May 15, 1914. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 1073 IRON. The market was uneventful. There was a slightly better feeling in some branches of the finished iron trade, but business generally remains very sluggish. Orders are placed only for small lots, there being a total absence of speculative buying. No improvement can be reported with regard to pig iron, prices remaining at 47s. 6d. to 49s. for Northamptonshire forge, 51s. to 51s. 6d. for foundry, 51s. for Derbyshire forge, 48s. to 49s. for South Stafford- shire common forge, and 50s. to 51s. for part-mine. There is a relatively good demand for foundry iron, and the best Staffordshire grades continue to sell well. The bar trade is cpiiet, but a steady business is passing in marked bars, makers having as a rule two or three weeks’ work in hand. Merchant bars fetch £6 10s. to <£6 12s. 6d. delivered Birmingham. The dismal outlook on the Continent is forcing on the market a good deal of material at cut rates, though the local trade is not very responsive. Belgian bars for nut and hurdle work sell at £o 10s. net against the district price of <£6 5s. less 2-1 per cent. The Gas Strip Association is reconsidering its position and policy. Undercutting by outside firms and foreign competition have been so rife that the associated firms have been hard put to it to get the associated prices, and pending another meeting a fortnight hence makers are allowed a free hand. There is some reaction from the heavy volume of business that was done down till recently in the galvanised sheet trade. South American and Australian markets are no longer capable of absorbing material at the rate lately experienced, and with a quieter tone all round values have settled at <£11 to £11 2s. 6d., f.o.b., Liverpool. Black sheets vary from £7 10s. to £7 15s. for singles of merchant quality, doubles being 2s. 6d. to 5s. extra according to make. Copper sheets have been further reduced £1, making the price £78. There is no new feature as regards steel. Most of the local works are fairly well engaged, but are unable to see far ahead. It is hoped that the reduction of export prices may have the effect of relieving competition from the north-east coast, but the prospect is too vague for Midland makers to place much reliance upon. __________________ Forest of Dean. Lydney. COAL. The market for the steam coals of this district continues in much the same condition as last reported. The collieries are putting in full work, but none of them are pressed for deliveries, though a fairly good demand is ruling' and stocks are very light. In house coal qualities the reduction in values noted last week has not brought in many more orders, and the pits are idle about a couple of days this week. Stocks, too, are rather heavy. Slacks are o-oino* well. Prices at pithead. House coals:— Block Current prices. 16/6 15/6 15/9 14/ 6/6 12/ -13/ 8/ - 8/6 L’st week’s prices. 16/6 15/6 15/9 14/ 6/6 12/ -13/ 8/ - 8/6 Last year’s prices. 16/6 15/6 15/9 14/ 10/ 13/6-14/ 10/ -11/ Forest Bubble Nuts Bough slack Steam coal:— Large Small Prices Is. 9d. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. ____________________________________ CONTINENTAL MINING NOTES. ___________________________________________________________ France. Our Paris correspondent writes :—There is still no sign of change in French coal markets, and business is rather dull, though -with some indications of a revived demand in the north. Notwithstanding the “hopeful pessimism” of the consumers who have professed to believe that prices must surely come down in view of the slackening of the smelting industry, and who to help towards that end have been letting their stocks run low, there is no prospect of anything of the kind. Indeed, the perhaps momentary revival of the demand is largely due to these customers beginning to require to add to their stocks. The average market price of coal this week —that is taking the average over all descriptions—is 20'50 fr. per ton on barge at the North of France mine, which is the same as it has been for the past two months. At the same time the average market price over 1913 was 25*50 fr. largely accounted for by a boom in the spring and another in September and October, when dealers were quoting fancy prices, for there was practically no free French coal on the market. The dulness of the metallurgical industries in Germany and Belgium may, of course, have an effect since, especially in the latter country the collieries are very anxious for business and their stocks are accumulating. Still even they have been renewing their contracts for domestic descriptions on the Paris market at the old figures. Locally, however, I understand, they are glad to accept reductions of from 50 c. to 2 fr. for the calibred grades, and 3 to 4 fr. for through. The reason for their firmness in Paris is that the marked preference of householders for named Belgian descriptions gives them. a favoured standing even as compared with French