December 31, 1915. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 1341 of black plate. Business is very brisk in wrought iron pipes, especially for locomotives; and the petroleum industry is again coming into the market for pipes. The output of pig iron and semis has increased, and such as are not consumed locally, find a ready market outside, at advanced prices. The steel works being very busy, the large available supplies of scrap iron are readily absorbed at the following prices:—Core scrap, 62 mk.; machine shop scrap, 50 mk.; ordinary broken iron, 59 mk.; ordinary turnings, 47-50 mk.; melting iron, 42 mk. per ton delivered to works. German Pig Iron Output in November. According to the report of the Association of German Iron and Steel Makers, the production of pig iron in November amounted to 1,019,122 tons (788,956 tons in November 1914), of which 160,897 tons (131,941 tons) were foundry pig, 17,736 tons (7,984 tons) Bessemer pig, 642,603 tons (498,384 tons) basic Bessemer pig, 177,393 tons (123,000 tons) steel iron and spiegeleisen, 20,493 tons (27,647 tons) puddling pig. The output from the various districts was as follows : Rhenish Westphalia, 449,919 tons (390,785 tons); Siegerland, Wetzlar, and Hesse Nassau, 66,432 tons (44,912 tons); Silesia, 62,956 tons (55,537 tons); North Germany, 19,947 tons (14,201 tons); Mid-Germany, 31,332 tons (25,952 tons); South Germany and Thuringia, 19,937 tons (13,881 tons); the Saar district, 69,382 tons (49,853 tons); Lothringen, 156,141 tons (98,567 tons); and Luxemburg, 143,073 tons (95,928 tons). The report states that inland busi- ness remains unchanged, the requirements of consumers being extremely high, and taxing the capacity of the blastfurnaces, especially with regard to high-grade pig, low in phosphorus, and containing manganese. Inland business in phosphoric pig is quiet, but there is a satis- factory demand for export. Deliveries in November amounted to 55-04 per cent, of the participation, as compared with 55-85 per cent, in October. It has been decided to leave the selling prices unaltered for January and February sales. Company Reports. Bergwerksgesellschaft Diergardt m.b.H., Hoch- emmerich.—The total output for the year was 476,333 tons (507,302 tons), which produced 4,740,681 mk. (5,262,440 mk.), at a cost of 4,557,086 mk. (4,761,897 mk.), leaving a gross profit of 183,594 tons (505,543 tons), and a net loss of 806,044 mk. (196,877 mk.), which is to be carried forward. Consolidierte Braunkohlen Bergwerk Karoline bei Oftleben, A.G., Magdeburg. — After writing off and placing to reserve sums aggregating 462,000 mk. (460,000 mk.), a dividend of 20 per cent. (30 per cent.) is to be paid, 27,300 mk. (18,800 mk.) being carried forward. Gewerkschaft des Braunkohlenbergwerks, Neurath.— The coal output for the last year amounted to 380,687 tons (446,929 tons), and the production of briquettes to 120,730 tons (151,570 tons). After writing off 269,716 mk. (540,436 mk.), the year closed with a loss of 269,193 mk. (loss in 1914, 600,000 mk.). Gewerkschaft des Braunkohlenbergwerks Prinzessin Viktoria, Neurath. — Coal production, 470,566 tons (412,313 tons); briquettes, 168,651 tons (149,995 tons). Loss on trading, after writing off 230,588 mk. (439,873 mk.), 102,797 mk. (last year, 400,000 mk.). Stahlwerk Richard Lindenberg A.G., Remscheid.— After writing off 1,341,000 mk. (251,413 mk.), it is pro- posed to pay a dividend of 25 per cent. (12 per cent.), which will absorb 750,000 mk. Gewerkschaft Louise, Essen.—For the second quarter of the current year, 21,989 tons of brown ironstone were raised, and a net profit of 152,155 mk. was made, of which 40,000 mk. are to be distributed to the share- holders, and 2,800 mk. as share of profits. Frankfurter Maschinenbau (Pokorny und Wittekind) A.G., Frankfurt.—The trading profit for the year was 2,115,997 mk. (2,331,655 mk.), and the net profit 820,863.mk. (836,302 mk.), not including the balance of 541,092 mk. (452,420 mk.) from old account. A sum of 250,000 mk. (100,000 mk.) has been reserved, 156,345 mk. (272,630 mk.) distributed as share of profits, and 405,000 mk. (375,000 mk.) as dividend, leaving 550,610 mk. in hand. Gewerkschaft des Steinkohlenbergwerks Carolus Magnus, Essen.