November 26, 1915. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN 1085 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Brown Coal Market in Mid-Germany. The Brown Coal Association, Halle, reports that business during October was quite equal to that of the preceding and of the corresponding month last year, though scarcity of railway wagons occasionally retarded delivery, and necessitated going on short time. For the same reason, briquettes had to be stocked at the works. The continued calling up of men to the Army has further .-accentuated the labour shortage. Company Reports. Rheinisch - Westfalisches Elektrizitdtswerk A.G.— After writing oft 3,533,242 mk. (3,319,389 mk.) on plant, and covering management expenses and interest charges 332,759 mk. (3,319,389 mk.), the net profit amounted to 4,448,770 mk. (4,182,749 mk.), of which 222,438 mk. (209,362 mk.) are placed to reserve, 222,623 mk. (209,362 mk.) distributed as share of profits, and four million mk. (3’76 million mk.) as an 8 per cent. (8 per cent.) dividend on the full capital of 50 million mk.), 3,698 mk. (4,250 mk.) being carried forward. Sdchsische Gussstahlfabrik A.G., Dohlen. — The increased net profits, 2,805,792 mk. (1,453,248 mk.), allow the dividend to be raised to 16f per cent (9| per cent.), and 25 mk. (14 mk.) to be paid in addition on the bonus shares. Gussstahlwerk Witten.—The profits, amounting to 4,119,450 mk. (1,892,250 mk.), have been allocated as follow’: — Writing off, 1,096,292 mk. (643,388 mk.); renewal fund, 350,000 mk. (150,000 mk.); security fund, 100,000 mk. (nil); staff bonuses, 80,000 mk. (40,000 mk.); staff provision fund, 50,000 mk. ((20,000 mk.); assistance fund, 100,000 mk. (50,000 mk.); coupon-tax reserve, 7,000 mk. (7,000mk.); war provision fund, 100,000 mk. (nil); workmen’s provision fund, 300,000 mk. (nil); carrying forward, 441,243 mk. (235,340 mk.); after paying a dividend of 18 per cent. (10 per cent.). Bergwerksgesellschaft Hermann m.b. H., Bork.— Trading surplus 549,592 mk. (1,221,113 mk.), other receipts 158,970 mk. (127,067 mk.), interest and taxes 222,138 mk. (322,179 mk.),. mortgage interest, 176,421 mk. (127,972 mk.), written off 875,423 mk. (890,246 mk.) profit sharing 12,000mk., loss 577,420mk. (previous year’s loss 1,919,091 mk. covered by drawing on capital and reserve accounts). Total coal raised 455,353 tons (455,491 tons); coke production 196,321 tons (160,442 tons). Gewerkschaft des Steinkohlenbergwerks Lothringen, Gerthe.—Coal raised during the second quarter, 186,540 tons (175,880 tons the previous quarter, and 284,655 tons the second quarter of 1914); coke production, 75,025 tons (74,315 tons and 80,198 tons); trading surplus, 528,597 mk. (451,662 mk. and 713,306 mk.); dividend, 250 mk. (250 mk. and 500 mk.) per share. Stahlwerk Thyssen A.G., Hag endingen.—The works —being near the French frontier—have had to be closed down for a considerable time owing to the war. The gross profit amounted to 7,151,453 mk., of which 2,752,574 mk. (2,476,825 mk.) are required for payment of interest, and 3,335,237 mk. (4,553,548 mk.) for writing off, the balance being consumed by expenses and taxes. Allgemeine Tiefbohr und Schachtbau-Gesellschaft, Dusseldorf.—After absorbing the security fund, amount- ing to 108,334 mk., and writing off 418,003 mk. (252,202 mk.), the old deficit of 331,955 mk. has increased to 1,055,697 mk. More than half the share capital has now been lost. Franz Meguin und Company, A.G., Dillingen.—In view of the large outstanding accounts in enemy countries, no dividend will be paid (9 per cent.), the whole of the profits of 191,878 mk. being carried forward. Spreng st offwerke Dr. R. Nahnsen und Company A.G., Hamburg. — After covering all expenses, writing off 235,232 mk. (204,141 mk.), and placing 150,000 mk. (nil) to reserve on Russian account, there remains a net profit of 276,631 mk., out of which a 6| per cent, dividend will again be paid.___________________________ TRADE AND THE WAR. The Government have introduced a Bill to suspend the operation of section 27 of the Patents and Designs Act, 1907, during the continuance of the present war, and for a period of six months thereafter. The Minister of Munitions informs the local authorities that he has called upon the Gas Light -and Coke Company to meet certain requirements as to the methods of manufacture of gas at their works, and points out that this may lead to a possible lowering of the illuminating or calorific standards imposed by law. A further Proclamation has just been issued, which makes certain alterations in -and additions to the list of articles pro- hibited for export. By it iron ore is now’ prohibited to all destinations. Tin-plates and -all receptacles made from tin- plates are prohibited to foreign countries in Europe and on the Mediterranean and Black Seas, other than France. Russia .