1298

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE.

Tar Products.—So to speak, it is the raw materials that
show signs of weakness, hut the fractionated products keep
steady, since tar and pitch are both easier. Nearest values

are :—

Benzols, 90’s .......................
,,	90’s North ................

„	50’s	,,	................

Toluol ...............................
Carbolic acid, crude (60 per cent.)...

,, crystals (40 per cent.)
Solvent naphtha, south (90% at 190
degs.), as in quality and package...
Solvent naphtha, north (90% at 190
degs.), as in quality and package...
Crude naphtha, north (in bulk) ....
....
Creosote (for ordinary qualities) .

Pitch (f.o.b. east coast) ...........
,,	(f.a.s.	west coast) ...........

Tar (per ton ex works) ..............

1/Oi-l/l

1/4

2/3

3/5—3/6

1/4

Rise ( + ) or
fall (-) on
the week.

2/2—2/3 ...	—

2/2—2/3

/6W7

/2j-/3

16/—16/6

15/6—16/
18/6—23/6

-/6

-/6

-/6

[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. — Prices continue to advance

steadily, and there as a good export demand, especially for
future delivery; but actual business is light, as holders
are naturally very firm, even though buyers are most
persistent in their bidding. Closing prompt prices are :—

London (ordinary makes)
Beckton (25 per cent.) ......
Liverpool ................
Hull .....................
Middlesbrough ............
Scotch ports ..............
W ales ...........................

Nitrate of soda (ord.) per cwt.

Rise ( + ) or
fall ( —) on
the week.

£17	...	+17/6

£16/10	...	+15/

£17/7/6	...	+8/9

£17—£17/2/6	...	+7/6

£17	...	+17/6

£17—£17/10	...	+10/

£17/2/6	...	+20/

15/4|	...	+ /6

■ [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.

There is no doubt that the need for conserving and
increasing the production of coal products has been taken
seriously in the United States, and exceptional activity has
resulted. According to the latest reports, the Standard Oil
Company, of California, is producing benzol and toluol from
the crude asphaltic oils of that State, and doing so on the
commercial scale, though as yet in a small way. The actual
process is at present kept secret. Some idea of coke oven
developments is also afforded by the latest communication
made by the Chemist to the United States Bureau of Mines,
in which it is estimated that, by the end of this year, their
by-product ovens will be producing 25,000,000 gals, per annum
of light oils (crude benzol), which represents an increase in
the output of about 150 per cent.

That we also, if but tardily, are adopting conservation in
this connection is evidenced by the action of the Ministry of
Munitions, in addressing a letter to highway authorities,
urging them to avoid the use of crude tar upon footways or
carriage ways during the continuance of the war.

The price of sulphate of ammonia to-day is calculated to
stir memories of the times that have been, when sulphate
of ammonia stood at over £20 per ton; but when all the
factors are taken into consideration, such a price as £17 is
not surprising; nor is it likely to indicate the maximum value.
An important point, to be considered is the actual restriction
of output, especially among gas works, owing to the lack of
adequate supplies of sulphuric acid. On the other hand, a
question in Parliament has elicited the fact that in 1913 the
imports of sulphate of ammonia into this country were less
than 100 tons. Anxiety about our home supplies of sulphate
of ammonia may be praiseworthy, but it is a waste o.f energy
when it assumes ignorance of the 230,000 tons or more we
export each year over and above our home consumption
requirements.

The returns for the week have been :—Pitch, 1,396 tons,
200 gals., and £864. Tar, 3,561 gals., 1,340 tons, and 1,595
drums. Benzine, £140. Sulphate of ammonia, 3,487 tons,
in which Japanese ports do not figure at all, and the United
States for 100 tons only.

