October 15, 1915. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN 779 THE GERMAN AND AUSTRIAN COAL AND IRON TRADES. We give below further extracts from German periodicals that have reached us, showing the course of the coal and iron trades in Germany and Austria :— The Siegerland Iron Market. The iron market seems to have reached its highest point, the demand having slackened, and the War Department appearing to have covered its most pressing requirements. Prices of raw materials and finished products have ceased their upward movement, and rolling mill products have shown a tendency to weaken, which, in view of the increased cost of production, is probably only temporary. Indeed, there is little pros- pect of any decline, the army orders in hand being suffi- ciently great to afford the market good support for some time. Conditions in the ore market have so far improved that the increased output enables the require- ments of the blastfurnaces to be fairly well met, especi- ally in Siegerland spathic ore, so that the works are now able to turn out more steel-iron and spiegeleisen. The local Ironstone Association is stated to have dis- posed of all its surplus production up to the end of the year at the new prices, which represent an increase of 7 mk. for raw ore, and 10 mk. for roasted. No more red or brown ironstone from the Lahn, Dill, and Hesse dis- tricts is available for delivery this year, and the bulk of the output for 1916 has already been sold. Red iron- stone is quoted at the basis price of about 20 mk. per ton for 50 per cent, ore, ex Lahn and Dill mines. Most of the iron works have made their contracts in Hessian ore for the whole of next year, at 14 to 15 mk. per ton, ex pit. Enquiries for Lothringen and Luxemburg ores are less active. Old slag heaps in Siegerland are being for- warded to the Saar, Lothringen, and Luxemburg. In consequence of the increased importance of manganese since the war, the large works in the Rhineland and Westphalia are attaching great value to the possession of good spathic iron ore mines in Siegerland, and further changes of ownership are in contemplation. Pig Iron.—The Pig Iron Union reports that the extra- ordinary demand for high-grade pig continn s unabated and taxes the capacity of the furnaces, whiffi: the situa- tion as regards phosphoritic pig and the foreign trade remains unchanged. Sales for the current quarter are being conducted on the old prices, viz. : 95 mk. for bar iron; 95 mk. for addition iron; 95 to 97 mk. for No. 1 foundry pig; 94 to 95 mk. for No. 3; and 115 mk. for haematite pig—all ex Siegen or other usual centre, and according to consignment district. Consumers of pig iron are stated to have covered their requirements up to end of the year. The scrap market remains practically unchanged, the supply being ahead of the demand, so that prices cannot rise. Semi-Manufactured Goods.—The home trade remains fairly constant, both in kind and quantity, and prices are to be left unchanged for the present quarter. The output is only a little over 50 per cent, of the normal, and is taken up at once, almost exclusively for war material. Open hearth material being in special request for war purposes, local prices are 25 to 30 mk. per ton higher than in September last year. Plate.—Owing to the heavy war orders, this article is very active. The fact dihat there has been no decline in price for plate below 5mm., though these grades are not under any price convention, indicates the healthy tone of the situation, which is, furthermore, supported by the satisfactory orders from neutrals. Prices for fine plate range from 180 to 190 mk., whilst 170-175 mk. are obtained for medium. No contracts appear to have been entered into for next year. The Union has main- tained the old rate of 150 mk. for heavy plate, for delivery up to end December. All incoming orders are marked “ urgent,” but the works require an average of four weeks for delivery. The demand for pickled plate, tin-plate, and other high-grade material for war purposes continues heavy, and prices are improving. Bars.