In recent years agitation for the establishment of some form of superannuation benefit has been carried forward in several of the more important unions.  In 1893 Mr. Gompers proposed the establishment of this form of beneficiary relief in the Cigar Makers’ Union.  In June, 1904, a plan was discussed for the payment of a monthly benefit of six dollars to members sixty years of age and twenty-five years in good standing.  Larger benefits were to be paid to members older and of longer standing.  Up to the present, however, the Cigar Makers have not adopted any of the plans for a superannuation benefit.  The Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, at the 1900 convention, provided for the payment to members of twenty-five years’ continuous membership and over sixty years of age such amount as the National Convention might designate.[203] In 1902 it was decided that if the members by referendum vote endorsed an increase of dues, the amount of this benefit should be fixed at $150.[204] But the increase of dues failed of ratification, and the plan for a superannuation benefit was abandoned.

[Footnote 203:  Proceedings of the Eleventh General Convention of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, Scranton, 1900 (Scranton, 1900). p. 67.]

[Footnote 204:  Proceedings of the Twelfth General Convention, 1902 (Atlanta, 1902), pp. 123, 163; The Carpenter, Vol. 22, November, 1902, p. 3; Vol. 23, No. 1.]

A few unions have allowed aged members to draw all or a part of their death benefit.  Thus, the Granite Cutters permit members sixty years of age who have been in continuous good standing for ten years to draw the sum of $125.[205] The Typographia also pays an indeterminate lump sum to aged members who wish to retire from the trade.

[Footnote 205:  Constitution, 1905 (Boston, n.d.), p. 28.]

More important still, a considerable number of unions have made provision for the payment of a superannuation benefit in one form or another at a definite future date.  Such unions are the Journeymen Plumbers, the Pattern Makers, the Machinists and the Jewelry Workers.

In the Plumbers’ Association any member of at least twenty years’ full membership and not less than forty-five years of age, who, through old age or infirmity, is incapacitated from following his employment, is entitled to the benefit according to a prescribed scale; those of twenty consecutive years’ full membership and not under sixty-five years of age are to receive three hundred dollars; those of twenty-five years’ membership and not under seventy years of age, four hundred dollars; those of thirty years’ membership and over, five hundred dollars.  The rule providing for the payment of the benefit became effective in January, 1903, but no benefit is to be paid before January, 1923.[206] The Pattern Makers’ League provides that superannuated members be divided into two classes:  (a) members sixty years of age and of twenty-five years’ continuous