234

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

July 30, 1915.

Notes from the Coal Fields.

FLocal Correspondence.]

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

Opinion on the Strike and its Effect—Cardiff Chamber
Discusses New Terms of Coal Sales Credit—Prospects
of Coal Trade in the Near Future—Unwisdom of
Restricting Exports—Coal Owners' Association Meeting
—Death of Lord Giantawe—Heavy Drop in Freights—
Swansea Shippers and the Railway “ Extras ”—Alien
Coal Trader's Position—Summer Course of the Mining
School—Sir Clifford Cory on the Prospects of Mining
Education—Swansea Chamber and the Price Limitation
Bill.

Opinion among the coal owners concerning the settlement
of the dispute with the miners is not very freely expressed,
for whilst in the west among the anthracite men, one or
two have spoken plainly, the bulk of steam-coal proprietors
have adopted a policy of silence. It is not doubted that in
the western part of the coal field the effect will be serious,
although not manifested just yet while prices are maintained
at their present level. The increase of other costs besides
wages leads to a conviction that some collieries will be
forced to stop—a conviction which is based upon anticipation
that the new Bill fixing prices will have a still further
detrimental influence. Where steam collieries will be able
to face the difficulties, it is held that the softer coals of the
western district, with their much greater percentage of small,
do not enable all the proprietors to meet the financial stress
to which they will be subjected. Then there is the fact that
the new agreement gives the men free opportunity of asking
for still further increases of wages, and there is no
maximum; and the anticipation, of course, is that the work-
men will miss no opportunity of asking for an increase.
As a matter of fact, one or two of the miners’ agents have
already been emphasising that there is liberty for the men
to apply for further increases, and they gave indication that
such an application would be made.

Cardiff Chamber of Commerce has discussed the question
of coal sales credit, and the new proposal was described as
one for snuffing out the small trader. This was a resolution
than in all contracts and sales of coal from July 15 for
shipment f.o.b. on or after January 1, the terms of payment
should be net cash at 14 days or against invoice, less | per
cent., at the option of the seller. Mr. Watson (president
of the Chamber), after referring to the present system of
30 days’ credit less J per cent., said that he thought as
a colliery owner it was not to their advantage to restrict
the circle of buyers. Once they let the control of coal
purchase get into the hands of large buyers it would be an
evil day, at any rate for the smaller collieries. It was only
necessary for the coal shippers—persons who really did the
trade, those who went to the Continent and saw the buyers—
to unite and insist on the old terms, take a leaf out of the
book of the miner, and they could get their own way. They
themselves should decide whether they should form a
Merchants’ Protection Association similar to the freighters.
—Mr. F. H. Lambert said it seemed to him a particularly
unfortunate moment for bringing forward the suggestion of
such a change. At the outbreak of war they had to face
a most serious financial position, and the way in which the
middlemen came through the crisis reflected very great credit
upon the standing of traders in Cardiff. He would like to
ask several of his colliery friends who were advocating the
change, what proportion of the money which was now owing
was owing by the middlemen. Undoubtedly, from the colliery
point of view less capital would be required if the change
were brought about. It seemed to him, however, that in
equity it ought not to be at the colliery option whether they
wanted cash -at J per cent., but the option ought to be equally
on the part of the gentleman who happened to have plenty
of money, liked to pay cash, and have the | per cent. He
agreed that the tendency of the change would be to eliminate
the smaller man.

Mr. W. North Lewis, who said that he did not want to
appear in opposition to fellow colliery owners, said he did
feel that the present was not an opportune time for bringing
forward any alteration in the conditions of payment which
had prevailed in the coal trade for so many years. He
seconded a proposition by Mr. Lambert that the colliery
owners be asked to reconsider the matter.—Other speakers
discussed the matter, some questioning whether the altera-
tion would do the small trader any damage in the long run;
and ultimately the resolution asking the colliery owners to
reconsider the matter was carried by 27 votes to 11.

In the course of a reference to the strike, the president
said he thought it inadvisable to say anything at the present
time about the terms, yet he could not help making the
remark that the war could be settled to-morrow on precisely
the same terms—by giving those who first denied the
authority of the Government and refused to carry out their
instructions all their own way. He could only say on
behalf of the commercial community of Cardiff—he did not
profess to speak for the colliery owners—but he believed the
same could be said for them—that whatever they thought of
the settlement they would loyally carry it out, and do their
best to get the largest supply of coal for the use of the Fleet
and the Allies.

