September 17, 191£>.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

'587

much here to be done in improving the construction and
operation of furnaces in order to check the waste of fuel,
but of these details there is no time to treat, and one
instance of the possibilities of very large economies as
the result of scientific control must suffice.

It is, perhaps, common knowledge that the most
economical arrangement of plant for the manufacture
of iron and steel is one in which the by-product coke
ovens, blast furnaces, steel furnaces and rolling mills,
are brought together on one site and under one organis-
ing direction, so that the surplus gases from the coke
ovens and blast furnaces may be utilised to the fullest
» extent. My relative, Mr. T. C. Hutchinson, of the
Skinningrove Iron Company, who has devoted many
years of anxious thought and practical study to this
important problem, ventured some few years ago to
predict that with the most approved type and arrange-
ment of plant working under strict scientific control by
competent chemists it would soon be possible to make
finished steel rails or girders from Cleveland ironstone
with no further consumption of coal than is charged into
the by-product coke ovens for the production of the coke
required for the blast furnace, and all subsequent
experiences at Skinningrove has fully demonstrated that
his prophecy can be fulfilled in every day practice. Of
course, it means a constant watchful control by a well
paid and competent scientific staff under efficient leader-
ship, and in Mr. E. Bury, an old Owens College student,
trained in an atmosphere of “ gas and combustion,” we
have found the very man for the work.

It is, perhaps, unnecessary, even had time permitted,
for me ro multiply instances of possible economies in
other important directions, such, for instance, as power
production and the heating of domestic apartments.
There is probably no direction in which equally good
results would not accrue with proper scientific applica-
tion and control as those already cite^ as having been
reached in the direction of carbonisation, or in the iron
and steel industry.

But may I, in conclusion, appeal in all seriousness to
chemists and scientific men generally to take up this
important matter effectively as a public duty at this
crisis in the country’s affairs. I would suggest that
the Government be memorialised with a view to the
establishment of a central organisation for the super-
vision of fuel consumption and the utilisation of coal
somewhat on the lines of the existing alkali works
inspection which has been so beneficial to chemical
industry; and in connection with such an organisation
there might be undertaken a much-needed systematic
chemical survey of British coal fields, as well as experi-
mental trial of new inventions of fuel economies. There
would certainly be no lack of important work of such
a properly organised department of the State, and there
can be no doubt at all that the results of its activities
would be not only a very large direct saving in our
colossal annual coal bill, but also a purer atmosphere
and healthier conditions generally in all our large
industrial areas.

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SHAFT ACCIDENTS.

Silis,—At an inquest recently on the death of a shafts-
man, it was suggested that if a wooden ledge a few
inches high were placed around the top of the cage, it
would give a man a better chance of saving himself,
should he slip whilst working on the cage. No evidence
appears in the report as to how the accident occurred,
but it is assumed the man slipped foot forward to
the cage top edge whilst repairing a signal wire. For
most cages it is a good thing to have a ledge on the cage
top to prevent slip of timber, pipes, or bulky articles
being sent down on the cage, but such ledge is not
likely to prevent workmen tumbling off the cage. In
investigating actual cases, it is generally found that the
slip usually occurs feet backward, and the man’s body
turns head downwards. If a man slip foot forward,
the leg hinges (at the knee and thigh), prevents solid
resistance of a ledge to the leg (which is not a stiff
thing like a pipe, rail, etc.), the knee and body double,
and the man drops bodily. It is not so much the foot-
slip that matters, as the fact that the body’s static forces
become out of line — the body member forces act in
different direction, and pull the upper part of the trunk
in such an unsafe direction that a ledge would make
little difference.

A ledge on a cage top is not a “ proper appliance for
ensuring safety ” (Rule 38) of shaftsmen. If we assume
a man may slip (and annually in Britain over 30,000 men
slip off building and other scaffolds, besides those who
fall off cages and pit scaffolds, etc., emphasising the fact
that such slip is a practical possibility) it seems reason-
able to provide him with a proper belt rig, which gives
him the best chance of saving himself. Anything else is
insufficient for safety, because a man cannot know the
time, circumstances, or method of slipping. After all,
we must remember a shaftsman has work to do, where
his eyes and hands are busy—not his feet—and we find
men usually slip or overbalance themselves whilst deeply
interested in some careful piece of work. It is the
careful man that may, and does, slip; and to prevent
such accidents as above requires something that will hold
the strong members of his body—that will pull him back
on the cage, or hold him right.	A. Hanley.

