466

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

September 8, 1916.

THE AMERICAN COAL TRADE.

Some of die high quality bituminous coals are out of
the market entirely, while others are being partially with-
drawn, and none are in plentiful supply. Consuming
interests are crowding the producers in every way
possible for all the tonnage they can get on regular con-
tracts, and are also picking up any loose shipments that
appear in the market. Operators have withdrawn entirely
from the contract market, and some manufacturing
interests are finding it difficult to obtain sufficient coal
to meet their immediate requirements. The situation is
causing anxiety among many of the larger consumers.
The export movement continues heavy, according to the
Coal Age.

The Hampton Roads coals are in very firm position.
What little spot coal is let out sells at new high levels,
3*50 dols. being the price for quick coal. Export cargoes
are still loading in heavy volume, but the tonnage coast-
wise shows relatively no increase. Neither is there any
gain in output, the Southern fields having the same
shortage of labour to reckon with as the Pennsylvania
districts. Prices on cars continue firm, with distributors
less and less disposed to make quotations for delivery
more than .a few weeks in advance The market for
Pennsylvania steam coals is gradually broadening with
the increasing scarcity in other grades.

Baltimore reports that the bituminous market has
grown tighter. Big vein Georges Greek is apparently not
to be obtained at any figure.

Prices to the trade are about as follows, at the mines,
per gross ton : Georges Creek, Tyson, 1-75 dols. to 1-85;
Miller vein, 1-65; Quemahoning, 1-75; Somerset, 1-55;
Freeport, 1-35; Fairmont, gas, three-quarter, 1-35 to
1*40; same, mine-run, 1-25; slack, 1-20.

The export business at Hampton Roads is active, and
coastwise shipments are fair. The tonnage congestion
has been relieved. Prices all round are firm.

The anthracite trade is expected to be brisk, and prices
are steady. Orders in the hands of the shippers are also
greater than they can fill, due to the shortage of labour.
Practically the entire production is being absorbed.
Pennsylvania prices f.o.b. Port Richmond : Broken,

3	dols. to 4-75; egg, 4 to 5-15; stove, 4 to 5-50; chestnut,

4	to 5-45; buckwheat, 2*55; and boiler, 1-80.

MINERS AND OLD-AGE PENSIONS.

At the Trade Union Congress at Birmingham on
Monday, the resolution of the Miners’ Federation of
Great Britain asking for an increase in the amount of
old-age pensions was passed.

Mr. H. Smith (Barnsley) proposed that this congress
request the Government to introduce a Bill to amend the
Old-Age Pension Act, 1910, increasing the 5s. per week
to not less than 7s. 6d., and reducing the age limit from
70 to 60 years. He said trade unionists had to do more
than they had already done if they were to get any
increase of old-age pensions. Even at this time of day
they had been told by Ministers that they could not prove
the necessity for an increase. Enquiries which he had
made to 72 poor law unions showed that the cost of
feeding, clothing, and housing the inmates of workhouses
had, since the beginning of the war, gone up from 5s. 9d.
to 8s. 9d. per week. That should be sufficient to convince
any Cabinet Minister that their case was proved for an
increase of pension. An increase of half-a-crown a week
only meant two days’ cost of the war, or an outlay of 7|
millions a year.

Mr. J. R. Clynes, M.P., General Workers’ Union,
who seconded, said when the pension of 5s. a week was
granted by Parliament it was the minimum for which
they apologised and excused themselves. The only argu-
ment against it was the cost, and the expenditure on the
war had wiped away that argument for ever.

Mr. Robt. Smillie, Miners’ Federation, said the
Prime Minister informed a deputation from the Parlia-
mentary Committee that an order had been issued that
pension authorities were not to take into considera-
tion earnings by old-age pensioners up to 30s. a week in
urban districts and 20s. a week in rural districts. After
weeks of enquiry it had been brought out that instruc-
tions were printed and never issued, and that pension
offices throughout the country had not yet received that
information. He believed it would be found that the
order was made in 1915, and under this order the
Pensions Committee was bound to repay these old people
the money which had been taken oft them. Those old-
age pensioners who had gone back to work to help their
income and the nation had been defrauded, because the
Government apparently did not want it to be known that
the Order had been made.

The resolution was unanimously carried.