(except Baltic ports), Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Railway wagons are prohibited to all destinations abroad other than British possessions and protectorates. At a meeting of the Lambeth Board of Guardians last week, Messrs. G. Hinchliffe and Company wrote that in •consequence of the increased wages granted to the London coal porters, the price of coal supplied to the Board’s institu- tions under contract would be increased by 2d. per ton as from November 8. The clerk stated that he had communi- cated with the contractors to the effect that he took this increase to apply to coal supplied for the purpose of the accumulation of reserve stocks. In the House of Commons last week, Mr. Watt asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he was aware that the London and North-Western Railway Company had refused to accept, since the middle of September, all traffic to or from Scotland, except perishables for markets and Govern- ment stores. The President of the Board of Trade, in reply, said he had received a letter from the railway company, from which it appeared that, owing chiefly to the pressure of Admiralty coal and other Government traffic, restriction on traffic to and from Scotland were necessary between certain dates, but that the coal traffic had now been partially diverted. Mr. Boland, in the House of Commons on Tuesday, asked the Minister of Munitions, in view of the fact that sodium nitrate was required in the manufacture of nitric acid as a starting point in the production of explosives and synthetic dyes, he would take steps to utilise the turf from Irish bogs for peat gas producers.—Dr. Addison, replying, said the various methods of utilising peat were receiving the close attention of the Department in connection with the manufac- ture, not only of ammonia nitrate, but also of other sub- stances useful for war purposes. The researches made by the Dublin College of Science were well known to the officers of the Department, and they were already in communication with the persons who owned and worked peat in Ireland for industrial purposes, as described in the Journal of the Irish Department. Most of these methods were still in an experi- mental stage, and their adoption depended on questions of yield, cost of plant, time required for erection, and the cost of the product. No decision had yet been arrived at on the subject.—Mr. Boland asked if the hon. gentleman wTas aware that this system had been in practical operation for the last four years in a factory in Portadown, in Ulster, and the running costs had been reduced by 50 per cent, over the cost of coal.—Dr. Addison answered that it was a proved fact that various ingredients had been made out of peat useful for the manufacture of explosives, but what they had to consider was whether it was a commercial proposition as compared with other sources. On Tuesday, in the House of Commons, the President of the Board of Trade again replied to questions relating to the -arrangement with London coal merchants to limit retail prices of coal during the winter. Mr. Runciman stated that the principal London merchants had agreed not to raise the present advertised prices of coal without previous com- munication with the Board of Trade. He was in negotia- tion with the merchants who w’ere parties to the arrangement for limiting merchants’ charges with a view to enforcing •a fixed relation betw’een the advertised prices per ton and the prices of coal sold in small quantities from trolleys and in shops. Due publicity would be given to -an arrangement as to the sale of coal in small quantities which he hoped would be completed shortly. In the House of Commons on Tuesday, Mr. Peto intro- duced a discussion on the legal rights of companies composed of alien shareholders in this country. Mr. Butcher quoted the case of Messrs. Hugo Stinnes Limited. He stated that it was composed entirely of German shareholders, with extensive German connections and associations. At the present moment, and ever since the w’ar—and before it— it had carried -on a coal trade. Instead of being w’ound up, it was still carrying on business, and carrying it on with all rights as if it were composed solely of British -shareholders. Indeed, at the present time it was bringing an action, or had brought an action, in a court of law against a British subject to acquire -a new office in Cardiff for the purpose of better carrying on its trade. The Board