THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

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April 16, 1915.

811

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roasted, but supplementary parcels are dearer, being
13'80-14'20 mk. and about 21'50 mk. respectively.
Nassau red ironstone sells freely on the basis of
18-18'50 mk. for 50 per cent, ore, but the supply is short.
Minette also has advanced, but the infeiior character of
the ore is more important than the cost. Upper Hesse
ironstone is quoted at 12'50-13 mk., but these are more
or less paper rates.

Pig Iron.—It is impossible to satisfy the demand.
The foundries are clamouring for supplies, and the
demand for high-grade marks is much higher than in
time of peace. Prices a.ie firm, and promise to advance
still further. Those fixed for the current quarter by the
Syndicate are:—10/12 spiegeleisen, 91 mk.; high-grade
puddle iron, 78 mk. ; steel iron, 81-87 mk. ; all ex Siegen
and for Rhenish Westphalia. Haematite is selling at
100 mk. ex Oberhausen, and No. 1 foundry pig at
86'50 mk. Luxemburg foundry pig costs 69'50-71*50 mk.
ex Luxemburg. The scrap market is undergoing a
change; at least the tendency of prices is not so uni-
formly upward as hitherto, since both dealers and con-
sumers are holding back, and the arrival of parcels from
Belgium have helped to keep prices down. Heavy-casting
scrap is quoted at about 90-95 mk.; melting iron at
35-37 mk.; railway turnings. 45-47 mk. ; best core scrap,
58-59mk.; railway scrap and engineers’ scrap, 65-68 mk.;
fresh heavy waste, 70-72 mk.; old rails, 59 mk. ex works.

Semis.—The prices fixed by the Steel Union are :
ingots 97*50 mk., blooms 102*50 mk., billets 110 mk.,
and plate bars 112'50 mk. per ton. Owing to the short
supply and active demand, open-hearth material costs
an extra 15 mk. per ton. •

Bars.—Prices are firmer and rising, the convention
rate of 125 mk. net cash, ex Oberhausen, being frequently
exceeded, business having been done at 127*50-128 mk.,
130 mk., and even 135 mk. Delivery specifications
under old contracts have been pouring in. There is
also a fair demand from neutrals. Universal iron
fetches 130-135 mk., rivet bars are quoted at 158-183 mk.,
and horse-shoe bars at 183 mk., less 1^ per cent, dis-
count. Girders have advanced to 120 mk., ex Dieden-
hofen. Figured iron is quiet, owing to the stagnation
of private building enterprise.

Plate.—Business has improved, many of the works
having enough orders to keep them busy for weeks, so
that they will no longer sell at the Convention price of
127*50 mk , ex Essen, Siegen, or Dillingen; and the
rebate of 1-2 mk. has been abolished. Most works hold
out for 130-135 mk., less 1| per cent, discount. For
export, 130 mk net cash, ex works, is obtained. Struc-
tural plate has also risen, and the Conventional rate of
132-50 mk., less 1| per cent., is frequently exceeded,
whilst for export, 130 mk. net cash are paid. For the
home market, boiler plate fetches 140 mk., but as much
as 140 mk. net cash is being paid for export. Medium
and fine plate are also in active request, chiefly for war
purposes, and 140 mk. for the former and 160-165 mk.
net cash for the latter are the ruling prices.

Wire.—The works are fully occupied and prices are
firm. Export consignments are suffering delay on
account of the formalities of obtaining permits. Mild
steel rolled wire costs 120-125 mk. net cash, ex works;
drawn wire 145 mk., less 1J per cent., ex Hamm ; galva-
nised 180 mk.; barbed wire 230 mk.; rod wire 142'50 mk.;
rods 155 mk.; all on same basis. An addit onal 7’50 mk.
is asked for open-hearth material. Further advances
are foreshadowed, in consequence of the rise in zinc and
raw material.

Bailway Material.—Business is quiet, only small new
ordeis being placed. Heavy rails cost 140-150 mk. for
inland, and 125-130 mk., ex port, for export. Tramway
rails are very dull, but prices firm at 145-150 mk. for
home and 125-130 mk. for export. Pit and field rails
are more active, at 125 -130 mk. for inland and
115-120 mk. for export.

German Coal for Italy.

Total consignments of German coal to Italy vid the
St. Gothard Railway in February were 78,893 tons
(31,251 tons in 1914', of which 39,898 tons (15,962 tons)
were from the Ruhr district, 13,310 tons (11,232 tons)
from the Saar, 20,551 tons (2,809 tons) from harbours
on the Upper Rhine, 3,487 tons (612 tons) from Loth-
ringen, and 1,192 tons (605 tons) from Aachen.

