132 ASSOCIATION OF IRON, STEEL AND TIN WORKERS [264 



sistant of all the trades named " in the constitution.^*' The 

 change of policy was due, principally, to two causes. In 

 the first place, the journeymen were unable to control the 

 helpers as long as they were unorganized or organized in 

 Separate unions. Moreover, the common interests of the two 

 -classes became more clearly recognized. The first of these 

 reasons for organizing the helper was the most potent factor 

 in persuading artisans to admit helpers into the organiza- 

 tion. Experience had taught the journeymen that it was 

 difficult, if not impossible, to control the mills if their help- 

 ers were unorganized or organized independently. 



The Sons of Vulcan, in 1867, suggested " the propriety of 

 organizing a helper's union, subordinate to the local forge," 

 and that the helpers should " meet separately " and " be 

 superintended by at least three members of the sub-forge, 

 who shall be called superintendent, president and vice- 

 president."^^ It was proposed that the helpers be assessed 

 for strike purposes one-half as much as puddlers, and re- 

 ceive relief in like ratio. Whether any such local unions of 

 helpers were instituted, cannot be said.^^ But in 1871 the 

 puddlers' helpers of New Albany, Indiana, were on strike, 

 and voluntary strike relief was collected for their support 

 amounting to $149. The men, in a letter of appreciation 

 to President Hugh McLaughlin, expressed a desire "to be 

 in some shape connected with the [puddlers'] organiza- 

 tion."'^ The fact that puddlers' helpers held meetings, 

 declared strikes, and solicited strike benefits indicates the 

 existence of at least a desultory local organization. Again, 

 in 1873, the puddlers' helpers in Chicago called a strike con- 

 trary to the wishes of the puddlers. The president of the 

 Puddlers' Union, in his report to the convention, intimated 

 that these helpers had an independent local organization." 



^'> Proceedings, 1877, p. 50. 



"Vulcan Record, 1867, no. i, pp. 10, 11, 18. 



" It is doubtful, for, in 1872, the president called the attention of 

 the delegates in convention to " the necessity of having tiie helpers 

 organized," so as to assist each other in case of strikes (Vulcan 

 Record, 1872, no. 10. p. 23). 



> ' Vulcan Record, December, 1871, no. 9, pp. 18-19. 



i*Ibid., 1873, no. 12, pp. 11-12. 



