May 16, 1913.

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THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

1019

Collieries Limited, died at Tangier on Monday
from broncho-pneumonia.

An excellent illustration of the folly of
precipitate conclusions was afforded at the
annual conference of the National Federation of
Colliery Enginemen’s and Boilerminders’ Pro-
tection Associations at Southport this week.
It was largely at the instance of the winding
enginemen that provision was made in the Coal
Mines Act for a universal code of winding
signals. Since then, however, they have realised
the dangers to life entailed by a change such as
is laid down in the new draft regulations. Con-
sequently the associations have been endeavour-
ing, in league with the Mining Association, to
obtain the exclusion of the code. The difficulty,
however, is that the Miners’ Federation are
now steadfastly opposed to such a course.

The London Gazette contains the official
announcement that the Scottish railway com-
panies intend to increase the rates for coal, coke
and dross between all points as from July 1 next.
The extent of the increase will be determined
in each case by reference to the rate in railway
companies’ wagons. The proposed alterations
range from Jd. to l|d. per ton for rates up to
5s. per ton and over. The English companies,
with the exception of the Brighton and South
Coast Railway, have announced increases in
rates for goods other than coal and coke.

A draft of the regulations which the Home
Secretary proposes to make under the provisions
of the Coal Mines Act, 1911, with reference to
the provision of washing and drying accommo-
dation at mines has been issued. The regulations
are based on the recommendations of the
Departmental Committee appointed to consider
the question, which have also been issued in the
form of a report.

A minimum wage for banksmen has been
agreed upon in Leicestershire. In Yorkshire a
ballot is being taken amongst the miners and
surfacemen over the question.

Ballot papers were despatched to the members
of the Cumberland Colliery Enginemen’s and
Boiler Firemen’s Association on Saturday, in
order that they might vote on the question of
striking to secure a general eight hours day.
The results will be declared to-morrow.

The miners of Newbiggin Colliery have
decided to strike because they are dissatisfied
with the award of<an arbitrator to whom a
dispute in regard to the tonnage rate was
referred.

The Northumberland colliery owners’ pro-
posal for the establishment of a sliding scale to
regulate miners’ wages was again discussed at a
meeting between employers and the men’s
representatives at the Coal Trade Offices, New-
castle, last week. The owners’ proposals were
as follow :—i( At a selling price of 6s. 9d., or any
figure below 6s. 10d., the wages shall be 15 per
cent, above the basis of 1879. Above that figure
an advance or reduction to take place at the
rate of 1 per cent, for each Id. change in selling
price, the changes to take place in this ratio up
to a maximum of 60 per cent, above the basis of
1879.”

The Times understands that at the last
meeting of the Industrial Council the chairman
(Sir George Askwith) presented a draft report
for consideration. The report declares against
compulsory arbitration as a means of preventing
disputes, but it is stated that the representatives
of capital and labour are united in their opposi-
tion to some of the proposals, and the two
parties are themselves divided on the question
of possible alternatives to the chairman’s sugges-
tions. The chief points at issue are a proposal
that in the foundational industries the right to

strike should be suspended for a definite period
to enable a judicial enquiry to be made into the
matters in dispute, and that penalties should be
imposed for breaches of agreements between
employers and workmen. The trade union
representatives are also strenuously resisting a
clause which seeks to prevent sympathetic
strikes.

A meeting of the sub-committee of the
executive of the Miners’ Federation of Great
Britain was held at Southport last week to
consider the proposals made by the Labour Party
for the amendment of the Bill for the nationali-
sation of mines.

The strike of miners in Silesia is at an end.

_______________________

History relates that the
Memento Egyptians had a custom of

Mori. placing a skeleton at their feasts
as a significant warning of the
mortality of man ; and, in our day, the mournful
persistence of Home Office reports on mining
catastrophes has a similar salutary influence.

By this it is not implied that catastrophes
must happen sooner or later to every colliery,
but it is worthy of note that they frequently do
occur where they might be least expected.

It would be difficult to find a better managed
or more up-to-date colliery than Cadeby Main.
It is subject to grave dangers, no doubt, but a
recognised danger is often less alarming than a
comparative safety which is apt to be accom-
panied by a false sense of security.

The accident at Cadeby Main, consisting
of two explosions, occurred on July 9, 1912,
causing the death of 88 persons, including three
of his Majesty’s inspectors of mines, one of
whom, Mr. W. H. Pickering, the divisional
inspector of the district, had previously distin-
guished himself by deeds of bravery, and had
received the Edward Medal from the hand of
the late King in recognition of one of those
occasions.

An enquiry was held on August 5, 1912, and
subsequent days, by H.M. Chief Inspector of
Mines into the causes of and the circumstances
attending the explosions, and his report has now
been issued.

The report bears witness on every page to the
constant and skilful care which was exercised by
the management in controlling the operations of
the mine, and the fearful event which occurred
notwithstanding must be accepted as having
been, under all the circumstances, beyond
reasonable human control.