—Coal output for the second quarter, 63,063 tons (87,360 tons in 1914); coke production, 15,750 tons (15,103 tons); surplus, 62,395 mk. (102,782 mk.); reserve fund, 17,395 mk. (12,782 mk.); dividend, 45,000 mk. (90,000 mk.). Vereinigte Stahlwerke van der Zypen und Wissener Eisenhiitten A.G., Cologne. — Of the gross profit of 5,225,017 mk. (3,710,293 mk.), 1,654,257 mk. (1,394,491 mk) have been written off. The net profit is 3,412,760 mk. (2,149,802 mk.), out of which a 12 per cent. (8 per cent.) dividend will be paid, 350,000 mk. being placed to plant account, 350,000 mk. to new buildings account, and 1,163,789 mk. carried forward. Mulheimer Bergwerks-Verein, Millheim.—The trading surplus for the first quarter of the present year was 624,690 mk., against 605,352 mk. in the corresponding period of 1914. Braunkohlenwerk Golpa-Jessnitz, A.G.—After deduct- ing expenses and writing off 119,488 mk. (144,585 mk.), there is a surplus of 171,914 mk. (167,700 mk.). The report makes no mention of proposed dividend (10 per cent.). Rochlingsche Eisen und Stahlwerke G. m.b.H., Volklingen.—Out of the trading profit of 6*1 million mk. (7-71 million mk.), 2’71 million mk. (2*69 million mk.) have been absorbed by expenses and interest, and 3’39 million mk. (3’08 million mk.) have been written off, the old balance of 2 million mk. being retained in hand. The customary 5 per cent, dividend has been paid out of the dividend reserve fund, which is now reduced to 1 million mk. Gewerkschaft Gottessegen, Liittringhausen. — Total coal raised, 164,379 tons (203,568 tons); briquettes pro- duced, 43,414 tons. Gross profits, 111,112 mk.; dividend, 160,000 mk.; depreciation, 332,000 mk., the difference, 380,887 mk., being withdrawn from capital account. Konig Friedrich August Hiitte, A.G., Potschappel.— Out of a gross profit of 30,138 mk. (47,223 mk.), 27,161 mk. (23,099 mk.) have been written off, 1,000 mk. (1,000 mk.) placed to coupon tax reserve, and 1,550 mk. (3,700 mk.) distributed in bonuses, leaving 327 mk. (399 mk.) in hand. Ottenser Eisenwerk A.G., Altona.—In order to acquire the shares of the Ottenser Maschinenfabrik G. m.b. H., the capital is to be raised to 2,000,000 mk. by a new issue of 650,000 mk. in new shares. Westdeutsche Sprengstoffwerke, A.G., Hagen.—After writing off 165,608 mk. (170,054 mk.), the net profits amount to 200,537 mk. (210,537 mk.), out of which a dividend of 9 per cent, is to be paid on the preferred shares, and 6| per cent. (5| per cent.) on the original shares. Eisenwerk Gesellschaft M aximilian shutt e, Munich.— Out of a profit of 7,122,983 mk. (7,791,425 mk.), 3,172,389 mk. are to be written off on ordinary account (4,078,094 mk.), and 300,000 mk. placed to war reserve; and it is proposed to pay a 12 per cent. (10| per cent.) dividend. Werschen-Weissenfelser Braunkohlen, A.G., Halle.— After writing off 1,314,204 mk. (1,213,398 mk.), it is proposed to pay a dividend of 8 per cent, on the whole of the shares (9 per cent, on 11*85 million mk., and 4 per cent, on 2*15 million mk.). LETTERS TO THE EDITORS. ____________________________________________________ The Editors are not responsible either for the statements made, or the opinions expressed by correspondents. All communications must be authenticated by the name and address of the sender, whether for publication or not. No notice can be taken of anonymous communications. As replies to questions are only given by way of published answers to correspondents, and not by letter, stamped addressed envelopes are not required to be sent. JAPAN AND THE RED CROSS. Sirs,—I do not know whether you would think it of sufficient interest to publish a letter, of which I enclose you copy, from a Japanese member of the Midland Institute of Mining Engineers. I think we have every reason to be grateful to our Eastern Ally for the active support, as well as sympathy, which she has shown towards this country during the war. G. Blake Walker. Tankersley, near Barnsley, December 29, 1915. The following is the letter in question :— Fushun Colliery, South