636 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. March 20, 1914, Federation proposals on two occasions to the Concilia- tion Board, but the owners had declined to discuss them, contending that they were outside the terms of the present wage agreement, which continues until March 1915. Mr. Robt. Brown (Scotland) also stated that no progress had been made in many of the Scottish mining districts, the coalowners refusing to discuss the proposals. Mr. W. Straker (Northumberland) also reported failure in that county to make any progress with the matter. The Bristol, Forest of Bean, North Wales and Somerset districts all had failures to report. The reports were followed by a general discussion on the position. After further discussion it was resolved “ that this matter be now recommitted to the executive for further consideration and report, and that a resolution on the question be submitted to the conference to-morrow morning.” The conference next further considered the difficulties which have arisen with regard to the working of the minimum wage awards in Durham and North- umberland. The executive had submitted special reports on the question to the two counties for their consideration. The committee reported that they had again considered the action of the South Yorkshire coalowners on the recent award of Sir Edward Clarke, K.C., under the Minimum Wage Act. The committee had decided that as the matter had to be considered by the English Conciliation Board on Friday, it should be held in abeyance until it is seen what the joint meeting is able to do. Should the necessity arise, a special conference will be called to consider the situation. The conference then proceeded to discuss the general rules governing the political fund of the Federation. These were under consideration when the conference adjourned. The executive again met in the evening to consider the position of the surface workers’ question in the light of to-day’s discussion. It is believed that the executive will recommend the districts to continue their efforts to secure a settlement, and to report to a future conference as to their success or failure. At the opening of the National Conference of Miners at the Westminster Palace Hotel this (Friday) morning, Mr. Robt. S millie spoke on the treatment of pit ponies and the provision of baths for miners. They had succeeded in securing a clause in the Mines Act which had gone a long way to improve the condition of pit ponies, but the Government had only seen their way to appoint six inspectors to deal with pit ponies, and there was a strong feeling that that number was inadequate. On the question of bathing facilities and drying of clothes at the pit they were unanimous to secure this, the most important reform of the past 25 years. The idea had been prac- tically killed by a commercialised House of Commons. They ought to have had this clause in the Mines Act made compulsory on all employers to provide at their own cost the opportunity to men to wash and change their clothes at the mine. There was, however, some- thing encouraging in the fact that some employers had risen to the occasion and were erecting baths for their men. He understood that this had been done in Lancashire by Sir John Thursby and at Fletcher Bros, collieries. As far as he could hear, Messrs. Fletcher were in advance of mining legislation. Whatever they felt was required for safety and comfort of the men at their collieries they did, without being forced by Act of Parliament. Later—To-day (Friday) the conference decided that action should be continued locally in the districts to obtain a settlement of the proposals for increased wages and improved conditions of employment for surface workers bn the pit banks. The resolution