498 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN, March 5, 1915. that gives the coal cutting machine its opportunity, seems to diminish the effet. utile of the workman, but it is a scandalous thing, that at• such dimes as the present this vicious inverse ratio should still operate, and advantage he taken of the nation’s need to il regulate” the supply of necessaries. . The Employers’Parliamentary Asso- The Chemist ciation, in supporting the national and dye-ware scheme now before the Coal Tar country, has lost no time in urging Products, the Government to begin to organise the chemical talent of the country, of which there is a large available asset in the labora- tories of our universities and technical schools. It is suggested that the Eoyal Society should be entrusted with the details of this organisation, and it is certain that some such delegation of the duties involved in the work is absolutely necessary to its success. There has been much discussion as to the best way to enlist the services of the best chemists of this country in undertaking the research work essential to carrying out the plan whereby we hope to place the country in a position to manufacture not only its own dye- stuffs, but also , its own supply of refined chemicals and drugs. The chemical committee of the Boy al Society has already taken steps to circularise the large laboratories with the object of organising the research students and training them in the kind of work that will be wanted in the future. The capa- bilities of our laboratories are proved by the success which, has already attended the efforts of the Imperial College of Science and Technology to supply certain synthetic products urgently required by the Admir- alty. Amongst these may be mentioned phenacetin— an aniline derivative formerly manufactured exclu- sively by the Baeyer firm at Elberfeld, and now being produced in a satisfactory state, both as regards quality and quantity, in the laboratories of the Imperial College. It is notj perhaps, generally realised that many of these synthetic products can only be worked on a commercial basis after a suitable modus operandi has been evolved. This is not in all cases an easy matter. Reactions which give theoretical results are not always satisfactory in the yield of pure substance ; and although many of the German processes are apparently disclosed .in their patent specifications, these are not infrequently designed with the intent to deceive rather than assikt the investigator. The great danger which threatens the whole scheme, both as regards dye-stuffs and synthetic drugs, is the inadequate recognition of the part which the pure chemist, as distinguished from the manufac- turer, must play in the maintenance, of the industry. We are glad, therefore, to find that the Employers’ Parliamentary Association : is not neglecting this aspect of the question.. , It cannot be too strongly emphasised that no amount of capital or of business organisation will place this coal tar product industry upon a satisfactory national basis unless the hearty co-operation of the chemist is enlisted. How this can best be done need scarcely be pointed out to business men. The Government endeavours to secure such co-operation by offering trained chemists the wages of a gardener, and the Institute of Chemists has been compelled to boycott Government applica- tions for the services of its qualified members upon such disgraceful terms. Let us hope that the manu- facturing chemists will not follow the bad example of the Government, but will acknowledge both the high technical training, and also the grave responsibilities that must be undertaken by the scientific chemist. A hundred and seventy-one miners were entombed by an explosion of gas which occurred in a mine near Leyland, West Virginia, on .the 2nd inst. > A fire followed and stopped the work of rescue. So far only two victims have been brought to the surface. They were both seriously injured. The gravest fears are entertained for the rest of the men. The Russian Minister uf Finance is organising an inter- national competition, with prizes ranging up to <£3,000, for methods of rendering, useful methylated spirits and similar harmful liquors absolutely undrinkable. A second competition 's being arranged with prizes of Value up to ^£7,500 for'new or improved methods of utilising spirit for combustible or . other purposes. The total awards will .amount to, nearly <£68,000. < • THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, March 4. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. Continued activity and increased values characterise the progress of the coal trade in the West of Scotland. Every class of coal is in heavy demand, and, as supplies in most cases are limited, keen competition exists among consumers, and consequently quotations are being forced up to a very high level, and speculation is aroused as to how users can continue to pay such high prices and still manufacture at a profit. Household qualities are also included in the general rise, and in some districts are being retailed at Is. 8d. and Is. lOd. per hundredweight, which is from 7d. to 9d. in excess of the prices usually charged at this time of the year. Shipments during the past week amounted to 133,596 tons, compared with 128,259 in the preceding week and 90,136 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current prices. 