265]] APPRENTICESHIP AND THE HELPER SYSTEM 1 33 



Not only were helpers likely to go on strike contrary to 

 the will and interest of journeymen or " fore hand " pud- 

 dlers, but sometimes they acted as strike-breakers. When 

 the puddlers had trouble with employers, the helpers did not 

 always go out on strike with them. The reason usually 

 given for failing to cooperate was that the helpers had no 

 organization and were not assured of strike benefits. The 

 president of the Sons of Vulcan urged that helpers, in order 

 that their support might be secured, be admitted to the 

 union. As a substitute measure, the plan of half-assessment 

 and proportional strike benefits for the support of helpers 

 on strike was adopted.^^ In Chicago the helpers refused to 

 accept this plan and formed an association of their own. 

 Later, when a new workman was employed contrary to the 

 wishes of the helpers, they went on strike. The puddlers 

 continued to work, and striking helpers went to Knigh'ts- 

 ville, Indiana, and, by taking the places of boilers who were 

 then on strike, helped to defeat the boilers in their contest 

 against the employer." Such action made it difficult for 

 the journeyman puddlers to control the shops in that trade. 



It is a significant fact that not until other expedients to 

 control the helpers had failed did the Amalgamated Asso- 

 ciation adopt the policy of admitting them as members. 

 In 1876 the more advanced helpers were admitted into the 

 union," but not until 1889 did the union open its doors to 

 all men working in and about iron and steel mills. At that 

 time, the Knights of Labor were making inroads upon the 

 jurisdiction of the Amalgamated, initiating in droves all 

 classes who sought admittance, including common laborers." 

 The Association, in order to meet this competition and to 

 avoid trouble in the future, legislated so as to have complete 

 control of all men working in and around mills. The pres- 

 ent policy is to prevent as far as possible any discrimination 



»' Ibid., 1872, no. 10, p. 48. 



'" Ibid., 1873, no. 12, pp. 10, II, 12. 



'^ For a time these Iiclpers suffered discrimination (Proceedings, 

 1877, P- 50). 

 '** See chap. iii. 