passed expressed satisfaction at the settlements already obtained, and advised the districts to continue the negotiations locally, and to report the result for consideration at a future conference. The Iron, Steel and Engineering Trades. The terms of reference concerning the question of week-end labour at the blastfurnaces in Cumberland and North Lancashire have been agreed upon by the Blastfurnacemen’s Association and the Ironmasters’ Association, and they have now been forwarded by Mr. P. Walls and Mr. F. W. Jackson, the secretaries respec- tively, to the arbitrators, Mr. James Cox, of the Associated Iron and Steel Workers, and Mr. Walter Crook. Firemen and Enginemon. The Parliamentary Committee of the Trade Union Congress called a conference in Manchester on Saturday on the question of amalgamating all the unions catering for enginemen and firemen, crane workers, electrical workers, and kindred trades. ' After some discussion, it having been found that a majority of the delegates had been instructed by their societies to support the resolution, it was moved that seven delegates be elected to form a committee to draw up rules that would serve for the constitution of the National Union. This was ultimately agreed to. Afterwards the committee were given power to print the rules when drawn up, and send them to every union in the United Kingdom eligible to join the National Union. It was agreed that the Parliamentary Com- mittee should call a further conference at a later date, at which these rules will be discussed. The number of members concerned in the organisations whose delegates are in favour of the amalgamation is over 100,000. Lecture on Explosives.—Mr. William MacNab, F.I.G, will deliver his second lecture on “ Explosives ” before the Institute of Chemistry, at King’s College, on Thursday, the 26th inst., at 8 p.m. Prof. Meldola will preside. Amongst the subjects upon which the lecturer will discourse are the Home Office rules for the construction and working of explosives factories, the processes and plant used in manu- facture, the “ permitted ” explosives and the Home Office test, and the scope of the chemist’s work in connection with explosives. Til ML TRMI, Thursday, March 19. The colder weather has been more favourable during the past week for the London coal trade, and the consumption has been stimulated, but prices remain very much as before. The volume of trade doing has somewhat increased, but the extra demand has been readily met by the stocks on hand. The various wharves and depots are still inconveniently full of coal, and comparatively few orders have found their way to the collieries direct. Contract coals are coming forward with more freedom, and the wait-order sidings and junctions have felt the benefit of the increased demand. There are still very plentiful supplies waiting to come forward. The delivery trade, however, has been more brisk, and the orders from the general public have slightly increased. The special prices quoted for spot lots are still in force, and all qualities of house coal are difficult to sell. The prevailing movement in the trade is in the direction of picking up all stocks on the ground before purchasing any more, and this of necessity makes the colliery orders very sparse and feeble. Colliery stocks are still reported as being heavy, and with spring and summer trade immediately before the merchants, the orders given are only for the coal actually required. Some of the principal merchants also, have the annual audit fixed for the end of March, and no effort is being spared to make the stocks on hand as low as possible, so that orders for fresh coal are given very sparingly. Coke has been selling at terribly low prices. Slacks also are offering at very reduced