Fuel Traffic in Ruhr Harbours.

In February shipments to Coblenz and places higher
up river were 472,064 tons (558,283 tons), a deficiency of
86,219 tons ; to places below Coblenz 16,600 tons (23,668
tons), a deficiency of 7.068 tons; to Holland 168,465
tons (594,359 tons), a deficiency of 425,894 tons; to
Belgium 121,046 tons (366,336 tons), a deficiency of
245,290 tons; to France, nil (22,994 tons); to other
destinations 7.712 tons (34,724 tons), a deficiency of
27,012 tons. Total shipments from : Ruhrort, 499,326
tons; Duisburg, 126,387 tons (350,452 tons) ; Hochfeld,
2,560 tons (25,347 tons) ; Rheinpreussen, 60,766 tons
(90,212 tons); Schwelgern, 36,429 tons (72,303 tons);
Falsum, 60,418 tons (59,092 tons). Total, 785,886 tons
(1,600,363 tons), a deficiency of 814,477 tons.

Ruhr Coal Market.

The situation during March showed no appreciable
change. The coke distribution amounted to about
50 per cent, of the participation. The endeavours to
persuade consumers to make extensive use of coke as
fuel, in view of the shortage of coal and briquettes, are
meeting with considerable opposition; and certain of
them who aie engaged in work for the army have been
threatening to have such coal as they required com-
mandeered by the military authorities. On the other
hand, a number of large works who have made practical
trials with coke, have found it very suitable, though in
some cases more expensive than coal. Buying for the
current six months, to which new contracts are to be
restricted, began very late, and no definite quantities
can be guaranteed, all that sellers will promise being to
supply as much as the output for the time being will

allow. Illegitimate trading is rife; and it is reported
that a good deal of coal sold by the pits locally is being
carted to. the railway stations and resold at high prices.
The export trade has been placed under Government
control, and permits have to be obtained, and all
consignments must be accompanied by a large
proportion of coke. In the different grades there
is a scarcity of nuts, slack, and small flaming,
bituminous and lean coals. The intensified production
of coke having stimulated the classification of the
output into large and nuts, there is a shortage of
through-and-through coals; and nuts are being exten-
sively crushed for coking purposes. In anthracite, the
supply will be ample for the summer trade, but the
usual stocks at the anthracite pits are Jacking. The
improved state of the upper Rhine enabled full cargoes
to be forwarded without transhipment. Railway con-
signments to the Ruhr harbours increased by some
6,000 wagons as compared with February, but were still
far from sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the
trade. Shippers, whose craft are able to get up the
Rhine-Herne Canal, are in a better position than others
now that there is a shortage of railway wagons; and the
pits, situated close to the canal and able to load barges
for towing, are independent of this shortage, and can
increase their turnover considerably. Shipments to
Belgium have declined, owing to the policy of trying to
supply the needs of the country from the local pits, and
to the desire to restrict exports during the present
scarcity of coal in Germany. Exports to Holland are
only allowed by special permission; and shipments of
barge bunker coal and fuel for torpedo boats are pro-
hibited entirely. The Dutch demand for broken coke
as a coal substitute is increasing daily.

Company Reports.

A. G. Deutscher Eisenhandel, Berlin, after placing
500,000 mk. (307,655 mk.) to reserve, will pay a dividend
of 6 per cent. (8 per cent.).

Mulheimer Berg works Ver ein, Millheim (Buhr).—The
directors propose to declare a dividend of 74 per cent.
(11 per cent.).

Bitterfelder Louisengmibe Kohlenwerk und Ziegelei
A. G. Zscherndorf. — The gross profits amounted to
433,904 mk. (650,807 mk.), and the nett profits to
233,356 mk. (229,968 mk.), the amount devoted to
writing off having been reduced from 426,414 mk. to
205,324 mk.; the dividend will again be 18 per cent.

Eintracht Braunkohlenwerke und Brikettfabriken A. G.,
Neu Welzow.—The gross trading profits declined from
4,318,198 mk. to 4,085,492 mk., but the income from
investments rose from 66,687 mk. to 185,000 mk.
General expenses absorbed 531,417 mk. (520,533 mk.),
and writing off 1,548,607 mk. (1,600,382 mk.). the
net profits (including 214,771 mk. in hand) being
2,405,239 mk. (2.460,872 mk.), of which 300,000 mk. (0)
are to be placed to war reserve fund—special reserve 0
(200,000 mk.) —and 1'44 million mk. (1*62 million mk.)
distributed as a 24 per cent. (27 per cent.) dividend.