of Trade had not seen fit to appoint a manager and receiver in order to wind up this German concern. It w7as true that the Board of Trade had -appointed a controller, but he had no powers beyond that of a supervisor; he had not the powers of receiver and manager. Sir F. E. Smith, Attorney- General, pointed out that the whole matter must be regarded as extremely disputable. What had happened was that an inspector had been appointed under section 2 of the Trading with the Enemy Act, 1914, in the case of every single company in which the majority of shares was held by enemies, or in which the majority of the directorate consisted of enemies. Inspectors had also been appointed even where the majority of directors did not consist of alien enemies. In every case where the inspector had reported that a supervisor should be additionally put in, in order to keep a constant watch, a supervisor had been duly -appointed. ____________________________________________ THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, November 25. ___________ ________________________________ Dublin. The coal trade generally is active, mere particularly the household branch, but prices have not been further advanced, viz. : Best Orrell, 35s. per ton; Yorkshire brights, 34s.; best Wigan, 33s.: best Whitehaven, 33s.; best kitchen, 31s.; best Orrell slack, 27s., all less Is. per ton discount for cash. Coke has been advanced to 36s. per ton net delivered. Pit prices of Irish coal at Wolfhill Collieries, Queen’s County, are : Best large coal, 30s. per ton; best household coal, 28s. 4d.; culm, all prices from 3s. 4d. per ton upwards. Pit prices for Kilkenny (Castlecomer) coal, outside of contract prices, are as follow: Best small coal, 23s. 4d. per ton; best- large, 21s. 8d.; second quality, 20s.; bottom coal, 16s. 8d.; break- age, Ils. 8d.; culm, 5s. to 8s. 6d. The coal vessels arriving during the past week amounted to 53, as compared with 44 the week previously, chiefly from Ayr, Troon, Garston, Preston, Partington, Liverpool, Maryport, Newport, Irvine, Swansea, Point of Aire. Saundersfoot, Whitehaven, Glasgow, West Bank, and Cardiff. The total quantity of coal dis- charged upon the quays was 23,500 tons, as against 18,600 tons the previous week. An increase of 2s. a w’eek was granted to the carters last week, this making 4s. since the w’ar commenced. Belfast. Locally, prices have not yet been advanced, although the wintry weather has caused a brisk demand for house coal, and there is increasing business in other qualities. Whole- sale prices in the inland districts are higher, owing to the exceptional freight rates at present being obtained. Quota- tions for house coals in the city are : Best Arley coal, 36s. per ton: Orrell nuts, 35s.; Scotch house coal, 32s.: Orrell slack, 32s. per ton delivered. Steam coals are subject to alteration. The following are the approximate prices of steam coals and coke : Ordinary Scotch steam coal. 24s. to 25s. per ton; Scotch Navigation, 26s. to 27s.; best Welsh steam, 38s. to 40s.; best gas coke, 30s. to 32s. per ton; best foundry coke, 40s. to 42s. 6d. per ton. Merchants’ stocks are somewhat limited. Coal-laden vessels arriving during the week were from Irvine, Garston, Maryport, Ayr, Ellesmere Port, Ardrossan, Whitehaven, Preston, Workington, Troon, and Partington. The total number of colliers entering the port from October 31 to November 13 was 111. THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products.—The market is very quiet, and in the majority of cases there is no change in prices. The excep- tion is to be found in pitch, 'which is certainly weaker all round. Nearest values are :— Rise (+) or fall (-) on Benzols, 90’s ................ l/0>—1/1 ... — ’ ,, 90’s North ,, 50’s ,, /Hl-1/ - 1/4 — Toluol 2/2—2/4 .. — Carbolic acid, crude (60 per cent.)... 3/5—3/6 .. — 4 ,, crystals (40 per cent). Solvent naphtha, south (90% at 190 1/4—1/6 ... — degs.), as in quality and package... Solvent naphtha, north (90% at 190 2/2—2/3 .. -— degs.), as in quality and package... Crude naphtha, north (in bulk) 2/2—2/3 .. — /6|-/7 ... — Creosote (for ordinary qualities) /2J-/3 - — Pitch (f.o.b. eaist coast) 17/—18/ ... • -1/ ,, (f.a.s. west coast) ......... 16/—16/6 ... —1/ Tar (per ton ex works) ........... 19/9—23/9 ... — [Benzols, toluol, creosote, solvent naphtha, carbolic acids, usually casks included unless otherwise stated, free on rails at maker's works or usual United Kingdom ports, net. Pitch f.o.b. net.] Sulphate of Ammonia.