Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-08-07
THE INTERESTING. FACTS
& & the Formation of the AmaIsama-
ted Association.
The Union Of the Two Bands of Iron Workers
.--Sons of Vulcan - Effects Of
Making Nails of Steel
in Wheeling.

The annual convention of the Amalga-
mated Association, now in progress in
Pittsburg, enforces a conn GARRISON between
this powerful organization which to-day
stretches out its arm all over the United
States, and the new born association which
met there eight years ago. Then it was a
half organized union of smaller unions; now
it is a gigantic power embracing over
$4,000 men scattered over twelve States.
ITS ORGANIZATION.
The Amalgamated Association was first
organized at Pittsburg, August, 1876, being
the result of plan of federation submitted
by committees appointed by the United
Sons of Vulcan and the Heaters, Rollers
and Roll Hands Union at their previous
annual meetings. Both met at the same
time; the place was adopted and the forma-
ton took place under the name and title it
now assumes. Joseph Bishop, then Presi-
dent of the United Sons of Vulcan, was
made President of the new organization,
aud VIM. Martin, Secretary of the Heaters
and Rollers Union, was elected to similar
position, thus dividing the honors. The
officials of the association have since held
the same relative position, each President
having been puddler and former mem
Der of the Sons of Vulcan, while Mr.. Mar
Tin, of the rollers and heaters old organiza-
ZION, has uninterruptedly held the position
of Secretary. Pittsburg was selected as the
best location for their headquarters, and as
a consequence the general Office has since
remained here. This location was selected
not only by reason of Pittsburg being the
great iron manufacturing city; but also, in
view of the fact that there the first iron
workers society was organized, where it
struggled from year to year, lead by a few
thoughtful but determined men, under
ban Of secrecy, until its members had in
creased to a number of sufficient to guaran-
tee permanency.
THE SONS OF VULCAN.
This organization was known as the
United Sons of Vulcan, and was composed
exclusively of puddlers or boilers. 1t was
organized in February, 1858, by half doz-
IN men, who for many months held their
meetings in brick room in the Diamond
square. Members were not admitted indis-
Intimately, but at each meeting individuals
we're named whom some of the members
we're sent to consult and quietly explain
he object OF the society. In this way the
organization did not increase very rapidly,
let what accessionS were made were of the
Iest class, and thus added to the ultimate
,ermanency of the society. AS their num-
5ers increased it became necessary to rent
1 hall, and they secured the hall above the
Eigilant engine house on Third ave-
nue., where they met for several
years From there they removed to
the building on the corner Of Smith
field and Fifth avenue, where they rented
an entire floor and fitted it up at their own
expense. This was their headquarters in
the long strike of 1867. They gave the
name of Forge to their lodge, being the
name given to all pudding departments in
The old days when puddled iron was all
forged under a hammer, and before the
squeezer, now in universal USE was intro
duced. In 1860 and 1861 the Forge grew
rapidly in numbers and it became ne ,essary
to divide and establish separate FORCES in
different localities The first was in Tenn
peranceville and ranked as No. 2. This
was followed by Forge in Birmingham
and Lawrenceville. From here it spread
west, and persons were delegated to go to
Youngstown, Wheeling, Covington and
other points to organize FORCES, which was
accom- lished. In 1868 it was deemed ad-
visable to organize National Forge, and
so in consequence delegates met in
Pittsburg in August Of that year,
when an organization was effected
by the election of Miles Humphreys as
President, Patrick Graham, Vice-President
and Michael Grogan, Secretary. From
that time the organization grew rapidly, as
was shown IN the increased number OF
delegates at each annual convention. In
1866 the organization sent Humphreys and
Graham upon tour east for the purpose Of
extending the organization if possible
throughout that section. The visited every
effected an organization in Yearly every
place, but in after years they nearly all dis
banded. AS has been stated, this orgauiza-
ton was composed exclusively of puddlers,
admitting none Others and..as consequence
its operations were confined to their portion
IF the works only, so that difficulty might
arise between them and their employees and
their department shut down, but the finish
ing departments would continue to run un-
til the muck bar became exhausted. In
after years the heaters and fnishers Or
gained, but they never became a very
formidable organization.
THE AMALGAMATIoN.
Resting in the securityof unity of action
and CO operation in all matters connected
with wages &c, the question of amalga-
mating was agitated BY both until it cul-
minated in the formation Of the present
association. 1t embraces near Y all work
men in the different branches and subjects
all members to quit or resume work, aud
otherwise abide by the will of the majority
whether their special department is directly
affected or not. The organization is
known to number several thousand al
though the actual number is not given in
their published annual proceedings The
membership not thought to be so great at
present he strikes o. f lie past lew Years
having caused falling in many places.
It's main strength lies in Wheeling, Pitts
burg, Western Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Efforts have frequently been made to
establish it throughout the East,
but its success generally has not been fat
tering as it never obtained a permanent
foothold except in a very few localities.
One of the best fruits of the organization is
the annual scale of wages fixed upon at the
first of each June basing wages upon the
selling price of iron. This plan was first
inaugurated by the old Sons of Vulcan as
far back as 1865, and they claim to be the
first iron workers either here or in England
to propose and adopt this system. Manu-
facturers of iron in Wheeling and Pittsburg
and the West have generally recognized the
association, and in their conferences and
through the press have expressed their be-
lief that it is beneficial to both. Excep-
tons, however, have been taken at times to
the arbitrary action OF what is known as
mill committees Manufacturers Of the
East have looked upon the association with
(ooE-o, &c ann,,t- onI I,s4Sps4 ID haua