__________________________

United States Imports and Exports.—The following is a
comparative statement of coal imports and exports of the
United States for August 1914-15, and for the eight months
ending August 1914-15, in long tons :—

Imports :	August.		Eight months.	
	1914.	1915.	1914.	1915.
Anthracite, total ..	—	77.	1,502..	2,390
Bituminous, total..	’ 103,469 \	. 116,295.	. 861,513..	. 951.517
United Kingdom	50..	200.	8,308..	15.610
Canada 		. 80,608	84,700	669,512	758 684
Japan 		. 13,466.	.. 10,540’	44,’449”	56,919
Australia 		9,173..	.. 20,785.	. 137,191..	117,778
Other countries..	172.	—	2,053..	2,576
Coke 		5,288..	9,231	. 67,003..	33,620
Exports:				
Anthracite, total ..	. 455,305..	.. 307,147	2,666,969..	. 2,304,964
Canada 		. 452,538..	. 293,318..	..2,627,915..	. 2,261,722
Other countries..	2,767..	. 13,829.	.. 39,024..	43,242
Bituminous, total..	.1,955,176..	.2,000,848.	..9,045,260..	.10,588,583
Italy 		—	.. 382,154.	—	. 2,023,945
Canada 		.1,513,096..	.. 947,069.	..6,038,926”	. 4,737,655
Panama 		. 22,067..	. 49.423	190,965	329,450
Mexico 		. 24,705..	18,507..	2]5’068.’	216,246
Cuba 		.	79,537..	. 114,299..	. 696,111..	.	734,536
West Indies		. 60,550	42,347..	.. 415,824..	. 308.(05
Argentina 		. 25,811..	. 128,823..	. 138,219..	. 662,714
Brazil 		. 54,695..	. 53,002 .	. 155,225..	. 482 971
Uruguay 		10,920..	30,956..	. 56,514..	130,970
Other countries...	163,795..	. 234,268 .	1,138,408..	.	961,671
Total coal		.2,410,481..	,2,307.995,11.712.229..		.12,893,547
Coke 		. 48,220..	. 83,085..	. 456,661..	. 513,679
Bunker coal 		. 512,700..	. 672,990..	.5,038,576..	. 5,027,027

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

December 24, 1915.

ECONOMY IN MINING.

[Contributed.]

The amount of economy that has been practised in
the coal mining industry since the outbreak of the war
is surprising; and it is somewhat strange that when
healthier conditions prevailed, and when more money
was available with which to experiment, these
economies were neglected. In mining, more so than
any other industry, a large amount of money can be
quickly and easily wasted; but it is also an industry in
which, by judicious management and co-operation,
money can be saved. The success of the business does
not rest entirely with the manager or agent, but with
every official and workman connected therewith. Though
a concern be strong, one should not rest on his oars, and
content himself with that fact; one must be progressive,
or in time that concern will degenerate. As time—and,
we may also say, legislation — goes on, new ways of
spending money are creeping in, and it is -therefore up
to those responsible to adopt new methods of saving
money, that is to say, saving it well, and not on the
‘ ‘ saving one to-day at the cost of . three to-morrow ’ ’
principle. Money is disbursed chiefly on two counts,
i.e., material and wages. That for material is divided
between new plant and renewals. With regard to new
plant, little can be said other than provision for future
development should be amply considered. Plant should
be well attended to and sufficiently oiled, examined, and
adjusted periodically — half-an-hour daily may save a
breakdown. Care, or lack of care, in these matters,
governs the length of the order list for renewals. Parts
liable to wear or breakage should be well duplicated,
though there is nothing to be gained by having a large
stock of each part, for some day a particular part may
be taken off and scrapped, and then the spares are
valueless.

