272 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. February 11, 1916.- an end to a condition of things which is altogether incompatible with true national efficiency. If. ideal conditions for the conversion of coal into energy could be at once realised by State action, it is clear that such action should be forthcoming. Some look, however, rather to the silent pressure of economic laws, combined with the advance of scien- tific knowledge, to effect in due course that revolution in power production which even now is in visible progress. Slowly but surely the engineer is per- fecting methods whereby coal can be used more economically and efficiently. The possibility of utilising low-grade fuels is gradually becoming, a more practicable proposition, and manufacturers will learn in due course that scrapping old plant often results in such substantial gains that no State assistance will be needed to hasten their conversion. The question arises whether a sudden wholesale and compulsory reconstruction of our industrial plant, at the present time, would really be desirable in the national interest. It may become necessary to adopt some means of increasing the output of distillation products; although even in this case the law of supply and demand would be expected to work towards the end in view with that inexorable per- sistence which no artificial stimulation by legislative action can effectively emulate. The arguments derived from views of the con- servation of coal supplies, do not, on the whole, appeal very forcibly to the coal industry. Supposing that we could all at once so improve our methods that we succeeded in halving our coal consumption, the result would probably be to throw out of gear the whole of the coal mining industry. No single colliery could halve its output and continue to exist as a commercial undertaking. The whole science of colliery development is founded upon the principle of the big divisor. Those who talk glibly about conserving our coal supplies often ignore the fact that our great mining industry had grown up upon the foundation of the wasteful use of coal brought about by its comparative cheapness in bygone days. The ever rising cost of getting coal must in the end by itself bring about all the reforms in our methods of power production that Prof. Bone and others advocate; but this result will be achieved so gradually that there will be no disorganisation of industry, no compulsory closing of pits, but instead that silent process of adjustment which characterises the smooth working of natural law. ____________________________ Exports of Coal Tar Products.—No. coal tar dyestuffs were imported in January. The values of the coal products, not dyestuffs, exported in January are given below :— January. 1915. 1916. Coal products, not dyes— <£ <£ Aniline oil & toluidine 5,132 880 Benzol and toluol 8,243 ... 79,957 Anthracene — — Carbolic acid 16,070 9,261 Coal tar, crude 156 259 ,, refined & varnish 4,339 ... 4,160 Naphtha 1,450 ... 2,079 Naphthalene 3,947 ... 10,137 Pitch 31,791 ... 25,345 Tar oil, creosote, &c... 19,284 ... 72,177 Other sorts 24,777 ... 71,385 Total 115,189 ...275,640 Coal tar dye stuffs 5,577 ... 34,667 The following quantities of these products were exported in January :—Coal products, not dyes : Aniline oil and toluidine, 24,561 lb.; anthracene, nil; benzol and toluol, 926,794 gals.; carbolic acid, 5,406 cwt.; coal tar, crude, 1,407 cwt.; ditto, refined and varnish, 177,453 gals.; naphtha, 30,818 gals.; naphthalene, 7,502 cwt.; pitch, 465,354 cwt.; tar oil, creosote, etc., 3,772,463 gals.; other sorts, 62,018 cwt.; coal tar dye- stuffs, 2,690 cwt. The values of sulphate of ammonia exports were as under :—■ January. 1915. 1916. To- £ £ Germany .....*..................... — ... — France ................. 1,472 ... 35,783 Spain and Canaries..... 58,013 ...147,520 ................... Italy ................... 13,843 ... 3,419 Dutch East Indies ..... 107,875 ...154,519 Japan...................... 5,165 ... — United States........... 34,360 ...74,902 British W. India Islands (including Bahamas) and British Guiana ....... 13,318 ... 19,317 Other countries......... 107,566 ... 53,912 Total .............. 341,612 ...498,372 The following were the quantities of sulphate of ammonia exported in January:—France, 2,413 tons; Spain and Canaries, 9,171 tons; Italy, 213 tons; Dutch East Indies, 10,104 tons; Japan, nil; United States, 5,001 tons; British West Indies, 1,132 tons; other countries, 3,484 tons—total, 31,518 tons. THE COAL AMD IRON TRADES. Thursday, February 10. ___________________________________________ Scotland.