to the union to send representatives on the following day, September 6, to the rooms of the Board; but they failed to appear.

Another effort was made on the 8th, but the employees said they were negotiating with the employer, and would call subsequently and notify the Board of the result.

On the 9th the employer telephoned that he desired a conference forthwith in the presence of the Board, having been informed that a representative of the strikers was going to see the Board. The employer was invited to call without delay, and an interview was had with several employees, with a view to inducing them to meet the employer. The employees were seen at the headquarters of the union, but they declined to act in the absence of the officers of the union.

On the 10th another effort was made, but without success. On this occasion the business agent said that it would be impossible to come to any agreement with the Globe Skirt Company on any terms other than those laid down by the union. He expressed his gratitude for the interest that the Board had taken, but would agree to nothing during the pendency of private negotiations. He admitted that they had not been very successful so far, but that was owing to a combination among the employers. The employers had seen fit to blacklist the strikers, and there was no prospect of any of them getting work except by returning to their former positions. The union was strong and controlled the situation, and had no doubt that in a trial of strength the employer would concede the demands.

On the 15th it was learned that the Globe Skirt Company had signed the schedule required by the employees, and that

I all the strikers had returned to work.

DeWOLFE & HASSELL-CONWAY.

On September 8 a joint application was received from De Wolfe & Hassell, shoe manufacturers of Conway, involving the entire factory, and alleging a disagreement as to prices. The employer having requested a long notice, the hearing was assigned to September 19, at the Conway House. On the 18th of September a letter was received from the firm, couched in the following terms:

CONWAY, MASS., September 17, 1902.

State Board of Conciliation and Arbitration, Boston, Mass.

GENTLEMEN : If it will not inconvenience you, we wish to withdraw our application for your services. Most all of our employees, who thought they had a grievance and agreed to abide by your decision, have left us and found employment elsewhere.

We have decided to give up the union stamp, and run a free shop.

We should have notified you sooner, had we known that we were to make this change. We may, however, have need of your services in the near future, as we may not be able to make this change without some difficulties.

Thanking you for your courtesy in this matter, we remain,
Yours truly,

DEWOLFE & HASSELL.

Another letter was received from the employees about the same time, in which no desire for withdrawing the application was expressed. The Board was on its way to Conway, and on the following day a hearing was given on the joint application. Both parties appeared, but the employer reiterated his desire to withdraw from arbitration. The application was thereupon placed on file.

The parties were invited to remain for a conference, with a view to discovering how best the difficulty might be com

posed. A full discussion was had in the presence of the Board, but the conference closed without result, the Board expressing its willingness to mediate between the parties whenever their mutual relations would warrant it.

C. S. MARSHALL & CO. -BROCKTON.

On the 11th of September joint applications were received from C. S. Marshall & Co. of Brockton and lasters in their employ, alleging a grievance concerning prices.

The Board went to Brockton on the 17th, pursuant to notice, and gave a hearing, at which both parties appeared and stated their contentions in the fullest manner. The result of the hearing clearly showed that the difference between the parties was not so great as at first appeared, and that a further conference would in all probability lead up to an amicable settlement. Accordingly, the Board recommended a conference, at which an agreement was reached on September 25, the same to take effect at once and continue in force for one year, whereupon the Board placed the application in the case on file.

GEORGE G. PAGE BOX COMPANY CAMBRIDGE. ATWOOD & MCMANUS - CHELSEA. PARSONS MANUFACTURING COMPANY - CHELSEA. S. G. LeBARON-BOSTON. A. L. SNOW-BOSTON.

On September 16 George M. Guntner, organizer of the Amalgamated Woodworkers' International Union, notified the Board of a threatened strike in the box making industry, saying that he appeared as representative for Local Union No. 201, and that he had presented copies of a proposed

agreement to the following manufacturers: George G. Page Box Company, Cambridge; Atwood & McManus, Chelsea; Parsons Manufacturing Company, Chelsea; S. G. LeBaron, Boston; and A. L. Snow, Boston. The demand, he said, had been endorsed by the national body which he represented. The employers were requested to reply on or before the 15th, but thus far no reply had been received. There was some disinclination in one quarter or another to treat with representatives of the union who were not employees in the factory. Unless some sort of a collective answer were quickly received, there would certainly be a strike.

The Board thereupon offered its services as mediator to the above manufacturers, and on the 17th learned that arrangements had been made for a conference on the 19th in Boston, at which Mr. Guntner was expected to set forth his views on the proposed agreement. The Board was invited to be present. This was reported to Mr. Guntner, and he joined in the request.

On September 19, 10 manufacturers and Mr. Guntner met at Young's Hotel in the presence of the Board. Mr. Guntner stated the reasons for the several demands embodied in the proposed agreement. It was the unanimous sentiment of the employers at this meeting that the conditions of the trade did not warrant an increase in the labor cost of boxes. They complained of the competition of factories located in the wooded districts and other places where material or labor is cheap, and it did not seem possible to raise the prices for labor and retain their customers. The discussion was a very amicable one, and many misunderstandings were cleared away. Before adjourning, the Board expressed regrets that a settlement had not been

reached, congratulated them upon the prospect of a good understanding, and suggested that before the meeting dissolved they should consider the question of adjournment subject to the call of the State Board. The advice was accepted, and the conference was so adjourned.

Subsequently the manufacturers met and drew up a reply, also in the form of an agreement, which was transmitted by the Board to Mr. Guntner, and by him announced to the union.

On September 29 the parties appeared in response to invitation, and resumed the conference in the presence of the Board at the State House. The discussion was prolonged until after midnight, when an agreement was reached, as follows:

Agreement entered into this twenty-ninth day of September, 1902, between the undersigned box manufacturers of Boston and vicinity, parties of the first part, and the undersigned representatives of the Amalgamated Woodworkers Union No. 201 of Boston, Mass., parties of the second part.

ARTICLE I. The party of the first part hereby agrees to hire none but members of the Amalgamated Woodworkers' International Union who are in good standing, and who carry a book issued by the above branch of said union, or workmen who shall make application for membership in said union, or signify their intention to do so on or before the end of the second week of their employment.

ARTICLE II. It is agreed that the minimum wages of cutting-off sawyers shall be $13.50 per week.

ARTICLE III. It is agreed that the minimum wages of fitters shall be $12 per week.

ARTICLE IV. It is agreed that the wages of other machine operators and hand nailers earning at present less than $12 per week shall be increased 5 per cent. over present wages.

ARTICLE V. Over-time shall be paid for at the rate of time and a quarter. This includes the recognized holidays: Memorial Day, July 4, Thanksgiving and Christmas.