History of the EMMG
Historian: Leonard G. Joseph and Richard Byrnes
On Saturday evening, November 18, 1932, at the Huntington Hotel in Huntington, WV at dinner, A. E. Kayes, J. A. Scott and W. B. Wallis had a discussion of the possibility of organizing an association distinctly for electric furnace melters.
This discussion was along the lines of establishing a Guild limited to men who earn their livelihood making steel in electric furnaces, who might meet once a year, put their feet under the table, and discuss freely with one another their melting problems, with the understanding that there would be no publication at any time of discussions had, and that the meetings be held if possible without the attendance of any salesmen whatsoever, either in or out of the meetings.
It was felt that to organize a group of this kind, it would be necessary to approach the companies and discuss with them the thought behind this movement, and it was felt by Mr. Scott and Mr. Kayes that Mr. Wallis was the man to go around and discuss the matter with the companies in question, and that evening, a tentative list of companies was discussed, including:
- Driver Harris Company – Mr. Joseph Scott
- International Nickel Company – Mr. A. E. Kayes
- Carpenter Steel Company – Mr. Charles Wilson
- Republic Steel Corporation – Mr. Walter Farnsworth
- Timken Steel Tube Company – Mr. Harry Walther
- Ohio Steel Foundry Company – Mr. Fred Blaney
- American Rolling Mills Company – Mr. Jones
- Norfolk Navy Yard – Mr. Fred Anderson
- Crucible Steel Company Of America – Mr. Matt Townsend
- Indiana Rolling Mills Company – Mr. Andrew Neff
- Crucible Steel Co., Park Works – Mr. J. H. Chivers
- Illinois Steel Company – Mr. Herman Schulz
Subsequent to that meeting, Mr. Wallis followed through on calling upon companies in question, outlining the thoughts of the organization of the Guild on the basis that there would be no records of any proceedings or any discussions. Suggestions were made by various companies that it ought to be a company membership and the company each year would appoint a man to attend. Others felt that it should be made a part of the Open Hearth Committee; others flatly refused to permit their men to join an organization of that sort, as they felt would be divulging too much information.
However, by June 1933, Mr. Wallis had secured a number of acceptances:
- Leroy Bash – Timken Steel & Tube Co.
- F. J. Blaney – Ohio Steel & Foundry Co.
- J. H. Chivers – Parks Works, Crucible Steel Co.
- Mr. Jones. – American Rolling Mills, Middletown, OH
- F. M. Hicks – Henry Disston Sons
- E. Kayes – International Nickel Co.
- J. A. Scott – Driver Harris Co.
- J. C. Sweitzer – Sivyer Steel Casting Co.
- M. M. Townsend – Crucible Steel of America, Atha Works
- H. B. Schulz – Illinois Steel Co.
- W. B. Wallis – Pittsburgh Lectromelt Furnace Corp.
At that meeting Mr. Wallis acted as Chairman and the by-laws were passed as proposed.
After the by-laws had been passed, Mr. Schulz raised the question as to where Mr. Wallis fitted into the picture. Mr Wallis replied that he felt he had completed the work assigned to him in Huntington and that his responsibility ceased.
An objection was raised to this and upon motion by Mr. Schulz, seconded by Mr. Kayes, an amendment was made to the by- laws adding the classification of honorary member to the classes of membership stipulated in the by-laws and making election to honorary membership subject to unanimous approval of the membership.
At this meeting, Mr. Schulz was elected President, Mr. Kayes was elected Vice-President, and Mr. Scott elected Secretary-Treasurer.
Mr. Scott, as Secretary-Treasurer, proceeded with the taking out of a charter for the Guild.
