227] THE STANDARD RATE 95 



tain reductions, were granted to all employers, including 

 those who had previously signed. The union, though its 

 membership has declined since 1901, still maintains the pol- 

 icy of uniform scales west of the mountains. It is the 

 practice to hold three annual conferences, two on the pud- 

 dling and finishing scales, and one for the sheet and tin 

 division. ^^ 



The national scale does not, however, contain scales for 

 all union mills in its jurisdiction. A number of mills and 

 departments of mills have from time to time been given 

 separate special scales because of variations from the regu- 

 lar types. Also, the few scattered mills of the East con- 

 trolled by the Association have individual scales. Finally, 

 there are some members of mill crews, particularly on muck 

 and finishing mills, working under the uniform scale who 

 do not have their rates specifically provided in the scale. 

 Hookers, for instance, did not obtain a scale rate until the 

 1916 convention; finishers and straighteners are not yet 

 included in the scales of prices. The officials of the na- 

 tional union have repeatedly tried to extend the uniform 

 scales so as to include these workmen but have failed be- 

 cause of non-uniformity in the work that these men are 

 required to perform in diflferent plants. The rollers in 

 some instances employ these men. The roller may, if he 

 chooses, do part of the work of his crew himself ; fre- 

 quently he plays the role of finish^er."^ The wages of such 

 workmen may be adjusted by the local union either with the 

 roller or with the employer.^" 



Differentiation of the Rate. — The function of the piece 

 scale is to provide a distinct rate for each variety of product 



8* These conferences are held with the Republic Iron and Steel 

 Company, the largest producer of muck iron ; the Western Bar Iron 

 Association, composed of bar-iron manufacturers; and the Inde- 

 pendent Sheet and Tin Plate Manufacturers, an association of inde- 

 pendent manufacturers of sheet and tin plate (Proceedings, 1916, pp. 

 11,502-11.510). 



SB Tlie finisher, on a bar mill, passes the long strip of molten iron 

 through tlic rolls the last time. 



38 These workmen not provided for in the scale are not admitted 

 to mcmljership by many local unions. 



