g6 ASSOCIATION OF IRON, STEEL AND TIN WORKERS [228 



and for each different type of conditions under which the 

 product is normally made. These lines of differentiation 

 are, chiefly, the form of the product, which includes varia- 

 tions in size, shape, and finish, and differences in materials 

 entering into production. 



The first of these — differentiation in the form of the 

 product — is by far the most common of those variations 

 that require rate differentiation. The particular variety of 

 product for which a given rate applies is determined, in 

 some cases, by a gradation in physical measurements ; in 

 others, by the measure of comparative time required. In 

 the boiling department, a " heat " of, say, five hundred and 

 fifty pounds normally requires less than two hours. The 

 grade of skill necessary to produce a heat within this time- 

 limit is that assumed to be the average among the workmen 

 in the trade. If iron or any mixture of material required 

 longer time for boiling, extra pay was demanded.^' In the 

 sheet and tin division, the price list for rolling iron and steel 

 bars or plates into sheets was based on the physical dimen- 

 sions of the product. The sheets were rolled into the 

 desired thinness and size. The index of thinness is the 

 gauge number,^® and the gauge number indicates the weight 

 per square foot. The smaller the gauge number, the thicker 

 is the sheet and the greater its weight per unit of measure- 

 ment.^" The price is given per ton for each of the various 

 gauge numbers in the list.*" The thinner the sheets, the 



2^ Scales of Prices, 1890-1891, p. 5, foot-note 2; and all subsequent 

 scales. 



^^ In 1803 the United States Standard Gauge was inserted in tlie 

 scale (Proceedings, 1894, p. 4534). Previously the Partridge Stand- 

 ard Gauge had been used (Proceedings, 1887, p. 2161). 



3^ Western Scales of Prices, 1916, pp. 36-38. The number of 

 pounds considered a ton varied. In 1880 the union passed a rule 

 prohibiting any clepartment making more than 2240 pounds of iron 

 (but not of steel) for a ton (Proceedings, 1880, p. 458). In knob- 

 bling, however, 2464 pounds is the standard weight of a ton, ten per 

 cent being added to take care of loss (Western Scales of Prices, 

 1916, p. 17). 



•"' The Association occasionally had trouble witli mills in which 

 the members were required by the management to work " light 

 gauges " without extra pay. In such cases, the union rule was that 

 the "mean price" should govern (Proceedings, 1905, pp. 7247-72^3', 

 1906, pp. 7535, 7559-7560). 



