1028 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. May II, 1915.. __________________________________________________________________________________ recent instructions of the Government prohibiting the export after the 13th instant to neutral countries have been very detrimental to the sale of most coals. Until the Government action is more clearly defined it is feared the market will be most unsteady and collieries will have some difficulty in keeping going full time. The anthracite market is very much easier, and for practically all the larger kinds the demand is most unsatisfactory, and stocks have accumulated to a large extent. Collieries are having idle days, and this has increased the difficulty of securing proper deliveries of beans, peas and culm; the position for these kinds is very strong. In the steam and bituminous markets the demand is not what it was a few weeks ago, and the colliery people have had to reduce prices of large ____________________________ and through qualities 2s. or 3s. per ton for spot lots, to have wagons emptied. Smalls still have a ready sale, and prices are good. This week’s quotations approximately ______ are:— Prices f.o.b. Current Anthracite:— prices. Best malting large ... 21/6—22/6 Secondary do. ... 18/ -19/6 Big Vein large.......j 16/ -17/ Bed Vein do_________I 16/ -17/ Machine-made cobbles...! 23 / -24/ German nuts .........; 22/ -23/ ......... ......... French do............. 23/ -24/ Paris do........... . 23/ -24/ Machine-made beans ... 22/ -25/ Do. peas....j 15/ -15/6 ................. . Culm ...............1 10/6-11/ Duff.................. 5/6- 6/6 Other sorts:— Large steam coal..... 30/ -32/ Through-and-through... 22/ -23/ Small .......................... 16/ -19/6 Bituminous small coal .. 20/ -22/ L*st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. 21/6-22/6 201 -22/ 18/ -19/6.' 19/ -21/ 16/ -17/ | 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ -I 13/ -13/6 23/ -26/ 19/ -21/6 22/ -23/. : 20/ -22/ 23/ -24/. ' 20/ -22/ 23/ -24/ ’ 20/ -22/ 22/ -25/ , 16/ -20/ 15/ -15/6 11/6-12/6 10/6-11/ 6/ - 6/6' 6/ - 7/ 4/6—6/ 30/ -32/ 16/ -17/ 22/ -23/6 11/6-12/ 16/ -19/6 9/ -10/ 20/ -22/ 11/ -11/6 ___________________________________________________ THE LONDON COAL TRADE. Thursday, May 13. __________________________________ ______________ The London market for the past week has been fairly active. All buying, however, is restricted to very small parcels, owing to the uncertainty as to the “ lowest summer prices.” There is a stronger inclination to buy for stacking purposes, especially if a somewhat lower price can be secured for the summer months. The actual consumption of house coal at the present time is very k>w, and the reports from the depots show the delivery trade as very weak, but wherever'concessions are made a fair tonnage is entered, apparently in view of the shortages of last year. Far more coal will undoubtedly be landed this summer than in previous years, if only a reasonable price can be secured. Collieries, however, are still disinclined to book forward, and in view of the increasing wages which must shortly come about, there is considerable uneasiness on ' all sides. Yorkshire hard steam coals are practically withdrawn from the market, except at prohibitive rates, and until the orders on hand are executed little hope can be entertained of any lower prices for the class of coal. House coal prices are uncertain, but very little change is recorded at present. The growing feeling is that the present advertised rates of 34s. per ton for best Wallsend, 33s. for best Silkstone, and 32s/ for Derby brights, will be the established lowest summer prices for this year; but the question is not settled yet. The seaborne market has been seriously affected by the Govern- ment Order, which takes effect from to-day, for all ship- ments to neutral countries to be under special licence. For the time being this has completely disorganised the export trade. The new order of things will take some little time to adjust itself, but it is recognised favourably now that as a general principle it is a right one. Efforts have been made to get the Order postponed until June 1, but the Board of Trade have not granted the concession. The limitation of the export trade to allied countries and to the coasting trade has affected