96

THE COLLIEBY GUABBIAN.

January 9, 1914.

THE COAL TRADE OF 1913.

LONDON.

The year just past may well be considered a
remarkable period, commencing as it did with a golden
sunrise and ending with the all roseate hues of
prosperity. In many respects it has been a “ boom ”
year, and yet, viewed from the two aspects of the
wholesale and retail markets, it presents two opposite
pictures. From the wholesale or colliery owners’ point
of view the experience has undoubtedly been highly
satisfactory notwithstanding the many obstacles
encountered during the year; but from the retail or
merchants’ point of view it is questionable whether the
year may be classed as in any way satisfactory. The
higher prices which have made the year’s trading profit-
able in the one case, have been the means of making
the year scarcely remunerative in the other. The
strong position held by the coalowners and their firm
attitude in regard to the increased prices for all contract
coal has compelled the London merchant to pay higher
prices for all the fuel required by him, and the slight
increase in the public advertised prices has not been
sufficient to reimburse him. Many of the London
traders will view with sincere regret the balance-sheet
at the end of the year, and the passing of 1913 will come
as a relief to many on account of the internal conflicts
so prominent in their midst1*; but they are buoyed up
by the hope of a better and more remunerative period
in 1914.

The year has not been a record one so far as the
variations in prices are concerned, and in the seaborne
market the one price of 21s. 6d. for best Wallsend has
ruled the whole year through.

The path of the year has not been altogether smooth,
for it has been one of controversy, tumult and strife
almost from beginning to end. Before every forward
step the way has had to be cleared. Economic unrest,
social agitation, political confusion have been prominent
during the whole of the year. The boom of trade, however,
has been well sustained throughout the whole of the
year, and 1914 bids fair to be another year of progress
and prosperity.

In comparing the past year with that of 1912, the six
weeks national strike of the colliers must necessarily be
taken into account, for it was then that every descrip-
tion of fuel was practically used up, and the public
prices rose to an abnormal height. The effect of
this strike extended into 1913, and it may safely be
asserted that the market has never completely recovered
from this upheaval. The 2s. advance in the contract
rates in the summer of 1912 was followed by a further
advance of from 9d. to Is. per ton in the contract
renewals for the year just closed.

Prices.

In the seaborne market, best Wallsends remained
at 21s. 6d. and seconds at 20s. 6d. throughout the whole
of the year—no change from beginning to end; often,
however, the prices have been merely nominal, as the
cargoes have all been sold.

In the inland market, the advertised prices for the
delivery trade on January 1 were :—Best Wallsend, 29s.
per ton; best Silkstone, 28s. per ton; Derby brights.
. 27s. per ton. On May 19, the “ lowest summer prices ”
were settled at a reduction of Is. per ton. viz. :—Best
Wallsend, 28s. per ton; best Silkstone, 27s. per ton;
Derby brights, 26s. per ton. This was an increase of
2s. per ton on each quality as compared with 1912 prices.
On September 6, the merchants decided upon an advance
of Is. per ton on all qualities, and again on December 30
a further increase of Is. per ton, making the prices at
the close of the year:—Best Wallsend, 30s. per ton;
best Silkstone, 29s. per ton ; Derby brights, 28s. per ton.

House Coals.

In the house coal market the high prices ruling has
undoubtedly led to an extended use of gas for cooking
and heating, and the public are undoubtedly learning to
economise in many ways in the ordinary use of house-
hold fuel. Prices, however, were well maintained,
and as a whole the demand has kept up throughout the
whole of the summer months as well as the winter. The
contracts were all renewed at an advance, and the public
lowest summer prices were settled in May last at 2s. per
ton above 1912. The quantities bought under contract,
however, were not so heavy as in previous years, and
many of the London merchants preferred buying in the
open market rather than pledge themselves to the
higher contract rates of the present year.

Manufacturing Coals,

The demand for all kinds of manufacturing or hard
steam coals was fairly strong throughout the whole
of the year. The Yorkshire hards have been more or
less withdrawn from the London markets on account of
the firm shipping trade at all the Humber ports, and
the Nottingham, Derby, Warwickshire and Leicester
steam coals have considerably profited thereby. The
demand for industrial consumption never flagged to
any appreciable extent, although the closing of the
Baltic ports led to a considerable quantity of Yorkshire
hards and other qualities of North-country coal finding
their way into London, and causing in some cases a
slight reduction in values. Bakers’ nuts and kitchener
cobbles varied somewhat in the early summer months,
but a good steady demand has been recorded the whole
year through.

Slacks and Small Nuts.

The market for “ smalls ” was at its zenith at the
commencement of 1913, and the strongest demand
was experienced for all kinds of slacks and small nuts
during the first three months of the year; but as the
coke market became weaker and the summer months
required less for gas making and electric lighting, the
prices gradually fell until in August and September a
drop of Is. 3d. to 2s. per ton was recorded. The incoming

of so many Scotch smalls in the River Thames also had
a disturbing effect upon the ordinary prices.

