1310 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. June 12. 1914. expense of running a union on modern lines is enormous, and much, of the money obtained in the form of wages advances is returned to the unions in the shape of levies or contributions. The return which the member obtains for this outlay is meagre, for the provision of “benefits” is the Cinderella of trade union objects. Much of the money is squandered on endless conferences, deputations and meetings, of purely political interest, in the main- tenance of labour newspapers, in the support of sporadic objects, which may satisfy the philanthropic yearnings of officials, but bring little grist to the mill of the worker. It may be that the critical trade unionist looks upon these extravagances as harmless dissipations ancillary to the real work of his organisation. But how much dead-sea fruit has been reaped even from the most promising agitations. Few strikes have brought the results heralded by the leaders, and the Acts of Parliament which have been forced upon employers at the instance of the Labour Party have signally failed in practice to improve the lot of the workman. Let us take a few of these and see, making the reservation at the outset that all of them probably are justified in a measure and do confer some positive advantages upon the labouring classes. It is for the latter, however, to weigh the benefits against the losses. First of all, the Eight Hours Act has beyond all question reduced the earning power of the workmen —the “ redoubled blow ” has not compensated them for the restricted period of labour; it. has removed the opportunity of making extra wages where urgently needed ; has led to a general accelera- tion of work, inducing fatigue, relaxed vigilance, and an inadequate scrutiny of working conditions ; has been followed by an increase in the number of accidents due to the cause just cited and to the speeding-up of the mechanical equipment with the object of maintaining the output at its former level; has necessitated some regard for punctuality, at times distasteful; has led to the institution of new methods of working and shift systems that interfere with the personal comfort and social amenities of the workmen and their families ; and has involved the introduction of labour-saving machinery that has, in some cases, operated to the disadvantage of the workmen. Of the Minimum Wage Act, it may be said that its most conspicuous consequences have been the tendency to reduce the maximum earning capacity to a common standard, the basis of which is derived from the lower grades of labour; the establishment of indexible rules as to diligence, workmanship and attendance; and the introduction of what is tantamount to the objectionable principle of compulsory arbitration. Turning then to the Coal Mines Act, it is possible to point to many changes in practice that have brought no balm to the working miner; only a few can be mentioned here. The Act, in other words, has led to the enforcement of drastic regulations, some of which affect the liberty of the workman and others his safety. Just as the safety lamp, itself an undoubted advantage, has, owing to the reduced lighting power, affected the operative capacity of the workman, the new explosives also, owing to their weakness and lessened coal-getting power, have been a charge upon the miner’s pocket; the Cumberland miners have just brought this feature to the notice of the Miners’ Federation, and there are other provisions of the Explosives Order as to the use and ■storage of explosives that are calculated to cause greater inconvenience to the workman. Again, there is scarcely a winding engineman in the country that does not dread and detest the new signalling codes. With these two concrete examples we shall rest content, but it may be pointed out that the regulations as to the withdrawal of workmen, compulsory searching, the relighting of safety lamps, examinations, timbering, &c., however good they may be for the health of the miner, nearly all make serious inroads upon the working period and create a sense of subordination, against which his free-born nature sometimes revolts. Similarly the increased inspection, which the union have always placed in the forefront of their programme, must prove rather less objectionable to the employer than to the work- man, who, in striving vainly for the fulfilment of an impossible ideal, must put up with the domination of a perspicacious horde of Government officials. Beyond this the Act provides for increased penalties for infractions of the rules, and the mechanical methods, to which mine owners have been impelled in order to meet the requirements of the Act and to increase the productive capacity of the mines, may also bring new dangers and discomforts in their train. A consequence of the Mines Act, which probably is less present to the mind of the workman but