Manchuria Railway Company, Fushun, Nov. 19, 1915. G. Blake Walker, Esq., Secretary of the Midland Institute of Mining Engineers. Dear Sir,—Having received your note referring to a joint contribution to the Red Cross and St. John Ambu- lance Associations, I have remitted a sum of £1 by postal order. This is my own subscription, as one of the indivi- dual Japanese members of the institute. If you will accept this as a token of my admiration of the valour and patriotism of your country, I shall be very grateful. Yours faithfully, K. Yonekra, Manager. ____________________________ TRADE AND THE WAR. By an Order in Council dated December 22, 1915, the exportation of coal and coke is permitted to Switzerland only when consigned to the Societe Suisse de Surveillance Economique. An additional list of reserved occupations under the Derby enlistment scheme has been issued by the Committee of Reserved Occupations, now sitting at Gwydyr House, White- hall, S.W. Included in the present list are works chemists in all industries. Iron mining, surface workers (all classes). Foremen, getters or quarrymen at limestone quarries mainly engaged in supplying iron and steel works. Departmental managers, foremen, getters or quarriers, burners or kilnmen, and millers engaged in the manufacture of cement. Certified inspectors of weights and measures. Boiler inspectors and technical staff of boiler insurance companies. With reference to the British Industries Fair, which will be held under the control of the Board of Trade in the Victoria and Albert Museum (by kind permission, of the President of the Board of Education) from February 21 to March 3, 1916, attention is called to the provisions of the Defence of the Realm Regulations, dated December 22, 1915, empowering the Minister of Munitions, after consultation with the Board of Trade, to prohibit or impose restrictions on the holding of industrial exhibitions and fairs during the war, in order to prevent the production of war material being prejudicially affected. It is proposed to impose similar restrictions on the holders of any other industrial exhibitions and fairs. The Lambeth Guardians have been obliged to accept a condition for termination of a contract if more of contractor’s men enlist. Owing to difficulties experienced in obtaining supplies of steam coal, the Board have had to arrange for coal to be carted from High Level Station, Crystal Palace, at an additional cost of Is. a ton. The contractors, Messrs. Rickett, Smith and Company, pointed out that they are prepared to deliver house coal to the school to the extent of eight tons weekly, at the rate of 32s. 6d. per ton, for the three months ending March 31 next, subject to the reservation, namely, that if they find it impossible to con- tinue the delivery by reason of more of their employees joining his Majesty’s Forces, they shall be at liberty to terminate the arrangement by giving one week’s notice to that effect. THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products.—With the exception of a slight drop in the price of pitch on the East Coast, there is no alteration in the market, business being quiet, and prices unchanged. 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) .............. Rise ( + ) or fall (-) on the week. 1/01—1/1 ... - /111—1/ - - 1/4 ... - 2/3 ... — 3/5—3/6 ... — 1/4 ... - 2/2—2/3 2/2—2/3 /61-/7 /2P-/3 15/6—16/6 15/6—16/ 18/6—23/6 -/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. — The market is very firm, and although there is very little forward business being contracted beyond June, £17 15s. to £17 17s. 6d. has been paid in some cases for the intervening months, Closing prompt prices are :— Rise ( + ) or fall ( —) on the week. London (ordinary makes) £17 — _______________________________________________________ Beckton (25 per cent.) £16/10 — Liverpool £17/10 , +2/6 Hull £17/2/6 ... +2/6 Middlesbrough £17 — Scotch ports £17/15 +5/ Wales £17/7/6 ... +5/ Nitrate of soda (ord.) per cwt. 15/3 ••• +/li [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. Various rumours are current regarding the future prices of sulphate of ammonia, but while the Sulphate