In the use of material much can be saved. The work-
men should be encouraged to be frugal, and to under-
stand there is nothing to be gained by driving a spike
nail where a canvas tack would do, nor yet in using a
6 in. bolt and washers when a 2-in. one would serve.
Work with the men, and not against them, and they
will save for you. Though the order list should be well
scrutinised, there is no economy in cutting it down. It
is not in the ordering, but in the use of, material that
the money is wasted. In up-to-date engineering shops
shafts and belting are, to <a great extent, dispensed with,
each machine or tool being driven by itself, so that
when a particular machine is required to work, there is
no need for the other machines to be kept running.
The same system may be successfully applied to surface
colliery plant, more especially the screening plant.
Seeing that it entails no extra hardship on the workers,
a quick means of transit for them from the shaft to
the various sections would go a long way towards
increasing the output; and at the same time lessen the
risk of accidents due to congestion at different parts
near the shaft. More telephonic service throughout the
workings would save a large amount of valuable time.
Better organisation of the general present system of con-
tracting would bring about an increase of output and a
reduction in cost. A case was recently brought under
the writer’s notice, in which both improvements were
effected. As is usual, the coal getting, brushing, and
drawing were each done by different contractors. Each
looked to his own interest, and that alone. In other
words, and as one would expect, there was a lack of
harmony. The coal getter left his place unsuited for
the brusher, and the brusher left it in a bad state for the
coal getter—hence delay in getting coals ready. A con-
stant output was maintained, but the management saw
where, with the number of men, it could be increased,
and an arrangement was come to whereby the three
contractors went in company, and took the coal getting,
drawing, and brushing at a price per ton, rather below
the cost when working separately. So successful was
the arrangement that the contractors voluntarily offered
a reduction of 6d. per ton, which showed they were
working to suit each other, as their wages depended on
the output. The result was an increase of 25 per cent,
in output, and a reduction of Is. in cost per ton.
Perhaps this could not be done in every case, but it is
at least worthy of consideration.

Even where brushing is paid by measurement, a good
saving can be made by making the rate of payment per
ton, in which case places are left in a good condition
for the miner, and consequently better for the brusher.
No more debris is taken down than can be easily cleared
before colliers start work. Better organisation of those
contracts does not reduce the earnings of the worker,
but a better and cheaper output is obtained for the same
exertion. Often, when a section becomes so large that
the fireman has not time to fire shots, a shot-firer is
put on for that purpose; but still there is a delay in
attending to the wants of the men. Under such con-
ditions it is found more convenient to split the section
into parts, and appoint an additional fireman. Each
fireman, having then a shorter run, can attend to the
wants of his men better, and less delay is thereby
experienced. The system of contracting the drawing of
coals, when payment is made by the score, invariably
leads to a reduction in the average weight of coals per
hutch, as it is a case of getting loaded hutches, whether
actually full or not. Payment by ton means increased
weight per hutch, giving an increase in output, less
hutches run for same output, and consequently less
labour in getitng that same output.

There are numerous instances where the power of
falling water can be harnessed with little expense. Pipe
lengths can be laid on inclines, and by collecting the
running water, power can be got to drive a Pelton wheel
or water turbine. At one colliery the writer saw a

wheel being driven by water power from an incline, and
the wheel in turn working an endless rope haulage.
Prop wood costs can be reduced by building the debris
got from brushing in longwall work systematically in the
waste, roadside and face buildings being set at regular
intervals. The drawing -of this debris to the surface can
only be counted as “ dead ” work, occupying time which
could be used in drawing coals, some large collieries
drawing as much as 160 tons in a day. No doubt, by
investigating the matter fully, a large proportion of this
debris could be built in the workings, and at the same
time act as a roof support. Everyone should be
reminded that the place for debris is underground, not
on the surface. In narrow work, where a fall takes
place, or brushing is required, a strip of coal can be
taken off the side, and debris packed into this space.
The coal is easily got, and there is no need to send
debris to surface. The idea is to use every available
minute for coal drawing. Experiment with different
methods of working, and get the one adopted in which
the coal is worked cheapest, all considered. By concen-
trating a number of men in a section, and moving for-
ward rapidly, roads are cut off quickly, and a reduction
in cost of upkeep is effected.

Engines and rooms suited for their purpose should be
constructed without any attempt at elaboration, as a
great amount of money is needlessly spent in this
manner. In condensing engines a high vacuum should
be aimed at, as it is much easier to perfect the vacuum
than to increase steam pressure.