A further resolution was passed instructing the Parlia-
mentary Committee to promote legislation at an early
date to secure that superannuation and other trade
union and friendly society benefits should not be taken
into account in assessing an applicant’s income for the
purpose of old-age pensions.

The Congress also passed a resolution in favour of the
nationalisation of railways.

Six Months’ Donetz Coal Production. — The increase in
the production of coal and anthracite in South Russia con-
tinues. The total of coal and anthracite produced in the
month of June amounted to 121,000.000 poods and 31,000,000
poods respectively, against 106,000,000 poods and 23,200,000
poods in the corresponding period of 1915. The respective
totals again for the first six months of this year were
679,000,000 poods and 177,000.000 poods, making a total of
856,000,000 poods, against 790,000,000 poods. The rise in
the production of coal is 25,000,000 poods, and of anthracite
41.000,000 poods. The advance in the anthracite producing
industry is very marked, namely, by 40 per cent. The
number of workmen engaged has'also increased. At the
beginning of July there were 222,000 hands engaged, against
165,000 hands at the corresponding date of 1915.

Notes from the Coal Fields.

[Local Correspondence.]

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

French Buyers of Anthracite Collieries—American Coal
Offered to Cardiff—The Unsatisfactory Circumstances of
Coal Export Trade—Criticism of Federation Figures as
to Profits—Tip Slide—New Sinkings by Ebbw Vale
Company—An Italian Suggestion.

By arrangement between the Mining Board (South Wales
and Monmouthshire coal field) and the council of the Univer-
sity College of South Wales and Monmouthshire, a four
years’ diploma course of instruction in coal mining has been
established, to be given jointly by both institutions. This
diploma will be awarded on the results of examinations con-
ducted at the conclusion of each year’s course of study by
the two bodies concerned, and will be issued by the college
and the School of Mines as a joint diploma. The preliminary
examination will be held at the School of Mines, Treforest,
beginning on September 19. The syllabus details each
year’s scheme of study.

The statement that a French syndicate has been negotiat-
ing for the purchase of anthracite properties in West Wales
is only one indication of the growing importance of that coal
field, where the output has increased fivefold in little more
than twenty years. Largely, this growth has been brought
about by the careful -study which coal owners and exporters
have given to the different markets which they have to
supply; and they have worked with full recognition of the
fact that unless such an adaptation were made there was risk
of American competition or of the substitution of other
foreign fuel. Breaking, screening, and washing plant have
been installed, and the work now done at the colliery is
very largely what was formerly done at the port of discharge
on the Continent. In addition to the foreign demand, there
is also a growing use in this country, amongst other purposes,
for suction gas plant. At present most of the collieries in
South Waleshave a comparatively small output, prob ably a few
hundred tons per day; and it is said that the largest of them
does not exceed a thousand tons daily. In view, however, of
the rapid development and of the fact that 12,000 to 14,000
colliers are now employed in the anthracite field, also that
development is taking place in virgin ground in Pembroke-
shire,'the outlook is regarded as particularly bright and very
attractive for investment.

It is not yet true that ships are “ carrying coal to Cardiff,”
but it is true that a highly venturesome American coal
merchant is offering supplies to the shippers of the great port
on this side. The instance, though it occasioned only amuse-
ment, has its serious side when regarded from the point of
view of the coal trade’s future, especially when the fact is
borne in mind that some shipments of American coal have
recently gone into the Mediterranean market. Fortunately,
the high rates of freight have operated as a barrier to some
extent, but once the Americans gain entry to a market it will
not be so easy to drive them out. American coal, at the
present time, could be put on board steamers at perhaps one-
third of the price of British or one-half of the limitation price
which operates; and this is not the sole consideration, the
greater one being that America has got coal to spare whilst
South Wales cannot supply at. Notwithstanding that the
American shippers have brought out steamers from the big
lakes—those great vessels wffiich carry ore and grain—there
is still an extreme lack of tonnage ; and it is this which pro-
tects the British coal trade in regard to future operations.
The urgent need is that more British vessels should be avail-
able, and in this connection it is gratifying to note the state-
ment—practically an official one—that shipyards on the
Clyde are not now solely engaged on Admiralty work, but
have resumed operations in the building of mercantile craft,
for what prevails on the Clyde may be assumed to prevail on
the Tyne and other shipbuilding centres.

Although final ratification has not yet been made of the
agreement between the Government and the dock and harbour
authorities, it is understood that the terms previously set
forth have been virtually settled.