—The works are busy, having sufficient war orders in hand to last for several months. The basis price for open-hearth bars varies between 145 and 150 mk., ex works. Lower prices are quoted in other districts, but apparently by dealers who are in arrear with their delivery specifications. Local stocks are going off well, because consumers cannot get prompt delivery from the makers. The demand for girders from the building trade continues unsatisfactory, and there is no prospect of the latter improving while the war lasts. The army demand for welding iron is well maintained, and a long time is required for delivery. Basis prices range from 165 mk. to over 200 mk., ex works, according to quality. The subsidiary industries, steel foundries, sheet metal workers, metal stampers, wagon and engine builders, etc., are all busy on war material, and mostly have to work double shifts to keep pace with the demand. Coal Market in South Germany. With the rise of prices in September the extremely pressing demands for delivery quieted down, most consumers having laid in sufficient stock at the lower rates to keep them going for some time, with the result that new orders have been coming in slowly since. In not a few cases, however, this is due to diminished con- sumption, and the uncertainty of business prospects, chiefly as regards the supply of raw materials. On the other hand, this lessened demand for fuel has enabled larger quantities to be supplied to those engaged exclu- sively in the production of war material, and it has been possible to meet their wishes in respect of the class of coal supplied more fully than heretofore. Substitution has not been entirely abolished, but in many cases, at least, diminished, more particularly as regards the partial use of coke for steam raising, which necessitated structural alterations to the boiler plant, mostly difficult to carry out. The altered conditions in this respect are very welcome to dealers, who have latterly found -it difficult to meet the demand for coke. There is still a shortage in the supply of house coal, though matters are improving, but only very insufficient quantities of anthra- cite nuts have been coming forward, owing, on the one hand, to the decreased output, and, on the other, to the supply having been diverted to the northern districts previously taking English coal. This applies also to Belgian anthracite, although the usual large market in Northern France is now closed. Many consumers are (not altogether unwillingly) substituting ovoid anthracite briquettes, which now have a large sale. Small broken coke, No. III. especially, is also scarce, deliveries having been cut down by nearly 50 per cent., and the situation is accentuated by the shortage of broken gas coke. Wiirtemburg is suffering considerably from this cause, coke being very largely used for domestic heating, whilst the local gas works do not produce sufficient for this trade, so that the deficit has to be made good from other districts, which are now unable to furnish a proper supply. Large broken coke is none too plentiful, though an improvement has set in since exportation to Switzer- land was prohibited. In the long run the supply of bituminous house coal will be sufficient, since the shortage in the most popular kind, nuts II., can be made good from the more plentiful nuts I. and III. Saar coals have been advanced an average of 1 mk. per ton from October 1, but during last month the demand for these was comparable with that for Ruhr coal in July and August. The State collieries are able to deliver up to about 60 per cent, of the normal quantities, whereas the privately-owned mines, especially those in Lothringen, cannot supply nearly as large a proportion. Imports of Belgian coal vid the Rhine, after attaining considerable importance in the spring and summer months, have now greatly receded, the improved supply of Ruhr coal having reduced the demand for inferior kinds. On the other hand, the trade in railway- borne Belgian coal to Switzerland has increased since the railway rates were lowered, thus enabling direct con- signment by rail to be made as mixed train and river transport. The growth of this trade has relieved the strain on the German collieries, which have been Switzerland’s almost exclusive source of supply. After a prolonged season favourable for coal traffic, the Rhine has latterly been low, necessitating lighter loading, and sending up freights owing to the scarcity of craft. Difficulties have also arisen at the ports of destination, in consequence of the scarcity of skilled labour for the unloading plant, thus delaying the barges seriously. German Bar Iron and Rolled Wire Conventions. The negotiations between the makers of bar iron and rolled wire have led to withdrawal of the opposition against the restriction of output desired by the majority, and it has therefore been found possible to arrange for the continuance of the conventions, on a broader basis, up to the end of 1916. The distribution is to be appor- tioned between the various works, and measures have been adopted to prevent price cutting. Fuel Traffic in Ruhr Harbours in August. Total shipments of coal, coke, and briquettes to Coblenz and places higher up the river, 561,375 tons (311,028 tons in August 1914); places below Coblenz, 22,303 tons (35,240 tons); Holland, 125,331 tons (72,594 tons); Belgium, 57,682 tons (20,617 tons); France, nil (265 tons); other destinations, 8,190 tons (8,117 