This bill for a declaratory decree is brought by six residents of the Commonwealth, members of a labor union, against Rocco Alberto, the president of that union, who is Commissioner of Labor and Industries. G. L. c. 231A. The binding declaration sought is fundamentally whether the defendant can serve simultaneously in the two positions from both of which he receives compensation. The bill cites provisions of G. L. c. 149 as to the duties of the commissioner, and as to fair competition for bidders on construction of public works; alleges that members of the union are employed in such construction; and cites c. 268A, the so called conflict of interest statute. The defendant demurred on the ground, among others, that no controversy is stated. There was no error. No present controversy is stated. G. L. c. 231A, Section 1 (as appearing in St. 1945, c. 582). School Comm. of Cambridge v. Superintendent of Schs. of Cambridge, 320 Mass. 516, 518. No question is presented as to the propriety of simultaneous service in the two capacities.

Final decree dismissing bill affirmed.

The plaintiffs brought an action in tort "for trespass to real property and negligence resulting in damage to real property." The declaration alleged that the "defendant, as part of its construction on Beacon Street, raised the sidewalk and street level [adjacent to the plaintiffs' premises] by approximately seven inches," causing certain damage to the plaintiffs' building and its contents. The writ and declaration were entered on June 7, 1965, but no further pleadings were filed until October 13, 1967, when the plaintiffs filed a motion for leave to amend the declaration by substituting a petition for assessment of damages. This motion was denied by a judge of the Superior Court who also sustained a demurrer filed by the defendant in the original action. The plaintiffs subsequently filed a motion "to amend their [w]rit by substituting the words `by [b]ill in [e]quity for [d]eclaratory [j]udgment' wherever the words `in [t]ort' appear; to remove the action to the equity side of the . . . [c]ourt; and . . . to substitute [b]ill in [e]quity for [d]eclaratory [j]udgment in [p]lace of [d]eclaration." This motion was denied. The plaintiffs admit that the demurrer to the original action was correctly sustained. They except, however, to the denial of their motions to amend. There is no need for an extended discussion of the issue presented. It is obvious that the plaintiffs have attempted to substitute a new cause not intended when the tort action was begun. We note also that the statute of

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limitations on an assessment of damages had run before the motion to amend was filed. G. L. c. 79, Section 16. Peterson v. Waltham, 150 Mass. 564. Hester v. Brockton, 251 Mass. 41. DeVincent v. Public Welfare Commn. of Waltham, 319 Mass. 170, 171. Del Grosso v. Board of Appeal of Revere, 330 Mass. 29, 32, and cases cited. There was no error in the denial of the motions.

Exceptions overruled.