February 26, 1915.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

453

12s. fid. per ton. On the last occasion, when, in the course
of negotiations, the figures from the books of the coal
owners were put before the men, it was wed that the pic
bank price was 8s. yd. per ton. There ought to be a vote
of thanks to ;these public beneiactors who were selling at
8s. yd. what it cost them 12s. bd. to produce. The miners
of -the country had no desire that prices snould increase
owing to .scarcity caused by reduction of output, but they
were caret ul, ana would be caret ul, to maintain wnat tney
had secured by trade union action, mere had been less
output w a smaii extent, out if they haa nad proper railway
ana ship transport, tnere wo mu not have been, to any
extent, a shortage, rtesoiutions were adopted urging the
crovernment to ux maximum coat prices, to pooi railway
trucks, etc., and to hx freight rates, and also to commandeer
coax supplies for distribution through municipal or co-opera-
tive agencies.

rhe monthly meeting of the executive board of Fife and
Kinross Miners' Association was held at Hunter mime on
Saturday. it was reported that at several of the coineries
some of the men haa been working 12 days per fortnight
recently, and the board instructed 'the secretaries to take
up the matter with the districts involved, with the object
oi bringing an end to the departure from the 11 days
working policy.

Miners’ Federation of Great Britain.

A special conference of the Miners’ Federation of Great
Britain, meeting in the Westminster Balace Hotel, JUonuon,
on Tuesday, discussed the proposals for new wage agree-
ments. me discussion was mainly concerned with two
factors—the increased selling price of coal and the increased
cost of living, The president, in opening tne proceedings,
spoke strongly on the rise in the cost oi living, which he
put at 2U per cent., and suggested that it might become
necessary for the miners and other workers—notwithstand-
ing wage agreements—to seek relief by demanding an
increase m wages. The obvious meaning of Mr. bmnlie s
speech is that the rise in the cost of living may force the
miners to treat the present signed agreements as ’ ‘ scraps oi
paper.” There was considerable discussion on the proposed
new wage agreement. The oihcial report of tne conference,
which was given by Mr. A. Onions, was as follows :—

The president, in his opening remarks, referred to the
great struggle on the Continent of iiiurope, and ns effect
on the cost of living m this country. The increase in
the cost of living amounted to 2U per cent., which, he
pointed out, had the same effect on the workers as a
reduction in wages to that amount. It was the wage
earners, and especially the low-paid workmen, who felt
the pinch first and greatest. Coal had gone up to a
shamefully high price. This was partly due to the action
of the coal owners, and the coal merchants, and to the
increase in freights. Foodstuffs had also largely increased
in price by the action of the shipowners in increasing
freights, if the cost of living was going up, or remained
up, it might become necessary for the miners and other
workers of this country, wage agreements notwithstand-
ing, to seek relief by demanding an increase in wages.
Whilst the executive had not dealt with this question, he
considered it his duty to bring this important matter
before the conference, with a view to its being considered
in the country.

The conference having considered the position of the
Daily Citizen, and the resolutions to come before the joint
conference of the Trade Unions and Labour. Party on
Wednesday, proceeded to discuss the new wage agree-
ments.

Certain proposals and resolutions passed by the execu-
tive, and already published, were brought before the
conference 'by the president, and discussed at some con-
siderable length, and the discussion was adjourned.

The decision of yesterday’s conference of the Miners’
Federation of Great Britain has materially improved the
prospects of the new wage .agreements in the mining dis-
tricts. It was decided by a unanimous vote not to hamper
the negotiations which are in progress in the English
Federated area by binding the districts to any definite period
of time; and it was further decided—and this is perhaps
the more important—not to make a fixed minimum wage for
surface workers—an essential condition of the signing of any
new agreement. When the negotiations with the English
coal owners are resumed on Wednesday next, the men’s
section of the Conciliation Board will be in a position freely
to discuss any proposals made by the coal owners as to the
period for which the new agreement shall run, and while
they will present the Federation proposals for a 5s. per day
minimum for surface workers, its refusal wall not neces-
sarily wreck the completion of any treaty between the
parties. The 'conference also discussed another important
matter, namely, the appointment by the Home Secretary of
a Committee to enquire into the conditions prevailing in the
coal mining industry, with a view both to recruiting and
the economic production of coal. In the meetings of the
executive, and at the National conference, there has been a
strongly voiced opposition to the Federation taking any
official part as an organisation in a recruiting movement.
The official report presented by Mr. A. Onions was as
follows^:—

