September 10, 1915.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

535

Notes from the Coal Fields.

[Local Correspondence.]

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

The Conciliation Board Agreement—The Wider Situation—
Fall in Colliery Shares—Colliery Manager's D.S.O.—
Tin-Plate Export Restrictions.

The signing of the agreement at Friday’s meeting of the
Conciliation Board only marks the completion of one stage
in the difficult industrial proceedings of South Wales. As a
matter of fact, it really opens another, for the demand that
a rise in the wage-rate should be conceded entailed fresh
negotiation, had not the wide difference between the parties
necessitated reference to the independent chairman. Con-
trary to expectation, the men’s representatives did not ask
for 15 per cent, increase (equal to 22} on the old standard),
but for 12}, their action being doubtless governed by the
fact that the independent chairman can only say “ Yes ” or
“ No,” and cannot modify the terms in any degree. For
example, if he considers the men entitled to 10 per cent., he
cannot award that amount; he can 'do nothing except reject
their demand for 12}. Therefore, even when the men think
15 a fair figure, they will ask for not more than 12} in order
to make sure of getting that amount. Criticism of the hard-
and-fast rule of decision is always current, especially among
“ advanced ” sections of the men; but the leaders hold the
view that, upon the whole, over a series of years, they are
advantaged by the existing practice.

Subsequent events have thrown light upon the reason for
the strenuous contention on behalf of enginemen and stokers,
with its risks of general stoppage. Indeed, the facts set
forth in this column from time to time as to the relations
between the Miners’ Federation and the Enginemen and
Stokers’ Association, make it easy to understand something
of what has been behind the scenes, quite apart from the
issue as to precise interpretation of Mr. Runciman’s original
award. Efforts to unify the two bodies have long been in
progress; and the central authority of the association formally
approved of union with the Federation. But the association
rules made a three-fourths vote of members necessary; and
although two or three ballots were taken, the requisite number
of votes were not secured. There was an actual majority,
but not three-fourths of the membership. Sectional action by
bodies of enginemen, stokers, and craftsmen, brought many
of them within the Federation; and action on their behalf,
such as that just taken so successfully, was essential for
impressing the unwilling ones with a sense of the power of
the Federation, its ability to advance the interests of every
class of members.

There was also a suspicion that some separate understand-
ing might exist between the employers and the Enginemen’s
Association; and, as against this, as well as to assure united
and single counsel in all future negotiation, the Federation
executive aimed at incorporating all classes of colliery
employees, refusing to accept mere affiliation of an indepen-
dent association. Having the assent of a majority of the
enginemen and stokers’ organisation, their efforts were power-
fully supported within the association itself, and the struggle
over terms of the general agreement has to be regarded in
the light of these inter-union relations, no less than as a
matter of strict terms. It was of great importance to the
Federation at this juncture that it should not fail in securing
for these classes of employees the same benefits as had been
secured for others; and it is stated that the concession
obtained means to these men a total sum of £3,000 to £4,000
a week, or 4s. to 7s. each man per week, according to his
class.

As reported under the heading “ Labour and Wages,”
about 20 branches of the Enginemen and Stokers’ Associa-
tion, at a meeting in Cardiff on Friday, decided to join the
Federation, and retire from the association, whose member-
ship had already declined from 11,000 to 5,000 in the past
seven years. Thus the desire of the Federation to have only
one trade union in the coal field advances a further step
towards realisation. The announcement is made that the
Federation will accept any branches of the association that
apply for inclusion, according to “ merging terms ” that have
been previously made known.

Looking at the situation still more widely, it will be noted
that, whilst the Miners’ Federation has thus been working
for a unity in South Wales colliery conditions, an old idea,
as to which so much was said before the war, has been
revived. The industrial “ Triple Alliance ” of miners, rail-
waymen, and transport workers is still being, promoted, a
meeting having taken place on Friday to initiate terms of
agreement, so that a working understanding between the
three great bodies of wage-earners shall prevail, in order to
meet conditions that will arise when the war is over. The
trade unions concerned are the Miners’ Federation of Great
Britain, the National Union of Railwaymen, and the National
Transport Workers’ Federation. Some estimate of the
critical circumstances likely to arise may be formed from the
report that 90 out of 100 branches of the railwaymen’s union
anprove of demanding 5s. addition to the weekly wages. The
effect of this upon the coal trade, should it be conceded, is
inevitable.