—The market is very firm, and prices continue to favour sellers, who, notwithstanding, seem to experience a satisfactory demand. Closing prompt prices are :— Rise (+) or fall ( —) on the week. London (ordinary makes) ... Beckton (25 per cent.) .... Liverpool ............... Hull ................... Middlesbrough ........... Scotch ports ............. Wales ................. Nitrate of soda (ord.) per cwt. £15/15 ... +2/6 £15 - +5/ £15/17/6 ... +2/6 £15/15 ... +5/ £15/10 ... +5/ £16—£16/10 ... +10/ £15/2/6 ... +10/ 14/4J — [Sulphate of ammonia, f.o.b. in bags, less 2| per cent, discount; 24 per cent, ammonia, good grey quality; allowance for refraction, nothing for excess.] _______ Trade Notes. If sulphate of ammonia -is subject to restrictions, and suffers from export regulations and licence delays, there is some consolation in the fact that nitrate of soda will also have to bear its share of trouble, and the outlook is far from rosy for importers of nitrate compared with the position of the sulphate of ammonia manufacturers, even when ample allow’-ance is made for the 16,000 tons reserved at low prices. The unexpected increase in production in Chili has complicated matters considerably, while the entry of our Government into the market as buyers who can requisition “ bottoms ” to ensure cheap transit, is calcu- lated to still further upset the market. On the top of this there comes the neV’s that the Chilian Government intend -to -advance the export duty, presumably -in order to maintain their own revenue in the face of the prospect of greatly curtailed shipments of nitrate to the Dunkirk districts. Russia is taking action to foster the home supply of agricultural necessities, and fertilisers in particular, and the movement in this direction has taken concrete form in the present congress at Moscow, which is the first of its kind ever held in Russia. The United States also are making some progress -in their endeavours to cope with the potash -situation. The feldspar process has been further developed, and the Canadian inventor, in conjunction M’ith the expert adviser to the United States Bureau o-f Foreign and Domestic Commerce, are confident of elaborating a much simpler method of treat- ment. Practical steps are also being taken to recover the potash from molasses M’aste at the distilleries. As there ■are about tw’enty-five important distilleries fermenting molasses, there must be a considerable quantity of potash salts at present going to waste. Japanese makers of artificial manures are suffering from a shortage of guanos and phosphates, and they are there- fore urging the Government to permit the working of the deposits on the island of Angaull. It is very evident that the by-product coking industry in America is rapidly growing in importance. Not only is the number of recovery ovens increasing, and thousands of bee- hive ovens being abandoned, but there are great advances in the capabilities of the modern ovens, which now can coke charges of 16 tons in .almost as many hours, whereas 20 years ago it took 74 hours to coke a 5-ton charge or less. There is a most noticeable advance in the production of ammonia in recovery plants, but it is interesting for British manufacturers to know’ that there is not a great increase in the actual production of sulphate of ammonia; in fact, in 1914 there w*as a decrease. There has been very little movement in tar during the w’cek, although the prices are on the decline, the total returns being .£145. Tar oil, £500. Pitch has showm rather more activity, with 1,320 tons, 214 barrels, and £271. Sulphate of ammonia also has moved more freely, reaching a total of 5,530 tons. _________________________ THE TIN-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. Steel bars are dearer, and difficult to buy for forward delivery. The daily increase in shortage of labour is becoming serious, and pickling acids are commandeered by the War Office, consequently makers of tin-plate are com- pelled to proceed very cautiously indeed. There are some good enquiries in the market for both Russia and France, and there is also a steady demand for the home trade. Works quotations vary a good deal just now*, but the following may be taken as about the general run of prices at the moment :— Coke tin-plates : IC 14 x 20 (112 sh. 1081b.), 21s. per box and upwards: I C 28 X 20 (112 sh. 2161b.), 42s. 3d.: IC 14 x 18$ (124 sh. 1101b.). 21s. 3d.: IC 20 x 10 (225 sh. 1561b.). 30s. IC squares and odd sizes, 21s. fid. basis and upwards. Charcoals, 23s. basis and upwards, according to tinning. Ternes. I C 28 X 20. 37s. 6d. per box and upwards. Coke wasters are firm and advancing, as follows :—C W 14 X 20, 19s. 6d. per box and upwards: C W 28 X 20 , 40s.; CW 14 x 18$. 19s. fid.: CW 20 x 10, 28s. All f.o.b. Wales, less 4 per cent.