Mr. Eustace Edwards, of Tonyrefail—who is only 18 years
of age, and is now engaged in the Royal Flying Corps—has
secured, at this early age, the Home Office certificate as mine
surveyor, and is said to be one of the youngest in the South
Wales coal field to have gained this distinction. Before
enlistment he was assistant surveyor at the Coedely
collieries, where his father is engaged, and had at the Tre-
forest -School of Mining gained the highest prize and scholar-
ship awarded to pupils of his year.

Exports of coal from South Wales are unsatisfactory. From
Cardiff the returns show dwindling trade, over a million and
a quarter tons reduction being recorded in the seven months
ended July, as compared with the corresponding period of
last year—in foreign and coastwise. Bunkers were down
over 188,000 tons. Newport and Swansea both show reduc-
tion, though not nearly to the same extent; but Port Talbot
had a large increase—from 787,859 to 1,112,662 tons foreign,
a rise of over 324,000 tons, foreign. At present there is no
indication of improvement, August being equally unsatisfac-
tory.

As against the figures cited in the percentages shown by
Mr. Vernon Hartshorn—purporting to show the relative pro-
portion of coal prices when distributed between capital,
labour, and cost of stores—some effective criticism is in
evidence. Taking his final statement, that concerning the
quarter ended June, wherein he stated that 56-46 per cent,
of the price wrent to labour and 24-05 per cent, to capital, the
remainder going for stores, the critic points out that the
percentage allocated to capital has to bear the cost of carriage
to port, and also royalties, income-tax, excess profit tax,
workmen’s compensation, debenture interest, or interest on
loans, with other charges. Only after these have been
eliminated can actual profit be estimated. Moreover, the
percentage tables which Mr. Hartshorn presented are said to
have dealt with only about half the output of the coal field :
so that they cannot be accepted as representing fully the
position of the whole of the collieries.

A large tip at Pentre, in the Rhondda, has commenced to
move down the mountain side, and already an iron building
used as a billiard hall has been wrecked. After quiescence
for a day or two the slide has continued, and it has been
necessary for the occupants to vacate bank premises, also a
number of dwelling houses, through fear of being over-
whelmed. The movement is slow. The heavy rain of the
past few weeks has, no doubt, been the chief cause of the tip
giving way.

In his address to the shareholders of Guest, Keen, and
Nettlefolds (of Dowlais, Cardiff, etc.), Mr. Arthur Keen

stated that during the war more than 200 former employees of
the company had been killed, and a large number wounded.
Their output of pig iron was slightly less than in the pre-
ceding year, whilst that of finished steel had increased. The
output of coal was low7er, and the bulk of it had been taken
by our own and the Allied Governments, the prices realised
being much below current market quotations. Their wages
bill during the 12 months had been the highest on record.

With regard to the housing problem, which is acute in
certain colliery districts of South Wales, the Eastern Valley
miners of Monmouthshire have decided to approach the Presi-
dent of the Local Government Board, and point out to him
the operation of the Rents Act, which is alleged to have
failed in its local application so far as regards security of
tenure or prevention of increase.

The action of the Aberdare district miners is likely to be
followed in other parts of the coal field, and evening classes
are being established wherein elementary economics and
industrial history wnll be taught. A sub-committee is at
work in Aberdare framing a scheme, and their report will
serve -as a basis for action in other area^.

The new agent for Lancaster’s Collieries Company is Mr.
T. Jenkin Williams, who has hitherto occupied the position
of manager of that company’s Rose Heyworth and Cwm
Tillery pits. He takes the post which has been vacated by
Mr. W. Thomas, who has resigned through ill-health. Mr.
Williams entered the pit at the early age of 13, and has by
his own efforts attained the office he now holds. He was
formerly under-manager for the same firm at their Llwyd-
coed pit, and at one time was manager of the Cardiff Naviga-
tion Colliery, Llantrisant; subsequently at Gadlys, Aber-
dare. As a member of the Abartillery Council he has rendered
good service, particularly on the technical instruction com-
mittee, and he has also served on the local military tribunal.

Official announcement in regard to holidays, such as has
been made to the miners of the North, is not necessary in
South Wales, it having been arranged through the Concilia-
tion Board that the colliers in this district may take holiday
in such detachments as may be agreed at the different pits.

