International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1947)

TRADE UNIONS IN AMERICA (Continued from page 24) and metal trades who became powerful and staunch defenders of craft rights. Among these were the carters (teamsters) who constituted the source for moving supplies to the cities and the armies stationed in the camps or in the field. The Boatmen's Union of the Tiber, who handled all river traffic, was also a power in the industrial field. Its members organized similar unions in many of the Empire's cities. These branches were not in the same close affiliation with the parent body as modern local unions are with their internationals, but their principles and policies, their customs and practices were those of the parent organization. In 206 A.D. there arose an active contest, when "the Boatmen's Union set out to prevent fishermen and divers from boating on the Tiber. In 264 A.D. the porters (longshoremen) succeeded in securing a decree from Valentinian and Valens which provided that "all goods imported by private individuals at the port of the Eternal City shall be unloaded by the porters under penalty of fine." As Rome extended her territories through conquest and colonization, the crafts established themselves, this being true of England and France as well as Northern Africa and Asia Minor. Some records leave the impression that all craftsmen of Judea in Christ's time were thoroughly organized. A tablet uncovered a few years ago in Chichester, England, indicates that in Nero's reign there was organized a union of carpenters and of stonemasons in what is now Glastonbury. Much building was done in England during the period of the Roman occupation. In the vicinity of Glastonbury many public and private buildings were constructed, including a temple to Neptune and Minerva. The evidence so far uncovered indicates little federation between the crafts in the colonies, each local apparently depending upon its own strength for its protec GUIDE B. MATTHEWS lOani&d . . . Agents to handle the Matthews Carbon Saver. For particulars write to 4111 N. Bernard St. Chicago 18, III. tion. Yet it is difficult to believe that in communities containing a large number of craft unions, there should have been no bond between them. In the case of the building trades we have definite evidence that in some cities they jointly negotiated agreements with the building contractors and the authorities. At least in Rome the metal cafts seem to have had a metal trades council. An Early Federation From stone inscriptions listed by Orelli it appears that they had a federation consisting of sword makers, arrowsmiths, elliptical shield makers, round shield makers (the first type being made of wood covered with rawhide or bronze, the round shields being made throughout of bronze or copper) . There were also included the dart and javelin makers, knife makers and spear makers. Closely connected with this federation were the Ballastarii, the catapult makers, who fabricated the huge war machines used to break down walls during sieges. Within this union were the catapult erectors and adjusters who were sent to the place where these great war engines were to be erected, after the other members had produced the several parts. No effort here is being made to give all of the authorities or quote extensively from the inscriptions uncovered, which today run into the many thousands. The only purpose is to make h evident that for well over a thousand years the craftsmen of Rome were solidly organized into craft unions, and that as Rome extended her territories the craft unions followed. It would be historically valuable as well as interesting to have a record of the history of one of these unions from the time it was organized until the Roman Empire collapsed — a history which would 30 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST February 1947