the Tyne district more than any port, and it is feared that until the issue of licences is better understood, some of the Northumberland pits will be lying idle. Gas coal is still"quoting at 23s. to 24s. f.o.b. There appears to be a stronger demand for the French ports. Recently a good deal of attention has been given to the question cf thenenewals of the contracts for the ensuing year. Many of these, howmver, do not finish until the end of June next, but already negotiations are opened for the continuance, if possible, of the monthly quantities. . Very few collieries can offer the same quantities as last year, for the simple fact that the output is so seriously diminished on. account of the large number of workmen who have enlisted. In many cases the collieries, especially in the Warwickshire and Midland districts, have been-absolutely unable to send the present monthly quantities for the same reason, and have had to give notice of a reduced quantity in each month, ranging from 10 to 25 or even 30 per cent., which is causing a considerable amount of irritation and annoyance in many directions, especially where merchants have'tendered for and pledged themselves to deliver certain regular monthly quantities. This shortage in tonnage has awakened an earnest desire on the part of many of the London merchants to be first in the field in securing a renewal, and even the higher contract rates asked for next year do not deter them. So far the advance asked for amounts to about 5s. per ton, and the sliding scale arrange- ments will start at a minimum of 32s. for best Silkstone, instead of 27s. per ton as last year. The Norwegian State Railways are asking for tenders for 40,000 tons of hard steam coal, and the Swedish Railways for 335,000 tons of hard steam coal, to be takqn by the end of September. All the British railways appear to have .closed the Yorkshire hard steam contracts nt 15s. per ton for the coming year, but the current prices are considerably above the price now. The freight market is reported to be more brisk from the Tyne district, but the rates are unchanged. The Humber is' dull, the long distance trade being slow, but the coasting trade is showing a little more activity. Hull to London is quoted at 7s., and Goole.to London 7s. 6d. One fixture is reported for next week—950 tons at 8s. fid. freight, Goole to London. The demand for coke is still very strong both for furnace coke and gas coke, and prices are rising. Thirty- five contract cargoes entered the River Thames for Alon day’s market, and 13^for Wednesday’s market. The tone of the market during the latter part of the week, especially for house coal, was distinctly dull. Steam coals also, which have been very firm, showed a tendency to droop. Best Yorkshire hards are still quoted at 21s. per ton, and Derby- shire hards .at 20s. Derby ‘brights range from 15s. 6d. to 16s. 6d._ From Messrs. Dinham, Fawcus and Co.’s Report. Friday, May 7.—The seaborne house coal market was exceedingly quiet to-day, in consequence of the very warm weather, and no enquiry for supplies. Cargoes, 23. Monday, May 10.—The scarcity of supplies coming for- ward did not cause any inconvenience in the seaborne house coal market to-day, which remained very quiet. Cargoes, 35. ■ Wednesday, May 12.—There wras no alteration in the seaborne house coal market to-day, which remained quiet, with no cargoes offering. Cargoes, 13. THE TIM-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. The market keeps very firm, and prices look like going still ’higher; 18s. has been paid for I C 14 x 20.cokes, and makers are not desirous of selling forward, even at this figure, which they state does not leave them a fair margin of profit on the increased cost of production. Quotations at the moment may be called :—Coke tine, I C 14 x 20 (112 sh. 1081b.), 18s. per box and upwards; I C 28 X 20 (112 sh. 216 1b.), 36s. 3d. ; IC 28 x 20 (56 sh. 1081b.), 18s. 6d.; IC 14 x 183 (124 sh. 110 1b.), 18s. 3d.; IC 14 X 19| (120 sh. 1101b.), 18s. 3d.; IC 20 x 10 (225 sh. 156 Ibh, 25s.: IC squares and odd sizes, 18s. 3d. basis and upwards. Charcoal tins run 20s. basis and upwards, according to tinning, and ternes are firm at about 33s. for I 28 x 20, unassorted. Coke wasters are in good demand, and prices firm and advancing. CW 14 x 20, 16s. fid. per box and upwards; CW 28 X 20, 34s.; CW-14 X I85, 17s. 3d.; CW 20 x 10, 23s. 6d. All f.o.b. Wales, less _______________________ THE FRENCH COAL TRADE IM 1914. The Comite Central des Houilleres de France have just published a statement showing the imports and exports of coal, coke and briquettes from and to French ports in 1914. The figures may be summarised as follows :— Coal. Coke. Briquettes 1913. 