THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN ________________________________________________________________________________ 364 August 25, 1916. THE LONDON COAL TRADE. Thursday, August 24. Trade continues very firm. Rail-borne coals are coming forward more promptly, and a slightly increased number of vessels have arrived in the River Thames, but all are contract cargoes, and therefore not offered for sale. The depot reports are satisfactory, and the loaders and carmen are working much better. Special efforts are being made by merchants and factors to secure a fairly good supply, in anticipation of the winter, but this is coming forward very slowly, and at present very few trucks are available for stock, as the large number of public orders unexecuted still claim the “ lion ” share. Fears are gaining ground as to the effect of the winter’s demand on the vast number of London houses, dn which very limited space for storage is available. Some thousands of houses, more particularly the residential flats in the West End, cannot accommodate more than 5cwts. to 10 cwts. of coal at a time, and, however willing they may be to place a reserve store in hand, it is impossible to do so under the present conditions. Contracts are therefore sought to be made with merchants who would deliver the weekly or fortnightly quantity regularly during the winter months. In the seaborne market, freights are still steady, but chartering is slew. The reports show7 that a good business is being- done with France. From the Humber ports we understand a proposal is on foot to include all the Allied countries in the limitation business, both as regards freights *and coal prices. The attendance during the w’eek on the London Exchange lias not been so good as formerly. The absence of coal owners and sellers is very marked at times, and many of the merchants are complaining of the shortage of coal under their contract arrangements. The trolley trade is always quiet during the summer months, and the cessation of canvassing for orders is largely used as an opportunity to clear up the public orders. The depots are still pressing for a better tonnage to put a fair quantity into stock. Steam coals and small nuts are very scarce, and prices are firm. Slacks are offering very freely, and in many cases are considerably easier in price. Seaborne coals are also in good demand. Twenty-six cargoes arrived in the River Thames on Monday’s market, and 20 for Wednesday, none of which, however, were on offer on the open market. Some of the large American houses have sent over representatives lately to attend the London Coal Exchange -with a view to intro- ducing Pocahontas 'and Fairmont steam coals into the London district, but so far their operations have all been confined to foreign trade and to shipments for France and Italy. From the north, the reports are that the trade is weak, and that Admiralty tonnage has fallen off. Coal is more plentiful and ships scarce; best steam coals are offering at 39s., as compared with 45s. to 48s. last w’eek. Tyne gas coal, 35s. ; seconds, 32s. ; bunkers, 27s. to 28s. for best, and 25s. to 26s. for seconds f.o.b.; foundry coke, 45s. f.o.b The South Wales market continues very firm, and Admiralty tonnage show’s no falling off. Best Admiralties are unobtainable, but seconds are quoted at 40s. f.o.b. Western Valleys, 39s.; Eastern Valleys, 38s. Cokes and patent fuel are all largely absorbed by Government requirements. All London prices remain nominally the same, but the difficulty of obtaining a sufficient supply becomes more and more acute. The export prices are so many shillings higher than the recognised Limitation Act prices in the London area that every colliery w7ith an outlet to the various shipping- ports finds a far more remunerative market to sell for export than for the “ home fires,” and, consequently, very little coal is available for London and the district. It is reported on the market that very large quantities of Durham gas coal have been sold for shipment to France over next year, at 25s. per ton f.o.b. ___________________________ From Messrs. Dinham, Fawcus and Co.’s Report. Friday, August 18.—There was no alteration in the seaborne house coal market to-day, which remained steady,- but no cargoes on offer. Cargoes, 25. Monday, August 21.—The seaborne house coal market continued steady to-day, no cargoes being on offer, but a fair enquiry was noticeable. Cargoes, 26. Wednesday, August 23.