tons). Total shipments from Duisburg-Ruhrort, 615,935 tons (320,559 tons); Rheinpreussen, 62,980 tons (37,951 tons); Schwelgern, 28,173 tons (25,540 tons); Walsum, 67,882 tons (39,216 tons); aggregate, 774,879 tons (423,368 tons). For the months January-August, the total shipments amounted to 6,254,494 tons, as com- pared with 13,440,166 tons for the same period of last year, a deficit of 7,185,672 tons. TRADE AND THE WAR. It is understood that Mr. Lloyd George has decided to appoint a committee to consider the housing question in munition areas. A manifesto of the trade union leaders who constitute the Labour Recruiting Committee has been issued, in which it is stated that if the voluntary system is to be vindicated at least 30,000 recruits per week must be raised. By a Decree dated September 3, the export or re-export of coal and coke is prohibited from France, whether the same be in depot, in transit, or in process of transhipment, but permission to make shipments may be authorised under con- ditions determined by the Minister of Finance. By an earlier Decree, dated June 30, export of coal and coke from Algeria was prohibited. The pressure for export in the United States has been affected by the shortage of tonnage and an improved internal demand for soft coal, some of the best grades being practi- cally off the market. Foreign enquiries, however, keep up well. Pocahontas and New River coals are quoted 2’8 dols. to 2-85 dols. f.o.b. Hampton Roads and George’s Creek, 2*85 to 2-95 dols. Baltimore. Freights are as follow :—West coast of Italy, ll-04dols.; Barcelona, 10-32 dols.; Marseilles, 10-56 dols.; River Plate, 8-16 to 8-28 dols.; Valparaiso, 7-25 to 7-50 dols. The last rate, however, was quoted before the closing of the Panama Canal. The recent contracts entered into by the Norwegian State RailwTays, and the uncertainty expressed as to whether the necessary licences for the cargoes will be forthcoming, make interesting a communication just received by the advisory committee of the Newcastle Chahber of Commerce. The War Trade Department has informed the advisory committee that it is always open to applicants to ship coal to the Norwegian authorities to put forward full information as to the prices at which they will sell and buy the coal, and that these and any other arguments will receive the Coal Export Control Committee’s consideration, together with any other factors which they have to record, some of which are, of course, more important than the question of price. In reply to the Manchester District Institution of Gas Engineers, who enquired whether the charges for wagon hire referred to in section 2 of the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act can legally be charged on contracts entered into before the passing of the Act, the Board of Trade (Railway Depart- ment) state that, while they are not in a position to decide the legal question whether the giving of notice under section 4(2) of the Act enables contractors to make increased charges for wagon hire, they are of opinion that the giving of such notice would not appear to affect any terms of the contract other than the price of coal at the pit’s mouth. Mr. T. M. Ainscough, the special commissioner appointed by the Board of Trade to enquire into the conditions and prospects of British trade in China, has now returned to this country, and is prepared to interview (by appointment) repre- sentatives of British firms at the offices of the Commercial Intelligence Branch of the Board of Trade. In order that appointments may be satisfactorily arranged, British firms desiring an interview with Mr. Ainscough are requested to make their application as soon as possible. Such applications should be addressed to the Director, Commercial Intelligence Branch of the Board of Trade, 73, Basinghall-street, London, E.C. A party of munition workers recently visited our Armies in France and Flanders accompanied by Mr. Brace, Under- secretary of State for the Home Department. Their report to the Parliamentary Munitions Committee remarks that industrial stoppages, for no matter what motive, cause great indignation. Our troops feel that, while they toil and fight under the full stress of modern military conditions, it is wicked and wrong for anyone to impede their supplies. Every course of action, whether by employers or men, that results in a limited output is regarded with the same detesta- tion. t Speaking at the London School of Economics on “ The Social Situation .at the Close of the War,” Mr. J. A. Hobson said that we must expect a period of considerable trouble, involving much unemployment and distress, if economic, events were allowed to take their unhindered course. The most dangerous factor in this trouble—the return of labour faster than