191L 1913. 1914. 1913 1914. Imparts from— Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. . Tons. Great Britain 11,257,228 10,759,085 . — 175,061 116,520 Belgium Germany Other countries 3,669,395 2,032,098 547,228 385,342 641,572 470,980 3,490,576 2,341,996 2,392,897 883,033 187,834 118,434 293,736 211,371 129,913 178,048 81,527 40,941 ’ Totals 18,710,935 15,344,550 3,070,038 1,446,423 1.0^5.994 • 746,875 Value (fr.) 458,418,000 375,941,000 95,171,000 44,839,0 0 3d,408,000 20,913,000 Exports to— 376,355 Bel gin m 810,503 — — — —r- Italy Switzerland — 92,438 43,147 — — 159,c59. 109,930 41,445 25,4C9 37,019 25,623 Germany 7,861 2,475 — — — — Spain ’ 27,038 18,808 — — — • ; Other count lies 145,184 99,98? 97,645 36,824 lot, 730’ 48,473 Supplied to— French vessels 112,873 77,828 — — 64,381 31,981 F or ei p*u .. ... 41,059 16,173 — — 542 256 X VI ? Totals s t 1,304,377 701.556 I 231,528 1< 5,440 206,675 106,333 Value (fr-) 33,262,000 17,890,000 I 7,640,000 3,48(>,0G0 6,200,0-' 0 3,190,000 In 1914, 225,186 tons of mineral tar and pitch were imported, the value thereof being 13,511,000 fr., as compared with 302,427 tons, valued at 18,146,000 fr. in 1913. Against this, 21,360 tons (1,282,000 fr.) were exported, as against 19,955 tons (1,197,000 fr.) in 1913. Steamships belonging to French owners in 1914 consumed 1,415,344 tons of coal and 185,020 tons of briquettes, the corresponding figures in 1913 being 1,526,852 tons and 193,226 tons respectively. It is a somewhat remarkable fact that the stocks of coal at French harbours at the end of last year stood at totals well above the normal, viz.:— At Tons. Marseilles ....... 106,568 Havie .......... 122,431 Nantes ..........______ 7,495 Bordeaux_________ 46,894 Rouen __________ 2,335 Dieppe ......... 2,116 At Tons. Dunkirk _______ 6,860 Boulog. e ....... 2,507 St. Nazaire....... 38,280 Other ports....... 117,054 Total.......... 452,540 Total (19’3)____ 3 2,470 In the seven months prior to the war there had been imported into France 11,457,906 tons of coal (6,937,627 tons being of British origin), 1,432,246 tons of coke and 694,148 tons of briquettes. ____________________________ THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Broducts.—There are signs of prices advancing, and in the case of benzols in the North, carbolic acids (crude and crystal), also pitch and tar, there are actual advances to record. Other products hold firm, and as yet there is no change in toluol. Nearest prices are :— Rise (+) or fall (-) on the week. Benzols, Toluol Carbolic 90’s .... ............................ 90’s North ............... ............... 50’s ,, acid, crude (60 per cent.) ... ,, crystals (40 per cent.) Solvent naphtha (as in quality and package) .......................................... Crude naphtha (in bulk) ............ Creosote (for ordinary qualities) ..... .................................. Bitch (f.o.b. east coast) ............ ,, (f.a.s. west coast) ............ /11-/111 ... — /10-/11 ... +ld. 1/4—1/6 ... +2d. 2/2—2/4 ... — 3/6—3/7 ... + 2d. 1/4—1/6 ... +2d. 1/6—1/7 ... — M ... — ... — 19/—20/ ... Is. 20/—21/ ... +1S. 21/—25/6 ... +6d. ' Tai [Benzols, toluol, creosote, solvent naphtha, carbolic acids, usually casks included unless otherwise stated, free on rails at maker's works or usual United Kingdom ports, net. Pitch f.o.b. net.] Sulphate of Ammonia.