368 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. February 25, 1916. were actually forbidden to enlist; yet later, there again began the attempts to persuade the coal miner to leave his employment for the trenches. France has gone through much the same experience; but there the circumstances have been altogether different; first of r.11 was the fact that the French coal miners were already members of an important unit in the Army; then the country’s most lucrative coal fields were in the occupation of the enemy ; and there has been great difficulty subsequently in tracing the movement of miners formerly employed therein. On the whole, it must be admitted that the French Government have dealt with a very much more difficult problem in a very much more able manner. So far as individual cases are concerned, we believe that proper and fair discrimination is being exercised, but there is still a terrible wastage, because the military authorities are the sole judges of a man’s functions once he has joined the army, and they have never pretended to weigh the value of a man’s military services against his industrial value. The constitution of the colliery recruiting courts ensures the belief that no hasty judgments will be arrived at, but these courts cannot know to what uses a valuable workman may be put when once he has passed out- side their jurisdiction, although it is probable that greater care is exercised by the military authorities in the case of miners, than in that of workmen in some other skilled employments. Yet at a time when the nation was crying out for coal, we knew of sturdy skilled miners who, because of a paucity of teeth, had been compelled to stay at home guarding turnpike roads and reservoirs. These men were fully trained, and, surely, it would have been better for the country had they been returned, temporarily at least, to the pits: better for the country and better for the men. The sandwich system is a strong principle in the French terri- torial army, which so far seems to have escaped our notice. There is provision there for a man to work six months at his calling and to serve six months in the army. The consequences of taking away a competent man from his occupation are sometimes far-reaching. A case, at first sight rather trivial it is true, but none the less typical and serious, occurs to us. A man, whose duty it was to look after certain small animals, was taken away and the task entrusted to a boy, owing to whose neglect the animals died; now these were not ordinary animals, although not generically rare animals, but they happened to form the vehicle of certain prolonged scientific experiments, upon which the safety and health of thousands of workmen depended. It is not beside the point to add that the valuable time of a gifted investigator was entirely wasted by this shoddy and careless system of substi- tution. All this means waste, which we can least afford at times like the present. And, on the other hand, whilst this attrition of creative industry is going on, many enterprises of an academic or worse than useless character have been allowed to continue an untrammelled existence. What of romantic chapters like the Slingsby case, with its brilliant array of counsel, its flowing reports in Sunday papers printed on imported paper ? The Sltngsby case could very well be spared, as well as a host of other amusements that serve to pass the time in days of peace. Yet, although countless managers and numbers of Government inspectors have joined the Forces, and those that are left are sorely tried, the Home Office and other Government departments are ruthless in exacting the’ same pound of flesh that they claimed in peace time, and some of the actions that have been brought recently seem to be even more frivolous than those which we had to record before the war. We are very glad to see that one of the Scottish sheriffs has had the courage to protest against this waste. In a case, reported elsewhere in this issue, Sheriff Shennan made the following remarks : — This case has occupied two and a-half days, during which several men have been withdrawn from the work of coal getting, which at present is regarded as of supreme national importance. I am far from suggesting that the importance of the work justifies any relaxation in the enforcement of the valuable provisions of the Coal Mines Act for securing the safety of the workers. It rather makes their enforcement more necessary. I know how vigilant H.M. inspectors of mines have to be in checking the natural tendency of those engaged in the work to make light of its dangers and to resent what seem to them needless precautions. But of the five charges in this complaint, however, only one, relating to the intake airway, has any substance in it, and it could have been disposed of in a single day. I regret that time and energy should have been frittered away at this juncture in the investigation of unsubstantial complaints. The perseverance of the Government in