The president, on behalf of the executive, brought the
following resolution before the conference :—

“ That this executive committee recommends the con-
ference, at their sitting to-day, not to fix any period of
time for which any new general wage agreement shall
run. Further, we recommend that those districts which
have not already opened negotiations with their owners
should do so at once, and that the conference stand
adjourned until Wednesday, April 28, when full reports
from each district as to the terms secured for their new
agreement shall be given, and the period of time for
which all new agreements are to run shall be decided at
that conference.” This was carried unanimously.

The president brought before the meeting the resolutions
dealing with wage agreements passed at annual confer-
ences. These have already been published. The only
important point is that a minimum wage of not less than
5s. per day for all adult surface workers be asked for.

In answer to a question, the president stated that
S. Walsh, M.P., Vernon Hartshorn, and himself had
been requested to act on a Departmental Committee
appointed to enquire into certain matters appertaining to
the coal trade, and that subject to the terms of reference
being satisfactory, they had decided, with the permission
of the conference, to accept the invitation. The confer-
ence left the matter in the hands of the executive
committee.

The question of the increased cost of living and increased
wages was brought before the conference, and discussed
at some length, and the following resolution was unani-
mously passed :—

“ That this conference instructs the executive com-
mittee to consider the serious increase in the cost of living,
consequent upon the war, with a view to steps being taken
to secure an advance in wages, and report to a conference
to be called in the near future.”

A meeting of the Miners’ Federation executive was held
yesterday, under the presidency of Mr. Robert Smillie,
to consider the remit from the conference with regard to
the increased cost of living. After some discussion, it
was unanimously agreed that a special conference of the
Miners’ Federation of Great Britain be called on
March 18, to discuss the question of claiming a general
increase in wages in order to meet the increased cost of
living.

Notes from the Coalfields.

[Local Correspondence.]

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

Government Approach to Coal Owners : By-Products for
High Explosives—Gas Companies Supplied with Special
Plant—Miners and the Notice Terminating Agreement :
A Forecast—Reduced Output and the Loss Occasioned
by Labour Shortage—Coal for Industrial Purposes : Risk
of Stopping Factories—Congestion of Coal Loading at
Cardiff : The Prime Minister's Statement Contradicted
—Swansea's Position More Favourable — Important
Development in the Anthracite Field.

Messrs. D. Davis and Sons report that at the Welsh Navi-
gation Collieries the erection of coke ovens, by-product, and
benzol plant has been completed; and that these are now
in full operation, whilst other development work is being
proceeded with. This announcement has special import-
ance, in view of the action of the Government to secure
large and regular supplies of toluol for the manufacture of
explosives. The Government approached South Wales
colliery companies, and also local gas companies, desiring
that they would as far as possible increase the supply of
toluol, as this was required in the manufacture of high
explosives. As is well known, the colliery companies in this
district have given of late special attention to their
by-product plant, and in several cases with very satisfac-
tory results in point of dividend, whilst other companies are
at the present laying down plant. Unfortunately, they are
experiencing delay in completion on account of the outbreak
of war.

The firms approached by Government representatives were
desired to produce as much as possible, and give particular
attention to extraction of the maximum amount of toluol,
so that this might come on the market and meet any special
requirements. South Wales steam coal, however, is not of
the best quality for these extractions, and in the case of
undertakings in Monmouthshire which have more bitu-
minous coal, there is not always the plant available for
extraction. The question of producing benzol has been
under discussion ever since the heavy rise in cost of petrol,
attention being directed to the provision of cheaper substi-
tutes ; and without doubt this call for toluol will cause still
greater attention being given to benzol as well. As has
been shown by the evidence taken for the committee of the
Royal Automobile Club, the benzol produced by coke ovens
is in most instances a mixture of benzol and toluol. How
far the colliery companies will be able to meet Government
demands, is a question provoking considerable discussion
locally; and as to the gas companies, arrangements have been
made that the Cardiff Gas Company shall supply to the
Government all the toluol that can be extracted from their
gas. In this instance, the Government will provide the
necessary extra plant, and the process of extraction will
commence as soon as the necessary apparatus has been
erected.