The limitation scheme with regard to the export of coal to
Italy has again been under consideration. Amongst the
South Wales representatives who took part a few days ago in
a discussion at the Board of Trade Office wrnre Lord Rhondda,
with Messrs. Mewton (chairman of the South Wales Coal
Owners’ Association), Deakin, P. Callaghan, and W.
Cleeves. It is stated that the difficulties which had arisen
as to the action of the ship owners were ultimately overcome,
and that the matter was practically concluded. Swansea
Coal Exports Committee has accepted the report of its repre-
sentatives, which goes to show that, whilst rates of freight
are well below the top figures reached of late, they are still
at a high level, being above rates, non-current. The idea still
prevails that the British Government will ultimately have
to requisition the whole of the British tonnage, and that
shipping of the Allies should be operated upon conditions
similar to those which would then apply to British.

Attention has been drawn to the suggestion of an Italian
journal that French coal should be taken by railway into
Italy, and that the French market should be supplied from
Great Britain, the idea being that this w’ould ensure greater
speed in supplying the Italian market and so tend to a reduc-
tion in prices. It is said that the experiment has already
been tried, and that about sixty trucks daily reached Italy;
in this case the coal coming from England overland through
France. Such a practice, of course, entails the disadvantage
of handling at the French port of discharge, with the conse-
quent breakage of coal; but if the later suggestion were
adopted, namely, that French coal be taken to Italy wdiile
English coal supplies the French market, another question is
raised, seeing that the French buyer wTould then have to pay
freight rate from Great Britain. As against this, it is pro-
posed that the Italian Government should make compensa-
tion to France. The whole idea is ingenious. Whether it is
practicable is quite another matter.

In the neighbourhood of Aberbeeg, which is at the junction
of the valley from Ebbw Vale town and the contiguous
valley from Abertillery, there is 'anticipation that new sink-
ings will shortly be undertaken for the Ebbw7 Vale Company,
and this is a matter of considerable importance, seeing that
adjacent collieries, such as those at Six Bells and Llanhilleth.
have proved so successful. It is stated that preliminary
work is now in progress by the Ebbw Vale Company, the
popular rumour being that two pits will be sunk in proximity
to Messrs. Budd’s house coal colliery.

The Penrikyber Colliery miners have already made their
arrangements with regard to the collection of income-tax. and
at a general meeting held a day or two ago they appointed
one man to make the collection for the whole colliery.

Capt. W. P. Kelly, a partner in Vyvyan and Company,
coal exporters, of Cardiff, has been wounded in France. He
serves with the Northumberland Fusiliers.

An application wras made to Mr. Justice Sargant in the
Vacation Court on behalf of William O'Brien, blacksmith,
for an injunction to restrain George Burton, colliery check-
weighman, from attempting to induce the plaintiff's employers
not to employ him. Mr. Bramwell Davis, K.C., who
appeared for the plaintiff, said he had worked at the
Lhvynypia House Coal Colliery for 18 years. In 1911 the
defendant asked him to produce his card. It wras the prac-
tice in this district to have a “ show-card day ” periodically,
and all employees had to produce their trade union cards, so
that no non-union men should work in the collieries. The
plaintiff told the defendant that he was not a member of the

House Coal Lodge,” the miners’ lodge, but of the Engine-
men’s. Stokers’ and Craftsmen's Mid-Rhondda Lodge (the
” Craftsmen’s Lodge ”), and he produced his card. The
defendant then called him a “ blackleg,” and referred to the
strike of 1910, in which the plaintiff had not acted entirely
in accordance writh the defendant's opinions. Afterwards
plaintiff, in consequence of threats, transferred to the House
Coal Lodge, but did not pay to that lodge nor attend it, and
m consequence of the trouble the manager said he would
not have the colliery stopped for the sake of one man.
Defendant ceased work, and could not obtain other employ-
ment, although the company was willing to re-engage him.
Defendant agreed to give an undertaking in the terms of the
motion pending the result of an arbitration.

Northumberland and Durham.

J Pension Case—Shot-firing Offence—Mining Students
—Submarine Coal Beds.

In his September circular to the members of the
Northumberland Miners’ Association. Mr. Wm. Straker
criticises the conduct of the management of the Woodhorn
Colliery in not sending prompt wTord to the miners' officials
with reference to the occurrence of the recent disaster.