241 Mass. 236 | Mass. | 1922
The action is for breach of an alleged contract of employment. In November, 1920, the defendant was engaged in constructing a dry dock at Fore River under a “cost-plus” contract. The plaintiff applied for a job as foreman rigger; and was accompanied by one Chadwick, the business agent of the United Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Iron Workers’ Union No. 7. His contention at the trial was that an oral contract was then entered into by which he was to be employed, on specified terms as to hours, wages and board, until the completion of that work. On the other hand the evidence on behalf of the defendant was to the effect that no such contract as that declared upon was made. Another issue on liability was that of the violation of the alleged contract. The plaintiff testified that he went from time to time to the defendant’s office, asking to be put at work. The evidence on behalf of the defendant tended to show that the local union, by its business agent Chadwick, notified the defendant that McDonough would not work on the job unless, among other things, the so called Martin Hanley gang of riggers was discharged. The case was submitted to the jury after a clear and complete charge, to which no exception was taken; and the verdict was for the defendant. The only questions before us relate to the admission and exclusion of evidence.
The plaintiff testified on cross-examination, under exception, that the business agent of Local No. 7 had authority (or, as he later said, the duty) to represent him in any matter respecting his employment with non-union men on any work. There was
The foregoing disposes of all the plaintiff’s exceptions that have been argued except those to the exclusion of certain questions to Martin J. Hanley, who was called by the plaintiff in rebuttal. One was as to whether Hanley knew there was any objection, by the plaintiff or other members of Local No. 7, to his men being employed on the job. Obviously this was immaterial. If such objection were made, it would naturally be made to the defendant or his foreman. The questions whether Hanley ever talked with the defendant about “the difficulties arising out of your employment on this job,” and “What work did your men do?” and the offer of proof which was far beyond the scope of this last question (Hallwood Cash Register Co. v. Prouty, 196 Mass. 313), all were offered to contradict the defendant on matters that were collateral to the main issues, or corroborative of the plaintiff’s case in chief. Their admission in rebuttal rested in the sound discretion of the trial judge, and no abuse of that discretion is shown. Wright v. Chelsea, 207 Mass. 460, 466. Howes v. Colburn,
Exceptions overruled.