842

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

October 22, 1915.

CONTRACTS OPEN FOR ENGINEERING, IRON
AND STEEL WORK, Ac.

Cape Town, November 5.—Alternator.—Steam turbine-
driven alternator, with condensing plant, and a 1,000 kw.
converting plant, for the Corporation.*

Doncaster, October 29.—-Water Main.—Laying about
440 yds. of 6 in. water main, for the District Council.
Specifications from surveyor, W. R. Crabtree, Union Offices,
High-street.

Edinburgh, October 27.—Pipes.—440 tons of cast iron
pipes, from 2 in. to 6 in. diameter, for the Edinburgh and
District Water Trustees. Specifications from engineer, 12,
St. Giles-street, Edinburgh.

Godalming, November 2.—Borehole.—Sinking and lining
a borehole, 24 in. diameter, for the Town Council. Particu-
lars from borough surveyor, Municipal Offices.

Manchester, October 27.—Conveying Plant, etc.—
Erection of a coal conveying plant, new coal hopper, etc. ;
water cooler; two electrically-driven circulating water
pumps; and turbine-driven boiler feed pumps, for the
Electricity Committee. Specifications from F. E. Hughes,
secretary, Electricity Department, Town Hall, Manchester,
on deposit of one guinea.

Whitwell-in-the-Hill (Yorks.), October 30. —
Reservoir.—Construction of a reservoir and engine house,
laying about 1,200 yds. of cast iron pipes, and fixing of
oil engine, for the Malton Rural Council. Particulars from
J. Hutton, 89, Westborough, Scarborough.

* Specifications, particulars, etc., may be seen at the
Commercial Intelligence Branch of the Board of Trade,
73, Basinghall-street, E.C.

LABOUR AND WAGES.

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

Another difficulty has arisen in respect of the employees in
South Wales, the Colliery Examiners’ Association having
held a conference in Cardiff on Saturday, wherein protest was
made against the refusal of the coal owners to recognise the
trade union. Those present passed a resolution to the effect
that

seeing the attitude of the owners, they be written to and
finally informed that unless they are prepared to recognise
our association within the next month, another conference
will be called, when the whole position will be laid before
it, with a view to a ballot being taken.

Further, it was resolved that owing to the refusal of a
minimum wage for firemen, the organisation should consider
the advisability of tendering a month’s notice in order to
enforce recognition of the claim. Another resolution declared
that the amount paid as a war bonus is in all cases “inade-
quate to meet the extra cost of living prevalent under the
present abnormal conditions,’’ and it advised the members
who receive fixed wages to demand that their bonus be
increased by 12s. per week, and that those whose wages are
governed by the operation of the Conciliation Board, and
who have not yet received advances in strict accord with the
last two awards of the independent chairman, to claim that
their wage rate be rectified. In the event of non-compliance,
steps shall be taken to recover the full amount of wages now
due.

The night workmen at Maesteg met on Saturday to con-
sider the dispute arising out of the question of working the
Sunday night shift as a six-hour shift, or a turn and a half
for eight hours. Mr. Vernon Hartshorn (miners’ agent)
spoke, and it was resolved not to work the Saturday afternoon
and night shift until agreement be reached in regard to the
Sunday night shift.

The South Wales miners’ executive met at Cardiff on
Friday, Mr. James Winstone presiding, and Mr. T. Richards,
M.P. (secretary) being also present. A deputation from the
anthracite district informed the executive that a special meet-
ing was being held at Swansea on the following day
(Saturday), to consider stopping work as a protest against
the action of the employers in changing the standard rates
according only to their own interpretation of the new agree-
ment, and before the enquiry provided for had taken place.
The council appointed the president (Mr. James Winstone)
and Mr. T. Lucas to attend the meeting, and resolved to
recommend the workmen not to stop work pending the
enquiry, notwithstanding the action of the employers. Letters
were received from Mr. H. Dennis Bailey (Nottingham) and
Mr. Herbert Lewis (St. John Ambulance Association’s
deputy commissioner for Wales) calling attention to what the
Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire miners had done jointly
with the coal owners in the provision of motor ambulances;
and it was decided that the matter should be raised at the
joint meeting, with a view to asking Mr. Bailey and Mr.
Lewis to attend. Out-of-work pay was granted to the work-
men of the Gelliceidrym Colliery, on account of the recent
stoppage; and to the Cwmgorse men up to the time they were
recommended to return to work.

