74 ASSOCIATION OF IROX, STEEL AND TIN WORKERS [|206 



on strike not entitled to benefits."' These charities were 

 considered the first step " towards establishing a super- 

 annuation fund for our disabled members." It was not, 

 however, soon realized. 



. An attempt to establish out-of-work benefits was made 

 by a local union of nailers. The nailers, as has been noted 

 above, suffered more from unemployment than any other 

 craft in the industry. Not even in a good year could they 

 hope for much more than half-time. To meet this exi- 

 gency, the nailers of the Ohio Valley, at a meeting in Wheel- 

 ing in 1889, decided to form a pool by assessing every work- 

 ing machine so much for the support of those who were 

 idle. This action was commended as a " boon " to the 

 trade and a " barrier against reductions in wages." 



Finally, in 1903, a measure for a national system was 

 enacted. Ten per cent of all the money in the treasury of 

 the national union was set aside for the purpose of creating 

 a death benefit fund. This amounted to $13,000. The law 

 went into efifect October i, 1903. Provision was made for 

 a death benefit of $100.® The per capita assessment was 

 compulsory on all members. A preliminary membership of 

 three months was necessary to entitle the heirs to benefits. 

 An arrearage of three months in dues debarred from 

 benefits. 



Several reasons were urged for the adoption of a benefit 

 system by the national union. Some maintained that it 

 would attract new members, others that it was effective in 

 retaining old members. Many saw in the system substan- 

 tial aid in carrying out trade policies, namely, fewer sus- 

 pensions either for misconduct or for non-payment of dues, 

 and a stronger defense fund. More important reasons 

 were the real need for benefits of this kind, the fact that 

 nearly all other national organizations were thus aiding 

 their membership, and the desire of the members to have 

 benefits. In not a few cases the beneficiaries were reported 

 by the secretary as " penniless." 



' Ibid.. 1882, p. 992. 



■ Proceedings, 1903. p. 6768. 