this stupid policy of “ carry on as before ” is not only accountable for a terrible wastage of effort, but also prevents many humble people from arriving at a clear appreciation of their responsibilities. The force of high example is lacking. The moral is clear. Before we build anew, the old edifices must be cleared away. At present we have a hybrid type of peace and war industry, which is continually getting out of hand. THE LONDON COAL TRADE. Thursday, February 24. The London coal trade for the past week has shown very little improvement in the actual tonnage arriving in the London market. The colder weather has greatly stimulated the demand, and merchants are keen buyers for all kinds of fuel. The attendance on the Exchange has been unusually good, and many of the buyers from other districts have also put in an appearance. Colliery offers, however, are very restricted, and in many cases all orders except contract coals are pointedly declined. The depot trade has increased, and the stocks on hand are greatly diminished. The bulk of the new orders have to be dealt with from the ground stock as the arrivals are so small. The railborne traffic has been entirely confined to contract customers, and the whole of the selling on the market has been confined to factors, and these have been restricted to very small lots. The seaborne market has been augmented by the arrival of a fairly good tonnage during the week; 42 contract cargoes were entered for Monday’s market as arriving ,in the River Thames, and 5 only for Wednesday.. Freights continue very high, and fixtures have been made from Hull to London at 14s. 6d. per ton, and even at these high freights chartering has been slow, for boats are few and tonnage still more scrace. For the Mediterranean ports as much as 72s. 6d. has been fixed from the Humber to Genoa, and 85s. for Alexandria. The worst feature of the high freights is that the (advanced rates must tend to raise the prices to the actual consumer. Afi qualities of coal are quoted firm, and notwithstanding the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act, considerably advanced prices are constantly named on the market. The quantity of free coal is exceedingly small. The reduced colliery output and the serious congestion on the railways prevent any great amount of business being done. Derby Brights have risen from 16s. fid. or 17s. per ton to an all-round price of 19s. fid. to 20s. Steam coals are eagerly bought up, and the Govern- ment orders are increasingly strong. Small nuts are every day becoming more scarce, and whilst the export prices remain so high there is little prospect of much of this class of fuel finding its way to the London market. Some con siderable difficulties have arisen lately in the shipping world over the severe conditions which ship owners have recently introduced. into their charter parties. Clauses have been introduced demanding the discharge of so many tons per day, and the day to commence from the arrival of the ship at . port. Demurrage to be paid by the merchant to the ship owner irrespective of whether the delay in unloading is caused by conditions over which he has no control. In the coal export trade this is being strongly resisted, but ship owners are in a powerful position at the present time, .and can dictate terms which would be struck out in ordinary times. Those who have complained of the serious delay m the trucks in transit by the railway companies are constantly reminded that the country is at war, and that -the whole of the traffic is disorganised by reduced staff and induced engine power. Every other interest must be subordinate to the imperative call of the State. Prices 'are largely nominal. Tyne gas coals are quoted 27s. per ton f.o.b.; seconds at 25s. 6d.; bunkers range from 25s. to 29s., /according to quality. Foundry coke is unobtainable under 40s. to 42s. South Yorkshire small nuts are quoted as high as 22s. pit. Derby Brights are 18s. to 20s. Barnsley best -are 18s. fid. to 19s. fid.; seconds, 16s. 6d. to 17s. South Yorkshire hards, 18s. Derbyshire hards, 17s.; cobbles, 16s. ; nutty slacks, Ils. to 12s. 6d., according to quality. Best house and steam coals of all descriptions are in strong demand now, and small nuts are so scarce that in many cases merchants are breaking up the large coal in order to meet the excessive demand. Factories along the river side are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain their regular supply of fuel, although up to the present time the restriction in the licences to neutral countries have enabled them to secure a fairly reasonable quantity. Gas coals are also coming forward in fair quantities, but the demand is far ahead of supplies. From Messrs. Dinham, Fawcus and Co.’s Report. Friday, February 18.—There was no alteration in the seaborne house coal market to-day, which continued firm, but no cargoes on offer. Cargoes, 12 . Monday, February 21.