692 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN October 1, 1915. The Fusibility of Coal Ash in Mixtures of Hydrogen and Water Vapour. A. C. Fieldner and A. L. Field. “ Journ. Indust. Eng. Chem.,” Sept., p. 742; 8 fig. (Ash is heated in an atmosphere of approximately 50 per cent, hydrogen and 50 per cent, water, whereby the iron oxide is caused to combine principally in the ferrous state, as actually found in fuel bed clinkers.) A New Method for the Determination of Toluene in Commercial Toluols. D. Northall-Laurie. “Analyst,” Sept., p. 384; 1 fig.; 1 diag. The Effect of High Ignition Voltages on the Accuracy of Bomb Calorimeter Determinations. E. J. Dittus. “ Metall. Chem. Eng.,” Aug., p. 480; 1 fig. Influence of the Content of Incombustible Constituents in Fuel on its Efficiency (Die Einfluss des Gehalts an unverbrennlichen Bestandteilen des Brennstoffs auf den Wirkungsgrad). —. Dosch. “ Z. Dampfk. Betr.,” Aug. 20, p. 283-85. (Free heat in the resi- dues. Combustion, temperature, and ash content.) The Maximum Content of Hydrocarbons in Producer Gas (Die Maximalgehalte des Generatorgas'es an Kohlen- wasserstoffen). —. Hoffmann. “ Feuerungstechn.,” Aug. 15, pp. 269-72; Sept. 1, pp. 285-8; illus. XXV.—Steam Engines and Boilers : Gas Engines. Circulating Water Screens. H. Addison. “Engineer,” Aug. 27, p. 202; 1 fig. Operating Mining Power Plants in Parallel. W. Aikens. “ Min. Eng. Wld.,” Aug. 21, p. 283; 5 fig. The Superheating of Steam at Mines and Smelter Plants. C. A. Tupper. “ Min. Eng. Wld.,” Aug. 28, p. 319; 2 fig-. Mechanical Stoking of Locomotives. W. S. Bartholo- mew. “ Journ. Franklin Inst.,” Sept., p. 253; 39 fig. Fuel Waste in Railway Stationary Plants and Locomo- tives. J. W. Hays. “ Coal Tr. Bull.,” Sept. 1, p. 56. (Paper read before Intern. Railw. Fuel Assoc.) Boiler Scale : Notes on its Prevention and Cure. A. J. Hogan. “ Mach. Market,” Sept. 17, p. 21. (Abst. paper read before National (U.S.A.) Assoc., Stationary Engineers.) Economical Boiler House Design. R. D. De Wolf. “ Eng. Mag.,” Sept., p. 837; 5 fig. Recording Power Plant Operations. J. C. Smallwood. “ Eng. Mag.,” Sept., p. 818; 36 fig. Ordinary Wastes in the Power Plant. C. L. Hubbard. “Eng. Mag.,” Sept., p. 809; 3 fig. Power House Chimneys for Steam Sizes of Anthracite. R. Trautschold. “ Coal Age,” Sept. 11, p. 418; 2 fig. Steam Turbines and the Production of Heating and Low- Pressure Steam. “ Power User,” Sept., p. 178; 7 fig. Improvements in Removing Oil from Exhaust Steam (Neuerungen und Verbesserungen auf dem Gebiet der Abdampfentolung). —. Meuskens. “ Braunk.,” Aug. 6, pp. 219-24; illus. The Employment of Coke for Steam Raising (Die Ver- wendung von Koks zur Dampferzeugung). —. Markgraf. “St. u. E.,” Aug. 19, pp. 847-52; illus. (Report of experiments on the substitution of coke for coal in boiler practice.) Experimental Determination of Cyclic Variation and Angular Deviation in Piston Engines (Die experimen- telle Bestimmung des Ungleichformigkeitsgrades und der Winkelabweichung vos Kolbenmaschinen). —. Runge. “ Z. d. Ing.,” Aug. 14, pp. 664-69; Aug. 21, pp. 687-92; illus. (Electromagnetic scriber in con- junction with Siemens chronographic drum.) Construction and Operation of Modern Systems of Firing Boilers (Ausfiihrung und Betrief von neuzeit- lichen Dampfkesselfeuerungen). —. Stauf. “ Z. Bayer. Rev. Ver.,” Aug. 15, pp. 123-26; illus. (Chain and travelling grates.) The Economical Employment of Lubricants, especially in Steam Engines (Wirtschaftliche Verwendung von Schmiermittel im besondern bei Dampfmaschinen). —-. Schmid. “ Z. Bayer. Rev. Ver.,” Aug. 15, pp. 126-28; illus. (Types of lubricators. Re-employment of used oil.) XXVI.