Prikany-Zailthaler Bngarische Kohleribergwerks A.G.,
Budapest.—The net profits amount to 1,578,020 kronen,
out of which 300,000 kr. are to be placed to depreciation
account, and a dividend of 14 kr. per share, equivalent
to 7 per cent. (10 per cent.) is to be paid.

Zwickauer Brilckenberg Steinkohlenbauverein, Zwickau.
—Out of ' total receipts amounting to 4,773,182 mk.
(5,061,729 mk.), a net profit of 143,471 mk. (248,150 mk )
was made; but as 120,000 mk. (71,216mk.) are required
for the works reserve, no dividend (20 mk. per share)
will be paid. The coal output declined from 407,863
tons to 361,061 tons.

Gewerkschaft Kaisergrube, Gersdorf.—The coal output
amounted to 240,103 tons (276,278 tons), and the sales
to 210,750 tons (233,873 tons), the receipts from which
totalled 3,117,762 mk. (3,560,350mk.). After writing off
200,923 mk. (147,829 mk.), there was left as net prefit
175,735mk. (389,767mk.), enabling 45 mk. (100 mk.) to
be distributed per share.

Oberbayrische A.G. filr Kohlenbergbau, Munich.— A
final dividend of 6 per cent. (7 per cent.) has been
declared, making a total dividend of 10 per cent. (12 per
cent.) for the year.

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TRADE MD THE WAR.

The gas coal producers of the Midland area, at a
meeting held in London, decided to recommend to the
coalowners of the country that, despite the fall in output
and the rise in expenses, the price of gas coal should not
be advanced more than from 5s. to 6s. per ton in the new
yearly contracts about to be entered into with municipal
corporations and other producers of gas.

The Scottish steelmakers’ associations are taking a census
of all spare plant suitable for the production of ammuni-
tion, particularly shell. The result of the census, so far as
ascertained, is to show that the productive capacity of the
works is amply adequate for the purpose, as there are
many machinery shops with plant only partially employed
on urgent contracts. The only possibility of deficiency is
said to be in plant for forging the shells in rough from the
steel bars.

Such is Spain’s desire for coal that a decree has been
made exempting imported coal from all Customs and
transport taxes.

Mr. Adam Nimmo, chairman of the Scottish Coal Concilia-
tion Board, has been appointed—on the recommendation of
the Home Secretary-—a member of the Production of Coal
Committee, in place of the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres,
who has resigned owing to having enlisted for military
service.

Messrs. Angus, Warham, Harbottle, Garbutt, Hobkirk,
Heatley, Glover, and Davidson have been appointed by the
Newcastle Commercial Advisory Committee as a sub-
committee to consider and report on the Government
Committee’s recommendation that coal exportation should
be restricted, and large consumers of coal, coal exporters, &c.,
are invited to send their views to the secretary of the
Newcastle Chamber of Commerce for submission to the

sub-committee. The Board of Trade have intimated to the
Newcastle Chamber of Commerce that it would welcome
any information relative to the report of the Committee on
Retail Coal Prices.

The South Metropolitan Gas Company has decided, in
view of the excessive cost of freightage, to have its own
colliers to bring its coal to London. This announcement is
made in the course of another circular which the company
is sending to its customers—a circular which deals fully
with the freightage problem. It is stated that the present
increase in the price of gas arises wholly from the cost of
freight, and to get over this the company will, as soon as
possible, take the carrying of coal into their own hands by
purchasing' the necessary steamers.

The Manchester District Institution of Gas Engineers
have resolved to urge the Government to restrict the
export of coal in order to ensure an adequate supply for-
borne use, and take such action as they may deem
necessary to prevent such unnecessary increases in the
price of coal for next year’s requirements as “are now
being quoted by the colliery owners, which will have a
very serious effect upon the general welfare of the nation,
as the increased working cost of public supply undertakings
will necessarily lead to advanced charges for gas, electricity,

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THE IRISH COAL TRADE.

Thursday, April 15.

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Dublin.

Business in the coal trade generally continues to be fairly
active, and there appears to be no immediate prospect of any
reductions in the very high prices ruling both for household
and steam qualities. The import trade has fallen off con-
siderably for the past week or two, this being chiefly due to
recent holiday influences. And few, if any, of the merchants
have large stocks. Prices of house coals are from 32s. to
34s. per'ton, less Is. per ton discount; retail from 2s. 2d. to
2s. 3d. per -sack of 10 st.; steam coal from 29s. per ton;
best coke, 34s. per ton delivered; best Irish coal at Wolf-
hill, Queen’s County, 25s. per ton. The coaling vessels
arriving during the past week amounted to 37, as compared
with 41 the week previously, chiefly from Ayr, Cardiff,
Runcorn, Troon, Garston, Preston, Whitehaven, Newport,
Glasgow, Partington, Liverpool, Swansea, and Workington.
The total quantity of coal discharged upon the quays
was 16,325 tons, as against 17,190 tons the previous week.
Eelfast.