It is estimated that since June the export restrictions
and the wages troubles have depressed the values of South
Wales colliery shares to a material extent. There have
been no marked declines, but slight decreases of frequent
occurrence have brought about falls varying from 12s. 6d.,
in the case of Great Westerns, to Is. in Ebbw Vales. The
action of the Coal Exports Committee in restricting licences,
the fall in prices consequent on the restrictions, coupled
with labour troubles and some uncertainty as to the Govern-
ment intentions in regard to colliery profits, have all had
their effect on the market values of the shares, but despite
this the collieries, on the whole, are making good profits on
a large scale. Further, those which had low-price contracts
are on the point of concluding them, and there is.every
prospect of the new prices being on the current basis. If
expectations are fulfilled, the shares are good buying at
present prices, for the labour question is, so far as human
eye can see, settled until at least six months after the war,
and the licensing matter is being adjusted in response to
strong protests from shippers.

Capt. W. Clay Hepburn, of Glanrhiw, Penmaen, who has
attained the distinction of D.S.O., is the son of Mr. J. S.
Hepburn, of Messrs. Hepburn, Son and Cutliffe, solicitors,
London. Capt. Hepburn, who was the manager of the
Oakdale Colliery, married a daughter of Mr. David Hannah,
general manager of Messrs. D. Davis and Sons. He went
to Blackwood in the early days of the Oakdale enterprise

and took a leading part in the social life of the district.
Although a captain in the Monmouthshire Regiment, he has
been attached for some time to the Royal Engineers, and
went to France early in February. The deed for which
he was decorated was the finding and rendering of no effect
an enemy mine containing about 1,3501b. of explosives.

Following the deputation from the Welsh Tin-Plate
Employers’ Association and the trade unions, which waited
on the Board of Trade last week with reference to the
removal of the restrictions on the export of tin-plates to
neutral countries, it was stated on Saturday that an
announcement would shortly be made giving the terms and
arrangements by which the restrictions would be relaxed.
An agreement has, it is said, been arrived at by the parties
concerned and the Board of Trade. When the deputation
met Mr. Pretyman, he expressed his sympathy, and promised
that the difficulty of delay in granting licences should be
removed as far as possible in the next few days.

At a Tredegar inquest on Monday relative to the death
of a collier who was killed by a stone weighing about 1} tons,
it was stated that there were two posts underneath the
stone which fell “ smooth ” from between two slants. A
collier who worked with deceased said that complaint had
been made that the ‘‘ barry ” system which was being
worked was dangerous in that seam, and a deputation had
been chosen to see the management on the matter. Mr.
John Evans (Tredegar Iron and Coal Company) said the
accident could not have happened in the stall, and Mr. A.
Onions (miners’ agent) said he did not allege any negligence
on the part of the management. A verdict of “ Accidental
death ” was returned.

The Barry Urban Council have, in response to the Board
of Trade circular as to securing large stocks of coal before
the winter, decided to purchase 300 tons for storage.

The Cwmavon Slag Company, of Cardiff, has been formed
for the purpose of converting the mountain of old iron slag
at Cwmavon into tarred slag macadam. This class of road
material, it is stated, has been found very economical in use,
and free from dust, and the company have erected, on the old
tips, new machinery, with the object of commencing work
forthwith.

It was reported on Monday that a new seam had been
struck at the Waunclawdd Colliery, Abercrave, known as the
Eighteen or Deunaw seam. There have been fears expressed
that this area, which has grown rapidly during recent years,
had reached its maximum, but if this statement is true it
will do much for the future of the Swansea Valley.

Mr. John Rees, superintendent of Llanelly Harbour, has
written to the Press suggesting that cinematograph pictures
showing what coal means to the Fleet should be taken and
exhibited in the mining valleys. Such films, he thinks,
would create a spirit of resolution to maintain an adequate
and unbroken supply of coal.

As indicating the continued prosperity of the Rhymney
Valley, it is noteworthy that at a meeting of the Sewerage
Board for that district recently, it was stated that the com-
plete scheme would cost over £300,000. A deputation of
members had visited the Treasury, and consideration was
given to suggestions of economising on the outlay.