The Chamber nominated Messrs. W. R. Hann and Mr.
J. A. Jones as representatives on the sub-commit tee
appointed to deal with the qestion of coal and its by-products
in connection with the Commission for the Extension of
British Trade.

The chairman of the Status Investment Trust is Mr.
Joseph Davies, one of the directors of the Cambrian Railway
Company, and editor of the South Wales Coal Annual.
Addressing the shareholders of the Trust on Saturday, he
dealt particularly with the effect of the war on the coal
trade. He said there had been two months’ experience of
the Coal Export Committee’s work, and the result was that
the price of the principal exporting coals had fallen firm
8s. 6d. to 9s. 6d. per ton ! In addition to supplying the
Navy and all requirements of home consumption, South
Wales was still exporting 20 millions of coal a year; and
taking the average fall in price as 7s. per ton, that would
amount to an annual loss to the country of 7 million sterling.
It was an extraordinary thing that at a time when the
Government urged the vital necessity of swelling our -xp nts
they should take action which reduced the annual income
from foreign trade by something like 7 millions in South
Wales alone. It was necessary to protect the home
consumers; but surely more direct means could be found
to do this without doing such enormous damage to British
trade, simply for the benefit of the foreigner. The Status

Investment Trust depended very largely upon the success
of the Welsh coal trade, and one thing was quite clear—
that so long as the war lasted, this district must continue
extremely busy, with everything it could produce being in
great demand. South Wales was the producer not of
luxuries, but of the basis necessities of life. People must
get coal, just as they must get wheat.

At the meeting of the Monmouthshire and South Wales
Coal Owners’ Association on Monday, Mr. Hugh Bramwell
being in the chair, consideration was given to a report
presented by Mr. F. L. Davis with regard to the proceedings
that led to the conclusion of the strike. A letter was read
from Mr. Runciman, President of the Board of Trade, who
had written to Mr. Davis expressing the very high apprecia-
tion of the Government of the patriotic spirit in which the
owners decided to remove all difficulties in order to leave
the way open for a settlement.—The meeting decided that
an answer be sent to Mr. Runciman stating that the
Association observed with gratification that the action of
the coal owners in placing themselves unreservedly in the
hands of the Government had met with the appreciation
which was expressed.

Lord Giantawe, whose death at Swansea was announced
on Tuesday, although of special prominence in connection
with the tin-plate trade, had also large interests in colliery
properties. Known in earlier years as Sir John Jones
Jenkins, he has been in the forefront of industrial life in
South Wales for half a century, and was the oldest member
of Swansea Harbour Trust; three times mayor of the
borough; host of King Edward when, before accession to
the throne, his Royal Highness opened the Prince of Wales
Dock; and twice M.P. for Carmarthen Boroughs. After a
long illness he has passed away when close upon 80 years of
age. As there is no son, the peerage becomes extinct. Lord
Giantawe was a director of the Tirdonkin Collieries.

The stoppage of the collieries held up tonnage in the
South Wales ports, and, as that stoppage extended for 6
days, charterers were released from their freight fixtures;
and probably this to some extent accounts for the drop in
freights experienced towards the end of the week. Tonnage
had been accumulating during the strike, and on the resump-
tion of output it was offered freely, much of the quantity
which was chartered being of the vessels that had been
conceited owing to the expiration of the six running days. It
is noteworthy that fixtures for Genoa were down as low as
17s. 6d., thus contrasting with about 22s. 6d. a fortnight
ago. The change in the rates of freight from the highest
point is most striking. Genoa has this year been as high
as 35s., and is now down to 16s.; Alexandria, which was
24s., is down to £1; Gibraltar, which ran up to 26s., is down
to 14s. 6d. These changes are operative notwithstanding
that owing to the strike a number of vessels were diverted
from South Wales.

Swansea Chamber of Commerce has again had before it
the question of the “ extra ” demanded by the railway
companies on tipping charges, and it was resolved to continue
the resistance to payments.—It was decided to appoint a
trimming inspector, so that a check should be placed upon
charges that were made by the men.—A statement was
made that owners were keeping steamers from Swansea
owing to excessive charges, and it was decided to
communicate with the men’s union on this subject, pointing
out how such action injuriously affected the port.