—Compressed Air. Air Compressors for Colliery Work. “ Colliery Guard.,” Sept. 3, p. 467; 2 fig. (Alley and MacLeilan’s com- pressors.) Compressed Air for Coal Cutters. S. Mavor. “Colliery Guard.,” Sept. 17, p. 570; 6 fig. (Abst. paper read before Inst. Min. Engin.) XXVII.—Electricity. Oil Circuit Breakers : Notes on Arc Phenomena and Tendencies in Design. K. C. Randall. “ Elect. Rev.,” Sept. 3, p. 317; 8 fig. (Abst. paper read before Amer. Inst. Elect. Engin.) Explosion-proof Electric Motors for Mines. H. H. Clark. “Colliery Guard.,” Sept. 10, p. 517; 4 fig. (From Tech. Paper 101, U.S. Bureau Mines.) The Effect of Transient Voltages on Dielectrics. F. W. Peek. “ Proc. Amer. Inst. Elect. Engin.,” Aug., p. 1095; 32 fig. Arc Phenomena. A. G. Collis. “ Proc. Amer. Inst. Elect. Engin.,” Sept., p. 2081; 30 fig. XXVIII.—Surface Transport and Storage. Hydraulic Coal Tips at Barry Docks. “ Engineering,” Sept. 10, p. 262; 5 fig. Conveyor-Belt Calculating Chart. J. D. Mooney and D. L. Darnell. “ Bull. Amer. Inst. Min. Engin.,” p. 1937; 1 fig. The Supply and Distribution of Locomotive Coal. “Railw. Gaz.,” Sept. 17, p. 267. The Mechanical Handling of Coal and Ashes in the Power Plant. C. C. Brinley. “ Eng. Mag.,” Sept., p. 872; 20 fig. Self - Trimming Locomotive Tender. “Engineer,” Sept. 17, p. 280; 3 fig. Storing Coal, with Reference to Spontaneous Ignition and Weathering (Die Stapelungsart von Steinkohlc mit Rucksicht auf Selbstentzundung und Verwitter- ung). D. J. Hudler. “ Gliickauf,” Sept. 4, pp. 869-75; Sept. 11, pp. 889-92; illus. Experience with a Storage Battery Truck. “ Iron Age,” Sept. 2, p. 531. Coal and Coke Conveyor Plant at Budapest-Obuda Gas Works (Die Kohlen- und Kokstransportanlagen des Gaswerkes Budapest-Obuda). —. Schon. “ J. Gasbel.,” Aug. 14, pp. 461-68; Aug. 21, pp. 477-82; Aug. 28, pp. 496-505; illus. XXIX. —Sanitation, Diseases, etc. Industrial Pneumoconiosis, with Special Reference to Dust-Phthisis. E. L. Collis. London, 1915; 42 pp.; 20 fig. (Milroy lectures, 1915.) XXX. —Mining Laws, Royalties. The Valuation of Coal Lands. W. E. Fohl. “ Coll. Engin.,” Sept., p. 64. “ Coal Tr. Bull.,” Aug. 16, p. 25. (Paper read before W. Virg. Min. Instn.) LETTERS TO THE EDITORS. The Editors are not responsible either for the statements made, or the opinions expressed by correspondents. All communications must be authenticated by the name and address of the sender, whether for publication or not. No notice can be taken of anonymous communications. As replies to questions are only given by way of published answers to correspondents, and not by letter, stamped addressed envelopes are not required to be sent. COAL AS A MUNITION. Sirs,-—Will you kindly allow me, through the medium of your paper, to make an appeal to our mining com- munity on the above headline. Some time ago a conference was called by the Home Office for the purpose of considering the question of an increased output of coal. We learnt at this con- ference that coal was a very important munition. The following resolution was passed :— That, in the opinion of this meeting, representative of the coal mining industry of Great Britain, every effort should be made, by the owners and workmen alike, to secure the greatest possible output of coal in the interest of the nation during the period of the