of Ammonia Association is in existence, it seems incredible that there can be any truth in the rumour that the Government may stop all exports in order to bring prices down. The recent advance in price is mainly due to the Government reserving 25 per cent, of the make for home use at easy prices, and if the export demand is sufficiently keen to create higher prices it would hardly be fair to debar manufacturers from benefiting accordingly. It is not as if it were a case of making inordinate profits out of something that was an absolute necessity. Although important as an agent for increasing the production of food supplies, it is not like the actual staple foodstuffs themselves. Sulphate of ammonia will cease to be used directly the price rises to that point at which its use becomes unprofitable. This precise point will depend on the selling price of the product grown. What is more, if nitrate of soda falls sharply, it is only natural that sulphate of ammonia should, at all events, cease to advance in price, if not actually decline, and in this respect the Government are doing nothing to alleviate the position of the agriculturist, for it now appears that the Board of Agriculture find it is impossible to get bottoms in w+ich to ship the nitrate of soda they have bought in Chili with a view to checking the advance in the price of nitrate. Russia is looking to her probable needs, and has formed a strong company to operate the Birkeland and Eyde patents for the production of nitrates from atmospheric nitrogen. The plant is being put up near the White Sea. The shortage of potash that was so acute has prompted much enterprise, and this has taken a practical turn in the Hawaiian Isles, where about 80 per cent, of the waste molasses were useless. A local engineer has designed a furnace for burning this refuse, and the press cake, which not only thus provides cheap steam for the sugar factories, but also yields an ash which is of great importance as a fertiliser, since it contains about 33 per cent, of potash and 4-6 per cent, of phosphoric acid. An interesting dispute as to a sulphate of ammonia con- tract was recently settled in the King’s Bench Division. The original terms were for 300 tons of sulphate of ammonia to be delivered in 50-ton lots per month, from January to June, at £11 6s. 6d. per ton. In the actual contract note, however, the total was inserted as 150 tons, and the pur- chasers acknowledged the note as being in order. The 150 tons were delivered, but the purchasers wanted the other 150 tons at the same price. This the vendors refused to supply, as the contract was completed. Mr. Justice Shearman held that no matter what the original terms might have been, or what misconceptions as to quantities may have existed in the minds of the contracting parties, the actual determining factor was the quantity stated in the contract note, which the purchasers had approved by their letter of acknowledgment. He therefore dismissed the action against the vendors, with costs. The returns for the week have been :—Pitch, 5,656 tons, and £23. Tar, 3,450 galls, 240 barrels, 40 casks, and £25. Benzine to Wellington, £6. Sulphate of ammonia, 2,869 tons. ______________________________ .THE TIN-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. There is practically nothing new to report on the week. The tone of the market continues very strong; makers are all well booked up, and are standing firmly to their quotations, which at the moment may be called :—Coke tins : I C 14 x 20 (112 sh. 1081b.), 25s. to 25s. 6d. per box: IC 28 x 20 (112 sh. 216 lb.), 50s. to 51s.; I C 14 x 18£ (124 sh. 1101b.), 25s. 6d. to 26s.; IC 20 X 10 (225 sh. 1561b.), 35s. 3d. to 36s. IC squares and odd sizes, 25s. 6d. basis and upwards, for approved specifications. Charcoals rule firm, at 27s. 6d. basis and upwards. Terne plates are in good demand, and rates very firm, at 41s. and upwards. Coke wasters are in request, and quotations are advancing daily. Prices to-day may be called :—C W 14 X 20, 22s. 6d. and upwards; CW 28 X 20, 46s. 3d.; C W 14 x 18f, 22s. 3d.; C W 20 x 10, 31s. 6d. All f.o.b. Wales, less 4 per cent.