July 23, 1915.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

185

LABOUR AND WAGES.

North of England.

Mr. Edward Shortt, K.C., M.P., having resigned his
presidency of the Northumberland Coal Trade Joint Com-
mittee, owing to pressure of business, Mr. J. B. Atkinson,
late chief inspector of mines for Newcastle district, has been
chosen in his place. Mr. Atkinson is well qualified for the
post of president of a committee which has occasionally
some hard technical “ nuts ” to crack. The Bight Hon. Mr.
Thomas Burt, M.P., once said of him : “ I never knew an
inspector who was more thoroughly equipped by technical and
scientific knowledge and by practical experience for his impor-
tant office, nor one who performed his duties with more care,
conscientiousness, fearlessness, and ability.”

The report of Mr. William Weir, compensation agent of
the Northumberland Miners’ Association, for the quarter
ended June 30, shows that the amount paid to dependants
in respect of fatal accidents during the quarter amounted to
P'2,249 4s. 8d. Five cases had been before the medical
referee, and a large number of disputed cases dealt with.
Mr. Weir draws the attention of secretaries to the agree-
ment existing between the Miners’ Association and the
Owners’ Association regarding men who are employed on
light work and are receiving compensation, ‘‘ that their
earnings must be based off five days per week.” From time
to time cases have been received where these men have been
based off a higher number of days than the agreement
allows, which works out against the recipient, and, in some
instances, this has gone on for many months, wdiich makes
the matter difficult to rectify.

In his July circular to the members of the Durham
Miners’ Association, Mr. T. H. Cann, general secretary,
states that the percentage of lying idle at many of the county
collieries continues to be so excessive as to be a constant
source of complaint. He holds no brief for dividend-
making, but points out that members idle without real
reason are not only doing themselves an injustice, but are
helping to deprive their fellow members of many advantages,
both of better conditions and increased pay, to which their
regular attendance at work entitles them. He pleads very
forcibly for more regular attendance at work, so that the
war may be shortened through the production of a sufficiency
of munitions of war, in the manufacture of which coal is an
important factor. Another reason he adduces is, the urgent
need of providing for the inevitable “ rainy day.” He
mentions the possibility of a slump in the labour market at
the conclusion of the war, and asks what assurance there is
that even during the course of the war the present condition
of constant employment will continue, for developments may
arise to handicap the regular working of the mines to a
large extent. Continuing, Mr. Cann states that prompt
measures have been taken by the executive committee to
nip in the bud ‘‘ an incipient attempt on the part of certain
colliery managements in Durham County to introduce the
employment of girls at the mines.” He states that the
miners will require to be convinced beyond the shadow of
doubt that it is a question of our country’s salvation before
consenting to the introduction of girl labour in or about the
mines. At one colliery, although the pit is working six days
per week, the management is laying idle a large number of
boys on the pay Saturday, thereby escaping payment of a
day’s wage for a short shift day, the excuse being that there
is no work for the boys on that day. That, says Mr. Cann,
indicates a superfluity rather than a shortage of boy labour.
At another colliery, the services of a batch of men and boys
have been dispensed with. “All these incidents tend to show
that the era of girl labour is still a most remote contingency.”
Mr. Cann concludes this reference by stating : “It is only
bare justice to the owners of this county to say that, as an
association, they were not a party to the introduction of this
most objectionable feature of mining life, but, as a matter of
fact, at once discountenanced it.”

