THEATRICAL STAGE EMPLOYEES - BOSTON.

On October 10, the Board received notice in writing of a controversy which had been going on for more than a month between the managers of the Hollis Street Theatre, Boston Museum, Boston Theatre, Park Theatre, Tremont Theatre, Columbia Theatre and Keith's Theatre, all of Boston.

By interviews with the parties concerned, it was learned by the Board that the members of the Theatrical Stage Employees' Union had ceased to work in the above-named theatres on September 5, excepting those who refused to follow the leadership of the union, preferring to keep their places. New employees had been hired to fill vacancies, and, so far as appeared, the theatres were in operation as usual, the managers asserting that they had suffered no serious inconvenience, and did not desire to effect any settlement with the organization, - preferred to be as they were.

The Board took no further action in the matter.

IVER JOHNSON'S ARMS AND CYCLE WORKS FITCHBURG.

About the middle of September, a strike against a reduction of wages occurred in the bicycle factory of the Iver Johnson's Arms and Cycle Works, of Fitchburg.

Neither party sought the assistance of the Board, although its services were tendered. In the latter part of October a settlement was reached by agreement of the parties.

A. E. LITTLE & CO. —LYNN.

On October 25, the workmen employed by A. E. Little & Co. as hand-sewers went on a strike for higher wages. About a week later the Board made inquiry, and was informed that alterations were being made in the factory, and that an understanding was likely to come when the factory should be ready to resume the making of hand-sewed shoes.

Subsequently the Board was informed that the matter had been settled by agreement, and the men had resumed work.

SHOE WORKERS' STRIKE - MARLBOROUGH.

On or about November 10, "announcements were posted in the shoe factories of Marlborough, conducted by the S. H. Howe Shoe Company, Rice & Hutchins and John A. Frye, which, although varying in some particulars, all asserted the intention of the manufacturers to conduct their business in the future without reference to or recognition of any labor organization or its agents.

The announcement made by the S. H. Howe Shoe Company, which was carefully prepared, was as follows:

Believing that the success and continuance of our business in Marlboro demand a change, both in price lists and method of agreement, we make the following announcement:

All price lists and labor agreements now in force in our different factories will terminate on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 1898.

New price lists and agreements, binding for one year, have been prepared and will insure uniform and reasonable wages in every department, (provided outside inter

ference and limitation are removed, and inside harmony and mutual good will are restored.)

All contracts and agreements will be made by and between our company, and our employees, and all matters of difference must be settled by and between our company and our employees, either singly or in committee.

As managers of the business we claim and shall carefully exercise the right to hire or discharge (for cause) any person or persons whenever in our judgment the interest of the business requires such change.

We do not claim the right to interfere in any way with the individual or social freedom of any person, but we do desire a united and harmonious organization, and shall endeavor to protect by all proper and lawful means all persons who enter our employ.

By this change of method and re-organization we believe we shall recover and be able to hold our place in the front rank of manufacturers, thereby providing steady employment for the greater number.

We are now ready, and shall be glad to confer with any or all of our present employees in relation to future employment.

THE S. H. HOWE SHOE COMPANY,

MARLBORO, Nov. 10, 1898.

S. H. HOWE,

President.

The substantially similar notices, as given out

by the manufacturers, were as follows:

On November 23rd. this factory will close, and all contracts for labor will terminate at that time.