'L'st week's Last year's prices. prices. Steam coal 16/9-18/ ; 17/ -18/ 12/ -14/ Ell 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ . 13/3 Splint 20/ -30/ 18/ -28/ 13/ -15/6 Treble nuts 20/ 18/6 12/ -12/3 Double do 18/ -19/ 16/ -17/ 11/ -11/3 Single do 17/ -18/ 15/ -16/ 11/ -11/3 IRON. Business in the Scotch iron trade continues on a satis- factory basis in practically every respect, with the exception of the difficulties experienced in securing adequate supplies of raw materials and the scarcity of labour. Makers of Scotch pig iron are easily disposing of their outputs of ordinary and haematite qualities owing to the heavy home demand, which fully compensates for the curtailment in the overseas business. There are 73 furnaces in blast in Scotland at present, the same number as in the preceding week and three more than in the same week last year. The prices recently obtained for pig iron have not, owing to the prices of coal and ore, been remunerative, and makers have advanced their quotations for ordinary qualities 2s. 6d. per ton, and the following prices are now quoted for makers" iron:—Monkland, f.a.s. at Glasgow, No. 1, 71s. 6d., No. 3, 70s.; Govan, No. 1, 70s., No. 3, 68s. 6d.; Carnbroe, No. 1, 76s. 6d., No. 3, 72s. 6d.; Clyde, No. 1, 78s., No. 3, 73s.; Gartsherrie, Summerlee and Calder, Nos. 1, 78s. 6d., Nos. 3, 73s. 6d.; Langloan, No. 1, 80s., No. 3, 75s. ; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 79s. 6d., No. 3, 74s. 6d.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1, 72s. 6d., No. 3, 71s. 6d.; Dalmellington, at Ayr, No. 1,73s. 6d., No. 3, 71s. 6d.; Shotts, at Leith, No. 1, 78s. 6d., No. 3, 73s. 6d.; Carron, at Leith, No. 1, 80s., No. 3, 75s. per ton. A moderate business was done in the Glasgow pig iron warrant market during the past week, in the course of which prices fluctuated to a moderate extent. At the beginning of the week prices dropped to 56s. 4|d. per ton for cash, but later the market was better supported and Cleveland iron closed at 57s. Id. per ton cash buyers, representing an advance of 5d. per ton compared with the preceding week. The total turnover amounted to about 23,000 tons. The various branches of the finished iron trade are well placed, and works, in most cases, are running at full pressure. In view of the advancing tendency of coal and raw materials, some makers have withdrawn quotations and will only name prices from day to day. -------o-------- Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. The bulk of the outputs from the collieries in the Lothians district are going away against contract, and there is very little coal to sell. The clearances from the ports for the past week amounted to 27,091 tons, against 28,705 in the preceding' week and 84,842 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Best screened steam coal... Current prices. 14/6-16/ L'st week's Last year’s prices. 15/ -16/ prices. 11/3 Secondary qualities 13/ -14/ 14/ -15/ 10/3-10/9 Treble nuts 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/6 11/9-12/ Double do., , 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ 10/9-11/ Single do 15/ 13/ -14/ 10/6-10/9 Conditions in the Fifeshire district are very brisk, and the number of steamers on turn at Methil and Burntisland, in addition to the Glasgow shipments, indicate good business for some time to come. Shipments during the past week reached the total of 57,787 tons, against 54,277 in the preceding week and 104,275 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current prices. L'st week's prices. Last year's prices. Best screened navigation coal 19/ 17/ -18/ 16/6-16/9 Unscreened do 17/ 15/ -16/ 15/ 12/6 First-class steam coal 13/ -14/6 12/9-14/ Third-class do 11/ -12/ 10/9-11/6 10/6 Treble nuts 16/6-17/6 14/6-16/ 12/ -12/3 Double do 15/6-16/6 13/9-15/ 10/6-11/ Single do. ......... 15/ -16/ 12/6-13/6 10/ -10/3 The aggregate clearances from Scottish ports during the , past week reached the total of 218,474 tons, compared with 211,241 in the preceding week and 279,253 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week 104,315 tons of coal and 1,027 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, a decrease of 72,798 tons of coal and 1,404 tons Of coke when compared With the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 43,351 tons of coak and 1,671 tons of coke, a decrease of 14,641 tons of coal and 722 tons of coke. The Bly th shipments amounted to 65,929 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 30,004 tons. Thus, the shipments from the three places totalled 216,293 tons^ an increase of 9,698 tons when compared with those of the previous week and, by about 3,000 tons, the largest ship- ments which have been despatched since the outbreak of hostilities. The South Metropolitan Gas Company and the London Gas Light and Coke Company, which are now in the market for their annual supplies of Durham gas coals—aggregating, it is