—There is a firmer feeling about sulphate of ammonia, and in the North this is distinctly manifested, as holders are ' asking £14, while for future delivery £13 10s. to £13 15s. would have to be paid, and considering the way nitrate of soda keeps on advancing, there is nothing surprising in sulphate of ammonia recover- ing the ground it lost; though, truly, the loss was mainly on paper only. Closing prompt values are :— Rise (+) -or fall (-) on the week. London (ordinary makes) Beckton £13/13/9 £12/15 Liverpool £13/10’ +2/6 Hull ' £13/10 — Middlesbrough £13/13/9 — Scotch ports £13/17/6—£14 ... +2/6 Nitrate of soda (ord.) per cwt. 13/' ... +/H Trade Notes. There is undoubtedly much interest being taken in the by-products industry, not only in regard to improving the existing methods of production, but also concerning other problems, such as the possibility of recovering the sulphur in coal gas direct, as sulphate of ammonia. It is not un fait accompli as yet, but without doubt the research that is being prosecuted will lead eventually to the direct combina- tion of the ammonia with the sulphur in the gas after it has been oxidised, as soon as possible after it is formed. Such an achievement would be of great advantage to the British producer, and not only is the problem of importance to the coal-gas maker, as an illuminant per se, but it will also prove most beneficially applicable to coke-oven gases where the gas is really a sideline. It is daily becoming more obvious that we ought also to direct our energies to increasing the output of benzols. It is of great importance as raw material for the about-to-be British coal tar dye industry, but it is also wanted as a substitute for foreign motor fuel. Roughly speaking, needs of the chemical manufacturer can be supplied Im benzol from distillation of coal in gas works, but the motor fuel field is not touched by that, and were all the gas now pro-, duced incidentally in the manufacture of coke in coke-oven plants freed from the benzol it contains, we should have something like 60 million gallons per annum wherewith to keep the price of imported petrol (so-called) within a reason- able price. The development of the industrial motor will undoubtedly advance with rapidity as soon as anything like a more settled state of affairs prevails in France and Belgium, and unless we can make ourselves more independent of foreign motor fuel supplies than we have been in the past, we shall hamper our own commercial advance in this direction, while our neighbours will be forging ahead. If one-tenth of the chemists in this country were allowed to spend some money and time in advancing our practical knowledge of this sub- ject, they would be doing just as good service for their country as any member of Kitchener’s or any other army. Of course, it is not so heroic, but it is not always those who stand in the limelight that contribute most to our national welfare. Reference has been made once or twice to the possibility of replacing our lost potash supplies by using decomposed feldspar, 'and now it appears a company has been formed in America to operate .a process for treating the Maryland deposits. Experiments made on the small scale have proved satisfactory, to all accounts, .as well as economical, and now .£50,000 has been put up by the United States Potash Com- pany to try a plant on the manufacturing scale. When railway companies start in on the sugar trade, it makes one open their eyes. Yet the London and South- Western Railway Company are doing their best to encourage beet-growing .in their area by prosecuting the policy carried out in Norfolk by the Cantley factory. They do not merely offer advantageous freight rates, but they go one—nay, even two—better : they are supplying the seed at the same low price as the Anglo-Netherland Sugar Corporation Limited, and offering to buy the roots at something like 2s. per ton more than the said corporation offered last March in Norfolk, for their 1915 campaign. Truly, a pinch of private doing is worth pounds of Parliamentary or similar official commis- sions, economic investigations, and party philanderings. All credit to this railway company. Far better lend a helping hand to prosper their endeavours, than to wTaste time and breath endeavouring to apportion the blame on dilatory Boards of Agriculture or an other State department. By all acounts, the impasse in the affairs of the Peruvian Guano Corporation has gone the same way as the increased duties on “ refreshments.” Anyway, licences have been granted for loading guano for shipment from all the deposits owned by the Corporation, even including their Ballestas supplies. The exports of pitch have been 2,046 tons, 140 packages, and £6,692. Tar figures are 20,220 galls., 180 drums, 36 barrels, 1 cask; and £5,424. Tar oil, £143 and 37 barrels. Benzol (to Genoa), 2,468 tons. Sulphate of ammonia has totalled about 2,135 tons.