The annual meeting of the Cumberland Coal Conciliation
Board was held at Workington last w7eek. Mr. T. Cape
acted as chairman pro tem. The election of officers resulted
as follows:—President, Mr. W. Graham; vice-president,
Mr. T. Cape; joint secretaries, Messrs. A. Sharp and T. P.
Martin; neutral chairman, Canon Sutton; neutral vice-
chairman, Mr. C. Courtenay Hodgson. It was agreed to
appoint sub-committees to investigate the cases of deduc-
tions from wages prior to the war bonus being given, and
to consider the new wage agreement for apprentices. The
Board decided to accept the Winding Enginemen and Boiler
Firemen’s Association’s application for membership, subject
to the -approval of the Coal Owners’ Association. The
miners’ delegates appointed Messrs. T. Cape (Workington),
T. Braniff (Whitehaven), and J. Barker (Siddick) on the
sub-committee to investigate reductions. Messrs. T. Cape,
B. Tunstall (Aspatria), W. Clark (Harrington), and G.
Todhunter (Moresby) are the committee to consider the
apprentices’ new wage agreement, and Messrs. T. Cape, T. G.
McKeating (Clifton), and J. Temple (Allhallows) on the
committee to investigate the Conciliation Board’s rules. The
men’s decision to restrict their annual holidays to three days
was accepted, and the delegates were asked to urge the men
to put in as much time as possible prior to the holidays.

Owing to a dispute at Plenmellor Colliery, Halt whistle,
notices were handed in a fortnight ago, and expired on
Wednesday. With the exception of the engineers and
mechanics, the whole of the men came out on strike on
Thursday. It is most unfortunate that this deadlock should
have occurred at the present time, as the colliery is only
in its initial stages of development. About 250 men and
lads are affected, and at the moment there is no prospect of
a settlement.

Federated Area.

There is a prospect of a strike arising from the surface
workers’ dispute being avoided at some of the thin seam
collieries in the Barnsley district. The dispute is on account
of the owners, who are connected with the local coal owners’
association, offering a new wages agreement, which is 5 per
cent, below the amount paid by collieries connected with the
South Yorkshire Coal Owners’ Association. The workers at
the Wharncliffe Woodmoor Colliery had tendered notices,
which would have expired yesterday (Thursday), and notices
are pending at the Old Silkstone and Stanhope Silkstone
collieries, to take effect a week hence. It is also stated that
the men employed at the coke ovens of the Barugh Chemical
Works had also tendered their notices. A largely-attended
meeting of the workers was held at Barnsley on Tuesday.
Conn. A. J. Bailey, secretary of the Men’s Federation,
explained that the Board of Trade had intervened in the
matter, and Sir George Askwith invited the representatives
of the Federation to attend a conference. The conference
took place on Monday at the office of the Chief Industrial
Commissioner. After a lengthy discussion it was agreed that

the question to be decided was only at collieries where the
South Yorkshire agreement had not been followed out, and
any ultimate decision arrived at would not be taken as a
precedent in other districts, or for other classes of workmen
in the same district, the decision to take effect from the
date of the settlement. A suggestion was made from the coal
owners for a further meeting, and it was agreed that the
notices at the Wharncliffe Woodmoor Colliery should be sus-
pended. Messrs. Casey and Blackburn also addressed
Tuesday’s meeting, and a resolution was carried, endorsing
the action of their representatives, and accepting the tepms
of the conference. The resolution also expressed full con-
fidence in the representatives who are empowered to
continue the negotiations, and authorising them to take such
steps as they may deem advisable to effect an honourable
settlement.

Scotland.

The Dumbreck branch of the Stirlingshire Miners’ County
Union have issued notices to non-unionists intimating that it
had been resolved that all underground workmen employed
at the colliery must become members of the union. The
notice pointed out the benefits accruing to non-unionists
through the efforts of the trade unions. Two weeks would
be given non-unionists in which to consider their position.

The executive committee of the National Union of
Scottish Mine Workers met in the Christian Institute,
Glasgow, last week, when it was intimated that arrange-
ments had been made for holding a meeting of the Scottish
Coal Trade Conciliation Board for the purpose of considering
the claim lodged recently by the miners for an increase in
wages to the extent of 25 per cent, on the basis rates of
1888. Mr. H. Murnin, Stirlingshire, reported that a dispute
had arisen at Plean Colliery, in connection with the contract
working of coal at the pits. Mr. Bobertson was appointed
to confer with the management of the colliery, with a view
to effecting a settlement, and thus prevent a stoppage of
work.

Iron, Steel and Engineering Trades.