said, about 1,500,000 tons in the case of the former company and about 2,000,000 tons in the case of the latter—are stated to have purchased considerable quantities of the cheaper classes of coal at from 13s. 6d. to 14s. per ton, and some better sorts at 15s. f.o.b. The coal is for delivery, in the case of the South Metropolitan Gas Company, over 12 months from March, and in the case of the London Gas Light Company, over a like period from July. A quantity of special quality Durham bunkers has been sold, for shipment over the current year, at 14s. 6d. f.o.b. Similar fuel, for like despatch, has also been sold at 15s. The British Admiralty has purchased considerable additional quantities of Northumbrian steams, on the basis of from 18s. to 19s. for seconds and 20s. for bests, for shipment up to July. Ten thousand tons of steam seconds, for May-December shipment, have been sold at 20s. The Altos Hornos Ironworks, of Bilbao, were reported to be enquiring for a large quantity of Durham coking coals, for shipment over the year, but enquiries amongst coal owners usually conversant with this business point to the inaccuracy of the report. It is stated, indeed, that these works are very much in arrear so far as taking out their contract requirements is concerned, having taken only a com- paratively small part of the coals arranged for some considerable time ago. Blyth steam smalls have been sold at 12s. 6d. for May shipment and 13s. for June. There is a considerable pressure for coals for early loading, and, as a result, quotations have advanced very materially on the week. So great is the shortage of supplies by comparison with the demand that some collieries have been impelled to cancel, very systematically, all merchants’ contract quantities not taken out by the end of the stipulated period—a proceeding which, regrettably necessary, has caused some embarrassment to contractors who have been unable to take delivery owing to the shortage of ready tonnage. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment are now, as compared with those which ruled a week ago, as follow:— Best Blyth steams, Is. 6d. dearer; Tynes, similarly advanced; Blyth seconds, Is. increased; Tynes, 6d. to Is. higher ; smalls, Blyths, Is. 6d. more; Tynes, 6d. to Is. up; specials, firmer; smithies, stronger ; gas bests, in sellers’ favour; specials, easier; unscreened bunkers, Durhams, 6d. cheaper; coking coals, 6d. less ; smalls, weaker; and gas coke, 3d. reduced. Other descriptions of fuel are unaltered. It will be observed that once again the principal firmness is in connection with Northumbrian fuel, and that Durham coal is, in some instances, positively weaker. Later.—The quantity of coal contracted for by the British Admiralty is stated to be considerably in excess of the 15,000 tons, tenders of which were originally sought. Very much belated news is to hand with reference to the requirements of the War Office for delivery at Woolwich Arsenal over the financial year. Altogether some 120,000 tons of steams are said to have been asked for. A very con- siderable proportion of this quantity is to be drawn from this district at from 18s. to 20s. per ton, according to quality. A considerable quantity of good Durham coking smalls is reported sold at 13s. 6d. f.o.b. Several additional cargoes of Tyne steam seconds are said to have been uprchased, for May-December delivery, at 20s. A further marked advance has taken place in prices, the following increases being reported on those recorded above:—Best Tyne steams, Is.; Tyne and Blyth seconds, 6d. to 2s.; Tyne and Blyth smalls, 6d. to Is.; gas bests, 3d. to 6d.; seconds, 3d. ; specials, stronger ; ordinary unscreened Durham bunkers, 6d. to 9d.; bests, 3d. to Is.; coking coals and smalls, 6d. to Is.; households, Is.; foundry coke, Is. to 2s. ; blastfurnace, firmer. Large contracts for Durham unscreened coking bests for delivery in the 12 months from April have been made at 15s. to 16s. The Admiralty is stated to have purchased considerable quantities of steam for delivery to French State Railways to July at prices up to 20s. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Steam coals :— Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) Secondary, Blyths Do. Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) ... Unscreened Small, Blyths Do. Tynes Do. specials Other sorts:— Smithies Best gas coals (New Pelton or Holmside) Secondary gas coals (Pelaw Main or similar) Special gas c z>als Unscreened bunkers, Durhams Do. do. Northumbrians Coking coals Do. smalls , .. House coals Coke, foundry ............... Do. blast-furnace Do. gas .... Current prices. 21/ 21/ 18/6-20/ 18/6-20/ 14/ -15/ 12/ -12/6 11/ -12/ 12/ 13/ -13/6 13/ -13/6 12 /-12/6 .13/ -14/ 12/3-13/6 14/3-15/9 12/6-13/6 11/6-12/6 16/ -17/ 19/6-20/ 17/ -18/6 11/6-12/9 L’st week's prices. 18/6 18/6 17/ 17/ -18/ 14/ -15/ 10/ -10/6 10/ . 11/ -12/ 12/6-13/6 12/6-13/ 11/9-12/ 13/6 11/9-13/6 14/ -15/ 12/6-13/ 11/6 15/ -16/ 19/ -20/ 17/ -18/ 11/6-13/ Last year’s prices. 13/6 13/3-13/6 11/6-11/9 11/6-12/ 10/6-11/6 6/9 6/3 7/6- 7/9 12/ -12/6 13/6 11/9-12/3 13/6 12/ -13/ 10/ -11/ 11/9-12/3 11/6-11/9 15/ -16/ 19/ -21/ 18/ 13/ -13/6