rates, and all kinds of small nuts are difficult to sell. Colliery prices remain nominally unaltered, but in every case of a sale of any dimensions, a special price has been arranged. Bakers’ nuts and kitchener cobbles are moving very slowly. Manufac- turing coals are fairly firm, but the demand is considerably lower than the previous month. In the seaborne market a good deal of buoyant expectancy is fixed on the re- opening of the Baltic ports, and in every direction a firmer tone is noticeable for forward sales than for immediate use. 30 vessels were returned on Monday’s market as entering the River Thames, and seven for Wednesday’s, but no cargoes were offering for sale. The great questions in the labour world are engrossing a good deal of time and attention on the coal market this week, viz., the trouble in the South Yorkshire district where a strike among the pitmen seems imminent, and the question of the Great Eastern Railway having a big railway strike. Whilst the buyers on the London market are so well provided with stock, and the number of wagons coming forward with such prompt regularity, the fear of the disturbance in the Yorkshire coalfield does not appeal to them with any serious amount of gravity. The general feeling seems to be that the great question would be solved by a peaceful settlement, and especially as the summer season is so rapidly approaching. The difficulty is likely to affect the shippers and the export trade more than the ordinary London market. The rough weather along the coast has caused a good deal of delay with the boats due in the Thames, and the gale on Monday last has also caused a good many of the loaded barges in the River Thames to become swamped, and in some cases sunk. Unfortunately one tug was sunk in the Long Reach at Purfleet, and caused the death of five men. Market quotations (pit mouth) : Note.—Although every care is exercised to secure accuracy, we cannot hold ourselves responsible for these prices, which are, farther, subject to fluctuations. Yorkshire. Current prices. Last week’s prices. Last year’s prices. Wath Main, best coal 14/ 14/ 13/ Do. nuts 13/ 13/ 12/ Birley cube Silkstone i 13/6 13 6 11/6 Do. branch coal 16/ 16/ 15/ Do. seconds 1 13/ 13/ 11/ Barnsley Bed Silkstone 14/ 14/ 12/6 West Riding Silkstone 13/6 13/6 12/ Kiveton Park Hazel 13/ 13/ 13/ Do. cobbles 13/ 13/ 13/ Do. nuts 1 13/ 13/ 12/ Do. hard steam 11/6 11/6 11/ New Sharlston Wallsend 15/ 15/ 14/ .Wharncliffe Silkstone branch 16/ 16/ 14/ Do. Flockton Main ... 15/6 15/6 13/6 Do. Athersley house coal 12/ 12/ 11/6 Newton Chambers best Silks. 16/6 16/6 15/ Do. Grange best Silks. 15/6 15/6 14/ Do. Hesley Silkstone... 14/ 14/ 13/ Do. Rockingham selec. 14/6 14/6 13/6 Do, Rockingham Silks. 14/ 14/ 13/ Derbyshire. Wingfield Manor best 13/ 13/ .12/ Do. large nuts... 12/6 12/6 11/9 Do. small nuts... 9/6 9/6 9/6 Do. kitchen coal 10/ 10/ 10/ West Hallam Kilburn brights 13/ 13/ 12/ Do. do. nuts ... 12/6 12/6 11/9 Do. London brights 11/ 11/ 11/ Do. bright nuts 10/6 10/6 10/9 Do. small nuts 9/6 9/6 9/6 Manners Kilburn brights 13/ 13/ 12/ Do. do. nuts 12/6 12/6 11/9 Shipley do. brights 13/ 13/ 12/ Do. do. nuts 12/6 12/6 . 11/9 Mapperley brights 13/ 13/ 12/ Do. hard steam 11/6 11/6 11/9 Cossall Kilburn brights 13/ 13/ 12/ Do. do. nuts 12/6 12/6 11/9 Tro well Moor brights 13/ 13/ 11/6 Do. do. nuts.o. 12/6 12/6 11/ Grassmoor Main coal............ 14/ 1 14/ 12/6 Do. Tupton 13/ 13/ 11/ Do. do. nuts......... 11/6 11/6 12/ Clay Cross Main coal . 14/ 14/ 12/6 Do. do. cubes ......... 14/ 14/ 12/ Do. special Derbys 13/ 13/ 11/9. Do. house coal , 13 13/ 11/ * Where no quotation is given, information as to changes in price was not to hand at the time of going to press. Current prices. Last week’s Last year’s- Derbyshire—(cont). prices. prices. Pileley best blackshale 14/ 14/ 12/6- 10/6; 10/ Do. deep house coal J. u-y 13/ 13/ Do. hard screened cobbles 11/3 11/3 Hardwick best Silkstone 14/ 14/ 12/6 Do. Cavendish brights... 