April 9, 1915.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

767

THE “SIMPLEX” CHEMICAL FIRE
EXTINCTEUR.

The form of “ Simplex ” extincteur now made by
Messrs. Mather and Platt Limited has been specially
designed to meet the requirements of the British
Government, who have placed an order with the firm
which is believed to be the largest ever given for fire
extincteurs in this or any other country. The type of
extincteur which Messrs. Mather and Platt are now
putting on the market is identical with the Government
appliance in every detail, with the sole exception of the
royal cipher.

The “ Simplex ” extincteur depends for its operation
on the reaction of sulphuric acid upon a bicarbonate of
soda solution. The acid is contained in a hermetically
sealed bottle, suspended over the liquid, which is dis-
charged through the jet upon smashing the bottle by
striking a knob at the top of the extincteur. The fluid,
which has great extinguishing power, is ejected to
a distance of 50 or 60 feet.

In this appliance there are no valves or rubber hose,
whilst the jet orifice is protected from glass splinters or
other foreign material by a cone-shaped sieve. An
opening at the top, 3 in. in diameter, is provided, through
which the acid bottle can be withdrawn, should it be
desired to examine the interior.

The body of the extincteur is constructed of 16
S.W.G. steel, and tested hydraulically to a pressure of
350 lb. It is coated thickly with lead in the centre, and
with tin at the top and bottom, both inside and outside,
to prevent corrosion, and every seam is riveted as well
as soldered. After testing, the extincteur is handsomely
enamelled, the brass parts highly polished and then
lacquered. The chemicals with which the machine is
charged undergo no change, and the extincteur will
operate as satisfactorily after 10 years as on the day on
which it was first charged.

A special wall bracket has been designed by which
the extincteur is retained in a convenient position for
use. In one form this bracket holds the extincteur on
the lid of a metal box containing new charges, and a
brass pin, which must be withdrawn before the
appliance can be operated, keeps it safe from any risk
of' accidental discharge.

OBITUARY.

A prominent member of the Durham Miners’ Association
passed away last week, by the death of Mr. Stephen
Turnbull, of New Seaham. Mr. Turnbull, who was 64 years
of age, had been checkweighman at Seaham Colliery for
nearly 35 years. He was a member of the council of the
Durham Miners’ Association for a quarter of a century, a
trustee of the Seaham Miners’ Hall, and a member of the
Seaham Parish Council from its inception. In the
disastrous explosion at Seaham Colliery, in 1880, he formed
one of the exploring party.

Mr. George Monkhouse, who died at Carlisle last week at
the age of 80, was a prominent figure in the Cumberland
mining world a generation ago. His father was engaged
in the sinking of the Bullgill and Rosegill Collieries, near
Maryport, and he himself was for some years manager of
the Hesketh mines. He retired about 20 years ago. He
was an enthusiastic meteorologist, and at his private
observation station at Gilcrux he did useful work for the
Meteorological Office.

Mr. J. P. Walton, who died on Sunday last, at his
residence, Acomb High House, near Hexham, was a member
of the firm of Messrs. Walton and Cowper, who, half a
century ago, leased the Fallowfield lead and coal mines.
The chief output from the mines is barytes, of which many
thousands of tons were exported. Of late years, the firm
opened out a colliery near the adjoining village of Wall,
but, owing to the war, mining operations there have been
suspended for some time. Work is, however, to be resumed
there in a few days. Mr. Walton, who has died at the age
of 76 years, was pre-deceased by his partner, Mr. Cowper,
in 1875. He is survived by Mrs. Walton, two sons—the
elder of whom, Mr. James Walton, has been assisting his
father in the management of the mines - and four daughters.
His second son is serving as second-lieutenent in the
Northumberland Fusiliers.

LABOUR AND WAGES.