coals. The collieries of the Centre of France are still very busy, and as already pointed out, do not require to fear foreign competition. Their local industries are still full of orders, for instance, the Forges and Chantiers de St. Nazaire, which last week declared a dividend of 60 fr. as against 55 fr. last year, have recently received an order for a 24,000 ton battle- ship for the Greek Government. The important Blanzy Colliery, the biggest in the Centre, has been prospecting for a considerable time in the supposed coal bearing district of the Isere department and boring operations near the village of Mion, about 15 miles south-east from Lyons, have struck a workable seam of bituminous coal at a depth of 470 metres. The coal is stated to be of good quality. Generally speaking the French metallurgical industries are not so brisk as they might be, they have very much less to complain of than their neighbours in Germany and Belgium. It is announced that a commission has been formed repre- sentative of all the French steel manufacturers to examine the whole question of selling prices of non-pooled goods, which at the present moment means practically all classes of commercial steel except wire. The object of the commission is to endeavour to hold up market prices by laying down a number of general principles to guide manufacturers, al- though it is not intended at present to evolve any machinery to curb individual liberty of action. It is proposed to institute a bonus scheme on exports of finished goods such as locomotive engines and machinery, while there are undoubtedly difficulties to be overcome it is considered that a working arrangement on these lines may very well be concluded. Messrs. Schneider, of the Creusot Works, have just acquired a fairly important electro-metallurgical works, pre- viously owned by M. Paul Girod, at Urgines in Savoy, which comprises an electrical steel installation, and is favourably situated near powerful waterfalls. In a recent article in this column, I pointed out the difficulties which oppress the big iron works in French Lorraine with regard to their combustible, so that a project which came before the German Beichstag recently is of par- ticular significance not only to the French iron industry, but also to the collieries. I refer to the projected canal through the Saar coalfield linking up the Moselle with the Bhine. The Moselle traverses the extremely rich Lorraine iron ore deposits both in France and Germany, but the neighbouring also extremely rich coal field of the Saar has no efficient waterway to link up the two districts. The railway system is well nigh perfect, but the advantage of water-borne coal to the French consumers, especially over such a short dis- tance, is obvious. Unfortunately the scheme is meeting with strenuous opposition in the Beichstag, for the present absence of this apparently necessary canal is not due to accident. The opposition comes in the first place from the Prussian Government, which is frankly solicitous to protect its favourite Buhr and Bhine districts, who do not desire the increased competition which would result if Lorraine had a cheap outlet to the Bhine. There is good reason for this because the productive possibilities of Lorraine are judged to be immense, and while many of the German coal and iron magnates have been steadily increasing their interests there, their influence is still on the side of their older headquarters. At the same time, as may be gathered from recent events, the Prussian policy is not too kindly disposed towards Alsace-Lorraine, nor is the consideration that it would be helpful to French industries likely to help the scheme. Still, if the opposition is strong, the canal has also powerful supporters. As English financiers have considerable interests in the South of France coalfield, and have recently been endeavour- ing to open up collieries near Bodez, a fairly old scheme by the way, it is interesting to note the balance sheet of the Albi Collieries which are in that neighbourhood. The accounts disclose increases all round, and the dividend is raised to 18 fr. on the ordinary and 16'25 fr. on the founders’ shares, as compared with 16 fr. and 13'75 fr. respectively last year. The mines produce some 280,000 tons per annum of a good gas and coking coal of 30 to 32 volatile. The company makes about 25,000 tons of coke and 50,000 tons of fuel. Most of the leading French collieries hold their annual meetings about this time, or rather with respect to the old fashioned concerns in the north it is more correct to say disclose their dividend, for these hold no meetings and pub- lish no accounts. Thus, the Maries Company this week declared a balance of dividend of 115 fr., making 156'42 fr. for the year as compared with 164'26 fr. for 1912, but the shares stand at 4,380 fr. as against 5,360 fr. a year ago. The output for the past working year was 1,781,549 tons, 121,995 tons less than 1912-13. The Tatter, however, was exceptionally