Mr. Henry Richards and Mr. T. John, who reported on
the audit of the accounts to June 30, stated that the accounts
were in good order, and reflected credit on the staff. The
executive resolved to appeal in the compensation case of
Jones v. Guest, Keen and Company.

The miners’ delegates of the anthracite district met at
Swansea on Saturday, representing 16,000 workmen, and
received the deputation of Messrs. James Winstone and
T. Lucas, from the Federation. The point at issue was
whether the men would cease work as a protest against
certain actions of the employers in regard to the new agree-
ment, or wfliether they would continue work and accept the
assurance that the matter would be expedited by the Federa-
tion. It was pointed out that the sympathy ■ even of the
Federation would be alienated if the drastic action proposed
was taken, and after discussion it was decided to follow
the-advice of the leaders and continue work during enquiry
into the question off the alleged “ lost 5 per cent.”

The Conciliation Board met at Cardiff on Monday and
dealt chiefly with a number of small disputes, it being
reported that the Board of Trade had appointed Sir Laurence
Gomme, late clerk to the London County Council, to ac+ as
arbitrator in cases where difficulties arise owing to different
rules prevailing in separate areas. A sub-committee of five
from each side of the Conciliation Board will meet the
arbitrator on the 26th.—It was also announced that Mr.
Justice Sankey had accepted the position of independent
chairman of the board of enquiry into the anthracite diffi-
culty concerning the “ lost 5 per cent.”—Another notable
fact is that the Rt. Hon. W. Abraham. M.P. (MahonE
attended the meeting after an absence of two years, he
having quite recovered from his long-continued illness. Upon

the report from the workmen’s representatives that the
joint sub-committee which was appointed to deal with the
questions arising under the new agreement had failed to
reach a settlement on several important points, a request
was made to the Board to deal with these points. It was,
however, decided that the joint sub-committee shall hold a
further meeting, and make another endeavour to agree.

The stoppage of men for three or four days at the
Markham Colliery on account of some difficulty arising out
of a funeral, has been followed by correspondence in the
newspapers, the workmen’s committee making statements
on the one side, and one of the colliery representatives on
the other; but neither of them take up the chief point that
should be dealt with, viz., that a stoppage of work took
place without authorisation by the Federation executive.
Secondary points such as the alleged incivilities, and so on,
are considered as beside the mark, compared with trade
union responsibility.

Owing to non-unionists being at work, Nos. 1 -and 2 pits
of Locket’s (Merthyr) Mardy Colliery were on stop during
Thursday of last week, 1,400 men being idle.

North of England.

Mr. William Straker, corresponding secretary of the
Northumberland Miners’ Association, has issued a circular
to the branches, with regard to the Eight Hours Act. He
says : “ A number of reports of systematic violations of the
Eight Hours Act at collieries in this county have reached
us. I am, therefore, instructed to request all our branch
secretaries to say whether or not any violations of the Act
are taking place at the pits where their members work, and
if so, to give as full particulars as possible.” Mr. Straker
asks for replies to be sent in in time for consideration at the
November council meeting of the association.

On Saturday afternoon another meeting of the executive
of the Cumberland Miners’ Association was held at
Workington, when Mr. J. Dickinson, of Aspatria, presided
over a good attendance. After a lengthy discussion, it was
decided to call meetings in the whole of the districts, viz.,
Workington, Siddick, Whitehaven, St. Helens, Flimby,
Ellenbough, Seaton, Clifton, Broughton, Broughton Moor,
Parton, Moresby, and Montreal. Mr. Thos. Cape, financial
secretary of the association, was authorised to make the
necessary arrangements. Proposals will be laid before the
meetings that the men shall contribute 10s. each, either
3d. per week for 40 weeks, or 6d. per week for 20 weeks.
If this scheme is approved, and the owners contribute pro
rata, it is believed that a sufficient sum will be forthcoming
to provide 10 motor ambulances.

The men employed at the Hodbarrow iron ore mine,
Millom, have been asked to fall in with a scheme to increase
the output by the working of three shifts per day, instead
of two, and including Saturday afternoons and pay Mondays.
Hitherto they have worked six morning .and five afternoon
shifts per week, the five afternoons being counted as six,
so as to equalise the weekly wages, and the proposal is to
continue this arrangement, and to introduce six night shifts
in the week. At a private meeting of the miners at the
Co-operative Hall, the proposals were not favourably
received, the miners demurring to the loss of Saturday
afternoons and pay Mondays. Another large meeting of the
miners was held on Saturday, under the auspices of the
Cumberland Iron Ore and Kindred Trades’ Association.