The position of Herr Hugo Stinnes, who within recent
years has opened an office in Cardiff, and entered extensively
into the local coal trade, came before the House of Commons
upon a question to the Board of Trade, Mr. Runciman, in
reply, stated that large purchases of coal had been made
in Cardiff and Swansea by that firm, and on application of
the Board of Trade the Court appointed a controller of the
company in December last. Operations were now limited to
realising certain assets and discharging debts owing by the
company in this country. There was no information as to
any interest in coal mines in Wales having been acquired by
Mr. Stinnes, but 48J per cent, of the issued capital of the
Northern Union Mining Company had been registered in
the name of Mr. Stinnes and Hugo Stinnes Limited, there
being a further 48J per cent, of the issued capital held by a
German company, and that the Northern Union Company
had acquired extensive leases in Yorkshire and Nottingham-
shire, as to which a supervisor was appointed last December.

The Glamorgan Council opened at Swansea on Monday
their summer course in connection with the mining and
engineering school. During the afternoon the Swansea
Rescue Station was visited and a visit was also paid to the
Mannesmann Tube Works. Amongst the collieries to which
the students will be welcomed during the week are those
of Great Mountain, Pentremawr, Cross Hands, and
Gwauncaegurwen. It is noteworthy that the number of
students enrolled at the present time is greater than on any
previous occasion. The Mayor of Swansea will hold a
reception, and Principal Griffiths, of Cardiff, will deliver
the inaugural address, Sir Alfred Mond, M.P., presiding.
The whole of this week will be devoted to a series of tours,
and the school work proper commences next Monday.

The South Wales University College has this week opened
new metallurgical buildings, Sir Clifford Cory, Bart., M.P.
(Cory Brothers and Company), performing the opening
ceremony of a new building which has been erected at a
cost of 4-2,500, exclusive of equipment. Principal Griffiths
stated that the new work had been made possible by the
generosity of the coal owners, who had allowed some money
due to them by the college to be utilised for this purpose.
The lecture hall will seat 50, and in addition to the
metallography laboratory there is a photo-microscopical
laboratory, furnaces, gas mufflers, etc. Among those
present at the opening were representatives of different
colliery undertakings, with Principal Knox of the coal owners’
School of Mines, at Treforest, and it was stated in the
course of the proceedings with regard to that School of Mines
that a via media had been found with the college which
would benefit the district greatly. Co-ordination between
the two bodies was now complete, and any man of unusual
ability, no matter of what grade of life, had an opportunity
of rising.—Principal Griffiths said that when first he came
to South Wales he had regretted the want of such
opportunities, but he believed that they were now provided,
and he quoted from a report of H.M. inspectors as to joint
diploma course carried on by the University College, and the
School of Mines, which had been approved by the Home
Secretary. The inspectors’ report stated that the existence
of the school afforded an opportunity of building up a scheme
in Glamorganshire “ such as exists nowhere else in the
United Kingdom, under such favourable conditions”; and
Principal Griffiths said that this was a testimony to the
work of the Glamorgan Council, to Mr. Henry Davies, and
others. Sir Clifford Cory stated that some time ago a high
official in London told him that the Treforest School of

Mines was probably the best staffed and equipped in Europe,
“ and I suppose that is to say the whole world.”

Dealing with Glamorgan alone, the report of H.M.
inspectors upon mining education in that county, states that
the annual output of coal exceeds 35 millions of tons
from 400 collieries, employing nearly 160,000 persons.
They declare that “ Glamorgan is exceptionally fortunate
in that there are many circumstances which, if
properly taken advantage of, would enable a sound and
complete scheme of mining education to be built up.” Fore-
most is placed the willingness of employers to provide
facilities for technical instruction in mining matters of the
highest and most practical kind, and it is added that 50 per
cent, of the students at Treforest are working miners and
subordinate officials.

The South Wales Colliery Examiners’ Association
(Rhondda and Pontypridd district) had a banquet on
Saturday at Pontypridd, when Mr. M. Dyer, Cilfynydd
(president), referred to the cordial relations that existed
between firemen and the higher officials. In view of recent
legislation he emphasised the need for closer co-operation
in the future.