Bristol, September 4, 1915.

Notes from the Coal Fields.

[Local Correspondence.]

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

Inter-Union Dispute and Stoppage—Serious Question Raised
—The Trade Union Leaders and an ” Anti-authority
Campaign ”—The Percentage Relations of the Wage
Advance—Coal Retailers and Barry Council—Tele-
graphic Notice of Licence to Export; a Valuable
Concession Gained.

Mr. Donald Maclean, M.P., who has acted for South
Wales in respect of the coal trade during all the recent
difficulties, has forwarded intimation that shipments will
henceforth be permitted on receipt of telegrams that licences
to export will be granted. This intimation reached the
secretary of the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce on Wednes-
day. Hitherto the exporters have had to await actual
receipt of the licences before coaling was permitted; and it
is said that two or three days’ time will be saved by the
new arrangement as to telegrams. Mr. Maclean, who is
solicitor to the South Wales Freighters’ Association, and
now occupies the position of Deputy-Chairman of the House
of Commons, has a thorough knowledge of the coal trade of
this district, and is able to deal promptly with all matters
of detail as they arise in the War Trades Department, he
being fully acquainted with the different phases of business.

Mr. Justice Rowlatt, in the King’s Bench Division, on
the-28th ult., resumed the hearing of the action of Messrs.
William Morris Limited, of Dowlais Chambers, Cardiff,
against the Mineral Transport Company, Boston Buildings,
Bute Docks, Cardiff, to recover the sum of .£1,816 for hire
and detention of wagons and damage caused by overloading.
There was a general denial of the allegations, and
defendants counter-claimed against plaintiffs for failure and
delay in delivery of wagons. There was an agreement
between the parties for the hire of wagons at 3s. 3d. per
week per wagon. Mr. Joseph Llewellyn, chief carriage
inspector of the Great Western Railway at Swindon, said
the cubic capacity of a South Wales 10-ton truck was 40 ft.,
and on the Midlands 42 ft., proving that Midlands’ coal
was lighter than South Wales’. He did not think, accord-
ing to their cubic capacity, the South Wales trucks could
carry 11 tons, as alleged. In their agreements the Taff Vale
Company allowed their 10-ton wagons to carry 11 tons.
His lordship found that plaintiffs were entitled to the hire
of 20 trucks at 3s. 3d. per week up to August 4 last, when
trucks become more valuable. After that date he allowed
5s. per week per truck. Defendants having paid £216 into
court, they would have to pay the differences between that
sum and the sum in excess awarded by the judgment, to
be ascertained. Taking a broad view of the agreement, his
lordship decided there had been no breach as to overloading,
and found for defendants on that point. He found in favour
of defendants’ counter-claim, and assessed the sum at £150.
His lordship said the costs would follow the judgment.

The decision of Lord St. Aldwyn upon the demand of the
miners for .an increase of wages was made known on Tues-
day. He conceded the whole of the men’s demand—namely,
12| per cent. According to their own estimate of the
condition of the trade, the Miners’ Federation representatives
came to the conclusion that they were entitled to a wage
increase of no less than 15 per cent, on the standard, but
owing to the peculiar conditions of the Conciliation Board
agreement they reduced their demand by 2| per cent., Lord
St. Aldwyn being restricted to a simple “ Yes ” or “ No,”
and not being able to vary the amount offered by either
side. For instance, in the present case where the masters
offered 5 per cent, and the men asked for 12| per cent., it
would not have been in his lordship’s power to fix the
advance at 10 per cent, or any other figure. He can either
decide that the advance is to be granted or not at the
12J per cent, which the men asked for. Bearing in mind
that the new standard is 50 per cent, above the old one of
1879, this advance of 12| per cent, is equal to 18f per cent,
upon the old standard. The wage rate had for a long time
stood at 60 per cent, above the old standard (which was the
maximum) and the men were granted in addition a war
bonus of 17| per cent., bringing the rate up to 77| per cent.;
and now that they have a further increase, it would (if the
amount were taken in its relationship to the old standard)
be at the rate of 96| per cent, above. Taken, however, in
terms of the new standard, it is only 30f per cent, above the
difference in the standard itself, of course, making a differ-
ence in the percentage values.