—There was a steady demand for seaborne house coal at to-day’s market, but no cargoes offering. Cargoes, 20. ____________________________ THE TIN-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. Owing to the further restrictions in regard to supplies of steel, makers of tin-plate simply do not know w7here they stand, and most of them are now refusing to quote for any- thing except class A material. The whole trade is dis- organised. The output is sure to be much further reduced, and several mills are already about to close down, owing to their inability to obtain steel. Further, the trade is “ unstarred ” after September 30, and this will, of course, mean that very many of the men will have to “ join up.” Prices are quite nominal :—Coke tins : I C 14 x 20 (112 sh. 1081b.), 32s. 6d. per box and up; IC 28 x 20 (112 sh. 216 1b.), 65s. 6d. per box and up: IC 14 x 18f (124 sh. 110 lb.), 34s.; I C 20 x 10 (225 sh. 156 lb.), 47s. I C squares and odd sizes, 33s. basis and up. Ternes are nominally 62s. fid. per box for I C 28 x 20. Coke wasters are getting scarce. To-day’s prices are : C W 14 x 20, 30s. per box and up; C W 28 x 20, 60s.: CW 14 x 18}, 30s. 6d.; C W 20 x 10, 42s. 6d. All f.o.b. Wales, less 4 per cent. ___________________________ Deputation to Board of Trade.—On Wednesday a deputa- tion of the Mining Association of Great Britain was received at the Board of Trade by Mr. C. Hipwood, assistant secre- tary to the Marine Department, on the question of the pro- posed limitation in 'the price of coal exported to Italy and certain Mediterranean ports. A conference of the Mining Association attended by representatives from all parts of the kingdom took place earlier in the day at the Hotel Cecil, when a preliminary scheme w7as outlined on lines similar to the agreement recently arrived at with the French Government regarding the supply of coal. Mr. Hipwood dis- cussed the question with members of the deputation at con- siderable length, and the full details of the scheme, it is understood, will be laid before Mr. Runciman at a later stage. At the close of the conference, W’hich w’as private, a Press representative was informed by one of the deputation that while the coal owners had agreed to the principle of the scheme, much depended upon the attitude of the ship owners with regard to the question of freights. It w7as not antici- pated that any difficulty w7ould arise, the ship owners having arranged to confer with the Board of Trade on the subject of the freight charges. LABOUR AND WAGES. South Wales and Monmouthshire. The Pembrokeshire miners have not been paid the 15 per cent, advance in wages which was granted to other sections of workmen in South Wales, and they have made protest against this omission, invoking the Board of Trade’s assist- ance. Mr. John Williams attended on their behalf before Sir George Askwith, in London, a few days ago, and Mr. E. Vicarman, with Mr. E. Drummond, represented the employers. Special difficulties attend the workings in Pembrokeshire, and the costs are particularly heavy, both on account of the thinness of the seams and cost of transport. New developments are in progress, the operations of the old Bonville collieries, which at one time stood pre-eminent, being now supplemented by enterprise at Reynoldstone, where the colliery is in process of active development. After having heard statements on both sides, it was decided by Sir George Askwith that a local enquiry should be held before any decision of the Board of Trade was arrived at, and this enquiry w7ill be held in Pembrokeshire shortly by Mr. C. Doughty. The amount of absenteeism in different areas during the First week of August varied very greatly. Whereas in Mon- mouthshire certain collieries were fairly satisfactory, others complained. Glamorgan showed a large number of absentees in certain collieries, whilst further west, at Llynvi Valley, it is said that the number of men at w7ork was practically normal. A joint meeting of the committee from the Coal Owners’ Association and the Enginemen and Craftsmen’s Association has been held in Cardiff to consider questions affecting the terms of the employment at the different collieries. Indi- vidual cases have been referred to representatives of each side for investigation and report. The trimming dispute at Swansea was carried to the Central Trimming Board for the Bristol Channel, and at a meeting in Cardiff, on Thursday last week, terms of settle- ment were arranged. At a meeting on Sunday, the coal-tippers of the port of Cardiff, which includes Barry and Penarth, dealt with reports as to interviews with tippers at other South Wales ports. Resolutions were passed expressing keen dissatisfaction with the railway executive in not replying to the demand for 25 per cent, increase of w’ages, and instructing representatives to press for immediate reply. Protest was also made against the action of shippers in refusing to pay overtime for work on August 7. The steel workers, whose wages are regulated by the sliding scale, met in Ebbw Vale on Monday to consider the report of Judge O’Connor, the arbitrator appointed by the Board of Trade, who, upon the men’s demand for an advance of 24J per cent, on the standard, had given an award for 10|. It was alleged, in the course of the meeting, that the men’s case had not been properly presented, and it was further contended that the arbitrator was really not more than an independent chairman, with a casting vote, able only to say ‘‘ Yes ” or “ No,” and with no power