In dealing with the probabilities dependent upon the
notice to terminate the existing agreement,, emphasis must
be laid upon the declared intention of the miners’ leaders
to avoid a stoppage. Their apparent purpose rather is to
end the agreement and submit new proposals for discussion
whilst continuing work. Every one of the leaders fully
recognises, and most of them have said as much in public,
the supreme national need of keeping the industry free from
disturbance; and inasmuch as coal mining is a foundation
industry, one upon which so many others depend, it follows
that a tenfold burden of responsibility rests upon the
miners. That this responsibility is recognised, and that
there is an honest and strong desire for peace, need not be
questioned. The notice terminating the agreement will be
designed rather to ensure freedom for future action; and
just as the “ triple demand ” of miners, railwaymen, and
transport workers has been set aside, so it may confidently
be anticipated the miners themselves will set aside their
separate requirements, in so far as any risk of stopping
work may be ■concerned.

This is not to say that the leaders will not contend
earnestly for the 'improved conditions that have been out-
lined, or that they will not act in conjunction with the
Miners’ Federation of Great Britain to that end. It must
not, however, be supposed that the South Wales organisa-
tion is a mere dependency or echo of the central body.
Whilst in hearty co-operation, there is clear recognition of
local interests, and a full realisation of the fact that South
Wales constitutes the strongest section in the central
organisation.	>

One estimate of the loss in output from South Wales as
a whole puts the reduction of supplies at 15 per cent., or
perhaps even higher; and, in considering the policy of
suspending the operation of the Eight Hours Act, it may
be pointed out that, apart from the antagonism of the trade
unionists, there is no eager disposition for change generally
manifest. It is increase in the labour force that is chiefly
required; and apparently the Labour Exchanges . do not
assist as far as might have been anticipated in finding men
for the mines. Belgian refugees have been suggested as
employees, and, although a few of these are at work, no
great number are available from this source. One report
from Belgium states that certain of the mines there are in
full work by Belgians, the output being appropriated by
the Germans, and large quantities of coal sent into
Germany.

Sir Alfred Mond, M.F. for Swansea, speaking in the
House of Commons, referred particularly to difficulties in
the supply of coal for industrial purposes. If the Govern-
ment appointed a Committee to deal with the question of
coal supply, they should deal with that of industrial coal,
for, although it was not alarming, the question was serious.

He was speaking of the question of quantity, not of price;
for those engaged in industrial concerns found that they
could not obtain even the coal they had contracted for. One
of these days, we might find ourselves incapable of carrying
on important works. Several important steel works had
been faced with the question of whether they can obtain
enough coal. Then, again, they had heard that there were
a large number of absentees from collieries. Suspension of
the Eight Hours Act might have to be seriously considered.
He asked whether the Government had drawn up any
schedule of factories which it was desired to keep going.
Had the railway companies any instructions, if they were
short of trucks, as to who should have first call on such as
they had; or were they going on in such a way that firms of
little importance to the vital interests of the country were
being supplied, whilst firms whose services were required
by the country experienced great difficulty in getting coal
contracts carried out?

Cardiff Chamber of Commerce discussed on Tuesday the
condition of affairs at the docks in regard to coal shipments,
the more interesting part of the discussion being that which
contradicted the Prime Minister’s statement in the House
of Commons as to there being no delay in the port. Mr.
Beckenham, who occupied the chair, said that Mr. Asquith
had announced the receipt of a report that 34 berths were
vacant, as well as other accommodation; and thereupon the
council of the Chamber was called together, and a letter
sent pointing out that the Premier had been incorrectly
informed, and that there was much congestion at Cardiff.
The position was aggravated by a number of tips being out
of use and under repair. , The letter (according to Mr.
Hawkins, secretary to the Chamber) stated that the official
returns from the various docks showed 98 vessels to be in
the Bute Docks, 27 of them occupying the whole of the
loading accommodation, while 47 were awaiting turns, some
of the latter having waited days for a tip. Penarth Dock
had 11 vessels loading and 19 waiting, out of 33 in the dock;
and at Barry, where there were 133 vessels, 32 were loading
and 48 waiting. In addition, vessels were outside in the
Channel, not having permission to enter the docks. Par-
ticulars were given of cases where ships had been kept
waiting, and it was added that these delays to shipping

“ involved delay in emptying coal owners’ loaded wagons,
and in many cases collieries had been compelled to stop
work for want of empty wagons, throwing their men out
of employment, notwithstanding that their books are full
of orders, and they have ships waiting in dock to take the
coal ordered.”

