October 8, 1915.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

743

the workshops, the mills, the railways, and mines of this
country. It had behind it what our lads believe they are
fighting against in France and Flanders—the establishment
here of the militarism which exists in Germany. He hoped
they would be strongly opposed to establishing conscription
in this country. Personally, he felt that if conscription for
the Army or conscription for munitions purposes or industrial
purposes was required, it was not only the working classes
who should be conscripted. He would fight as bitterly as he
could the right of one class to conscript in the industrial
movement those of his class until they had first conscripted
the land and the capital of the country, and put everything
under the control of the State. One outcome of the war had
been the increase in the cost of living. They were also aware
that through the enlistment of many persons from the mining
districts the output of coal had suffered very considerably. It
was quite impossible to take away 25 per cent, of the strongest
and best workers from the mines and still expect that they
would be able to continue to secure the output which they
previously had. It had been said that something might be
done to keep the output of the mines at the highest possible
point which those workers who were left could keep it. Efforts
had already been made in that direction, and appeals had been
made for more regular attendance at the collieries, and for
giving up weekly or fortnightly idle days. He would like
again to add his appeal to that already made at the London
conference by the Minister of Munitions and the Home
Secretary, to the men to do everything in their power to keep
up and increase the output of coal. He wanted the appeal
to take effect largely on behalf of the poorer among the con-
sumers. He knew that the output would be sufficient to meet
all the demands of the Navy and of the munition factories,
because those would have the first claim on the output of the
nation. In spite of the fixing of the pit bank price at 4s.
per ton above the pre-war price, the poor consumers of coal
would again this winter be exploited, as they were exploited
last winter. Was is not a shame and disgrace, after the
miners and the mine owners had jointly and willingly
acquiesced at the fixing of coal at 4s. above the pre-war price,
that the middleman and the exploiter should add 8s. or 10s.
per ton. He thought the Government should be told by the
miners and the mine owners that, while they were willing to
make sacrifices, they were not prepared to allow the middle-
man to come in and exploit the price of coal. Surely it was
not too much to ask that the Government should take over the
distribution of coal, and sell it at a reasonable price and profit
to the consumer.

Mr. J. Winstone, South Wales, moved a vote of thanks to
the president, which Mr. W. Straker, Northumberland,
seconded.

Mr. J. McGurk, Lancashire, proposed that an attempt be
made to get section 77 of the 'Coal Mines Act so amended as
to make it possible that the cost of maintenance will not be a
barrier to baths being provided at the pit head. He said this
clause was one of the chief barriers against baths being estab-
lished at every pit head. He specially praised the action of
sone of the Lancashire owners in providing baths without
anv cost to the workmen other than providing themselves with
towels and soap.—Mr. W. Whitefield’, Bristol, seconded the
resolution, which was carried.

Mr. S. Roebuck, Yorkshire, proposed that the conference
request the Government to amend section 16 of the Coal Mines
Act, making provision for the persons appointed under this
section to be paid by the State. He said it was with the
object of doing everything humanly possible to reduce the
number of accidents happening in the pits that Yorkshire
put forward this amendment of the Act. It would be gener-
ally admitted that the official inspection of the mines by H.M.
inspectors was incomplete and inadequate, not because of any
lack of industry or efficiency on the part of the inspectors
themselves, but on account of the miserably small number
appointed by the State to cope with such a gigantic task.
Taking the North Midland Division, which included York-
shire, Nottinghamshire, and Derbyshire, there were 472
mines, which employed 260,870 workmen, and to carry on
this important work of mine inspection there were 15
inspectors, 14 of the mines and one of the horses. They were
certainly not indicting the inspectors, but they did indict the
Government. They believed if there was a more complete and
frequent inspection it would tend very materially to diminish
the numbef of accidents. With reference to the men
appointed under this section to inspect the working places,
they believed the financial responsibility for these men should
rest with the State. It was the duty and obligation of the
State to protect the miners against unnecessary risk.—The
resolution was unanimously carried.

On the following day the president gave a personal expla-
nation of his address on the previous day, and stated that he
had no intention of saying that the upper and middle and
professional classes in this country had not contributed a
very large share to the Forces. What he was really dealing
with was material wealth.

At a private session, Mr. S. H. Whitehouse (Somerset)
made an explanation with respect to the wages of the men
in Somerset as affected by the wages agreements and the
Conciliation Boards. He said the coal owners of the county
were prepared to establish a new wage standard, increased by
50 per cent, on the 1888 standard, but they were not pre-
pared to follow the parent Federation—the English Coal Board
—in percentages above the standard.—Further consideration
of this matter was deferred until such time as the officials
of the Federation had met the representatives of the Somerset
miners and discussed with them the position, when a further
report will be made to conference.