A large number of Birmingham engineers share in the
advantages of an agreement arrived at at a conference of
representatives of the Engineering Employers’ Association
and the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, the Steam
Engine Makers’ Society, and the United Pattern Makers’
Society, which gives the workpeople an advance of 3s. on
time rates, and 7| per cent, on piece rates, in lieu of smaller
war bonuses now being paid. The organisations concerned
are the Engineers’ Employers’ Association, the Steam Engine
Makers’ Society, the Amalgamated Tool Makers, the A.S.E.,
the National Brass Workers’ Society, the National United
Machine Workers, the Amalgamated Smiths and Strikers,
and the Electrical Trades unions. The present offer,
making a total general advance of 5s. on time rates and 12J
per cent, on piece rates over the 1911 agreement, is being
submitted to the members. Similar amounts have already
been conceded in Coventry, Leicester, Loughborough, and
Bugby. The workmen employed by firms in the Midland
Employers’ Federation have also made application for con-
siderable advances. The matter has been under consider-
ation for some weeks, and a further conference between the
parties is pending.

The wages of the gas producing employees at the Consett
Steel Works will be advanced 2J per cent, as from June 6,
the date when the application was put forward. Since the
outbreak of the war these workpeople have been conceded
increases practically equivalent to 22J per cent.

THE FREIGHT MARKET.

Business in the outward freight market has been very
seriously disorganised during the past week by the complete
stoppage of work at the South Wales pits. At Cardiff and
Swansea there have been only a few stray fixtures, and,
generally speaking, owners have adopted a waiting policy,
probably with hopes of increased rates on the resumption of
work. From the few fixtures reported, there is evidence of
further ease in rates for all directions. There has not been
a single boat fixed for Bouen or other representative Seine
port, but quotations have been slightly in charterers’ favour.
Granville has been fixed for at Is. reduction. Bay ports are
likewise weakly held, and rates for Bordeaux are fully J fr.
lower. In the Mediterranean market, Alexandria is nearly
Is. advanced, but all other ports show reductions. Port
Said is 2s. decreased, Marseilles 1 fr. to l£fr., and Algiers
lOJd. down, while Piraeus is barely steady. On the north-
east coast, there have been rumours of wholesale transfer-
ence of tonnage from South Wales, but so far as can be
ascertained, only a few large and unwanted steamers have
been diverted to the east coast. It was generally considered
that owners having boats returning from the Bay and coast-
ing ports would not view with favour the prospect of indefinite
detention at South Wales, and would, therefore, order their
ships round to the east coast, with the result that rates
would ease markedly. Now that the strike has been brought
to a conclusion, however, there will probably be a boom in
the Welsh coal trade, with a resultant heavy demand for
tonnage, so that there appears to be little ground for expect-
ing any great change in tonnage supplies and rates on the
north-east. During the week ship owners have made great
efforts to stop the continued falling-off in freight prices, but,
up to the time of writing, only the Mediterranean has
succumbed to their efforts. Coasting is slightly easier, on
the basis of from 7s. to 7s. 3d. Tyne to London. North
France has Havre at the unaltered rate of 14s., but Calais
is weaker, and Bouen is from 3d. to 6d. reduced, while
Fecamp is a full shilling less. The Bay is a very poor
market, and, on the week’s work, Bordeaux is from 6d. to
Is. 6d. decreased, and Bochefort, rates for which are little
affected by tonnage congestion, is Is. down. The Mediter-
ranean has taken a turn against charterers. Genoa is
decidedly firm at advances of from 3d. to Is. on the week.
Barcelona is Is. 6d. up, and Port Said and Mareeilles are
fully firm.