war. It needs no comment of mine to this resolution. But I would like to learn through the Press what has been done towards carrying out the above resolution. I think the time has come when all classes should be upon one common platform, and every effort put for- ward to assist the War and Home Office in crushing down our great enemy by keeping the supply of coal up to “ concert pitch.” We are told that coal means more shells, guns, and ships, etc. Surely, then, we are not going to wait until we are forced to keep up our output to this great factory! It rests entirely with us, as a nation, to gain the object we all hope and wish for, namely, “Victory.” I would here suggest that, to accomplish this, the owners and their officials, along with the workmen, meet and discuss this matter. And let the owners offer an “incentive powder” to those who are the means of increasing the output of coal. If an increased output of coal be obtained, then let all receive his share of the profit. Or, let the profits go towards providing some comfort for those who are fighting in the trenches or elsewhere. It is a well-known fact that explorers, when they set out, have a certain object in view, and every effort is put forward to attain the same. We have one, and only one, object in view, and that is “Victory, victory, aye victory.” In conclusion, let me say that the writer is prepared to do all that lies in his power to assist in calling meet- ings, and is.also prepared to address meetings, so that we can attain what is laid down in the resolution. September 25, 1915. Faithful Britisher. THE FREIGHT MARKET. The general conditions bearing on the outward freight market have undergone very considerable changes during the week under review, and business, particularly at South Wales, is in a.very unsettled state as a result. Not a great deal of chartering has been effected at the Tyne, and, up to last week-end, rates had undergone little change. In conse- quence of a somewhat lessened enquiry, owners’ quotations for the ports of North France showed a tendency to decline, but, generally speaking, prices were well maintained at recent levels. Since the Greek Government recalled all Greek mer- chant tonnage to home waters, however, rates in all directions —especially the Mediterranean—have stiffened markedly. On the week’s work, coasting is slightly stronger on the basis of 9s. 6d. to London. North France is 6d. down to Rouen or Dunkirk, but Dieppe is quoted at from 3d. to 6d. more. The Bay is a strong market, with Rochefort fixed at advances ranging from 6d. to Is. 6d. on last week’s figures, and Bor- deaux at fully rate rates. The demand for Mediterranean tonnage has been exceedingly small, but at the time of writing a 3,800-ton boat has been fixed for Genoa at 40s.. whilst a 1,600-ton steamer for Barcelona has been chartered at 40s., with coke at 45s. At South Wales, the general trend of prices was downward, although the Mediterranean has been firm throughout the week, but rates are now recover- ing. North France is from 3d. to Is. reduced on the week, but, before these lines appear in print, there is every possi- bility. that last week’s rates will have been exceeded. The Bay is from fr. to 2| fr. lower to Chantenay, and fr. decreased to Bordeaux. St. Nazaire, however, has just been done at 24 fr., an increase of about 1J fr. Though there is no recent fixture for Italian ports, quotations are advancing very rapidly, and there is no telling where the rise will