Part 5

It now remained to be seen how far the unions would sustain such a general and energetic campaign. The fateful conference met in the New Morrison Hotel, Chicago, August 1-2, 1918. Samuel Gompers presided over its sessions. Representatives of fifteen international unions were present. These men showed their progressive spirit by meeting many difficult issues squarely with the proper solutions. They realized fully the need of co-operation along industrial lines, from the men who dig the coal and iron ore to those who switch the finished products onto the main lines of the railroads. Plainly no trade felt able to cope single-handed with the Steel Trust; and joint action was decided upon almost without discussion. Likewise the conference saw the folly of trying to organize the steel industry with each of the score of unions demanding a different initiation fee. Therefore, after much stretching of constitutions, the international unions, with the exception of the Bricklayers, Molders and Patternmakers (who charged respectively $7.25, $5.00 and $5.00), agreed to a uniform initiation fee of three dollars, one dollar of which was to be used for defraying expenses of the national organization work.

At the same meeting the National Committee for Organizing Iron and Steel Workers was formed. It was made to consist of one representative from each of the co-operating international unions. Its given function was to superintend the work of organization. Its chairman had to be a representative of the A. F. of L. Mr. Gompers volunteered to fill this position; the writer was elected Secretary-Treasurer. Including later additions, the constituent unions were as follows:

International Brotherhood of Blacksmiths, Drop-Forgers and Helpers

Brotherhood of Boilermakers and Iron Ship Builders and Helpers of America

United Brick and Clay Workers

Bricklayers', Masons' and Plasterers' International Union of America

International Association of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Iron Workers

Coopers' International Union of North America

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

International Brotherhood of Foundry Employees

International Hod Carriers', Building, and Common Laborers' Union of America

Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel and Tin Workers

International Association of Machinists

International Union of Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers

United Mine Workers of America

International Molders' Union of North America

Patternmakers' League of North America

United Association of Plumbers and Steam Fitters

Quarry Workers' International Union of North America

Brotherhood Railway Carmen of America

International Seamen's Union of America

Amalgamated Sheet Metal Workers' International Alliance

International Brotherhood of Stationary Firemen and Oilers

International Union of Steam and Operating Engineers

International Brotherhood of Steamshovel and Dredgemen

Switchmen's Union of North America.

This group of unions, lined up to do battle with the Steel Trust, represents the largest body of workers ever engaged in a joint movement in any country. Their members number approximately 2,000,000, and comprise about one-half of the entire American Federation of Labor.

So far, so good. The conference had removed the barriers in the way of the campaign. But when it came to providing the large sums of money and the numerous crews of organizers that were immediately and imperatively needed to insure success, it failed dismally. The internationals assessed themselves only $100 apiece; they furnished only a corporal's guard of organizers to go ahead with the work; and future reinforcements looked remote.