The financial problem was from the first made more difficult by a kind of dual unionism which was contrary to the spirit, at least, of the I. W. W. law, but which was tolerated because quite unavoidable. The involuntary connection of many local unions with more than one general organization resulted in the subjection of such unions to the payment of dues to each central organization. To relieve this excessive burden of taxation it was decided by the General Executive Board to make a discount from the regular dues in favor of all locals thus situated. This discounting policy, felt to be necessary in order to hold many unions in the organization, meant a loss of revenue which could ill be borne. Moreover, in consideration of some material equipment in the way of office furniture and supplies, seals and charters were furnished free of charge to all unions formerly with the American Labor Union or the Socialist Trade and Labor Alliance. To top all, the mismanagement and extravagance resulting from discord in the general office, and incompetence among the officials, almost strangled the organization before its first anniversary. Debts were contracted with manufacturers and the inability to pay ... nearly endangered the very existence of the organization, when threats were made to disclose the real state of affairs to parties who were straining every nerve to see the smashing of the I. W. W.... Personal loans had to be contracted to deposit money at the bank when the account was overdrawn and for three months in succession the constant fear that these conditions would become known kept the real workers on the administration from engaging enough assistance to carry on the necessary work....[260] Despite these difficulties there was turned into and expended from the General Defense Fund (in addition to the voluntary subscriptions) the sum of $8,910.00 in behalf of twelve different strikes. The report of the auditing committee showed that there was on hand August 22, 1906, a net balance of $3,555.92.[261] FOOTNOTES: [222] In a letter quoted by Brooks, _American Syndicalism: the I. W. W._, p. 85. [223] _The I. W. W., History, Structure and Methods_ (1917 ed.), p. 6. [224] "I. W. W. Conference Proceedings," _Miners' Magazine_, Sept. 6, 1906, p. 12. [225] "I. W. W. Conference Proceedings," _loc. cit._, pp. 12, 13. [226] "That Conference at Chicago," _Miners' Magazine_, Sept. 6, 1906, p. 7. [227] _International Socialist Review_, vol. vi, p. 435. [228] _Proceedings, Second I. W. W. Convention_ (1901), p. 587. [229] _Ibid._, p. 58. [230] _Industrial Workers of the World Bulletin No. 4_, Dec, 1, 1906. [231] _Proceedings, 15th W. F. M. Convention_ pp. 177-8. [232] _Proceedings, Second I. W. W. Convention_ (1906), p. 226. [233] Statement dated Oct. 4, 1906, _Miners' Magazine_, Oct, 11, 1906, col. 2, p. 7.