to vary the demand from either side. It was urged that his position was really equivalent to that of the independent chairman in the coal trade. The meeting passed the resolution that a letter should be sent to the Board of Trade submitting that Judge O’Connor had arrived at his decision upon a wrong basis. The amalgamation of the different unions which control iron and steel work labour has already been reported, there being five of these unions in South Wales. The idea is so to co-ordinate their operations that there shall be no com- petition for new members ; also, there shall be some degree of co-operation in dealing with application to the employers. The form of union will be a federation, each organisation retaining its own identity; and a still further step has been taken towards conjoint action, it being announced that the miners’ executive is now in consultation with the Steel Smelters’ Association, a question having arisen as to the class of man employed at coke ovens. There is an evident intention to remove all causes of possible friction. At Newport, on Sunday, a largely-attended meeting heard speeches in advocacy of such amalgamation, the five unions being represented. A similar meeting took place on Saturday evening. A resolution favouring the scheme was passed at both gatherings. The miners’ executive met on Wednesday, and received a deputation, w’ho complained of the dealing with non-unionists at Penallta Colliery; and as some similar difficulties exist elsewhere in the coal field, it was decided to call the atten- tion of the Board of Trade to the matter. North of England. A council meeting of the Durham Miners’ Association, held on Saturday last, decided that the executive committee should approach the owners with a view to having men and boys paid at the rate of time and a-half when working on holidays. It was decided, also, to ask the Miners’ Federa- tion of Great Britain to take into consideration the advisa- bility of calling a conference to discuss the question of work- men not being called upon to pay income tax. This decision was arrived at, it is stated, for the reason that there are others, apart from workmen, better qualified to pay the income tax ! This is, doubtless, quite true, but it is also true that the tax is having to be paid by others less able than the miner who has a good “ kyevil.” The Chilton miners’ lodge has passed a resolution protest- ing against Mr. W. B. Charlton’s statement that the bonus for working on holidays is a sop to the miners, and that the money should be sent to some fund. The lodge is of opinion that the majority of workmen in the county have plenty of their own friends in the Army and Navy to whom they can send the 2s. and more in the form of parcels. The executive committee of the Northumberland Miners’ Association has had under consideration the question, raised by the Rising Sun Colliery workmen, of light work compen- sation. The executive state that they are aware of all the factors which have to be considered in such cases, and that, as wages are increased, the part compensation must decrease according to law. As this is so, they must accept it, not- withstanding any injustice there may be in it, until such time as the Compensation Act can be amended. As to the question of contributing to voluntary institu- tions, the executive state that it is in the interests of disabled soldiers and sailors, and the dependants of others who have given their lives for their country, that they have declined to give donations to proposed voluntary institutions for the support of all these victims of the war, as thev strongly object to that necessary support having to depend on charity, instead of, as it ought to do. on the State. On the question of non-unionism, the executive announce that it has been decided, by a vote of the branches, to deal with the question of non-unionism. They advise the forma- tion of groups of branches, and that each group should hold a demonstration for trade union propaganda, as, in their opinion, gatherings of that kind, at which men, women, and children of all classes can attend, are likely to be the most successful for that purpose. The agents, it is added, have been instructed to draft a suggested grouping scheme. At a joint meeting of the executive and the wages committees it was decided that, “ owing to the grave dissatisfaction felt by the workmen at many collieries at the small basis W’age for lads on which colliery managers are adding the county per- centages, and the uncertainty as to what was the real, basis wage of such lads previous to the Minimum Wage Act, we ask the Colliery Owners’ Association for an interview, in order to lay before them a request for all boys’ datal basis wages to be fixed at an amount equal to three-fourths of the minimum wages as fixed by Lord Mersey under the Minimum Wage Act.” Federated Area. At meetings of miners employed at Messrs. A. Knowles and Sons’ Clifton and Kersley Coal Company’s and Lord Elles- mere’s