cease. Marseilles is from 5 fr. to 7 fr. advanced, and Naples from 2s. 6d. to 5s. higher. The last fixture for Genoa was arranged at 32s. 6d., but owners are now actually quoting up to 40s. The River Plate continues to move forward, and a further advance of from 2s. 6d. to 2s. 9d. has to be recorded since last report. In other directions rates are firm, and promise to show considerable increases during the next few days. Homewards, America is still the market of moment, but, for the time being, business appears to be practically sus- pended, owing to the very great divergence of opinion as to rates shown by charterers and owners. The Greek tonnage question has had the effect of sending up quotations with a rush, but shippers are reluctant to pay the advanced prices. Oats tonnage has been chartered at 8s. 9d. to West Italy from the Northern Range, and Ils. 3d. has been repeated for heavy grain to the same destination. Cotton tonnage is in demand, and has been done at 165s. for 150 ft. measurement Gulf to Liverpool or Havre. Coals have paid the advanced rate of 45s. to West Italy, and about 42s. 6d. for Marseilles. The Plate has advanced to 60s. from up-river for October loading, and shows signs of rising still further. There is very little of note in the Eastern markets. Bombay is worth barely 52s. 6d. on d.w. to Mediterranean or United Kingdom, and 51s. 3d. is offered for mineral cargoes, whilst Kurrachee pays about 41s. to United Kingdom. Saigon is offering at 75s. to France or United Kingdom with about 2s. 6d. more for meal. There is practically nothing doing in the Pacific markets. Tyne to Alexandria, 3,600, 35s.; Bordeaux, 1,900, 24s.; 2,000, 24s. coals, 1,000 tons coke 29s.; 700, 40s., coke; Boulogne, 1,500, 18s. 6d.; Cadiz, 1,500, 30s.; Calais, 1,600, 18s. 6d.; Dunkirk, 900, 17s. 6d.; 1,600, 18s. 6d.; 600, 17s. 9d.; Dieppe, 1,100, 18s.; Gibraltar, 4,500, 28s.; Havre, 1.100, 18s.; 1,500, 17s.; London, 1,400, 9s. 6d.; 2,500, 8s., C.T.; Las Palmas, 2,500, 25s. 6d.; La Pallice, 6,500 , 22s.; Oran, 2,500, 30s.; 1,800, 30s.; Port Said, 5,000, 37s. 6d.; 5,000, 35s.; Porto Ferrajo, 6,800, 35s.; Rouen, 2,700, 18s.; 1,700, 18s.; 700, 24s. 6d., coke; 2,400, 17s. 6d.; 1,300, 18s.; 1.300, 17s. 6d.; 550, 25s., coke; 2,200, 18s. 9d.; 2,000, 18s. 6d.; 2,500, 18s. 6d.; 1,600, 18s.; Rochefort, 3,300, 25s.; 1,400, 24s.; St. Nazaire, 4,700 , 22s.; Treport, 600, 17s.; Trouville, 800, 23s. 6d., coke; Tonnay Charente, 1,600, 25s. Cardiff to Alexandria, 5,000, 36s.; Barcelona, 2,700, 28s. 6d.; Buenos Ayres, 30s.; Boulogne, 2,200, 23 fr.; Bordeaux, 3,300, 23 fr.; 4,000, 23| fr.; 2,200, 23 fr.; 3,800, 23 fr.; Chantenay, 2,200, 20J fr.; Cherbourg, 1,300, 15s.; 800, 15s. 6d.; Genoa, 5,500, 32s.; 31s., berth guaranteed; 3.300, 32s.; 4,500, 32s.; 2,600, 31s.; 4,400, 30s.; 30s., Nov. 10; 3,000, 32s. 6d.; Havre, 1,400, 13s. 6d. ; 1,200, 15s.; Huelva, 3,200, 21s. 6d.; Lisbon, 1,550, 19s., 350; 1,150, 18s. 9d., 350; Leghorn, 4,500, 32s.; 2,600, 31s.; Monte Video, 29s.; Marseilles, 5,500, 46 fr.; 3,000 , 44 fr.; Naples, 6,500, 32s. 6d.; 7,500, 35s., 1,000; Oporto, 1,500. 