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

The notice presented by Mr. Tom Richards, M.P.,
secretary of the South Wales Miners’ Federation, will
formally terminate the existing Conciliation Board agreement
at the end of June next. The demand for amendment, made
by the local federation, is supported by the national organ-
isation, and it is sought to have present standard rates
abolished and a new standard rate established which shall
be 50 per cent, above the standard of 1879. Upon this,
a new minimum wage rate of 10 per cent, is to be based.
In addition, six turns for five is the payment sought for
workmen on the afternoon and night shifts, and it is also
demanded that all hauliers shall receive the same rate of
pay. The coalowners on the other hand, who had these
proposals before them a few weeks ago, argued that the
present was not the time to negotiate for a new agreement;
and they offered as .an alternative a war bonus of 10 per cent,
on existing standard rates ; this was rejected by the workmen,
who asked for <a bonus of 20 per cent, on their present earnings.
The fundamental difference between these two proposals
has to be borne in mind. The employers’ offer is 10 per cent,
on the standard, but the men’s request is 20 per cent, upon
present earnings, which are 60 per cent, above the standard;
so that the relation between the two things is 10 per cent,
on the standard offered by the owners and actually 32 per
cent, on the standard asked by the men.

A curious situation has arisen between the coal owners
of this district and the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain.
The latter, through Mr. T. Ashton, their secretary, com-
municated with the coal owners inviting them to a national
conference for the purpose of considering the Miners’
Federation of Great Britain application for a general war
bonus of 20 per cent, on present earnings. The reply of
the South Wales employers w.as, however, understood to
be that they were unable to meet in a national conference,
though always willing at any time to meet representatives
of South Wales workmen. This matter was brought before
the executive of the South Wales Federation of Miners
at their meeting recently, and a telegram was sent to
Mr. Ashton asking that steps should be taken by the national
executive to deal with the situation.

At Vipond’s Collieries, Varteg, difficulties exist with
regard to employment of sub-contractors, and the men have
made an application to the Federation executive for permis-
sion to tender notices on the question, but the executive
decided that Mr. Tom Richards, M.P., their secretary, should
investigate the question and attempt to deal with the
difficulty.

The trouble at Cyfarthf-a Collieries was got over after a
two days’ stoppage, owing to an appeal from the Admiralty
that the men would return to work.

South Wales coal trimmers’ representatives from Llanelly,
Swansea, Port Talbot, Barry, Penarth, Cardiff, and Newport,
met in the last named town to consider the proposed
revision of the coal trimming tariff at Bristol Channel ports.
In addition to the Dockers’ Union, the Labourers’ Union,
and others, there were representatives of the National
Transport Workers’ Federation. Mr. John Twomey
(Swansea) presided, and said that some time back they
had presented a revised tariff to the employers and that
at Cardiff and Newport the men had been offered a 10 per
cent, war bonus, but that on the previous day the delegates
who considered that offer did not regard 10 per cent, as
meeting the circumstances. On the other hand a general
feeling prevailed at the meeting that present day circum-
stances were such that they should do nothing to encourage
the idea that they were not prepared to assist the Government
in the present crisis. The meeting passed a resolution which,
while contending that the claims previously set forth for
a revised tariff were justified, declared that they accepted
the principle of increased payment as a war bonus, and
not as an alternative to the proposed new tariff, but only
as a means of averting a dislocation of trade during the
present crisis. The meeting also passed -a resolution
expressing the opinion that any steps, even of the most
drastic character, in order to ensure the supply of munitions
will meet with the approval of the most sensible trade
unionists in order to secure the utmost efficiency of the
entire nation.

The coal trimmers of Cardiff through their representatives
on the Trimming Board submitted their demand on Wednes-
day for 15 per cent, in accordance with the resolution of the
Newport conference, but the employers, who had offered
10 per cent, refused this, and after some discussion, which
was quite amicable throughout, it was agreed to com-
promise upon the middle figure and fix a war bonus of
12J per cent, on the existing tariff.