This letter wTas sent to Mr. Donald Maclean, M.P.,
deputy-chairman of the House of Commons, and chairman
of the Commercial Committee of the House, and that gentle-
man undertook to submit it to the Prime Minister.

Mr. J. A. Jones, who spoke at the meeting, said he con-
sidered that1 the Premier’s speech referred to quay space;
but as to loading tips, everyone was engaged, and vessels
were kept waiting. As exporters of coal, what they feared
was that the Prime Minister’s statement might occasion
diversion of inward cargoes from Liverpool and elsewhere
to Cardiff; and that this would still further interfere with
the loading of coal, increasing the congestion. He had,
however, been assured by the Bute Docks manager that any
such diversion should not hinder the shipments of coal in
the least. It would not occasion railway delay in bringing
coal from the pit, or in dealing with it at the docks.

As to tips under repair, one speaker referred to the advis-
ability of keeping spare parts in readiness, so that delay
might be minimised. The Chamber decided that a letter
should be sent to the dock company, urging the necessity
of every effort being made to keep all the tips at work to
their extreme capability.

A letter from the Newcastle-on-Tyne Chamber of Com-
merce proposed a joint conference of exporting centres for
March 3, to discuss the question of foreign coal contracts.
Their opinion was that, in cases of contracts having a war
suspension clause with neutral countries, these did not
require to be redeemed until normal conditions again pre-
vailed. The effect of the war on contracts with alien
enemies would also be discussed. It was resolved by
Cardiff Chamber to send a representative to the conference
if possible.

The report of congestion and delay of traffic at some of
the docks does not apply to Swansea, where, although the
anthracite trade is recovering, there still remain tips idle.
A suggestion has been put forward that the shipowners be
approached to bring their vessels from the up-Channel docks
where they may find difficulty in securing shipments; but
as has been immediately pointed out, it is not a question
merely of dock equipment or readiness. It is the cost of
transport by rail which will be the determining factor.

The distinguished mining engineer, Prof. Galloway, so
well known in connection with his experiments concerning
coal dust explosions, has a son in the Monmouthshire Royal
Engineers; and unfortunately .the young man has been
wounded during recent fighting in France. About five years
ago Mr. Galloway, junr., went to Canada as a mining
engineer, but returned home 18 months since. He holds
the rank of captain.

The development of the coalfield in Eastern Monmouth-
shire, particularly in the region of Bedwas and Pengam,
justifies the statement made at the meeting of the Brecon
and Merthyr Railway Company on Tuesday to the effect that
no line in South Wales has made such progress in the past
few years as theirs has done.

The South Wales Primrose Company, who at present
employ about 800 men in their Tareni and Gleision pits,
purpose sinking a new shaft, and largely developing their
enterprise—one more indication of the progress of the
anthracite trade.

Mr. T. D. Morgans, of Dowlais, hitherto an assistant
at the Big Mill of the Dowlais Iron Works, has been
appointed steel works and rolling mill manager at Blaen-
avon.

Northumberland and Durham.

Electric Power Distribution on the North-East Coast—
Re-Opening and Closing of Pits—Housing in Colliery
Districts.

Reference has been made on many occasions in these
columns to the development of electrical power distribution
on the north east coast, more especially to the several power
stations which have been built in the neighbourhood by the
Newcastle-upon-Tyne Electric Supply Company and its
associated companies. Some six and a-half years ago the
supply company decided that it would be expedient to con-
struct a coal fired power station at a point higher up the
Tyne than Newcastle itself, and on the opposite, that is to
say, the Gateshead side of the river. After an examination