The dispute at the Standard Colliery, Ynyshir, raises
a general question which is far beyond that of merely terms
and conditions of employment. Over a thousand men have
struck in order to force into the ranks of the Miners’
Federation the enginemen, stokers, and craftsmen who are
employed at the colliery; and they declared their intention
of not resuming work until these men (who have an inde-
pendent union of their owr? have joined the miners’
organisation. The chief point to be noted in regard to this
strike is that it is independent action taken by the local
colliery men themselves, not authorised by the miners’
executive. Strong condemnation has been pronounced by
members of that executive upon action of this sort; and
the whole body of men‘have been called upon to observe
loyalty to their leaders, and not discredit or weaken the
union’s authority by isolated and independent action. At
the same time it has to be borne in mind that the Standard
Colliery workmen -are, in respect of the object aimed at
—namely, the bringing of all men into one trade union
organisation—doing no more than making an attempt to
carry out a policy which is that of the Federation as a whole.
The Association of Enginemen, Stokers, and Craftsmen has
of late years lost some thousands of its members, and two
of its agents have surrendered their positions and become
agents to the Miners’ Association : but the old Association
still exists and has carried on independent negotiation with
the employers on behalf of its members.

The advocates of a single union for all workmen argue
that all benefits which have been secured for the workmen
by trade union action have been due to the operation of
the Federation, and not to the Association; and their con-
tention is that therefore all the men should join the union
which has achieved these results for them. However this
be (and it is a matter only for the men themselves) the
immediate question is as to the unauthorised action of the
colliers in striking; this being of supreme importance
because the coal produced is urgently required by the
Admiralty, and the strike occasions a decrease in supplies
to our own Navy and to our Allies. The matter assumes
consequently national importance. From the industrial

point of view it has to be pointed out that the enginemeh and
stokers are that section who in times of strike are urgently
needed to keep the pits clear of water, and maintain the
machinery in going order. As members of an independent
union they have in the past acted separately from the
miners; but if they are all forced into membership of the
Federation it will necessarily follow that during a period
of strike there will be risk of the pits being flooded. Other
vital requirements besides pumping are likely to be also
neglected.

Progress of the dispute is being watched with grave concern
in coal trade circles generally. It will be recalled that
negotiations have been in progress for a long time to amalga-
mate the Enginemen and Stokers’ Association with the
Miners’ Federation; and, as a matter of fact, the majority
of the association members are in favour of union, but they
cannot get the three-fourths majority which their own rules
make necessary for dissolution of the association and formal
transfer to the Federation. As a result of pressure brought
to bear upon them, about half-a-dozen of the men at Ynyshir
have severed their connection and agreed to join the Federa-
tion ; but a deputation of Federationists who waited upon
the local branch of the association in order to induce the
whole of the members to join the Federation met with refusal.