All these are points which, though far-reaching in
effect, require no outlay whatever. They may perhaps
have been tried without success in some cases; but then
probably the management did not persevere with the
alteration such as is required in the case of changing
the system of payment for drawing.

_________________________________________________

PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE.
_________________________________________________

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—December 23.

The Transport Difficulty.

On the motion for adjournment, Mr. Hogge drew attention
to the inadequate transport facilities in this country owing
to the accumulation of railway wagons w’hich were out of
commission because of the lack of means for repairing them.

Mr. H. Edwards said that the commercial and industrial
life of South Wales was seriously affected, collieries were
being closed, and the tin-plate and steel trades were in danger
of being killed, owing to the deficiency in the means of trans-
port by land and sea. The railway service was quite inade-
quate for the conveyance of coal, which, as had been said,
was as valuable as gold in this crisis; and it was surprising
to hear that now that the railways were under State control,
the companies had declined to attend the conference presided
over by the right hon. gentleman on the previous day.

Mr. Runciman, in reply, said the restoration of rolling
stock was a matter of great difficulty, because so large a part
of the railway shops w’as taken over by munition works.
He wished it were possible to provide more tonnage to carry
coal from South Wales; but the fact must not be overlooked
that at present there were employed for purely naval and
military purposes a gigantic fleet—nearly three times the size
of the whole German mercantile marine—conducting for us
the whole of our supply services. On this our Army and
Navy were dependent, and to a large extent the French and
Italian also depended. This had greatly depleted the cargo-
carrying capacity available for other purposes. At the same
time, there had been an enormous addition to the tonnage
needed for the carriage of materials—metals and chemicals
of various kinds—for munitions. The whole of that strain
had to be borne by a merchant fleet less than that which was
available in times of peace. The truth was that we had not
sufficient merchant ships to go round, and a choice had to be
made as to the trades which must do without a certain number
of ships. All he could promise was that the Board of Trade
W’ould do all they could to induce vessels to take cargoes out
rather than to go out in ballast in order to bring cargoes
home. That would give some relief. By withholding licences
under the Order in Council of November a great deal of
tonnage had been diverted to British trade and trade with the
Dominions, which, of course, were placed upon the same
footing as this country.

______

German-Owned Collieries in the United Kingdom.

Sir C. Henry urged upon the Government the necessity
of considering the commercial problems with which the country
would be faced after the war.

Referring to the question of reorganisation of industry
after the war, Mr. Runciman said that from the first the
Board of Trade had taken the best advice they could get
in regard to every trade or industry. Such investigation as
the Government had conducted had been conducted behind
closed doors. There were some special subjects of a highly
technical character which the Board of Trade were not pre-
pared fully to investigate themselves. He had referred such
matters to a very small team of business men outside.
Among them were the use made by Germans of the English
financial system, the use made of British ports by German
tonnage, and the position of German owners of British
companies who claimed the advantage of our ports and flag,
and the ownership of real property by aliens. He knew one
coal field in the Midlands which had actually been held up
by a German who was trading under an English title—a
registered company which itself was doing nothing and was
preventing other people exploiting coal. That could not go
on after the war.—Mr. Butcher here said he hoped the right
hon. gentleman would prevent it going on during the war.—
Mr. Runciman said the hon. and learned gentleman need
not be at all afraid of that. The Government were taking
good care to allow no German to stand in their way -in
England. The only consideration which affected the Board
of Trade in these matters was British national interest.
Everything else was sacrificed. A Government Bill was
being drafted, and he could not state its terms, but they
would not be specially tender to the Germans as Germans.
Their business was to protect British interests. The
Germans had shown remarkable skill in gathering together
in Berlin financial control over undertakings in Europe, and
to a large extent in the East. It was of importance that
oil fuel should pass out of German control, or at all events
so much under British control that our interests would be
safeguarded.