INGALLS & KENDRICKEN-BOSTON.

On August 16 60 steam fitters left the employ of Ingalls & Kendricken, protesting against the firm's retention of a workman who could not be induced to join the union to which they belonged, which retention they deemed a violation of the spirit of the agreement entered into under date of October 24, 1895. The next day, on learning of the difficulty, the Board went to the steam fitters and their recent employer, and endeavored to find a way of bringing them into agreement. On first inspection there appeared to be an obstinate contest, destined to be long drawn out; but while the Board was mediating the obnoxious man was summarily discharged, for reasons not connected with the controversy. This was an opportunity not to be neglected. Accordingly, the men were apprised of the fact by a member of the Board, who took occasion to say that the strike was a violation of both letter and spirit of said agreement, which states that "In case any dispute shall arise between the Master Steam Fitters' Association and the Steam Fitters' Union of Boston, which the parties are unable to settle by agreement, the matter shall be submitted to the State Board. of Arbitration and Conciliation without strike or lockout." And they were advised, in case of future difficulty, to remain at work and endeavor to settle their controversy in an amicable way. The strikers thereupon voted to return to work on the following day, and the difficulty was ended to the satisfaction of both parties.

INGALLS & KENDRICKEN-BOSTON.

Pursuant to the advice of this Board, as recounted in the foregoing, the recent strikers returned after a two days' idleness on August 18 to their occupation as steam fitters to Ingalls & Kendricken, when they discovered that 3 nonunion steam fitters had been hired for the work in hand during their absence. The union men considered this a violation of the agreement of October 24, 1895, which stipulates that members of the Boston Steam Fitters' Union shall be preferred when of equal capacity and skill. They thereupon complained to their agent of the grievance, and declared their intention to strike again if the difficulty were not speedily adjusted. The agent invoked the Board without delay, whereupon an effort was made by the Board to pacify the trouble. It appeared that after the strike had been inaugurated, when the employer could deem himself released from said agreement, the non-union men in question had been hired for a few days only.

The Board accordingly notified the workmen that in all probability the employment of the objectionable men would soon cease, and their promise was obtained that no strike would be voted that day. This was satisfactory to the employer, and the union men continued on at work.

On the next work day, which was Monday, August 20,

the agent for the union requested the Board to make inquiry whether the 3 objectionable men had been discharged. Such was found to be true, and was so reported to the agent. The men continued at work, and there was no recurrence of the controversy.

BOSTON STEEL AND IRON COMPANY-BOSTON.

Sixty iron workers in the employ of the Boston Steel and Iron Company quit work on August 17 for the purpose of establishing the union price of 33 1-3 cents an hour. It was thought that 600 workmen represented in the Building Trades Council of Boston might become involved in sympathetic strikes. Communication was thereupon had with the business agent of the men in interest, and an assurance was received from him that the strikers would join in any conference of parties that the Board might succeed in bringing about.

On or about August 23 an agreement was reached, and the strikers voted to return to work.

HAMILTON MANUFACTURING COMPANY-LOWELL.

Early in September the Print Workers' Union of Lowell had under discussion the question of overtime in the bleacheries and dye houses of that city, and on September 13 occasion arose which promptly led to a strike in the Hamilton Mills. On the day before there was an accident to the machinery that caused a stoppage, and as the day drew to a close the foreman requested four of the employees of his department to continue at work after the usual time of shutting down; his purpose being, as subsequently stated, to make up for lost time and to save perishable goods in process of manufacture. The four employees refused to stay as requested, and left the mill at the usual closing time. On returning the next day they were discharged. Thereupon 14 others of that department went on strike, and shortly all the employees in the printing department, about 200, were out of employment.

The Board went to Lowell nearly every day for the next three weeks, and had many interviews on one side and the other concerning the main grievance and such other questions as arose during the progress of the strike, or which at last were brought up as obstacles in the way of a settlement.

The trades union's demand for "time and a quarter pay for all work done after the usual closing time was the main grievance of this controversy. The reinstatement of