Homewards, chief interest is centring in the Biver Plate
and American markets. From both districts more disposi-
tion to take up August tonnage is being shown, and rates
are inclined to stiffen. At the Biver Plate, tonnage is more
freely in request from up-river ports at 55s. to the United
Kingdom, and 57s. 6d. has been done in one instance. The
lower Plate ports are quoted at about 52s. 6d. on the ordinary
heavy grain basis. There is a good enquiry for tonnage from
the Gulf for loading during the next three months, at from
10s. 9d. to Ils. for August, with proportionately higher rates
for later loading. The demand for tonnage from wheat
shipping centres is resulting in American coal shippers
having to pay rather more for their cargo space, although the
current figure of 36s. to West Italy is a reduction on the

week. The St. Lawrence has chartered for deals for August-
September loading at 140s. to West Britain. In the Eastern
market, mineral tonnage from Bombay to east coast, United
Kingdom, is wanted at 50s. Grain tonnage at Kurrachee is
quoted at about 42s. fid. There is a fair enquiry for rice
carriers from Saigon, at about 67s. 6d. to Marseilles.
Vladivostock is quoted at 75s. for beans, and Japan at
72s. 6d.; 90s. has been paid for a boat from North Pacific
for August-September. The nitrate ports have paid 75s. for
Vladivostock option United Kingdom or United States. The
Mediterranean and ore ports are dull and depressed.

Tyne to Algiers, 2,000, 18s. 6d.; Bordeaux, 3,000, 18s. 6d.;
1,800, 19s. 6d.; Barcelona, 3,000, 25s.; Brest, 1,600, 13s. 6d.;
Boulogne, 600, 13s.; Caen, 1,600, 13s. 9d.; 1,200, 13s. 6d. ;
Civita Vecchia, 2,600, 26s.; Dunkirk, 700, 13s. 6d.; 2,000,
13s.; Fecamp, 1,600, 13s. 6d.; Genoa, 5,000, 24s. 6d.; 2,600,
26s.; Gibraltar, 3,500, 18s. 6d.; Havre, 1,400, 14s.; London,

2.400,	7s. 3d.; 2,250, 7s.; 1,750, 7s.; 1,700, 7s. 3d.; Lisbon,
1,500, 20s.; 2,100, 17s. 9d.; 3,000, 17s. 9d.; Marseilles,
1,900, 24s.; Malaga, 2,000, 23s.; Oporto, 1,500, 20s.; Port
Said, 5,500, 24s.; Bouen, 1,600, 15s.; 1,900, 14s. 6d.; 1,600,
14s. 9d.; Bochefort, 1,500, 18s.; Biver Plate, 5,500, 28s.;
Savona, 5,000, 24s. 6d.; 3,600, 25s.; Spezzia, 5,000, 24s. 6d.

Cardiff to Alexandria, 4,800, 25s., 500; Algiers, 3,700,
22 fr.; 5,500, 22 fr.; Bordeaux, 3,800, 18 fr.; Buenos Ayres,
26s., July-August; Granville, 800, 10s. 6d.; Huelva, 2,500,
15s. 6d.; Marseilles, 3,800, 24 fr.; 2,600 , 24 fr.; Marans,

1.400,	15 fr.; Piraeus, 4,000, 25s.; Port Sudan, 6,400,
26s. 6d.; Port Said, 5,000 , 22s. 6d., end July, subject to
ability to load; Bio de Janeiro, 25s. 6d.; St. Malo, 800,
10s. 6d.

Swansea to Genoa, 2,800, 22s. 6d.; Savona, 2,800, 22s.;
Spezzia, 2,800, 22s.; Leghorn, 2,800, 22s.; Caen, 1,000,
12s.; St. Malo, 1,100, 10s. 9d.; Granville, 980, 12s. fid.;
Bouen, 700, 13s. 9d.; 2,300, 13s. 9d.; Bayonne, 2,300, 19 fr.;
Havre, 1,000, Ils.; La Bochelle, 1,600, 15 fr.; Bochefort,
1,600, 15| fr.; Licata, 1,400, 26s. 6d. coal, 26s. 9d. fuel;
Dieppe, 12s. 6d.

Newport to Bordeaux, 2,900, 18| fr.

Wear to Bayonne, 2,100, 18s.

Port Talbot to Bouen, 1,650, 13s. 6d.; Lisbon, 1,400,
15s. 9d., 300; Huelva, 2,600, 15s. 6d., July.