Many of the factories also, seeing that small coal had
risen to such unprecedented values, have altered the
furnace bars so that large steam coal can be used, with
its increased calorific value and steam-raising power, in
lieu of the slacks and small nuts.

Gas Coal.

The gas coal contracts were all renewed at an advance
of Is. to Is. 3d. per ton as compared with last year; but
very few of the large metropolitan gas companies have
bought their full requirements for the year.

Coke.

Gas coke moved very slowly throughout the year, and
prices fell considerably, but furnace cokes have felt the
strongest depression, and the persistent reaction led to a
fall of 6s. to 8s. per ton during the year.

Bort of London Authority.

The Port of London Authority caused a great deal
of excitement and commotion in the labour market
by accepting two German tenders for the work at the
London Docks ; but they give as the reason that the
amount was 26 per cent, below the lowest British tender.
The conditions were equal, no advantages were offered,
nor was it stipulated that British workmen should be
employed.

The Port of London issued in March last a new set of
by-laws, which were endorsed by the Board of Trade,
which entirely abolished the monopoly held by the
lightermen and transport workers of the River Thames.
The by-law provides that any person will be qualified
for a lighterman’s or waterman’s licence who has
served for a period of two years working on a craft in
the Port of London.

Coal Smoke Abatement.

At the International Congress on Smoke Abatement,
held in London in March last, an important resolution
was passed relating to the subject of a standard method
of catching and weighing the soot and dust particles
suspended in the air. The committee appointed by the
Congress to draw up the details, both as to the method
and apparatus, are still busy with the project. The
first portion of its labours are complete, and from
January 1, 1914, the health authorities of 14 important
cities and towns (including London) will commence to
make regular measurements of the soot and dust fall.
The ultimate object of the investigation and enquiry is
to lead to an improvement in the purity of the air
breathed, especially in smoky and vitiated atmospheres.

Closing of the Thames Ironworks.

The closing down of the Thames Ironworks at the
beginning of the year made an unusual gap in the East
London coal trade, not only from the works themselves,
but also from the thousands of households and families
cast adrift.

Kent Coal.

During the year considerable progress has been made
in the necessary equipment and development of the
Kent coalfield, which will mean so much to London and
the south. Borings have been made in many directions,
and already within the area bounded by Canterbury,
Deal and Dover there are seven collieries at work, whilst
three pit villages have also been established. A light
railway has also been established, and power stations
erected for electricity supply, but at present very little
of the output is finding its way into London, although it
is reported the South-Eastern and Chatham Railway
Company are large buyers and users of the coal.

The Doncaster Coalfield and the London Trade.

The record of the year’s trade would not be complete
without a passing reference to the great progress and
marvellous expansion of the coalfields in South York-
shire, especially as a large portion of this coal finds its
way into the metropolitan area. This distiict has
become a strong competitor for the London trade with
Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

Coal Trade Benevolent Association.

The Coal Trade Benevolent Association, whose head-
quarters are at the London Coal Exchange, have had
a very successful year under the chairmanship of
Mr. W. G. Phillips, J.P. (of Ansley Hall Colliery). The
total amount of receipts during the year is £5,154, and
the relief given amounts to £2.754. Lord Durham was
the president for the year, and the annual festival took
’place at the Hotel Cecil on April 28 last. The Earl
of Plymouth has kindly consented to preside at the
forthcoming festival in 1914.

During the month of June, one or two important
social events took place in connection with the trade.
On the 24th, the Bishop of London threw open his
grounds at the Fulham Palace for a coal trade festival,
and H.R.H. Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll,
distributed the prizes. The following day London was
enfete, for, in addition to its being Alexandra Day (with
roses everywhere, even all over the Coal Exchange), the
French President was welcomed at the Guildhall.
The thirty-first annual dinner of the Inland Colliery
Owners’ Subscription Room (London Coal Exchange)
was held on December 8 at the Whitehall Rooms, Hotel
Metropole, presided over by Mr. J. Richardson (of the
Sheffield Coal Company). The annual meeting of the
Coal Merchants’ Society of London took place on
Monday, December 15, in their Subscription Room at
the Coal Exchange.

The Gas Exhibition in London gave rise to a good
deal of discussion in the coal trade generally as to the
necessity of improvements in open-grate fires. The
growing increase in gas stoves during the year has also
led to a strong movement on the part of the trade to
bring the general public to see the advantages of the
ordinary coal fire on the side of health, economy and

increased warmth. Thousands of circulars have been
issued during the summer, pointing out the facts.