A valuable 5s. book has just been issued, compiled by
Mr. Finlay A. Gibson, of Cardiff. It is a collection of
tables showing the new 1915 standard rates at 1879 standard
collieries, 1877 standard collieries, and anthracite collieries.
The new standard gives rise to complications, and a per-
centage of 18-33 on the new standard rates is equivalent to
77} on the 1879 standard, and the 1877 standards and the
anthracite standards are so adjusted as to make under the
new agreement a common percentage of 18-33 payable
throughout the coal field. With the help of two assistants,
Mr. Finlay has calculated these percentages on every farthing
up to 8s., and this will be of great advantage to colliery
cashiers. There are also tables of earnings, showing wages
due plus percentages from Id. up to £3, with the actual
workings of the minimum standard rates for every class of
workman. The book has been most carefully arranged, and
each calculation corrected to two decimal points.

The report of Sir Richard Redmayne, Chief Inspector of
Mines, which was issued last week, shows an enormous
decrease in the output of coal in South Wales during 1914.
The falling-off is, of course, due to the large number of men
who joined the Colours during the last five months of the
year, but. compared with the Northern. Yorkshire, Midland,
and Scottish coal fields, the South Wales decrease is not so
great as might have been expected.

At an inquest at Blaina recently, concerning the death of
a man who was killed by a fall in the No. 3 South Griffin
Pit. the dav foreman stated that the fall was due to a slip
which could not have been foreseen. He suggested that the
danger from slips would be reduced if the timbering were
closer. The foreman of the jury, in returning a verdict of
‘‘Accidental death,” said they appreciated the suggestion as
to closer timbering.

Northumberland and Durham.

Drift Closed—New Seams Opened at Mickley.

The Whittonstall drift of the Consett Iron Company has
been dismantled and closed. It is stated that it will be
re-opened, but not before the conclusion of the war.

The new hall, offices, and agents’ residences of the
Durham Miners’ Association, just built on the Red Hills
estate, Durham, will be opened on Saturday, October 23.

Much interest has been created locally by the opening
out of the new coal seams under Hedley Fell by the Mickley
Coal Company. The seams are stated to be of quite unusual
thickness for the district, one being about eleven feet thick,
and the other about eight feet. As a very considerable
amount of coal less than thirty inches thick is being worked
in the district, the “ tapping ” of two seams is an important
matter, which should add considerably to the longevity of
the local collieries.

Cleveland.

Amongst the newly appointed magistrates for the North
Riding district the names of the two following persons con-
nected with the mining industry occur :—H. Dack, agent of
the Cleveland Miners’ Association; and Arthur Morton
Hedley. Mr. Hedley is a native of North-West Durham,
served his articles as a mining engineer under the Consett
Iron Company, for which his father acted for many years
as colliery agent, and on the death of Mr. J. Thomson, went
to Eston from Blavdon as agent to the ironstone mines of
Messrs. Bolckow, Vaughan and Company Limited.

At a meeting of the Guisborough (North Riding of
Yorkshire) Guardians this week it was announced that the

ratable value of the union was £40,000 less than 12 months
ago, due to the Redcar Ironworks being closed, one ironstone
mine being idle, and the reduced output at other mines
in consequence of enlistment of miners.

Yorkshire.

The Accidents Controversy—Model Village at Rossington—
Miners' Union—Migration of Workers — Improved
Sidings Accommodation at Hull.

It is believed that the last has now been heard of the
controversy between the Doncaster District Coroner and the
president of the Yorkshire Miners’ Association, in regard
to the allegation of the former that 50 per cent, of mining
accidents are due to the neglect or misconduct of the men
themselves. Mr. Herbert Smith has within the past few
days replied to the coroner, whose threats, he says, will
not deter him from expressing honest convictions. Mr.
Smith quotes Mr. Hugh Johnstone, one of H.M. inspectors,
and also the late Mr. W. H. Pickering, as both statiag
that while there was a decrease in the number of ‘ pit
fatalities, still greater improvement could be effected by
increased vigilance on the part of officials, and greater
caution and closer attention to the general and special
rules on the part of the men themselves. Mr. Smith declares
the time has arrived when men who are appointed coroners
should devote thieir whole time to the office, and not act
for colliery companies in prosecuting Workmen. He says
he is satisfied that no man can serve two masters, also that
scores of cases could be quoted from inspectors’ reports
where officials, as well as workmen, have, through mis-
adventure, been the cause of loss of life and limb.

