The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-02-22
THE MoLDER's CHARTER.

Il
in full the bill, entitled an = Act to en-
COURAGE Mechanical Industry, which pro
Vides for the Incorporation Of the Iron
Molder's International Union. This bill
has been read twice, referred to the Com
mlttee on Education and Labor, and or
dered 70 be printed. We rather fear that the
short session of the present Congress viii
be stumbling block IN the way Of Its sue
cess, for, even if the molders had the incli-
nation, they have neither the time or
money to e1pend in lobbying it through.
We regret that the bill was presented at
the short and final session Of the present
| Congress, as we would be pleased to see
the members thereof placed upon the rec
ord
The Iron Moldcr's international Union
was organized in July, 1859, nearly four
teen years ago and has done All immense
work III the cause of Labor Reform The
many evils that existed III their trade pre-
viouS to that date have been mostly eradi-
Gated, and, for few years past, they have
had fewer strikes or lockouts than the ma
Jority of other trades, showing conclusively
that they are not disposed to hamper their
employers, Or t. 70 into unnecessary war
fare. These few years Of comparative
peace has given them time to look back
and study the cost at which they purchased
their present position and immunity from
trouble. That examination has convinced
them that they need an act Of incorpors-
ton, not only to guard their International
and local funds, but As check upon the
Wild and nJudiclous Efforts Of members to
better their condition. While the Iron
Molders as well as other Trade Unions,
have lost considerable money through de-
iaultmg officers, they have lost far more in
the want of confidence of members as to
edge that there was no ieyd responsibility
anywhere. OF late years Trade Unions
and especially the Iron Molders, have
adopted in their local organizations a sys-
TEN Of sick benefits, and death benefits
both Of which require small, permanent
funds From their Journal we learn that
they have Mutual Insurance Association,
which also requires large, permanent
fund These new features they have found
to be a great incentive for members to
keep themselves In good standing and
hence their desire III secure these funds
legally The Iron Molders have also in
curporated IN their constitution a clause
making arbitration compulsory on their
members whoever it is possible, and they
want the power, as an organization, t.
hold their employers to the strict letter Of
any agreement entered into through arbl-
trAtion, and rice r,r.d. They believe III
the accumulation Of a large fund to be
used for cooperative purposes as the or
portuuity may offer, but the creation Of
such fund will be impossible So long As
they cannot, as an organization. amply Sc
cure It.
These are the principal reasons Why they .
Ask FIR an act Of Incorporation, and the .
same reasons hold good with every other
National OF International organization
and We can see no reason why all should .
not unite and secure general incorPOra- |
tlon act under which each Of them might I.
become incorporated, for even should the |
molders succeed in getting their bill |
through Congress, 1t would be no benefit |
70 the balance, except as precedent and 4
when either Of them desired u become in |
corpnrated, they would each have the same
fight t. make that We have no doubt the I
molders will have to make before they Sc
cure the much desired charter We heart 1
lily commend the objects the melders have
in view, and they have our earnest wishes /
for their success; and, if opportunity offers, |
We do not propose to be backward IN rem /
dering them any assistance in our power /
30 give.