13/ 13/ 11/6 Do. cubes 14/ 11/6 Nottinghamshire. Clifton picked hards 12/6 12/6 12/ Do. small hards 12/3 12/3 H/ Do. deep large steam 12/6 12/6 12/ Annesley best hards 12/6 12/6 12/ ll/3> Do. bright cobbles 12/6 12/6 Linby best hards 12/6 12/6 12/ 11/3 Do. bright cobbles 12/6 12/6 Digby London brights 14/ 14/ 12/ 1 Do. cobbles 14/ 14/ !2/ Do. top hards 13/ 13/ 13/ 14/ Do. High Hazel coal 15/6 15/6 Bestwood hard steam coal 12/6 12 6 12/ Do. bright cobbles 12/6 12/6 11/3 Hucknall Torkard main hardf1 12/9 12/9 12/3 Do. do. cobbles 11/6 11/ 11/6 11/ ills Do. do. nuts H/ Do. do. High Hazel H.P. 15/3 15/3 12/9 14/9 Do. do. London brights.. 12/9 12/a Do. do. large nuts 12/9 12/9 12/3 Do. do. bright nuts 11/9 11/9 11/3- Sherwood H.P. hards 12/6 12/6 12/ Do. hard steam 11/6 11/6 10/6 Do. brights 11/9 11/6 11/9 11/9 11/3- 11/3’ Do. cobbles 11/6 Do. large nuts 11/9 11/9' Warwickshire. Griff large steam coal 11/6 11/6 12/ 10/0 Do. screened cobbles 12/ 11/ Do. bakers’ nuts 12/ 12/ 11/ Do. loco Two Yard hards ... 14/ 14/ 13/6 Do. Ryder nuts 12/6 12/6 13/6 11/6 Do. do. cobbles 13/6 12/6 Nuneaton steam coal 11/6 11/6 10/9 11/ Do. screened cobbles ... 12/ 12/ Do. nuts 12/ 12/ 11/ Haunchwood steam 11/6 12/ 11/6 10/0 Do. screened cobblee 12/ 11/ Do. nuts 12/ 12/ 11/ W’yken steam coal 11/6 11/6 12/ 10/9 Do. screened cobbles 12/ 11/ Do. nuts 12/ 12/ 11/ Exhall Ell coal spires 13/6 13/6 12/6 Do. brights =55= — Do. large steam coal 11/6 11/6 10/9 Do. best screened cobbles — Do. large nuts — < —> Leicestershire. Snibston steam 9/6 10/6 10/6 9/6 9/6 10/6 10/6 9/6 10/6 Do. cobbles 10/3 Do. nuts 10/6 10/ South Leicester steam Do. cobs, or small hards? 10/6 10/6 10/6 Do. nuts 10/6 9/6 10/6 10/6 10/6 11/6 12/6 12/6 10/ 10/6 10/6 9/6 10/6 10/6 10/6 Whitwick steam 10/6 Do. roasters 10/6 10/6 Do. cobbles Do. nuts 10/6 11/6 12/6 12/6 10/ 10/6 17/ Netherseal hards Do. Eureka 12/6 10/6 10/ Do. kitchen Ibstock kibbles Do. large nuts 10/6 10/ Do. bakers’ nuts 10/6 10/6 10/ 10/6 10/6 9/6 Do. Main nuts 10/6 10/ 10/ Do. hards 9/6 Granville New Pit cobbles 10/6 11/6 Do. Old Pit cobbles 10/6 10/6 10/6 North Staffordshire. Talk-o’-th’-Hill best 14/ 14/ 13/6 14/6 14/ Sneyd best, selected 14/6 14/ 14/6 14/ Do. deeps . Silverdale best 14/ 13/ 14/ 15/ 14/ Do. cobbles 13/ Apedale best 14/ 14/ 13/6 13/ Do. seconds 13/ 13/, 14/ Podmore Hall best 14/ 13/6 13/ Do. seconds -1-/ 13/ 13/ South Staffs. {Cannock District). Cannock steam 9/6 9/6 13/ 11/ 11/ Coppice deep coal 12/ 13 12/ Do. cobbles H/ Do. one way H/ 11/ 12/ Do. shallow coal 12/6 16/ 12/6 12/ Cannodk Chase deep main 16/ x/ 17/ Do. Deep kitchen cobs. 12/ 12/ 12/ Do. best shallow main 14/ 14/ 14/ Do. shallow kibbles ... 13/9 13/9 13/6 Do. best brights 13/6 13/6 13/ Do. yard cobbles 13/6 13/6 13/6 Do. yard nuts 12/6 12/6 12/6 Do. bakers’ nuts 10/9 10 9 10/3 Do. screened hards ... 11/9 11/9 11/ Friday, March 13.—The seaborne house coal market was very quiet to-day, no business reported in either Durham or Yorkshire. Best Durham 21s. 6d., seconds 20s. 6d., Sharlston W.E. (Yorks) 22s., Sharlston Main (Yorks) 20s. 6d; Cargoes 18. Monday, March 16.—The seaborne house coal market continued very quiet to-day, thero being no cargoes pressing for sale. Best Durham 21s. 6d., seconds 20s. 6d., Sharlston W.E. (Yorks) 22s., Sharlston Main (Yorks) 20s. 6d. Cargoes 30. Wednesday, March 18.—There was a slight improvement in the seaborne house coal market to-day but no cargoes of either Durham or Yorkshire available. Best Durham 21s. 6d., seconds 20s. 6d., Sharlston W.E. (Yorks) 22s., Sharlston Main (Yorks) 20s. 6d. Cargoes 7.