Speaking at a mass meeting of the Blaenavon miners, Mr.
W. L. Cook stated that the Blaenavon Company had been
for several years paying a turn and a fifth for every turn
worked, and therefore in his opinion other companies ought
to be made to pay 'at the same rate. He remarked upon the
striking fact that whereas in that section of the coalfield,
which made smaller profits, concessions were made to the
workers, the other part of the coalfield proved difficult for
the men to secure equal remuneration.

At a meeting of the Monmouthshire Eastern Valley miners,
permission was given that workmen should tender a
fortnight’s notice in the event of a collier not being
reinstated at one of the local pits. The suspicion was that
he was being victimised.

Much interest was felt in the action of the miners on
Wednesday, whether they would comply with the request
of Lord Kitchener and the Admiralty as well as their own
leaders, and return to work after two days holiday. The
experiences o’f different pits varied widely, some of them
not having half the ordinary number of men, and others,
perhaps three fourths or more; but it was estimated at
Cardiff Exchange that the output for the day Would stand
at about 60 per cent, of the average.

North of England.

A somewhat interesting application—involving a discussion
as to the custom of the county in respect of colliery houses
and the degree of employment available for miners laid idle
by the closing of a colliery—was heard at Wolsingham on
Tuesday last, when Mr. J. B. Robinson, manager for the
Weardale Steel, Coal and Coke Company Limited, applied
for an ejectment order against Jas. Hardy. Mr. Robinson
stated that the Black Prince Colliery had been closed in
consequence of the war, and that defendant, who had been
employed there, had continued to occupy one of the com-
pany’s houses, which was wanted at the May term. Mr.
H. F. Heath, on behalf of the Durham Miners’ Association,
contended that to eject the defendant, who was married,
and had five children, would be a great hardship, and con-

trary to the practice of the county at present. Defendant
had tried to get work at local collieries, but had not been
successful. Mr. F. Fenwick, magistrate, said miners could
get work at Newibiggin or in Nottinghamshire. Mr. H. G.
Stobart, another magistrate, added that Hardy could secure
employment at the Wolsingham Steel Works if he made
application. Mr. Robinson commented that, although the
company had no work for the defendant, defendant did not
appear to want work. For instance, they had had an appli-
cation for 200 or 300 men for Yorkshire, and no one would
go. Defendant protested ' that he had tried to get work at
Houghton and Bearpark, but that at neither place could he
get a house. At one of the places he could not even get
lodgings. By a majority the Bench decided to issue the
ejectment order applied for.

On Saturday, Mr. T. Gavan Duffy, general secretary of
the Cumberland Iron Ore Miners’ and Kindred Trades'
Association, received the wages -ascertainment which will
fix the rates to the end of June. The chief increases are :—
Iron ore miners, 9s. per week on bargain price, and 7s. 6d.
per week on “make-up” (or'minimum); winding engine-
men, 5s. 3d. per week; and labourers, is. 6d. per week.
Over 3,000 men are affected, and the total increase will
amount to over £1,200 per week.

There was a general suspension of work in Northumber-
land and Durham pits from Good Friday to Easter Monday,
inclusive, but the miners appear to have made a somewhat
fuller re-start than usual.

The strike of putters at Hazlcrigg Colliery, which, as
mentioned last week, laid the pit idle, and threw over 600
men out of work, has been amicably settled, after a con-
ference between representatives of the Northumberland
Miners’ Association and the manager.

As was expected would be the case, Aid. Wm. House,
president of the Durham Miners’ Association, and Aid.
Samuel Galbraith, financial secretary, were chosen, at
Labour and Liberal meetings respectively on Saturday, to
be opposing candidates for the Parliamentary representation
of Mid-Durham. Aid. House has declared his willingness
(1) to meet all directly interested parties in 'the division at a
conference, with a view to discussing the situation and avoid-
ing a contest; (2) to decision as to the candidate being left
to a sjrecial council meeting of 'the Durham Miners’ Associa-
tion ; (3) that a united council meeting of the four sections
of the Durham Mining Federation Board shall settle the
question ; or (4) that a branch vote of all the trades unions
in the division should be taken, such vote to decide the
matter. Mr. Galbraith, however, declines this offer, but is
willing to leave the question to the decision of the Prime
Minister, Mr. Bonar Law, and Mr. Arthur Henderson.