The steam coal trade maintains great firmness, more
particularly with regard to best qualities of Scotch coals,
and business is now about normal. Quotations continue to
be withdrawn, being subject to alteration from day to day.
Prices of house coals remain unchanged, at late rates,
although the demand is beginning to fall off gradually.
Quotations are as follow :—Best Arley house coal, 36s. per
ton; Orrell nuts, 35s.; Scotch house coal, 32s.; Orrell
slack, 32s. per ton delivered. The price of coke has been
substantially increased in the inland districts. Coal-laden
vessels arriving during the past week were chiefly from
Whitehaven, Girvan, Glasgow, Ayr, Troon, Maryport,
Partington, Garston, Swansea, Ardrossan, Burryport, and
Silloth. From March 14 to April 3 the total number of
colliers entering the harbour was 183. The Belfast Harbour
Commissioners have decided to confer with representatives
of the local coal trade, relative to the re-arrangement of the
accommodation at Queen’s Quay and Abercorn Basin for
the carrying out of the coal traffic of the port.

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Exports and Imports of Coal Tar Products. — During
March there were no imports into the United Kingdom
of alizarine and anthracene dyestuffs, aniline and naphtha-
lene dyestuffs; and only 70 cwt. of synthetic indigo, and
1 cwt. of other coal tar dyestuffs were imported, the respec-
tive values being 1350 and T8. The values of the coal
products exported in March an
ended therewith were as follow

the first

vch.	Jan.-March.

191?	1914.	191"?

£ £ £

... 10,183... 11,046... 21,772

518..	. — ...	518

... 27,681... 68,818... 77,020
.. 20,609... 33,917... 54,359
... 1,277... 2,497... 1,705
... 3,134... 16,090... 12,502

678..	. 7,046... 3,805
... 2,983... 9,146... 9,943
... 43,227...348,505...102,721

. 39 362... 147,210... 96,487
22,015... 87,464... 76,384

1914.

Coal products, not dyes— £
Aniline oil and toluidine 3,774
Anthracene ..........	—

Benzol and toluol _____ 24,859
Carbolic acid.......... 11,692
Coal tar, crude ....... 1,399
,, refined & varnish 6,762

Naphtha .............. 2 376
Naphthalene ......... 3,989
Pitch ______________...112,932
Tar oil, creosote, &c ... 20,761
Other sorts..........__ 20,184

Total .............208,728...171,767...731,739...457,216
Coal tar dye stuffs ........ 19,056... 10,430... 46,277... 26,123
The following quantities of the above products were exported
in March :—Coal products, not dyes : Aniline oil and
toluidine, 262,383 1b.; anthracene, 252,110 1b.; benzol and
toluol, 598,697 galls. ; carbolic acid, 8,259 cwt.; coal tar,
crude, 5,649 cwt.; ditto, refined and varnish, 151,837 galls.;
naphtha, 10,876 galls.; naphthalene, 5,669 cwt.; pitch,
623,394 cwt. ; tar oil, creosote, etc., 2,131,102 galls.; other
sorts, 30,526 cwt.; coal tar dye stuffs, 1,769 cwt. The
values of sulphate of ammonia exports were as follow :—

March.	Jan.-Mar ch.

_______
______________

1914.	191?	1914.	1915.

To—	£	£	£	£

Germany................. 8,831...	— ... 35,126...	—

France ................... 3,932... 5,069... 14,703... 11,010
Spain and Canaries......147,868... 107,250... 303,743... 268,431
Italy	_____ 5,726... 11,321... 15,901	47,212

Dutch East Indies ...... 63,697... 39,275... 106,906... 177,001
Japan ................... 99,611... 10,066... 350,965... 37,246
United States of America 56,853... 34,851... 205,093... 124,607
British W. India Islands
(including Bahamas) and
British Guiana........ 6,794... 10,016... 30,154	26,798

Other countries .............. 36,746...194,822... 142,585... 459,807

Total.............430,088...412,670..1,205,176..1,152,112

The following were the quantities exported in March :—
France, 373 tons; Spain and Canaries, 8,234 tons; Italy,
832 tons; Dutch East Indies, 3,314 tons; Japan, 877 tons;
United States, 2,595 tons; British West Indies 772 tons;
other countries, 14,444 tons—making a total of 31,441 tons,
as against 32,903 tons in March 1914.