—Western District. COAL. Active conditions prevail in the west of Scotland coal trade. The industrial demand is well maintained, and the export enquiry is good, although a bigger business could be done in the latter department if licences were more easily obtained. Tonnage arrivals are heavier than for some time, and the pressure on the collieries will thereby be increased. All classes of coal are sharing in the demand, and the collieries have practically nothing of any kind available for immediate delivery. Shipments during the past week amounted to 121,900 tons, compared with 111,874 in the preceding week and 132,287 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. I Current 1 L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Steam coal 19/ -22/ 19/ -22/ 13/9-15/ Ell 22/ 21/6-21/9 15/9-16/ Splint ( 25/ -33/ 25/ -32/ 15/ -20/ Treble nuts j 21/ -21/6 21/ -21/6 15/6-16/ Double do 20/ -20/6 20/ -20/6 14/ -15/ Single do 19/3-19/9 19/ -19/6 13/6-14/ IRON. Apart from an advance in prices there is nothing new to report regarding the Scotch iron trade. Producers of haematite pig iron are disposing of their outputs freely, mostly for local consumption. Ordinary brands are also doing a fair business on home account, while the export demand has improved of late. Prices of Scotch pig iron have been advanced another 5s. per ton since last week, and maker s’ quotations as are followGovan and Monkland are quoted f.a.s. at Glasgow, Nos. 1, 106s., Nos. 3, 105s.. Carnbroe, No. 1, 110s., No. 3, 105s.; Clyde, No. 1, 112s. 6d.’ No. 3, 107s. 6d.; Gartsherrie, Calder, and Langloan, Nos. 1, 115s., Nos. 3, 107s. 6d.; Summerlee, No. 1, 115s., No. 3, 110s.; Glengarnock at Ardrossan, No. 1, 112s. 6d., No. 3, 107s. 6d.; Eglinton at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1, 107s. 6d., No. 3, 105s. 6d.; Dalmellington at Ayr, No. 1, 107s., No. 3, 105s.; Shotts at Leith, No. 1, 115s., No. 3, 107s. 6d. per ton. The strength of the pig iron trade has been reflected in the warrant market, the tone of which was very firm this week. Transactions amounted to 17,000 tons, and Cleveland iron, closing at 88s. 6d. per ton cash buyers, shows a rise of 5s. lid. per ton on the week. The demand for finished iron is increasing week by week, and the con- duct of business becoming more and more difficult as time goes on. Black sheet makers, for instance, are quite over- whelmed with orders, and deliveries are running into arrears, but although they are quoting the high figure of <£17 10s. for 7 to 11 b.g., orders are still pouring in. Malleable iron piakers are in a strong position, and values are firming up, partly on account of the difficulties in securing raw materials. Prices are now quoted on the basis of <£13 10s. to <£13 15s. per ton, less 5 per cent, for Crown quality iron bars. ______ ______ Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. Business in the Lothians is brisk, and collieries have practically nothing to dispose of outside contract commit- ments, and anything available is fetching high prices. Shipments for the week amounted to 22,400 tons, against 28,661 in the preceding week and 29,692 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. | prices. prices. Best screened steam coal... 22/ -23/ 21/6-22/6 14/ -15/ Secondary qualities 21/ -22/ 20/6-21/ 12/9-13/9 Treble nuts 22/ -22/6 22/6-23/ 14/ -14/6 Double do 20/ -21/ 20/6-21/ 13/ -13/6 Single do 18/6-19/ 18/ -18/6 12/ -12/6 Collieries in the Fifeshire district report an active demand for all classes of coal, and that considerable difficulty is experienced in dealing with the orders on hand. As in the Lothians, the bulk of the output is already contracted for, and only here and there are lots available for disposal. Clearances amounted to 60,479 tons, compared with 44,878 in the preceding week and 56,223 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Best screened navigation Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Lastyear’s prices. coal 26/ -27/ 26/ -27/ 16/6-17/ Unscreened do 24/ -25/ i 24/ 14/6-15/ First-class steam coal 24/ 22/6-23/ 13/3-14/ Third-class do. 18/ -18/6 ; 15/9-17/ 10/9-11/6 Treble nuts 22/ -23/ 21/ -22/6 14/6 Double do 20/6-21/6 20/ -21/ 13/6 Single do 18/6-19/6 18/ -19/ 11/9-12/9 ______ The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 204,779 tons, compared with 185,413 tons in the preceding week and 218,202 tons in the corre- sponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week 91,162 tons of coal and 9,499 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, an increase of 15,083 tons of coal and 9,436 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 37,237 tons of coal and 5,517 tons of coke, a decrease of 17,515 tons of coal and an increase of 1,788 tons of coke. The Blyth shipments totalled 57,195 tons of coal and coke, an increase of 85 tons. Thus, the total clearances at the three places mentioned amounted to 200,610 tons of coal and coke, an increase of 8,877 tons when compared with the figures for the corresponding period of 1915. When compared with the shipnients for the previous week, the figures show a falling-off of 22,377 tons. The consistent increase in coke shipments from the Tyne is noteworthy. The prompt market has been almost idle throughout the whole of the past week, and, as far as can be ascertained, is likely to be so for some considerable