—The continuance of cold weather caused a good demand for seaborne house coal at to-day’s market, but no cargoes of Durham or Yorkshire on offer. Cargoes, 42. Wednesday, February 23.—The seaborne house coal market was quiet to-day, although the weather was some- what wintry. No sales were reported for either Durham or Yorkshire. Cargoes, 5. THE COAL AMD IRON TRADES. Thursday, February 24. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. The coal trade in the west of Scotland continues active and the market firm. All classes of coal are in brisk enquiry, and prices of some sorts have advanced during the week. Best ells are firmly held, and second qualities are receiving considerable attention. Best quality splints and naviga- tions are fully sold, and considerable notice is required in both cases. The quotation for navigations is round about 26s. per ton. The restrictions of shipping licences for smalls has little effect on the trade, as the bulk of the output is being consumed locally. Shipments for the week amounted to 92,800 tons, against 101,830 in the preceding week, and 128,259 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. 1 Current iL’st week’s Last year’s prices. 1 prices. prices. Steam coal 19/ -22/ 19/ -23/ 17/ -18/. Ell 22/6-23/ 22/ 19/ -20/ Splint ! 24/ —34/ 25/ -34/ 18/ -28/ Treble nuts | 21/ -21/6 21/3-21/6 18/6 Double do i 19/9-20/6 20/6-21/ j 16/ -17/ Single do 1 19/3-19/9 19/3-19/6 15/ -16/ IRON. The chief point of interest in the Scotch iron trade is the continued upward tendency of prices, to which there seems no limit. Values are now on a very high level, but this has had little effect, so far, on the flow of orders. In the pig iron trade makers are delivering very large quantities of haematite to local consumers, and in some cases are fully old for months ahead. The home demand for ordinary brands is also increasing, while the export trade fully maintains the recent improvement. The prices of makers’ iron have again been advanced, and are quoted as follow : — Monkland, f.a.s. at Glasgow, No. 1, 115s., No. 3, 114s.; Govan, No. 1, 113s. 6d., No. 3, 112s. 6d.; Carnbroe, No. 1, 117s. 6d., No. 3, 112s. 6d.; Clyde and Gartsherrie, Nos. 1, 122s. 6d., Nos. 3, 115s.; Summerlee, Calder and Langloan, Nos. 1, 120s., Nos. 3, 115s.; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 120s., No. 3, 115s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1, 115s., No. 3, 113s. ; Dalmellington, at Ayr, No. 1, 115s., No. 3, 113s.; Shotts, at Leith, No. 1, 120s., No. 3, 115s., per ton. The pig iron warrant market has again been very firm throughout the past, and although, latterly, prices were a little shaded, the closing quotation of Cleve- land iron at 95s. 5d. per ton, cash buyers, represented a gain of 2s. per ton on the week. The total stocks in store now amount to 92,560 tons, compared with 116,098 at the end of 1915. Finished iron makers report increased pressure for deliveries of all kinds of materials, and they are finding extreme difficulty in coping adequately with the demand, in fact, in practically every department large arrears of "deliveries are accumulating. Quotations are on much the same level as last week. Black sheet makers are quoting <£17 10s. per ton, less 2.1 per cent., for 7 to 11 b.g., Glasgow delivery, while malleable iron makers are asking from <£13 15s. to <£14 per ton for “ crown ” iron bars for home delivery, and <£13 7s. 6d. net for export. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. Business in the Lothians is very brisk, and the demand continues strong. The requisitioning of coal on Govern- ment account has seriously interfered with the ordinary course of business, and the collieries are labouring under exceedingly hard pressure. Shipments amounted to 25,494 tons, against 36,299 in the preceding week and 27,147 tons in the corresponding week last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Best screened steam coal... Secondary qualities Treble nuts Double do Single do Current |L’st week’s Last year’s prices. 1 prices. | prices. 23/ -24/ 1 23/ | 15/ -16/ 21/6-22/6 21/ -22/ I 14/ -15/ 23/ -23/6 ■ 22/ -24/ 15/6-16/6 21/6-22/6 21/ -22/ 14/ -15/ 19/6-20/ 19/ -19/6 I 13/ -14/ Strong conditions prevail in Fifeshire, and the collieries are fully sold. Business in this district, also, has. been somewhat disorganised by the announcement of large requirements on Government account. Shipments amounted to 52,239 tons, against 58,472 in the preceding week and 54,687 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Best screened navigation coal Unscreened do First-class steam coal Third-class do Treble nuts Double do Single do Current prices. 27/ -28/ 25/ -26/ 26/ i 19/ -20/ i 22/ -23/6 ' 21/ -22/ ; 18/6-19/6 | L’st week’s prices. 26/ -27/ 24/ -25/ ; 26/ ! 18/ -20/ . 22/ -23/ 20/6-21/6 * .18/ -19/ Lastyear’s prices. 17/ -18/ 15/ -16/ 12/9-14/ 10/9-11/6 14/6-16/ 13/9-15/ 12/6-13/6 The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 170,533 tons, compared with 196,601 tons in the preceding week and 210,093 tons in the corre- sponding week of last year.