Federated Area.

The council of the Derbyshire Miners’ Association met
at Chesterfield, on Saturday, under the chairmanship of
Mr. J. Martin (Staveley). It was reported that at a meeting
with the coal owners of Derbyshire and Notts, held in
Derby, two days previously, the question was discussed of
formulating a scheme by which avoidable absenteeism might
be reduced. The miners’ representatives suggested the
setting up of pit committees at each colliery, upon which
representatives of the owners and the workmen should serve,
with power to deal with output from the points of view
of masters and men, but the owners were unable to agree
to such scheme, and the proposal fell through. The
Blackwell loose side heading and Shirland breaking-in
grievances were discussed. Deputations had conferred with
the Blackwell Colliery Company, but without arriving at an
amicable settlement, and the council now decided that the
workmen at all the company’s pits should be empowered to
ballot on the question of handing in their notices to cease
work. Mr. F. Hall, agent, was instructed to communicate
with the Board of Trade as to the appointment of an official
to arbitrate on the question. Complaints were also made
regarding the Shireoaks Colliery Company. It was stated
that the company had declined to recognise the new basis
arranged by the Conciliation Board, and that they still
refused to carry out the award of Lord Coleridge to pay
(without reducing the compensation) certain workmen, who
are on half difference for war bonus. The matter was left
to Mr. Hall to communicate with the company, and if no
settlement is arrived at, further action is to be taken at the
next council meeting.

A meeting of the Coal Conciliation Board for the federated
mining districts in England and North Wales w&s held in
London on Friday last, to consider an application by the
men for a 5 per cent, advance in the existing rate of
wages. The present wages paid in the Federation area are
10 per cent, above the new standard, which is equal to the
maximum wage under the old standard, together with a war
bonus of 15J per cent. The maximum wage is 23J per cent.
Mr. F. J. Jones, Yorkshire, chairman of the Board, pre-
sided, and there was a full attendance of members, including
the joint secretaries, Sir Thomas Ratcliffe-Ellis and Mr.
Thomas Ashton. Mr. Walsh made the application on behalf
of the miners for the 5 per cent, advance in wages, basing
the application on the present selling price of coal at the pits
in the Federated area, as shown by the company’s figures of
the prices at the representative collieries. Mr. F. J. Jones
replied for the owners, pointing out the clause in the new
wage agreement, that : “ Until under the regulations of
the Conciliation Board it shall be decided by the Board
that the owners have recouped the 15^ per cent, referred to
in clause 1 (the war bonus) no further application for an
advance in wages shall be made until the selling price and
the other circumstances which the Conciliation Board is
entitled to consider shall have justified an advance above
the said 15| per cent.” There was some discussion, in
which it was urged that the coal owners had not recouped
themselves under this clause in the agreement. It was
ultimately decided by agreement to adjourn the application
until Friday, 28th inst., for the employers to consider the
case put forward by the men.

The settlement of the Grimethorpe strike, over the question
of non-union labour, gave satisfaction last week. The trouble
was surmounted by the manager agreeing to place a time-
limit for non-union men at the pit to become members of the

Yorkshire Miners’ Association, but he pointed out he could
not undertake to compel men to join. The colliery is now
in full swing. The trouble at Frickley Colliery, also con-
trolled by the Carlton Main Colliery Company, and which
arose over the same question of non-union labour, has like-
wise been settled. Here it never got so far as a strike, and
has been surmounted by the non-unionists falling into line
with those already in the union, and joining the same.

There is every hope that the fork and shovel question at
Brodsworth Colliery will end amicably. The men’s
grievance is that the use of forks for filling prevents them
being paid for the small coal, which goes into the goafs.
Brodsworth, they declare, is the only colliery in Yorkshire
where forks are retained. The view of the company is that
the proportion of small coal and shale is so large at Brods-
worth, there is no alternative method. Some agreement on
the basis of an allowance for the small coal got, but not
raised to the surface, is suggested. Brodsworth Colliery has
an average output of 20,000 tons weekly. The men are
tendering their notices, but any cessation of work will, it
is hoped, be avoided.

The miners of Conisboro’ are adopting means to deal with
slackers who habitually lose time, so as to avoid the prose-
cution of the defaulters at the Doncaster Police Court. They
have just set up their.own tribunal, consisting of representa-
tives of the men themselves. These delegates will hear the
cases, and impose whatever penalties seem to be merited.
The money received in fines will be devoted to a benevolent
fund. This arrangement was come to at a meeting attended
by the union leaders.