Mr. T. H. Cann, who, in seniority, was next agent to
Mr. Wilson, has been recommended to the lodges as general
secretary, and a vote will be taken on that recommendation.
The question of promoting the remaining agents to the
vacancies caused by Mr. Wilson’s death, Mr. Gann’s pro-
motion, and Mr. Galbraith’s resignation, has been deferred.

Mr. W. B. Charlton, secretary of the Durham County
Colliery Engine-men’s, Boilerminders’ and Firemen’s Asso-
ciation, does not hesitate to speak his mind on the subject
of labour unrest. He says, in his quarterly report, just
issued :—“We regret to hear the rumblings of unrest and
antagonism between employers and employed. It is to be
feared that we are being made the dupes of ill-intentioned
aliens, for, in August last, when war was declared, nothing
could be finer than the spontaneous vouchment of the owners
that, having regard to the nation's great task, they would
waive their claim to reduction due." Referring to the pro-
posal to terminate the county Conciliation Board agreement,
he says :—“ It means putting an end to that procedure
which, by standing order, gives to workmen's representa-
tives the same full and free facilities of debate as are
allowed to the owners in considering and deciding upon all
claims that either party may, from time to time, make for
a change in county rates of wages or county practices. As
a charter of rights to mine workers, the Conciliation Board
in this county is unequalled.” Mr. Charlton adds that the
project to do away with the agreement gave the late Mr.
John Wilson great anxiety, and that “ the Board carries
within itself more of the best that John Wilson could give
than any other formation I know of, and through its
functions John Wilson has done more for the people he
represented than can ever be tabulated.”

Federated Area.

The Coal Conciliation Board for the Federated mining dis-
tricts in England and North Wales met at the Westminster
Palace Hotel, London, on Wednesday. Mr. F. J. Jones,
South Yorkshire, chairman, presided, with Mr. Stephen
Walsh, M.P., vice-chairman, and a full attendance of
members, together with the joint secretaries, Sir Thos.
Ratcliffe-Ellis and Mr. Thos. Ashton. The primary business
of the meeting was to receive the decision of the coal owners
and miners’ representatives on the new wage agreement
which was provisionally agreed upon 'at the last meeting of
the Board, and referred to the general body of coal owners
and men for their consideration and decision. The chairman
and vice-chairman having reported the decision of their
respective constituents, the following resolution was unani-
mously adopted :—

It being reported that the terms for the renewal of the
Conciliation Board had been approved by the coal owners
and the miners respectively in the Federated area, subject
to the condition put forward by the miners in clause 3,
it was resolved that the meeting has been adjourned
until Thursday, April 29.

The condition referred to in clause 3 of the new agreement
is the decision of the executive of the Miners’ Federation of
Great Britain that the period for which all future wage
agreements are to run must be ratified by the Federation
before the agreement is signed. The agreement is for a
period of three years from May 1, and will thereafter be
subject to three months’ notice of termination. The Federa-
tion conference meets on April 28 to decide the period of
wage agreements. It is understood that the question of
holding a joint national conference of coal owners and
miners’ representatives, to consider the men’s application for
a war bonus of 20 per cent, to meet the higher cost of living
was also raised. The coal owners’ representatives pointed
out that separate organisations for dealing with wage pro-
posals existed in all the mining districts of the country, and
that the owners in all the districts were ready and willing to
meet the men’s representatives to consider the proposal, but
in -their opinion, from the varying conditions of the trade
in different districts, there was no real prospect of a
national conference arriving at a national settlement satis-
factory to all the panties.

Following the -award of Judge Moss in respect to the under-
ground workers of the North Wales coalfield, the surface
workers -and boys put in a petition for advances, and after a
conference -between the coal owners and men’s -representa-