pits it was reported that various grievances respecting working conditions at certain collieries had been amicably settled. It was further mentioned on Monday night that the process of weeding out young men who had gone into the mines during the last 12 months was being pushed forward. These are wanted for military service. Scotland. Mr. Frowen, general secretary of the Firemen, Examiners, and Deputies’ Federation of Great Britain, and Mr. Sam Coulthard, general secretary of the Northumberland Deputies’ Association, have just returned from prosecuting a campaign in Scotland., where the Scottish Miners’ Federation has been seeking to compel the deputies to relinquish their own union and join the Federation. It is stated that, in consequence of the pressure, a large number of members of the Deputies’ Association have gone over to the Miners’ Federation. Several meetings were held in the course of the visit. A joint meeting between representatives of the Summerlee Iron Company and the Miners’ Union was held in Glasgow to discuss the matters in dispute at West Benhar Colliery. Sir Thomas Moore presided, and after a long discussion tem- porary terms of settlement were arrived at providing for a resumption of work on the terms ruling prior to the stoppage. When the places in dispute are put in perfect working order they will be inspected by the union officials, after w7hich a joint meeting will be held to arrive at the ton rate to be paid. The claim by the Scottish miners for an increase of Is. per day was again considered at a meeting of the Coal Con- ciliation Board held in Glasgow. Lord Strathclyde pre- sided. The latest demand is the seventh by the men since April of last year, and in the interval they have received advances amounting in all to 2s. 6d. per day. Iron, Steel and Engineering Trades. An award by the Committee on Production relating to the wages of engineers’ labourers in the Huddersfield district decides that the labourers are to receive Is. per week extra as from the first pay day following August 19, “ the advance to be regarded as war w7ages, and recognised as due to and dependent on the existence of the abnormal conditions now prevailing in consequence of the war.” The Board of Trade has decided that the trade union ban on piecework in the Burnley engineering trade operates so as to restrict production, and must be withdrawn. It is under- stood that the employers will now introduce piecework in their establishments, which are virtually all engaged on war work. The area affected by the aw’ard embraces Burnley, Nelson, and Colne. _____________________ THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products. — There is very little movement in the majority of products, but prices generally are well main- tained. Creosote is the turn lower. Nearest values are :— Rise ( + ) or fall (-) on the week. Benzols, 90’s ..................... 1/0J ... — ,, 90’s North ................ /10A—/11J ... — ............................ ,, 50’s North ................ 1/3—1/4 ... — Toluol ................................. 2/3 ... — Carbolic acid, crude (60 per cent.)... 3/4 ... — ,, crystals (40 per cent.) 1/3 ... — Solvent naphtha, south (90% at 160 degs.), as in quality and package... 1/9 ... — Solvent naphtha, north (90% at 160 dogs.), as in quality and package... 1/6 ... — Crude naphtha, north (in balk) ______ /6|—/6| ... — Creosote (for ordinary qualities) .... /2—/2| ... —/0| Pitch (f.o.b. east coast) ............ 16/—16/6 ... — ,, (f.a.s. west coast) ............ 15/—15/6 ... — Tar (per ton ex works) ............ 15/9—19/9 ... — Sulphate of Ammonia.—The market is firm, and for for- ward prices range from £18 5s. to £18 7s. 6d. up to November. There is a prospect of a strong export demand later on, by which time bag and licence difficulties should be adjusted. The exports for the week have been about 1,700 tons. Closing prompt prices are :— London (ordinary makes) ... Beckton (25 per cent.) .... Liverpool ................ Hull .................... Middlesbrough ........... Scotch ports ............. Wales .................. Nitrate of soda (ord.) per cwt Rise ( + ) or fall ( —) on the week. ... +2/6 ... +7/6 ... +2/6 £17/17/6 £16/17/6—£17 £17/17/6—£18 £17/12/6 £17/13/9 £18 £17 '12/6—£17/18 '9 17/6 + 1/3 ________________________________ The Privy Council has sanctioned the new by-law pro- viding for the expulsion from the Iron and Steel Institute of members who are subjects of a country at war with the United Kingdom. It was reported on the Manchester Coal Exchange that nearly 4’1.000.000 is being spent on opening out new coal mines in the Manchester. Leigh, and Bolton districts. Scarcity of labour is retarding operations. The council of the newly-constituted Association of British Chemical Manufacturers has appointed as general secretary Lieut.-Col. Sir Charles H. Bedford. M.D., D.Sc., I.M.S. (retired). The business of the association is temporarily being carried on at the offices of the Society of Chemical Industry.