it could be profitably reabsorbed—demanded the closest attention of those responsible for the public order. It had never been easy for civil society to reabsorb and assimilate discharged soldiers. One inevitable legacy of the war would be a permanent enlargement of the economic functions of the State. It was pretty certain that what was understood by State Socialism -would be found to have made definite and lasting advances in several directions. It could hardly be supposed that the public regulation imposed upon our railroad and our financial machinery would be simply swept away. A deputation consisting of some of the principal coal merchants of London was received by Mr. Runciman at the Board of Trade on Tuesday. Sir E. Cornwall headed the deputation, and the object of the visit was to discuss with the President the question of limiting coal prices. The pro- ceedings were private. The deputation had had a preliminary talk with Mr. Runciman in view of the approaching winter. The big coal merchants already have a voluntary arrangement with the Board of Trade for the limitation of coal prices, and they discussed with the President the question as it affected small consumers, with a view to arriving at some plan by means of which prices would not be forced up for the small consumer. They also put before Mr. Runciman the fact of the shortage in the supply of coal to London. Merchants were unable to obtain the quantities they desired, and they asked for Government assistance to ensure that an adequate supply reached London. The committee will meet Mr. Runciman again in a fortnight’s time. Mr. Herbert Shaw, secretary of the Newcastle and Gates- head Commercial Exchange, has received the following letter from the secretary of the Coal Export Control Committee :— “ When this Committee was first appointed, it was necessary, in the interests of home supply, severely to restrict the export of various classes of coal. The object aimed at having now been in an important degree attained, licences are being granted with more freedom. As there is some reason to believe that the facts, as at present existing, are not fully realised in the Northumberland district, in so far as they relate to South America, I shall be glad if you will bring it to the knowledge of your members that licences for the export of Northumberland coal and of foundry coke generally are now being freely recommended for South American ports. If in any case a licence is refused, this will doubtless be because the proposed consignee is unacceptable, and the same ship- ment to >an approved consignee would probably be recom- mended for licences.” Mr. Christopher Dahl, general commission and insurance agent, of Christiania, urges need of gas coke supplies in Norway. A large quantity of gas coke, he says, is usually imported, the consumption of which in Christiania alone is about 120,000 tons per annum. About 30,000 tons are covered by gas works, and 80,000 to 90,000 tons must thus be imported. In Norway, as the climate is too cold, they are obliged to use closed iron stoves, which they fill up with gas coke. Besides this, there are a great many houses where they have a central heating apparatus, and for this central heating nothing but gas coke can be used. At the com- mencement of the winter, coal importers had contracted for their usual winter requirements from London, Newcastle, Hull, etc., but licences for coke exports from England are refused. The coal importers ask what shall become of this, and why they deserve such treatment. The importers think the English authorities are treating them in a rather hard way. He asks that the licences should be more freely granted. The Black Diamond (Chicago) learns that there are several agencies that are at work upon schemes to export large quantities of American coal to France. The principal pro- blem to be worked out in addition to the shipping problem, is that of arranging for payments. Our contemporary adds : “ Coal men in this country are impressed with France’s urgent need for coal, but they cannot rush headlong in the game of shipping coal abroad until they are assured of payments.” Hull Coal Exports.—The official return of the exports of coal from Hull to foreign countries for the week ending Tuesday, October 5, is as follows :—Amsterdam. 308 tons; Buenos Ayres, 1,885; Copenhagen, 437; Dunkirk, 2,338; Gefle, 1,534; Guernsey, 376; Gothenburg, 7.339; Harlingen, 1,353; Halmstadt, 1,207; Oxelosund, 5,452; Rouen, 26.983; Rotterdam, 1.469; Stockholm, 1,297: Havre, 830—total, 52,808 tons. The above figures do not include bunker coal, shipments for the British Admiralty, nor the Allies’ Govern- ments. Corresponding period September 1914—total, 32,313 tons; corresponding period September 1913—total, 102,497 tons.