Hull to Bouen, 1,500, 15s. ; 2,200, 15s. ; 3,000, 15s.; 5,200,
14s. 9d.; Fecamp, 1,200, 13s. ; Buenos Ayres, 5,000, 27s. 6d.,
July-August; Brixham, 800, 8s.; Svendborg, 15s.; Honfleur,

1,400,	13s. 9d.; Caen, 1,400, 13s. 9d.; Dieppe, 1,154,
12s. 6d.

Blyth to Archangel, 3,500, 20s.; 5,500, 22s. 6d.; Bouen,
1,500, 14s. 6d.

Llanelly to Fecamp, 400, 12s.

Glasgow to Northern French ports (excluding Bouen), con-
tract, voyages August-April, 17s.

Thames to Genoa, 1,200, 35s., coke; Cavona, 1,200, 35s.,
coke.

Birkenhead to Huelva, 3,500, 15s. 6d., July.

Methil to Dieppe, 1,250, 14s. 6d.

Anthracite Railways and the Sherman Law.—A con tract
by which the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Bailroad
in 1909 sold the annual output of 7,000,000 tons from its
anthracite coal mines to the Delaware, Lackawanna and
Western Coal Company, which it had just organised, was
annulled on June 21 by the United States Supreme Court
ruling it was a violation both of the commodities clause of
the Hepburn rate law and of the Sherman anti-trust law.
The court specifically preserved to the Government a right
to proceed in a new suit against the railroad to test the
latter’s right to purchase coal for sale. The decision was
said by Government officials as likely to have an important
bearing on the fight which has been waged for years against
the so-called “ hard coal trust.” The mere organisation of
the coal company by the railroad was not disapproved by the
court, Justice Lamar saying that it was natural, if not
necessary, after the passage of the commodities clause law
for the road to organise a corporation to supply coal which
the public demanded. He said it was not illegal for the
stockholders of the railroad to take stock in the coal company,
but added that where two companies, one of which was
organised by another with common stockholders as a rule
and officers of one to a large degree officers of the other, made
contracts which affected the interest of minority stockholders
or of third persons, or of the public, the fact of their unity
of management had to be considered in testing the good
faith of the transaction. The contract of 1909 provided
that the railroad company w7ould sell and the coal company
buy all the coal mined during the continuance of the con-
tract by the railroad, and prevent the coal company from
buying from any other source. The justice said that in this
provision the railroad had clearly gone beyond what was
necessary to ensure the taking of its own coal, and, in effect,
prevented the coal company from becoming a competitor of
the railroad in purchasing coal from other mines along the
railroad. The court pointed out that the railroad company
purchases 500,000 tons of coal annually from other producers.
Justice Lamar said it was even more significant that the
railroad company required the coal to sell to “ present railroad
customers ” at old prices, even at a loss, and to do nothing
against the interests of the railroad. ‘‘ The railroad,” said
Justice Lamar, ‘‘if it continues in the business of mining,
must absolutely dissociate itself from the coal before the
transportation begins. It cannot retain the title, nor can it
sell through an agent. It must leave the buyer free. It
cannot call that agent a buyer while so hampering and
restraining such alleged buyer as to make him a puppet sub-
ject to the control of the railroad company. If the railroad
sells coal at the mouth of the mines to one buyer or to many
it must not only part with all interest direct or indirect in
the property, but also with all control over it or over those
to whom the coal is sold at the mines. It must leave the
buyer as free as any other buyer who pays for what he has
bought. It should not sell to a corporation with officers and
offices in common—for the policy of the statute (commodities
clause) requires that instead of being managed by the same
officers, they should studiously and in good faith avoid any-
thing, either in contract or conduct, that remotely savours of
joint action, joint interest, or the dominance of one company
by the other. If the seller wishes — by a lawful and
bona fide contract whose provisions as to delivery and other-
wise are not in restraint of trade—to sell of its coal to one
buying company, then that one buyer can be bound by
reasonable terms, and required to pay according to the con-
tract. But such buyer should otherwise be absolutely free
to extend its business to buy when, where, and from w’hom it
pleases, and otherwise to act as an independent dealer in
active competition with the railroad company.”