time. The position from a shipper’s point of view has become worse, and operators have spent the greater part of the period under review discussing the situation, rather than doing any actual business. Large steam coals, of course, are still off the market to all intents and purposes, and as the week has gone on, several other varieties have followed suit. Continued heavy requisitioning on the part of the Admiralty is chiefly responsible for this state of affairs. At the time of writing, the market is absolutely barren of prompt supplies and prices remain purely nominal. Shipowners are experiencing great difficulties in securing the bunker coal • nece-sary to get their ships despatched, and up to 26s. per ton is readily obtainable for good qualities. A few lots of poor grade have been disposed of at 25s. per ton, f.o.b. On Wednesday of this week, the belief was freely expressed on the market that the Admiralty was about to commandeer all available supplies. At the present time such action would have little effect on the position, for that has been practically the state of affairs for some time, but it is needless to state that a critical condition of things would be set up if the requisitioning were to continue. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment have undergone the following changes during the week :—Best steams, Blyths, 2s. 6d. advanced ; Tynes, ditto; seconds, Blyths, ditto; Tynes, ditto; unscreened, 2s. dearer ; smithies, ditto ; gas bests, Is. increased; seconds, firmer; unscreened ordinary bunkers, Durhams, stronger ; Northumbrian bunkers, 2s. up; house- holds, 2s. 6d. more; and gas coke, Is. reduced. Other sorts of fuel are steady. Business in the forward market has been well-nigh suspended, in consequence of the uncertain outlook, and collieries are not showing any inclination to quote for coals very far ahead. It is understood that the Admiralty, in addition to having purchased large quantities of Durham bunkers for delivery over the remainder of the year, has arranged for renewals of last year’s contracts for considerable quantities of best Northumbrian bunkers for shipment over 12 months, at prices determined by the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act. The Admiralty is also stated to have bought large quantities of steams, for shipment in monthly instalments over the rest of the year, at preferential prices. Beyond these items, there is little movement forwards. It is reported that several collieries have given notice to contractors to the effect that, owing to Govern- mental requirements, only about 40 per cent, of quantities stipulated in contracts can be supplied. This rumour, however, is unconfirmed. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Steam coals :— Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) Secondary, Blyths Do. Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) ... Unscreened Small, Blyths Do. Tynes Do. specials Other sorts:— Smithies Best gas coals (New Pelton or Holmside) Secondary gas coals (Pelaw Main or similar) Special gas oals Unscreened bunkers, Durhams Do. do. N or thumbr ians Coking coals Do. smalls House coals ! Coke, foundry Do. blast-furnace Do. gas Current prices. 32/6 32/6 25/ -27/6 27/6 25/ 15/ -16/ 1 13/ -14/ 17/6 23/ -25/ 25/ -26/ 24/ 25/ -26/ ordinaries 25/ 25/ 23/ 21/ -23/ 30/ -32/6 40/ -42/6 40/ 26/ -27/ L’stweek’s prices. 30/ 30/ 25/ 25/ 23/ 15/ -16/ 13/ -14/ 17/6 23/ 25/ 23/ -24/ 25/ -26/ 24/ -25/ 23/ 23/ 21/ -23/ 27/6-30/ 40/ -42/6 40/ 27/ -28/ Last year’s prices. 14/6-15/ 13/6 j 12/6-13/ 113/ -13/6 11/ -12/ 8/9- 9/ 8/6 10/ -10/6 11/6-12/ 12/6-13/ 11/9-12/ 13/6 11/3-12/6 11/ -12/ 11/6-12/ 11/ -11/6 15/ 18/ -19/ 17/ 11/6-13/ Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. L ttle alteration can be reported concerning the fuel trade. The coal market continues to present the strong features that have characterised it of late, and coke prices for home consumption are not only kept at the fixed maxi- mum, but sellers complain very considerably that the limits have been fixed too low. Best Durham gas coal is in the neighbourhood of 25s., second kinds vary from 22s. to 23s. 6d., and Wear specials are quoted up to 26s. Durham steam coal runs from 27s. to 28s. Bunker coal continues in good request, and ordinary Durhams are round about 24s., whilst bests are 25s., and specials up to 26s. 6d. Coking coal is reported scarce, and both unscreened kinds and smalls are put at 25s., at which figure a fair amount of business has been recorded. Foundry coke for shipment is quoted 40s. to 42s. f.o.b., and 28s. to 30s. is asked for gas coke. For home use average blastfurnace kinds are selling at 28s. at the ovens, and best sorts at 30s. 6d. IRON. After a fortnight of steady uninterrupted and at times rather rapid advance, prices of Cleveland pig have been checked, and values are now very unsteady. The disturbing influence is outside speculative operations in pig iron warrants which have brought about rather violent move-