favourable from the labom? point of view, because after the explosion which shut down the neighbour- ing Clarence mines for a time the majority of the men came over to Maries, going back to Clarence, however, when the trouble was over. Situated to the west of Bruay, Maries enjoys the same rich seams of long flame furnace coal, also good for steam raising. It gives a high percentage of large, and comes up very clean, reducing the cost of mechanical preparation to a low level. It comes next to Bruay in showing the highest profit per ton raised of any French mine. Maries has also an old fashioned financial form.. It is divided into two companies, one the Societe des Inventeurs takes 30 per cent, of the net profits after the other company has deducted a percentage on its capital invested. The latter is called the Societe des 70 per cent., because it takes that proportion of the profits. The actual management is in the hands of the latter. ____________________________ Germany. Annual Report of the German Ammonia Sales Association, for 1913.—The production of sulphate of ammonia by the members of the association amounted to 391,460 tons (334,270 tons in 1912), and sales to 324,280 tons (309,947 tons), in addition to which 2,620 tons (5,697 tons) of ammonia liquor were disposed of. The inland consumption of the above out- put amounted to 261,824 tons (242,799 tons), leaving 62,456 tons (67,148 tons) for export. The chief centre of production in Germany is the Dortmund district, the output being :—Sulphate of ammonia , 348,808 tons (300,105 tons); benzol, 83,000 tons (60,401 tons); tar, 784,800 tons (675,236 tons). Annual Report of the German Benzol Union, for 1913.— The past year was a very favourable one for the sale of 90 per cent, benzol, and although the output in Germany was increased by nearly 40 per cent, through the opening of many new works, no difficulty was experienced in disposing of the entire production. Owing to the high price of light benzine (motor spirit) the consumption of benzol for motor purposes increased from 37,000 tons to 58,000 tons. In addition to this outlet, 36,752 tons (30,870 tons) were sold to dyestuff manufacturers, and 17,242 tons (16,714 tons) were exported, the total sales being 111,833 tons (84,460 tons). The total output participation allotted to the mem- bers of the union was 142,750 tons, but this figure was not reached, the coke production of the collieries being restricted by 10-15 per cent, at the beginning of the year, and by pro- gressive steps to 45 per cent, at the close. The sales of crude toluol amounted to 12,192 tons (8,237 tons), and those of solvent naphtha-xylol to 12,090 tons (12,274 tons). Ruhr Coal Market.—Although the volume of traffic is greater than before, there is no inducement to consider the situation improved, the increase being due to buyers having waited for the new price list to come into operation before sending in their specifications. The unsatisfactory condition of the iron industry does not offer any favourable prospect for the demand for industrial coals and coke; and the trade in gas and house coals is naturally slackening. The water borne traffic is improving, but business in Buhr coals in the South German market is not particularly brisk, Saar coal being in better request. Shipments abroad have been larger, but prices have to be cut, the industrial situation in the export markets being not particularly bright. Coal Market in Upper Silesia.—There is practically no change in the situation, the trade in house and gas coals being smaller, in accordance with the advance of the season, whilst the lack of any improvement in the iron industry pre- vents any revival in the demand for industrial coals. Stocks at the pits are therefore growing; but this will not be any disadvantage, provided the demand improves again before long, the absence of stocks having been a source of incon- venience last year. The export trade remains considerable. Austria and Bussia remain good customers, though the former is taking less than heretofore, requirements having been, in part, covered for some time ahead, and in part satisfied by the home output. The coke market has not receded very much, both blast furnace and foundry coke finding a ready sale, though the demand cannot be regarded as pressing. Smaller sorts are naturally in less demand. Exports and Imports of Fuel.—The following table shows the exports and imports of fuel during March and the first quarter of the year :—■ March. January-March. Increase 1913. 1914. 1914. or decrease. Imports— Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Coal .......... 709,229 ... 796,140 ...2,125,212 ... - 52,631 Lignite....... 664,108 ... 587,252 ...1,527,461 ... -205,058 Coke ......... 49,365 ... 68,692 ... 138,031 ... - 1,965 Coal briquettes 2,321 ... 2,836 ... 6,946 ... + 715 Lignite do. ... 10,718 ... 8,916 ... 37,398 ... + 1,705 Exports— Coal ......... 2,818,596 ...2,914,719 ...9,031,341 ... +568,170 Lignite....... 5/38 ... 