The Bank rate during the year has been higher^in
proportion than in the past four or five years. For over
200 days the Bank rate has stood at 5 per cent., and the
rate for the year has been 4’78 per cent., previous year
3*77 per cent., and for 1911 3'47 per cent.

Railway Wagons.

All dead-buffer wagons passed out of existence,® as
far* as the ordinary railway traffic is concerned, kon
December 31 last. During the past two years many of
these have been converted into spring-buffer wagons;
but as the price of new wagons has ruled at an average
of £20 higher than it was three years ago, very few
orders have been placed for new wagons, and the passing
of the old dead-buffer wagons may lead to a considerable
shortage in the near future.

Obituary.

Amongst those familiar figures on the floor of the
London Coal Exchange who have passed away during
the year are Mr. J. J. Robinson, Mr. Alfred Usher
(of Worcester), Mr. James Oliver (late of Grassmoor
Colliery), Mr. Stephen Jeans, Mr. Herbert W. Dunlop (of
Reading), and Mr. E. 0. Graseman (of the London and
North-Western Railway).

LABOUR MO WAGES.

North of England.

The Northumberland Colliery Enginemen’s and
Firemen’s Association held a special general meeting
at Newcastle, on Saturday, to decide what further
action should be taken in connection with the owners’
replies to requests on the wages and hours questions, and
also on the ordinary quarterly wages questions. It was
decided to take no further action with regard to the
locomotive men, but to accept the owners’ offer of
September 20, which read as follows:—“ The owners
will agree that the hours of main line drivers be 10 for
a present wage of 6s. 5Jd.; locomotive firemen’s hours
on main lines to be 10 for a basis of 3s. 4Jd. The owners
are unable to make any alteration in the hours or wages
of enginemen or firemen on branch lines.” Ultimately
the meeting was adjourned fora fortnight, and sectional
meetings are to be held in reference to other requests
forwarded to the owners and the replies received.

The quarterly council meeting of the Cleveland
Miners’ and Quarrymen’s Association, was held at Mid-
dlesbrough, Mr. H. Dack presiding. The chairman ruled
out of order a motion that no money be taken from the
funds of the Association for political purposes, but that
each member willing to pay could do so by special levy.
It was pointed out that exception forms could be signed
by those not willing to pay. It was agreed to submit to
the employers a claim for a 12 o’clock Saturday for all
outside workers. The executive committee was given
instructions to formulate a scheme for obtaining an
increase in the tonnage rates of miners who had to
travel long distances in-by.

Hewers’ wages in Cumberland at the end of last year
show about 55 per cent, above the standard. On
January 13 they were advanced 5 per cent., and on
April 28 another 5 per cent, to 65 per cent., which is the
maximum paid under the present Midland Conciliation
Board agreement, by which the wages of the Cumber-
land miners are governed. These advances have marched
with those granted by the Midland Board, the condition
formerly operative, that wages in Cumberland should
be 21 per cent, less than the Midland miners in winter
and 5 per cent, less in summer having been suspended
rom November of last year. Constant work has been
the rule at all the collieries during the year.

Federated Area

The remarkable strides which have been made during
the past year in organising the miners of the Midland
area were indicated on Friday night by Mr. Albert
Stanley, M.P. (secretary of the Midland Miners’ Federa-
tion), at a meeting of the Cannock Chase Miners’
Association. Mr. Stanley stated that the membership,
which at the beginning of 1912 stood at 30,000, had by the
close of the year gone up to nearly 60,000. As a result of
the strong position in which the Midland Federation
found itself the Federation had decided to establish an
indemnity fund to cover the liabilities of the workmen to
their checkweigbman and other officers in the Midland area
under the Workmen’s Compensation Act. A discussion
took place upon the proposal to cease work at mid-day
on Saturday. The strongest feeling was manifested
against certain collieries in the Pelsall district which
had refused to join in the agitation for the half-holiday.
A joint meeting of the Cannock Chase and Pelsall
workmen’s representatives is to he held to consider the
matter further. Mr. Stanley reported upon three dis-
puted cases under the Minimum Wage Act, and
intimated that one of the cases could not be mutually
settled, and was to be taken before the county court
judge.

A correspondent says : The activities of the
miners’ unions, in the Pelsall and Cannock Chase
districts, with regard to the question of finishing work
at 12 o’clock on Saturdays, have met with determined
opposition from miners who view with displeasure the
curtailment of working hours in a district with a,
seasonal house coal trade. Apparently to justify their
existence, the miners’ leaders have pushed forward the
policy at the dictation of a comparatively insignificant
class of youths imbued with football enthusiasm, who
complain that the cessation of work at 2 o’clock does
not give time to journey to “away” matches. At
Pelsall, on Saturday, men at several collieries refused,
as requested, to hand in their notices with a view to the
concession being forced. The equivalent of the d,emand
is a drop in wages of about 3d. per day, a reduction
keenly resented by the mature section of miners who