[26] It is true, as noted above, that several other unions besides the Molders and Coopers made occasional contributions to their strike-bound locals, but when measured against the vast armies of strikers, these funds dwindled almost into insignificance.
[27] This was largely because the men were sober. In fact, prohibition helped the steel campaign in several important respects; (1) because having no saloons to drown their troubles in, the workers, clear-headed, attended the union meetings and organized more readily; (2) when the strike came they did not waste their few pennies on liquor and then run back to work in the old way; they bought food with them and stayed on strike; (3) being sober, they were the better able to avoid useless violence and to conduct their strike effectively.
[28] This sum represents the actual cash given by these affiliated organizations directly to the National Committee throughout the entire movement. It divides itself as follows:
| Blacksmiths | $ 6,273.28 |
| Boilermakers | 10,448.92 |
| Bricklayers | 4,199.05 |
| P. & S. Iron Workers | 7,335.78 |
| Coopers | 907.76 |
| Electrical Workers | 6,138.80 |
| Engineers | 100.00 |
| Firemen | 2,395.53 |
| Foundry Employees | 1,030.51 |
| Hod Carriers | 1,350.00 |
| Iron, Steel and Tin Workers | 11,881.81 |
| Machinists | 16,622.33 |
| Mine, Mill, Smelter Workers | 3,583.53 |
| Mine Workers | 2,600.00 |
| Molders | 4,199.05 |
| Pattern Makers | 615.52 |
| Plumbers | 2,581.04 |
| Quarry Workers | 412.50 |
| Railway Carmen | 10,448.30 |
| Seamen | 3,081.04 |
| Switchmen | 4,115.52 |
| Sheet Metal Workers | 100.00 |
| Steam Shovelmen | 627.25 |
| Total | $101,047.52 |
XIII
PAST MISTAKES AND FUTURE PROBLEMS
LABOR'S LACK OF CONFIDENCE—INADEQUATE EFFORTS—NEED OF ALLIANCE WITH MINERS AND RAILROADERS—RADICAL LEADERSHIP AS A STRIKE ISSUE—MANUFACTURING REVOLUTIONS—STRIKES: RAILROAD SHOPMEN, BOSTON POLICE, MINERS, RAILROAD YARD AND ROAD MEN—DEFECTION OF AMALGAMATED ASSOCIATION
In preceding chapters I have said much about the injustices visited upon the steel workers by the steel companies and their minions; the mayors, burgesses, police magistrates, gunmen, State Police, Senate Committees, etc. But let there be no mistake. I do not blame the failure of the strike upon these factors. I put the responsibility upon the shoulders of Organized Labor. Had it but stirred a little the steel workers would have won their battle, despite all the Steel Trust could do to prevent it.