is none the less as grave as any, is the lessened oppor- tunities which it affords to the manager of meeting the real and present dangers that assail the miners, in order perfunctorily to satisfy the pettifogging injunctions of the Home Office. It would not be fair, of course, to regard the Coal Mines Act as solely the work of the Miners’ Federation, but its enactment is a performance of which they were fain to boast and to advertise as one of the fruits of organisation. And, finally, the Workmen’s Compensation Act. In this more than in any other piece of legislation the judgment of the leaders has, we think, been confounded. This Act has increased the difficulty of the old and infirm workmen to find and retain employment; has necessitated close medical super- vision ; has made the honest workman shoulder a wholly disproportionate burden of the cost, by holding out opportunities to the malingerer ; it has meant an enormous cost in the shape of litigation, none of which can ever come back in the shape of benefits to the workmen or their employers ; and, lastly, it has resulted in a decline in the sympathetic consideration of employers, in reduced contributions to charities designed to benefit the workmen, and the practical annihilation of the thrift institutions erected by the workmen in their own interest. All this legislation is further the parent of certain general evils which cannot be obscured. In the first place there is the cost. Just as those who cry out for big navies often object to foot the bill, so the working classes seldom appreciate the fact that they must in some way or another pay their quota of the cost of all industrial legislation. Increased rates of wages may be more than counterbalanced by the higher cost of living. Increased cost of production may lead to the closing of small and unremunerative works, with a consequent diminution of employ- ment, and the discouragement of investors to embark their capital in the establishment of new and the enlargement of existing undertakings. The distance between the employer and his staff is perceptibly widened; cases of individual hardship tend to multiply ; and, to sum up, the intelligent workman must feel that the abstract satisfaction of his so-called “rights,” as defined and distorted by his place- seeking advisers, may succeed only in destroying that hegemony of interests which is responsible, and solely responsible, for his own welfare and that of his fellows. The principle of trade unionism is unexceptionable; it is to be in the fashion to say so. But many of these monopolistic bodies at the present day are mere travesties of the true trade union. It would be a wholesome sign to find the better class of workmen taking an earnest share in their reformation ; failing this, their obvious and growing indifference to the tub-thumping of the leaders is, perhaps, the next best thing. Partnerships Dissolved.—The London Gazette announces the dissolution of the following partnerships :—H. H. Williams and J. T. Robson, motor engineers and repairers, Wright’s-mews, Hamilton-road, West Norwood, under the style of Williams and Robson; E. J. Priest and H. S. Priest, coal merchants and mineral water manufacturers, High Wycombe, under the style of E. Priest and Sons; W. J. Douglas and W. R. Whitson, consulting engineers, Fen- church-avenue, London, under the style of Douglas and Adair. Immingham Coal Exports.—During the week ended June 4 the exports of coal from Immingham were shown by the official returns as follow :—Foreign : To Bremen, 2,104 tons; Bruges, 981; Barcelona, 2,572; Flensborg, 2,000; Fredrik- stadt, 1,045; Gefle, 2,335; Mariager Fjord, 1,339; Odense, 606; Rotterdam, 1,309; Stockholm, 1,777; and St. Peters- burg, 4,584; total, 20,752 tons. Coastal: To Devonport, 1,440; London, 2,095; and Woolwich, 1,560; total, 5,095 tons. During the corresponding week last year the totals were 27,316 and 5,050 tons respectively. THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, June 11. North Wales. Wrexham. COAL. There has been a general all-round improvement in the volume of business. The colliers having now all settled to work again after the holidays, the normal output has been obtained, aiid generally speaking has been disposed of at fairly good prices considering the time of the year. The house coal department is very quiet, owing to the season of the year, but the coal which is disposed of, both for the railborne and landsale trade, is obtaining satisfactory figures. The demand for steam coal has materially improved during the past week as compared with the previous week— occasioned by the resumption of manufacturing concerns which closed down for the holiday period. Coal for locomotive purposes has a ready sale, as several railway companies have large contracts with the local collieries. The shipping trade at the Mersey ports is also fairly good, and several large consignments of North Wales coal have been shipped during the week. Gas coals are unchanged. The work of fixing renewals is going on apace, some con- tracts being renewed at last year’s prices, while in other cases slight concessions in favour of buyers have been made. There is a slightly better call for slack, and prices have advanced for good quality small fuel to the extent of about 3d. per ton on the last quotation. There is no variation in the trade done in gas coke, and prices remain fixed as previously quoted. This week’s current figures are as follow:— Prices at pit f.o.r.:— Best house coal ...... Secondary do.......... Steam coal............ Gas coal.............. Bunkers............... Nuts ................. Slack ................ Gas coke (at works)... Prices landsale:— Best house coal ...... Seconds .............. Slack ................ Current prices. 14/6-15/6 13/6-14/6 12/6-13/6 13/ -13/9 12/ -12/6 11/9-12/6 6/9- 8/6 13/4-15/ 18/4-20/ 16/8-17/6 10/ -12/6 L’st/week’s prices. 15/6-16/ 13/9-14/6 12/6-13/6 13/ -13/9 12/ -12/4 11/9-12/6 6/8- 8/4 13/ -15/ Last year’s prices. 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ 12/9-13/6 13/ -14/ 12/6-13/ 12/ -12/3 6/6- 9/ 15/ —16/8 19/2-20/ 18/4-20/ 17/6-18/4 16/8-18/4 13/4-15/ 10/ -12/6 Monmouthshire, South Wales, &c. Newport. COAL. There has been a steady gradual resumption of business without any pressure. Tonnage arrivals are rather better, and continue to improve, so at present the prospects for July trading are for a good month. Buyers continue to hold off as much as possible, but it looks as if their efforts to further depress the market are now fruitless. For forward bookings, values quoted are if anything a little stronger, but really there is not much difference. Free coal just now is not too plentiful, and should that which is available be picked up, the market might easily develop a firmer tendency. Smalls relatively maintain the same position, as do nuts, throughs, etc. House coals are a little weaker, while coke, in sympathy with the depression in the iron and steel trades is quoted considerably less. Pit wood supplies are more abundant, prices taking an easier turn in consequence, good wood may now be obtained around 20s. 6d. ex. ship. In the freight market there is no marked movement. For handy tonnage there is a fairly good enquiry for European ports, with a lesser demand for bigger boats for farther destinations. Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days, less 24 per cent. Steam coals:— Best Black Vein large... Western-valleys, ordin’y Best Eastern-valleys ... Secondary do. Best small coals ..... Secondary do.......... Inferior do........... Screenings............ Through coals ........ Best washed nuts...... Other sorts:— Best house coal....... Secondary do.......... Patent fuel .......... Furnace coke.......... Foundry coke ......... Current prices. 17/ -17/6 16/6-16/9 16/ -16/3 15/3-15/6 8/3- 8/6 7/9- 8/ 7/3- 7/6 8/6 12/3-12/6 12/6-12/9 18/ -19/ 16/6-17/6 19/6-20/ 17/6-18/ 21/ -24/ L’st week’s prices. 17/ -17/6 16/6-17/ 16/ -16/3 15/ -15/6 8/3- 8/9 7/9- 8/3 7/6- 7/9 8/6- 8/9 12/3-12/9 12/6-13/ Last year’s prices. 18/ -18/3 17/6-17/9 16/9-17/ 16/ -16/3 9/ - 9/3 8/ - 8/6 7/6- 8/ 9/ -9/3 14/3-14/9 15/ -15/3 18/ -19/ 17/ -18/ 19/6—20/6 19/ -20/6 23/ -25/ 18/ -19/ 17/ —18/ 20/6-21/ 27/ -28/ 29/ -31/ IRON. There has been no improvement in the conditions of the local iron and steel trades since the holidays, in fact the reverse is the case. Only very little enquiry is coming along, and prices generally are easier on the week. Consumers appear to be keeping off the market in order to still further depress prices. Following are latest approximate quotations : Steel rails, heavy sections £6 10s. to £6 15s., light sections £6 15s. to £7; tinplate bars, Bessemer steel £4 10s. to £4 11s. 3d., Siemens steel £4 Ils. 3d. to £4 12s. 6d.; tin- plates, 20 by 14 by 112, Bessemer primes 12s. 4Jd. to 12s. 6d., Siemens primes 12s. 6d. to 12s. 7Jd.; finished black plate, £9 10s. per ton; pig iron, Welsh haematite 65s. delivered to works in the district. Cardiff. COAL. As is usual after a holiday, the men have been loth to return to work, with the customery result that outputs during the three days at the end of last week were exceedingly low. The change in the weather this week, however, has brought about a considerable improvement, and in a few days it is believed the production will once more be on the normal level. Prices are very firm, as much as 21s. being paid for best Admiralties, although generally speaking, the ruling rate is about 20s. 6d. Some of the collieries, however, are in such a strong position that they are able to ask and obtain the former figure. There is a very large amount of enquiry on the market from all directions, including Roumania, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Italy, the Baltic, Sou h America., and Norway, the latter