Swansea Chamber of Commerce appointed a.special com-
mittee to consider the Coal Price (Limitation) Bill, and a
letter has been forwarded to Mr. Runciman and the local
M.P.s, appealing for exemption of all collieries in Western
Glamorgan and West Wales. It is desired that these should
not come under the provisions of the Bill in cases where
mining operations have resulted in a loss for the year ending
September 31, 1914, and the preceding year; or where
the coal veins worked are below 2 ft. 3 in., or wrhere more
than 60 per cent, of small coal is turned out. In the opinion
of the Chamber, unless exemption or special provision is
made in the Bill for the foregoing exceptional mining
conditions, many, if not all, of the collieries working under
any of those conditions will be closed down, and the output
be lost to the public. The Chamber expressed an opinion
further that it would be extremely detrimental to the interest
of the coal field if shipments to our Allies be in any way
interfered with by export licences being required.

The Executive Committee of the Park Slip Explosion Fund
discussed at their half-yearly meeting in Bridgend the
question of increasing the allowances to dependants from
7s. 6d. to 10s. per week, owing to the increased cost of
living caused by the war. Some members raised the
question whether they had power under the trust deed to
make the variation; and a suggestion was brought forward
that application should be made to the Court for power to
vary the trust. The Committee had consulted two counsel
on the matter, and these differed in opinion as to the power
of varying the allowance. There was a risk that if the
members went outside the power they would be surcharged.
No action was taken as to increasing the weekly allowance.

A novel development in the coal trade with France is to
commence next week, when Mr. Ernest Plisson—of the
Plisson Steam Navigation Company, and also of Lysbergs.
both firms having their office in Cardiff—will commence a
service of towed barges between that port and the Continent.
France and Spain will be the first destinations. Two sail-
ing vessels, each of 2,800 tons, have been converted into
barges, and a third will be obtained; these to be towed across
by a steamer, the idea being that one barge will be cn route
while one of the others will be at each side of the water.
Coal will be the outward cargo, and pitwood the homeward.

Northumberland and Durham.

Railway Developments at Butterknowle—Water Supply at
Collieries—Longevity of Miners.

A welcome sign of industrial activity is the reconstruction
at Butterknowle of the long disused railway connecting the
colliery with the North-Eastern Railway. For eight or nine
years at least there has been no apparent need for this
line; indeed, it has been lying idle nearly ever since the
former owners of the colliery ceased operations in 1902.
The present owners, the Quarry Drift Colliery Company,
have so far been content to cart the coal from the pit’s mouth
down the hill, at a cost of something like ninepence a load.
There is every probability of the output of the colliery being
increased in the near future, and the railway will greatly
facilitate this. New screens are being constructed in con-
nection with the Hutton seam of the Diamond Pit, and at
first that coal will be exclusively dealt with, but it is
expected that in due course an extension will be made to
the Jubilee Pit. The prospect of the drawings of the ancient
Butterknowle royalty assuming their former flourishing
proportions is enthusiastically welcomed by the inhabitants
of the district.

Mr. T. Y. Greener, mining engineer, president of the
North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical
Engineers, and chief mining engineer and general manager
of the Hedley Collieries, gave some interesting evidence
recently before the Select Committee of the House of Lords
with reference to the Weardale and Consett Water Bill. He
stated that he controlled nine pits and that, owing to the
uncertainty in the wrater-supply from the company, most of
the collieries had provided themselves, as far as they were
able, with water supplies of their own. The colliery
company was at present building a considerable number of
workmen’s houses, partly to replace other houses, partly
because of an obligation to the District Council to abate over-
crowding and partly because the collieries in which the
company was interested were developing.—Cross examined
by Mr. Fitzgerald, K.C., who appeared in opposition to the
Bill, Mr. Greener thought that about 300 houses altogether
would be built. Many of the collieries had begun to work
the thinner seams. In working those seams, if a company
wanted to keep up its output, it must increase the number
of its workmen. That explained, to some extent probably,
the increase of 77,000 in the population of the district
referred to in the 10 years 1901-11. There would be
more electrical working in the Stanley district in the near
future. It was not to be assumed that the power would be
provided by power companies, because the colliery companies
now were producing their own electricity more largely than
previously.—Mr. Philip Kirkup, who gave evidence in
opposition to certain increased charges proposed to be
sanctioned by the Bill, stated that he had had 27 years’
experience of colliery management in that district, and that,
if the charges wTere increased, that fact would be likely
to cause a good deal of irritation and discontent, especially
amongst the miners. The Committee, which has now had
the measure under consideration for several weeks, has
decided that the preamble of the Bill is proved. In regard
to the scale of charges, they have decided that, until £120,000
has been spent, the company shall give consumers a rebate