We learn from Wednesday's Times that Sir Benjamin Baker, the
arbitrator to whom the Boilermakers' Society and the Amalgamated Society of Engineers agreed to refer their dispute as to the construction of water-tube boilers for Messrs. Thornycroft, has given his award, and that it is frankly accepted by both parties. Messrs. Thornycroft had, it may be remembered, placed the construction of their new water-tube boilers in the hands of the fitters as having been most familiar with a class of work similar to that required, and on this point the arbitrator has decided in favour of the fitters, i.e., the Amalgamated Engineers, who are to fit the new boilers on to the testing apparatus ; but the testing is to be done by the boilermakers. And not only have these points been decided, but a general arrangement has been made for deciding any question of the kind which may arise in future; certain shop-delegates duly elected by each Society are to be in readiness to consider any future dispute, and they are to decide upon an arbitrator whose decision is to be binding. We heartily trust that this plan may be found to work well. Both Societies have already lost a good deal of work by the dispute, and the Messrs. Thornycroft themselves have suffered greatly by the delay. The resources of science ought to be equal to preventing this great waste of power for the future.
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