 the newly-formed Amalgamated Association. Local unions 

 were to " deposit in bank the sum of twenty-five cents per 

 member per month, subject to the call of the president in 

 case of strike."^* Members in good standing engaged in 

 a legal strike were entitled to five dollars weekly benefit. ^^ 



The system of protective funds, maintained by the local 

 unions and held in local treasuries, was subject to abuse 

 and neglect. In 1878 President Bishop said that legitimate 

 claims were not met " for the simple reason that at least 

 half our lodges and members neglect our revenue laws and 

 consequently sub-lodge treasuries are empty." The mem- 

 bers were neglectful or refused to pay, officers were indif- 

 ferent, and the protective fund was " a mere name and 

 nothing more."^^ In some cases the money was used to 

 defray local expenses. The reserve fund was supplemented 



»The Roll Hands in 1874 levied a strike assessment of ten cents 

 per month (Proceedings, 1874, p. 14) ; but the defense fund was 

 never large enough to be effective. 



'^J Vulcan Record, no. 6, 1870, p. 31. 



11 Ibid., p. 26. 



12 Ibid., no. 14, 1874, p. 10. 

 J3 Ibid., PI). 2Q, 41, 43. 



^* Constitution, 1876, p. 13. 



15 Weekly strike benefits were reduced to four dollars in 1879 

 (Proceedings, 1879, p. 282). Tlicy have remained at four dollars 

 per week since. 



" Proceedings, 1878, pp. 122, 125. 