Now that the Rossington Main Colliery is down to coal,
the greater part of the colliery model village has been
erected, and the district is rapidly developing, the need of
a resident magistrate is being greatly felt. Many instances
are constantly arising where the services or signature of
a magistrate is required, and under present conditions the
journey of six miles to Doncaster has to be made. The
Rossington Parish Council has communicated with the Clerk
of the Peace at Wakefield, calling attention to the great
development of the district through colliery enterprise, and
the name of Mr. G. B. Shiffner, agent for the Rossington
estate of Mr. R. Streatfeild, under whose land the Rossington
coal field lies, has been suggested as a likely candidate for
the appointment.

The migration of miners has been taken up by the
Yorkshire Miners’ Association, who have issued a statement
warning colliers from being enticed from their own county
to other counties on the strength of promises of good money
and easy working conditions. The allegation is that
Yorkshire is the offender, and that men have been enticed
to come here on the promise of very rosy conditions, only
to find,, upon arrival, that such conditions have not
materialised to the extent to which they were led to believe.
No doubt the extreme shortage of men, owing to enlistment*
has had something to do with the matter. There is
certainly not a pit in Yorkshire but what could do with many
more hands than it is at present employing, and the com-
plaints that are being made very probably arise out of the
competition to get men. The view of the Miners’ Associa-
tion is that the matter looks like causing trouble at some
collieries. Yorkshire is charged with having enticed men
from Staffordshire, Durham, Northumberland and other
places. The Yorkshire Miners’ Association is informing the
secretaries of the various unions of the practice, asking them
to advise the men as to what is going on, and to tell them
not to come to Yorkshire until they know that everything
is straightforward.	6

To afford standage accommodation for the Nottingham-
shire and South Yorkshire coal awaiting shipment at Hull,
. and m anticipation of the greatly increased traffic which will
ultimately arise from the full development of the new Joint
Dock at Hull, the North-Eastern Railway Company is now
completing the establishment of a large group of sidings in
the Dairycoates neighbourhood, distant a few miles from
the River Humber. Whilst these sidings are primarily
intended for storage purposes they have been so arranged
that any marshalling or second sorting may be carried out
as the wagons may be shunted from either end on necks
provided for the purpose. There is no “ hump ” shunting,
but the main groups are dished so that there is a fall of
1 in 200 to carry the wagons through the joints and cross-
ings, the shunting necks being horizontal. The execution
of these works necessitated the diversion of the passenger
lines from Selby, and the erection of a braced lattice girder
type bridge of 180 ft. span to take the passenger lines over
the sidings. There is a standage capacity for 8,399 laden
arid 2,385 empty wagons. The work was carried out to
the designs and under the direction of Mr. C. F. Bengough
the engineer-in-chief of the North-Eastern Railway. ’

Lancashire and Cheshire.

Charity Commissioners' Lease—Developments at Cronton.

Messrs. William Roberts and Son, coal merchants and
colliery agents, of Bury, have transferred their business to
Union Works, Back Garden-street, Bury.

The Atherton District Council has decided to ask the Hulton
Colliery Company Limited for a reply to a letter sent to them
some time ago with respect to the pollution of Bag-lane Brook.
Further samples of water have been taken from the brook, and
it was reported to the Council a few days ago that the stream
was still polluted.

The Sanitary Works Committee of the Wigan Corporation
has decided to have a report upon the question as to whether
any part of the land lying between the screen chamber and
the Worsley Wesnes Iron Works is likely to suffer in the
future from mining operations, and, if so, to what extent. A
similar report is to be prepared with reference to land
between the screen chamber and Pool-street, Poolstock. This
action has been decided upon in view of the fact that a
serious subsidence has taken place recently, which has affected
the Corporation’s Worsley Mesnes sewer, and the repair of
which is likely to cost some thousands of pounds.

In the matter of France’s Charity, Leigh, the Charity Com-
missioners for England and Wales have given public notice
of a proposal to grant a mining lease of certain property for
a term of 60 years from January 1911, at a minimum rent of
£70. and at the footage rents set forth in a schedule which
has been prepared. The schedule refers to five seams of coal
underlying a farm containing 8 a. 3 r. 20 p., or thereabouts,
at Lowton, fronting the highway from Newton to Leigh. The
footage rents per Cheshire acre are set out as follow :—Crom-
bouke Mine, £50; Pemberton Five-feet Mine, £60; Bicker-