19s.; Rouen, 2,100, 15s. 6d.; 1,000, 15s. 3d.; 1,400, 15s. 3d. ; 700, 15s.; 1,900, 15s. 41d.; 2,100, 15s. 9d.; 1,400, 16s.; River Plate, 4,000, 30s.; 4,000, 30s. 3d.; Rio Grande do Sul, 3,000, 37s. 6d.; St. Malo, 700, 13s.; 600, 13s. 3d., St. Nazaire, 3,200, 20| fr.; 2,200, 20J fr.; 3.600, 24 fr. ; Savona, 4,500, 32s.; 2,600, 31s.; 3,000, 32s. 6d.; St. Servan, 750, 13s. 3d.; Spezzia, 3,000, 32s. 6d.; Tunis, 2,600, 40 fr.; Torre Annunziata, 7,500, 35s., 1,000; Valencia, 1,200, 26s. Swansea to Brest, 2,400, 12s.; Genoa, 3,200, 32s.; p.t.; Belfast, 300, 6s. 9d.; Savona, 3,200, 32s.; Nantes, 2,000, 22J fr.; 21| fr.; London, 1,050, 9s.; Spezzia, 3,200, 32s.; Catania, 1,800, 33s., early October; Sundswall, 1,800, 17s., October; Oporto, 1,000, 20s.; Granville, 780, 13s. 6d.; Havre, 700, 14s., tin-plates; 1,000, 14s.; Caen, 900, 14s. 9d.; St. Malo, 660, 13s.; Bordeaux, 1,000, 25 fr.; Alicante, 1,250, 27s.; Boulogne, 700, 15s.; Fecamp, 1,100, 14s. 6d.; Dieppe, 900, 15s.; Rouen, 1,600, 15s.; 1,500, 15s. 6d.; 15s. 3d. Newport to Naples, 6,500, 30s. 6d.; 1,000, 31s., 800; Mar- seilles, 3,000 , 39 fr.; Torre Annunziata, 6,500, 30s. 6d., 1.000, 31s., 800; Havre Canal, 750, 13s. 6d.; Aguillas, 27s. 6d., October; Bordeaux, 1,000, 23 fr.; 1,200, 22J fr.; Rouen, 1,250, 16s.; 1,300, 15s.; Genoa, 3,000, 32s. 6d. Hartlepool to Bordeaux, 2,200, 25s. Llanelly to Dublin, 200, 6s. 6d. Forth to Dieppe, 950, 18s. 6d.; Rouen, 1,300, 19s. Seaham Harbour to Rouen, 700, 18s. Blyth to Caen, 1,000, 17s. 6d. Goole to Treport, 880, 17s.; Fecamp, 880. 17s.; Harfleur, 880, 17s.; Dieppe, 880, 17s.; Boulogne, 800, 17s.; Calais. 800, 16s. 9d. Hull to Rouen, 4,000, 18s.; 1,300, 18s.: 2,100, 18s. 6d.: 3.100, 18s.; 1,800, 18s.; 3,100, 17s. 6d.; Havre, 800, 16s. 6d.; Dieppe, 800, 16s. 6d.; Gothenburg, 12s.; Dieppe, 700, 16s. 6d. Wark worth to Stugsund, 1,250, 15s.; Hudikswall, 1,250. 15s.; Sundswall, 1,250, 15s. Port Talbot to Rouen, 2,500, 14s. lOJd.; Bordeaux, 3,200, 24 fr.; Dunkirk, 780, 18s.; Genoa, 1,900, 33s.; Boulogne, 850, 15s. Seaham Harbour to Rouen, 1,700, 18s. Partington to Oporto, 1,350, 22s.: Rouen. 1,200. 15s.; Genoa, 4,000, 31s. 6d.: Savona, 4,000, 31s. 6d., October. Glasgow to Rouen, 17s. 9d.; Genoa, 3,500, 33s., reported; 33s. 3d. Wear to Piraeus, 4,000, 37s. 6d. ; 3,500, 38s.; Bordeaux, 3.800, 24s. Grimsby to Dieppe, 650, 16s. 6d.: Havre, 650, 16s. 6d. Immingham to London, 650, 8s. 6d. Presiding at the ordinary general meeting of the Niger Company Limited on Monday, the Right Hon. the Earl of Scarborough said that the working of coal in Southern Nigeria on a considerable scale appeared to be approaching realisation. The new railway would soon reach the Udi coal fields, and it was understood that the results of the Govern- ment’s investigations into the quantity of the deposits were satisfactory. The quality was reported to represent 75 per cent, in value of South Wales coal. This new development could hardly fail to have important consequences in trade. A big deal is reported by the Japan mail between the Hok- kaido Tanko Kisen Kaisha and the Tnterisland Steamship Navigation Company at Honolulu, for the supply of 130,000 tons of Yubari coal, says United States Consul-General George H. Scidmore, Yokohama, Japan. The first ship- ment has just been made. This is the first big export of Japanese coal to Hawaii, which has heretofore brought Australian coal. The Japan Chronicle says Japanese collieries have curtailed their output by over 20 per cent, this year as compared with last. In spite of this stocks are increasing. According to the latest investigations quoted by the Mainichi of Osaka, stocks of the collieries amount to 546.000 tons, and those on the Moji and Wakamatsu markets to 738.000 tons, totalling 1,284.000 tons. When small stocks in other parts of the country are taken into account, thp grand total will exceed the unprecedented figure of 1,300,000 tons.