Mr. Vernon Hartshorn has published a statement concern-
ing what he terms the “ anti-authority compaign ” which
has of late been carried on against the miners’ executive in
South Wales. He points out that whilst it is the function
of the executive to carry out the decisions of the workmen,
conference or ballot being the deciding authority, it is also
the duty of the executive to give advice, and to issue instruc-
tions when exceptional conditions arise. He declares that
it is vital to the efficient working of the organisation that the
functions of the leaders should not be only to advise, but to
instruct; and that on questions which have not been decided
by conference or ballot, the executive must be the authority
until the will of the majority is expressed. In a sudden
crisis such as that brought about by Mr. Runciman’s award,
he declares that the instruction that work should be con
tinued ought to be regarded as “ quite as authoritative as a
decision-of conference,” for the time being; and that unless
the whole organisation is to be thrown into chaos, the
executive cannot be relegated .to a position in which it can
never issue binding instructions. Mr. Hartshorn regards it
as an ominous sign in relation to the future well-being of the
Federation that during the recent crisis some districts
stopped work not only without regard to the executive, but
also without regard to conference, or the action of the
majority of the men in the coalfield. These stoppages he
attributes to the action of young ultra-democrats, and in
certain districts he thinks that all semblance of real discipline
is passing away. He warns the miners that action of this
sort will seriously hamper the power of taking any organised
action “ acknowledging no leader, admitting no responsi-
bility to conference, it will not be long before every man in
such a district becomes a law unto himself. That is the
way to anarchy.”

The retail coal dealers of Barry have been in conference
with the members of the District Council as to the prices
they charge their customers, their statement being that the
rate is the same as that at Cardiff, namely, Is. 9d. per cwt.,
or 34s. per ton; and that this represents a gross profit of 7s.
per ton to meet cost of haulage, bad debts, etc. The
members of the Council agreed that the profits disclosed were
fair and reasonable. The dealers have agreed that each
month they will acquaint the Council, on behalf of the
public, with the standing price. It was stated during dis-
cussion that, though there were cheaper coals obtainable,
these could not be sold locally in any large quantities. In
this connection it may be mentioned that the high price of
South Wales house coal in Cardiff has directed renewed
attention to the Forest of Dean as a source of supply.

Capt. J. Edwards, of the 2nd Batt. Monmouthshire Regi-
ment. the son of Mr. B. Edwards, J.P., general manager of
the Blaenavon Company’s undertaking, has returned home
from the front. He has been awarded the Military Cross for
services in action, and was given a great reception by the
inhabitants of Blaenavon and district. He was decorated
for carrying through mining operations towards the German
lines, having been accompanied in that work by local recruits
connected with the Monmouthshire collieries. To a public
meeting which he addressed he made a powerful appeal for
recruits.

Northumberland and Durham.

Striking Appeal to “ Slackers "—Coal Trade of the Tyne—
Dealing with Gob-fires at a Seaton Delaval Pit.

Dr. L. Weeks, of Redcar, brother of Capt. Weeks, is
now attending the wmunded in the firing line at the
Dardanelles.

Second-Lieut. R. A. Howe, manager of Brancepeth and
Oakenshaw collieries, has been promoted to first lieutenant.

Lieut. Ronald Weeks, son of Mr. R. L. Weeks, mining
engineer, of Willington, has been gazetted captain, and is
now attached to the Staff.

Miss Greta House, youngest daughter of Aid. Win. House,
president of the Durham Miners’ Association, was married
on Tuesday to Mr. T. E. Goundry, of Bishop Auckland.

Thanks to the efforts of Mr. J. F. Bell, manager of the
Hetton-le-Hole Collieries, a series of University Extension
lectures, which, it is hoped, will be of great educational
value to the mining community, has been arranged for
Hetton. The miners have greanted the use of their hall for
the course. '

The officials and workmen of Kelloe Colliery have
presented Mr. William Hardcastle, engineer at the colliery
for the past three years, with a gold-mounted walking stick
and a purse of money, together with a gold brooch for
Mrs. Hardcastle, on the occasion of his leaving the colliery
in order to take up work on munitions in the Bishop
Auckland district.

The members of the Newcastle Commercial Exchange
have sent a congratulatory telegram to Lieut. Gerald
Sopwith, late of the Backworth Coal Company, who has
been awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry
and devotion to duty at Hooge on August 9. Although blown .
several yards by a large shell, wounded in the shoulder and
in the leg, he refused to leave the firing line. Later, he
was again wounded, and had his jaw broken, but continued
to command and encourage his men of the 3rd Durham
Light Infantry. He is now lying in a serious condition
in hospital in London. This award is probably the first
distinction of its kind yet bestowed upon a member of
Newcastle Exchange.