Mr. Frank Hodges (South Wales) moved that no guarantees
or agreements be entered into between the executive council and
the Government or any other body where questions of principle
are involved before the matter has been decided by a national
conference called for the purpose. — The question was
adjourned for the public session of conference.

Mr. W. Straker (Northumberland) proposed that the Feder-
ation approach the Government with a request for a largely
increased number of sub-inspectors to be appointed from the
ranks of the miners. They believed, he said, that the inspec-
torate was quite inadequate for the work it had to do, and to
give assurance to the men that it was much protection against
accidents in the mines. He would.like to see every fireman
and deputy made independent of the colliery owners and
managers, and until that was done they would not have
efficient inspection of mines.

Mr. J. Robertson, (Scotland), who seconded, remarked that
the number of deaths and injuries in the mines were equal,
if they did not exceed, what took place on the field of battle.
In 15 years 22,000 miners had been killed, and more than
three millions so seriously injured that they could not work
for several days or more.—The resolution was carried.

Aid. W. House (Durham) moved a resolution asking for
an amendment of section 40 of the Act, so as to limit the

number of men who may have to ascend and descend in any
one cage. He referred to the recent Annesley and other cage
accidents as reasons for obtaining legislative powers to limit
the number of workmen carried at one time.—The resolution
was seconded and carried.

The conference then proceeded to consider the various reso-
lutions relating to amendment of the Workmen’s Compensa-
tion Act. Aid. W. House moved a resolution seeking for
compensation to be paid to workmen unable to work through
defective ventilation, and the inclusion in the list of scheduled
diseases of beat thumb, beat foot, and blood poisoning arising
from cankerous water; also compensation to workmen suffer-
ing from nystagmus who have contracted the disease since
the Act of 1906.—The president believed it would be a good
thing if incapacity arising from working in foul air could
be scheduled under the Act. This was a departmental
matter which did not require legislation. The proposal as to
bringing claims for nystagmus which had been contracted
since 1906 was a serious matter, as it carried the claims back
for a period of nine years.—The resolution was carried.

Mr. Fred Hall, M.P. (Yorkshire) proposed that if a work-
man has partially or wholly recovered, it shall be obligatory
on the part of the employer to find him work at the full
average wage he received prior to the accident. In Yorkshire
all the low-paid workmen were offered light employment, but
when it came to the higher-paid man there was no employ-
ment for him until he could go back to his own work. He
understood that in some districts they were accepting 50 per
cent, of the former wage as the rate for light employment.. In
Yorkshire they would fight every case in the county court
before they would make a bargain of that kind.—Mr. T.
Greenall (Lancashire) admitted that in Lancashire they had
drifted to the position of accepting 50 per cent, of the wage
earned before the accident. In every case now taken before
the county court judges 50 per cent, was given.—The resolu-
tion was carried.

Mr. Doonan (Scotland) moved that where workmen are
permanently, totally, or partially disabled, they shall have
the right to secure a commutation of their compensation on
the same terms as the employers. That medical men shall be
barred from granting certificates based on conditions not exist-
ing when they examine, but which they think may exist at
some future time. That employers shall pay full compensa-
tion to parents in all cases of fatal accidents, even when they
are not partially or wholly dependent on the deceased at the
time of death.—The resolution was adopted.

Mr. D. Gilmour (Lanarkshire) proposed that owing to the
courts holding that the earning capacity of men with only
one eye had not been reduced, the conference calls for an
alteration of the law so that a person’s right to compensation
shall not wholly depend upon the earning capacity, but shall
also be regarded as a solatium for injuries received.—The reso-
lution was carried.

Mr. A. Onions (South Wales) proposed that the com-
mittee cause to be made or make a thorough investigation
into the effect of stone dusting in mines upon the health of
the underground workmen, and also its effectiveness from a
safety standpoint.—Mr. J. Manning, South Wales, said
that in ironstone mines there was an enormous amount of
asthma due to dust, and if this dust was introduced in coal
mines it might have a similar result.—The president said
this was a question of vast importance to the miners.
There had been considerable experiments going on at
Government testing stations with sand dust and coal dust,
with a view of seeing whether sand dust would by being
mixed with the coal dust be effective in preventing
explosions. But the Royal Commission were not allowed
to carry on those experiments; the experiments were put
into the hands of experts, and the Royal Commission was
to consider their reports before any recommendation was
made. But the Home Office, in its wisdom, forgot to call
the Royal Commission together to consult with the experts,
and were acting on the report. Sir Thomas Ratcliffe-Ellis
and himself had protested strongly against this, but up to
the present they had had no redress.—Mr. Herbert Smith,
Yorkshire, said their doctor had told him that they were
suffering more from phthisis in Yorkshire than at any
previous time. If they wanted to prevent explosions, and
particularly gob fires, they should remove the small coal
from underground to the top of the pits.—The resolution was
carried.

