that the Board might arrange; but the employers declined the offer. But in other granite centres, on the approach of the appointed day, the parties in interest were disposed to confer with each other. On the last day of grace the Barre branch of the union and the manufacturers' local association reached an agreement establishing the eighthour day at 35 cents an hour and upwards, instead of the $3 minimum demanded; and this was an actual increase of 16 2-3 per cent. of former prices in that place. This agreement was accepted throughout the state of Vermont, and did much to influence compromises in other localities. After some delay, pending the application of the referendum rule which exists in the Granite Cutters' National Union, the various branches approved the Barre agreement, and though by that time the strike was on in many places, a speedy settlement was generally expected. Other evidences of the workmen's good faith that helped to allay apprehension were visible in Boston and other places where the terms of agreements had yet a month or two to run. The workmen of those places, preferring to keep their agreements, continued at work after the strike had begun in other places, and their doing so was approved by their fellow craftsmen everywhere.

On March 1, the day following the Barre settlement, the granite cutters of Quincy, about 1,200 in number, went out on strike to enforce the demand; and that city, one of whose manufacturers was president of the Granite Manufacturers' Association of New England, became the centre of interest. Some days elapsed, when an attempt was made to negotiate a settlement. The parties met by committee, The manufacturers offered 31, but the cutters insisted upon 35 cents for an hour's labor, a price which

had by that time throughout New England elsewhere become the recognized rate. The meeting dissolved without agreement. On seeing the negotiations flag, the Board renewed its offer of mediation, but the employers declined the offer. In other places the strike of March 1 was followed by settlements at short intervals. Some agreements in the vicinity of Boston were renewed on April 1, specifying the rate of 35 cents an hour; but there were a few local strikes on that day. The workmen involved were confident of victory, however; and one by one the employers yielded the eight-hour day at 35 cents. The controversy at. Quincy was destined to run its course for another month.

At length, on May 5, an agreement was reached in Quincy whereby the eight-hour day was established in that city, together with the rate of 35 cents an hour for competent workmen. A price list was agreed upon. It was agreed that any workman unable to earn an hourly average of 35 cents at piece work was to be paid in every instance no less than 33 cents an hour. It was stipulated that the agreement might be changed on March 1 of 1903, 1905, or any year thereafter, provided three months' notice be given by the party desiring the change; but in default of such notice the agreement was to continue indefinitely. In case a dispute should arise from such notice in 1902, the settlement thereof should be considered by a joint conference committee, consisting of three chosen from each side, which should adjust the difficulty, if possible, and refer all matters that might remain unsettled by January 20, 1903, to the decision of a local board of arbitration. In such case the decision was to be rendered not later than February 25, 1903. It was provided that the board was to be made up of disinterested persons, and chosen in the usual

way by the respective sides as represented in the conference committee. The Board is informed, at the time of writing this report, that the controversy of a year ago has been settled to the satisfaction of the workmen involved throughout the vast territory affected by the demand, with the exception of only six granite yards.

AMERICAN WOOLLEN COMPANY-LOWELL.

One hundred and twenty-five weavers in the Faulkner Mills at Lowell, having been refused a 25 per cent. increase in price, went out on strike on March 26. Both parties were interviewed by the Board on the question of a settlement. A letter was received on April 3 from the weavers, inviting further mediation, and the Board secured the appointment of April 7 for a conference of parties. The conference resulted in a disagreement. Further efforts were made by the Board to bring about a solution of the difficulty. The company offered a premium on all monthly earnings of $32 or more, as a substitute for the desired increase, but the weavers declined the offer. Some of the weavers thereupon left the city with their families, others found employment in other mills and some passed into other industries. At length, on April 13, 65 of them, being a majority, returned to the mill on the employers' terms, and the strike ended.

BUFFERS' STRIKE-WOBURN AND WINCHESTER.

In March, the buffers of Woburn, acting through their union, presented to their employers, the leather manufacturers, a demand for an increase of $3 a week in wages. Several conferences were had, without agreement. Settlements were effected in some of the smaller shops at the current rate of $15 a week, pending an adjustment in the large factories, and with a promise of $18 a week so soon as Beggs & Cobb at Winchester and the American Hide and Leather Company at Woburn should consent to pay the increase. On April 2 the buffers quit work to enforce the demand. Some factories put in machines to do their work, and offered to re-employ their former workmen at $10 a week. On the 5th and 6th of April the Board acted as intermediary between the parties, with a view to bringing about an agreement. A conference was arranged for the 7th between the manager of the factories of the American Hide and Leather Company at Woburn and the workmen's committee. At the appointed time the committee appeared, but the manager notified the Board that he was unable to appear, by reason of illness. The strike extended to New York and continued until the first week in June, when signs of dissolution began to appear. On June 9

committees of the Buffers' Protective Union had interviews with the representatives of the American Hide and Leather Company at Woburn and Beggs & Cobb at Winchester.