4,389 ... 20,520 +- 790 Coke ......... 563,977 ... 414,407 ...1,356,887 ... -345,865 Coal briquettes 223,763 ... 191,882 ... 564,528 ... — 49,093 Lignite do. ... 61,101 ... 71,350 ... 243,563 ... - 18,409 From Great Britain, 698,712 tons of coal were imported in March, as against 600,483 tons in March 1913; imports of British coal in the three months amounted to 1,820,219 tons, or 42,561 tons less than in the corresponding period of last year. In March exports of coal increased to France, Den- mark and Bussia in particular. During the quarter exports to France and Bussia each increased by over 300,000 tons, and those to Belgium by 176,000 tons. Miners' Wages in Prussia in 1913.—The average net earnings per shift of the various classes of workers Prussian mines during 1913 were as follows, the figures for 1912 being given in parentheses :—Upper Silesia : Hewers (31.9 per- cent. of the whole working staff), 4.85 mk. (4.35 mk.); other- underground workers (32.3 per cent.), 3.50 mk. (3.44 mk.); adult workers at surface (25.9 per cent.), 3.19 mk. (3.08 mk.); youths under 16 (5.4 per cent.), 1.27 mk. (1.23 mk.); women (4.5 per cent.), 1.29 mk. (1.27 mk.). Lower Silesia : Hewers 42.6 per cent.), 3.84 mk. (3.57 mk.); other under- ground workers (25.9 per cent.), 3.41 mk. (3.41 mk.); adult surface workers (27.3 per cent.), 3.09 mk. (2.98 mk.); youths (3.0 per cent.), 1.35 mk. (1.32 mk.); women (1.2 per cent), 1.70 mk. (1.62 mk.). Dortmund district : Hewers (50.7 per- cent.), 6.47 mk. (6.02 mk.); other underground workers (26.3 per cent.), 4.54 mk. (4.31 mk.); adult surface workers (19.3 per cent.), 4.34 mk. (4.15 mk.); youths (3.7 per cent.), 1.46 mk. (1.42 mk.). Saar district : Hewers (47.9 per cent.), 5.18 mk. (4.83 mk.); other underground workers (27.9 per cent.), 4.10 mk. (3.91 mk.); adult surface workers (19.8 per cent.), 3.84 mk. (3.65 mk.); youths (4.4 per cent.), 1.41 mk. (1.42 mk.). Aachen : Hewers (55.4 per cent.), 5.62 mk. (5.56 mk.); other underground workers (17.8 per cent.), 4.33 mk. (4.47 mk.); adult surface workers (23.4 per cent.), 4.07 mk. (4.01 mk); youths (3.4 per cent.), 1.64 mk. (1.57 mk.). Bhine Left Bank : Hewers (62.3 per cent.), 6.33 mk. (5.56 mk.); other underground workers (12.4 per cent-.), 5.21 mk. (4.47 mk.); adult surface workers (21.6 per cent.), 4.37 mk. (4.01 mk.); youths (3.7 per cent.), 1.59 mk. (1.57 mk.). _________________________________________________________ THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, May 14. ______________________________________________________ Dublin. There has been a fairly good demand for household quali- ties during the week owing to unusually cold weather having set in, and prices have not yet been reduced. There is a good business with the country districts, although in a good many instances orders are being held back in anticipation of a drop at an early date. Quotations for all classes are unchanged, as follow:—Best Orrell, 28s. per ton; Abram, 27s. ; best Wigan, 26s.; best Whitehaven, 26s.; best kitchen, 24s.; steam coals from about 22s. per ton; best slack, 22s.; house coal (retail), Is. 8d. per sack; best coke, 20s. per ton delivered. Irish coals at Wolfhill, Queen’s County :—Large coal, 20s. per ton; small coal, 18s. 4d.; nuts, 16s. 8d.; beans, 15s.; peas, 12s. 6d.; culm (coarse), 10s.; culm (in pond), 3s. 4d.; culm (fine), 5s.—all at the pit mouth. Prices f.o.r. Athy :—Large coal for malting and kiln drying, 23s. per ton^ best small round household, 21s. 6d.; nuts (washed), 20s.; beans (washed), 17s.; peas (washed), 14s. 6d. ; lime burning culm, 12s.; fine culm, 9s. 6d. per ton. The collier vessels arriving at this port during the past week again amounted to 51, chiefly from Ayr, Garston, Newcastle-on- Tyne, Manchester, Point of Aire, Troon, Glasgow, White- haven, Liverpool, Workington, Newport, Preston, West Bank Dock, and Campbeltown. The total quantity of coal discharged upon the quays was 22,763 tons. Some of the yearly army contracts for coal and coke are now issuing. Belfast. In the house coal trade business, both locally and inland, has improved during the past week, but there is no change for the better in other departments. Prices generally are unchanged, except for some qualities of Scotch coal, which are easier in consequence of the very plentiful supply. Quotations are as follow :—Best Arley house coal, 27s. 6d. per ton; Hartley, 26s. 6d.; Wigan, 25s. 6d.; Orrell nuts, 26s. 6d.; Scotch house, 23s. 6d.; Orrell slack, 23s. 6d. Current prices for steam coals are :—Scotch, 15s. 6d. to 16s. 6d. per ton; Scotch slack, Ils. 6d. to 12s. 6d.; naviga- tion steam, 17s. to 18s. per ton delivered; Welsh steam coal, 17s. to 18s. per ton delivered. Cargoes arriving during the week were chiefly from Ayr, Troon, Ardrossan, Glasgow, Garston, Partington, Irvine, Sharpness, Girvan, Whitehaven, Ellesmere Port, Maryport, Silloth, Neath Abbey, and Work- ington. From April 19 to May 2 the total number of coal- laden vessels entering the harbour was 104.