Iron, Steel and Engineering Trades.

Cumberland blastfurnacemen’s wages have risen 43f per
cent, during the past 12 months. West Coast pig iron
warrants at cash in September quarter of last year averaged
61s. per ton; in September quarter of this year they averaged
95s. per ton; and furnacemen’s wages are now 68f per cent,
above the standard.

The return of the accountants to the Midland Iron and
Steel Wages Board shows that during July and August
there has been an advance of no less than £1 Os. 5d. per
ton in the average net selling prices, and iron workers
receive an increase in wages of 10 per cent., bringing them
up to a higher level than for more than 40 years. The net
average price realised in July and August last year was
£6 16s. 4d., so that since the war began the certified
advance in the net price of iron and steel has been
£2 14s. lOd. per ton. Under the sliding scale puddlers’
wages now become, with the addition of the 6d. bonus,
12s. 3d. per ton for puddling, as against 9s. 6d. at the
same time last year. An arrangement has been arrived at
by which the present and future rises under the sliding
scale will be set off against the bonus which was granted
at the outbreak of the war until the bonus is exhausted.

The South Wales Tin-Platers’ Conciliation Board has had
under consideration an increase of wages—a general
advance throughout the trade; this matter having been
raised notwithstanding the fact of prior agreement whereby
bonuses have been made which it was understood would
settle matters for the whole period of the war. The range
of these bonuses has been from Is. to 3s. per week so far
as regards men receiving less than £2 per week. In their
local meetings, the men passed resolutions seeking a general
advance of 15 per cent, to 20 per cent., the lower figure
being that of the majority of places, chiefly Swansea Valley.

Manchester Geological and Mining Society. — The annual
meeting of the above society will be held at Queen’s Chambers,
5, John Dalton-street, Manchester, on Tuesday, October 12.
at 4 p.m. The business includes the report of the council
and balance-sheet for 1915; the election of officers and other
members of the council for the 1915-16 session : presidential
address by Mr. Leonard R. Fletcher. The following paper
will be open for discussion :—“ The Fauna and Stratigraphy
of the Kent Coal Field,” by Herbert Bolton, M.Sc., F.G.S.

COAL, IRON AND ENGINEERING COMPANIES.
REPORTS AND DIVIDENDS.

Allen (Edgar) and Company Limited.—The directors have
declared an interim dividend on the 5 per cent, cumula.ive
preference shares for the half-year ending September 30.

Cardiff Collieries Limited.—Interim dividend of 5 per cent.
(10 per cent, per annum), the usual rate on both the prefer-
ence and ordinary shares, less tax, has been declared.

Coltness Iron Company Limited.—The report for the year
ended July 31, states that the profit earned, after deducting
directors’ fees, amounts to £160,341, from which falls to be
deducted amount written off for redemption and depreciation,
£48,994, leaving a net profit of £111,346. Of this there has
been set aside to meet the expenses of re-lining, etc., of
blastfurnaces and extraordinary repairs to ammonia works,
£5,000; and after including the balance brought forward of
£17,254, a credit balance is shown of £123,600. The directors
recommend a further dividend on the ordinary shares of 4 per
cent, and a bonus of 2 per cent., making a total distribution
of 10 per cent, on the ordinary shares for the year, trans-
ferring to ordinary reserve fund £45,000, and leaving to be
carried forward £17,850.

Indian Collieries Syndicate Limited.—The accounts for the
year ended June 30 show a net revenue of £20,290. After
deducting from this debenture interest, depreciation, London
charges, and a reserve of £650 for English income-tax, a net
profit of £9,996 remains. The balance brought in from the
previous year’s account was £10,471, and adding this to the
net profit there is a sum of £20,466. The board recom-
mends a dividend of 6 per cent, on the ordinary shares,
carrying forward £12,254.