The dispute with the coal workers and dockers at Goole has
been settled at a private conference between. the representa-
tives of the men and the Aire and Calder Navigation,
presided over by Mr. Doughty, of the Board of Trade.
The men have agreed to work at nights as they had done
previously to August 9, except in cases of vessels arriving in
the port and which during the davtime can be loaded for
sailing in time for the second tide following their arrival. In
such cases night work shall not be required of the men,
and no night work shall be required in any case on
Saturdays and Sundays, or before six o’clock on Monday
mornings, any difference arising as to the meaning of these
proposals to be referred to the Board of Trade.

Forest of Dean.

Mr. G. H. Rowlinson, miners’ agent, Forest of Dean,
said at a recent meeting that there had been a rally to the
association during the past few weeks, but there were still
many men outside. There was a serious prospect of the
association being wound up: and if an attempt were made to
build a new association on the ashes of the old, they must
look to someone other than himself to do it. The coal owners
had agreed to increase by 2s. 6d. a week the basis of com-
pensation allowance in each of the four grades in which
workmen of the Forest were scheduled.

Scotland.

The strike at Blairhall Colliery has been settled, and the
men returned to work bn Monday, after having been out
for a fortnight; a basis of settlement suggested by the legal
adviser of the Fife Miners’ Union has been accepted by
the company. In connection with this strike, it is remem-
bered that though there was a checkweigher stationed at
the pit, the men alleged that the company’s weigher insisted
upon making deductions for stone at his own hand, and
without consultation with the checkweigher. The con-
troversy which has arisen raises a very important legal
question as to the interpretation of section 12 of the Coal
Mines Regulation Act, 1887. A letter has been sent by
Mr. M’Beth, legal adviser to the Fife Miners’ Union, to
the coal masters’ secretary, in which he says it is proposed
that a joint memorial should be submitted to the Lord
Advocate of Scotland and Mr. Clyde, K.C., Dean of the
Faculty of Advocates, with a view to determining what is
precisely the legal interpretation of the section. He says :
‘ The sharp controversy between us is, as you are aware,
that you maintain the weigher and checkweigher, or the
third party have themselves the power to fix a mode, whereas
we maintain that an agreement as to >any mode must be
fixed between the masters and men, and that where deduc-
tions for dirt are agreed to, but no mode is agreed, the
weigher and checkweigher whom failing, the third party
must judge each individual hutch on its merits. This, as
you are aware, is the view of the Home Office, but at
Saturday’s meeting you maintained that the Home Office
view was erroneous. Whatever counsel decides is to be
loyally accepted by masters and men until the end of the
present war.”

The threatened strike at the Oakbank Oil Company’s
Winchburgh Works has been amicably settled by the owners
having conceded the demands of the men, i.e., recognition of
the union officials, no opposition to men joining the union,
and that the case of the dismissed workman would be re-con-
sidered, and the man to be reinstated meantime.

A letter signed by Mr. R. Smillie, the president, and Mr.
Robert Brown, the secretary, has been sent to Mr. Robert
Baird, the secretary of the coal masters, asking, on behalf of
the National Union of Scottish Mine Workers, for an increase
on the 1888 basis wages scale of 18^ per cent. The present
is made as a result of the ascertainment of the prices of
coal realised by the coal owners for the period ending
August 31. The wage of the Scottish miners is at present
8s. 6d. per day. About 100.000 mine workers are interested
in the present anplication. The Scottish Coal Trade Concili-
ation Board will meet in Glasgow on Monday next to
consider the claim.

Iron, Steel and Engineering Trades.

The Tin-Platers’ Conciliation Board has reached agree-
ment upon the men’s demand for increase of wages. Those
receiving up to 20s. per week will have 15 per cent, advance ;
between 20s. and 30s., the advance will be 20 per cent.;
30s. to 40s., 15 per cent.; and above 40s., it will be 10 per
cent. General satisfaction is expressed at the result having
been attained without calling in an arbitrator.

Lantern Slides for Lectures. — Messrs. Ed. Bennis and
Company Limited inform us that they have a large number
of lantern slides dealing with the development and present
practice in connection with automatic stokers, coal elevators,
and conveyors, etc., which they will be pleased to loan to any
responsible engineer for lecture purposes. A list of the slides
and particulars of their subject matter can be obtained on
request. Application for slides should be made as far in
advance of the lecture date as possible, and should be
addressed to Ed. Bennis and Company Limited, 28, Victoria-
street, London, S.W.