It is satisfactory to note that H. M. Chief
Inspector has not to report any breaches of the
Coal Mines Act as contributing to the cause of
the explosions. Considering the interpretations
which it has been endeavoured to place upon
the provisions of the Act, this speaks volumes in
praise of the management of the colliery. Some
of the conclusions arrived at by H.M. Chief
Inspector are worthy of especial notice.

As to the cause of the first explosion, H.M-
Chief Inspector of Mines thinks that the fire,
which originated some years ago in the neigh-
bourhood of the fault, had never been completely
eradicated. That the instructions given by Mr.
Chambers were well conceived for fitly sealing
off the affected area, but he doubts if these
instructions were carried out in their entirety.
Regarding the second explosion, it may be that
there was a large accumulation of gas on
the “ rise ” side of the district after the
first explosion, which, igniting at the fire,
burned more or less quietly up and down
the face until an explosive mixture was formed,
when it detonated (?). Had the flame in
the second explosion extended far on the plane,

he thinks it is probable that the whole colliery
would have been wrecked by a great explosion,
as the analyses of the samples point to a
dangerous condition of dust. He considers that
eloquent testimony has been given to the value
of an inert dust—acting, as it does, as an
adulterant to the coaldust—as a preventive to
the spread of a colliery explosion. He considers
that the credit of carrying into practical effect
the idea of extinguishing gob-fires by forcing an
inert gas into an isolated fire area belongs to
Mr. Chambers, and that its further application
is worthy of the serious consideration of mining
engineers.

All great national industries must be carried
on at the expense of some lives, and Englishmen,
when they have confidence in their leaders, have
always been found ready to serve when the
welfare of their country is at stake.

“ To every man upon this earth
Death cometh soon or late;
And how can man die better
Than facing fearful odds,
For the ashes of his fathers
And the temples of his gods ? ”

Our industries are our birthright, and no
sacrifice should be too great in order to hold
them secure for the nation.

_____________________________

Trade Summary.

The London coal trade has been largely influenced by
the holiday season. Very little coal has been brought
forward and the depot trade has been slow. No change
has yet been made in either the public advertised prices or
the market quotations. The shipping trade is brisk, but
freights are slightly lower. Stocks are still low at the
London depots, but much of the coal brought forward prior
to the holidays went into stock. Steam coals are firm.
Household qualities weak. Small nuts and slacks continue
in good demand.

The market at Newcastle is dull owing to the holidays,
but loading turns are full and prices are well maintained.

Business has been light in Durham. Coking coals are
more plentiful, but gasmaking sorts are steady.

The output has been greatly reduced in Lancashire, and
at the moment there is some pressure for supplies.

Business in West Yorkshire has been quiet. Prices,
however, are well held, although the warmer weather has
affected the house coal position to some extent.

There is a slight falling-off in the house coal demand in
Derbyshire, but prices are firm. Other classes of fuel
continue in excellent request.

A holiday feeling has prevailed at Cardiff, but quotations
are firm.

Shipments of Scottish coal have been disorganised by
strong weather, but the general demand is good.

______________________

THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE.

Tar Products.—There is a fairly good market, but the
holiday interval has not been without its effect as regards
general activity. Benzols and pitch are steady, and prices,
though varying in different localities, are much about the

same Nearest values are:—

Benzols, 9O’s ................................	1/1

Do. 50*8’................................	/10|

Do. 90’s North..........................	1/

Do. 50’s North............................................... /10

Toluol.......................................	/10t

Carbolic acid, crude (60 per cent.) ........... l/6t

Do. crystals (40 per cent.).................	/5t

Solvent naphtha (as in quality and package) ...	1/0

Crude ditto (in bulk) ........................	/5|

Creosote (for ordinary qualities) .............	/3£

Pitch (f.o.b. east coast) ...................... 47/6 to 48/6

Do. (f.a.s. west coast) ...................... 47/ to 48/

Do. (f.o.b. gas companies) _______................ 51/

[Bensols, toluol, creosote, solvent naphtha, carbolic acids,
usually casks included unless otherwise stated, free on rails at
makers* works or usual United Kingdom ports, net. Pitch
f.o.b. net.]

Sulphate of Ammonia.—Business continues on the quiet
side, especially in the Midland and northern districts.
Forward business is naturally somewhat erratic, and prices
uncertain. Closing prompt prices are about as follow:—

London (ordinary makes)............	£12/17/6

..............

Beckton (March-April)........................ —

Liverpool...........................	£13/15

Hull ...............................	JB13/13/9

Middlesbrough ....................	£13/12/6

Scotch ports.........................£13/15/	to £13/18/9

Nitrate of soda (ordinary) per cwt. ...	11/9

[Sulphate of ammonia, f.o.b. in bags, less 2| per cent, dis-
count ; 24 per cent, ammonia, good, grey quality; allowance
for refraction, nothing for eaccess.]