Kyshtim Corporation Limited.—The report for the year
ended January 13, 1915, states that as at the date of these
accounts the holders of £635,600 debentures had exercised
their rights of conversion, 254,240 shares being issued in
redemption of these debentures. The debenture and share
capital is now as follows :—Six per cent, convertible deben-
tures : issued, £650,000; lodged up to expiry of option for
conversion into shares, £635,600—outstanding, £14,400. £1
shares : original issue, 1,000,000; shares allotted in redemp-
tion of debentures to date of expiry of option—that is,
January 1, 1915—254,240; total, 1,254,240; balance unissued,
5,760 shares. The accounts show a balance for appropriation
of £208,498. The directors recommend as a dividend in
respect of the year ended January 13, 1915, of Is. per share,
free of income-tax. This will require £62,712 and leave a
balance to be carried forward of £145,786. The subsidiary
Kyshtim Mining Works Company had a trading profit of
£367,443, out of which appropriations include £100,000 for
depreciation and £210,525 for a dividend of £13 3s. 2d. per
£105 5s. 3d. share.

Newbiggin Colliery Company Limited.—A further interim
dividend of 2| per cent., less income-tax, has been declared
on the ordinary shares on account of the present year’s
working.

Sneyd Collieries Limited.—The accounts for the year ended
June 30 last show a net profit, after providing for debenture
interest, etc., and including £31,338 brought forward, of
£61,554. The directors recommend a further dividend of
5 per cent., making 10 per cent, for the year, writing off
£3,600 in respect of special expenditure, and appropriating
£3,500 as a reserve against depreciation in investments,
leaving £34,954 to be carried forward.

St. Helen’s Colliery and Brick Works Company Limited.—
The annual report shows a profit of £8,089, out of which
there is a dividend on the ordinary shares of 5 per cent. The
amount written off for depreciation is £4,000, and £3,000 is
placed to the reserve.

Wolfram Mining and Smelting Company Limited.—Divi-
dend of 15 per cent. (3s. per share) for the year ended Sept. 30,
1915, less tax.

NEW COMPANIES.

Cargo Coasters Limited.—Private company. Registered
September 28. To carry on business in the United Kingdom
or elsewhere of shipbrokers, insurance brokers, and metal
brokers, coal, coke, and patent fuel factors, ship managers,
stevedores, miners, mine owners, etc. Nominal capital,
£3,000 in 3,000 £1 shares. Managing director : B. P.
Thomas, 116, Dock-street, Newport, Mon., ship owner.

Crescol Chemicals Limited.—Private company. Registered
office, 62, Regent-street, London, W. Registered October 1.
To enter into an agreement and to carry on business as
manufacturers of explosives and other chemicals of all kinds,
makers of, and dealers in, munitions of war of all kinds,
gas makers, iron founders, mechanical and electrical
engineers, chemists, etc. Nominal capital, £10,000 in
10,000 £1 shares. First directors and subscribers (one
share each) :—A. Oddenino (chairman), H. Terrisse, W.
Budd.

Hythe Coal Company Limited.—Private company. Regis-
tered September 29. To carry on business of coal and coke
factors, colliery agents, merchants and dealers in coal, coke,
timber, granite, limestone, sand, brick-earth, bricks, clay,
etc. Nominal capital, £5,000 .in 5,000 £1 shares. First
directors and subscribers (one share each) :—J. J. Jeal,
C. Dixon.

Jeffcoat (William) Limited. — Private company. Regis-
tered September 28. To enter into an agreement and to
carry on, develop, and turn to account the business of a
wholesale and retail coal merchant, being the business
formerly carried on by W. Jeffcoat, deceased, at Nuneaton,
Warwickshire, and elsewhere. Nominal capital, £6,000 in
6,000 £1 shares. First directors :—Mary H. Jeffcoat, H.
Jeffcoat, Edith M. Fearn, Ann Jinks, and G. Ragg.

Residues Limited.—Private company. Registered Oct. 1.
To acquire, take over, and carry on business of utilising blast-
furnace flue dust now carried on by Reginald Williams at
Middlesbrough, Yorkshire. To enter into an agreement, and
to carry on business of iron masters, steel manufacturers, coal
and coke merchants, engineers, motor makers, briquette
manufacturers, etc. Nominal capital, £2.000 in 1000 £1
preference shares, 1,000 £1 ordinary shares. First perma-
nent directors :—R. Williams. 41, Wilson-street. Middles-
brought, iron ore merchant: J. L. Ogilvie, Bassaguard,
Marton, Yorkshire, ship master; and T. Twynan. Qualifi-
cation of directors, £100.

Riley (J. S.) and Company Limited.—Private company.
Registered office, 56, Bankhall-street, Liverpool.* Registered
September 29. To acquire, take over, and carry on busi-
ness of a factor or merchant in coal. coke, sand, lime, and
breeze, clay, stone, and building materials, now carried on
as J. S. Riley and Company and the Liverpool Coal and
Cannel Company at Liverpool and elsewhere: to enter into