910 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. November 10, 1916. If we may venture to add a word of comment upon the efficacy of the barrier method under working conditions, we should say that, however numerous these barriers might be, they could only check an explosion at given points. For complete protection they would require to be so numerous and so closely spaced that the result would not differ very greatly from the continuous protection afforded by stone dusting throughout. The latter method, in short, becomes the limit of the barrier extended to the point of maximum safety. The striking series of articles Elements recently published in The Times Of under the title “The Elements of Reconstruction. Reconstruction,” have now been published in book form,* with an introduction by Lord Milner. In this preface it is laid down that the nation is now prepared to consider, and to judge dispassionately on their merits, pro- posals which only a few years ago would have seemed wildly revolutionary. The object kept in view by the anonymous authors of these articles has been to give the nation something definite and essential to think about, and so to avoid much wandering around the outskirts and fringes of large problems. The authors endeavour to go to the very root of the alleged past shortcomings of the nation. For instance, much has been said and written of late respecting the British man of business, and his conservatism, lack of enterprise and scorn of the aid which science can afford. All these things have been held up as a reproach, as an inherent defect of the British character. But our authors suggest that this is not true, that the majority of our men of business have done their best under the circumstances, and that many of the apparent errors in their methods have been more or less unavoidable owing to the comparatively small scale upon which our industrial enterprises have been conducted. If their view is correct, viz., that the position of the small isolated business is no longer tenable, that we are only at the beginning of the growth of mammoth trusts and combines, which alone will permit the unrestricted use of scientific and mechanical aids, then the sooner this is realised the better it will be for the future of the empire. As |s here shown, the individualistic, inarticulate, unorganised state of British trade is old-fashioned. The future belongs to big-scale businesses, and the smaller ones can only hope to succeed if they pool their resources for their common advantage. Now, stated thus, we are faced with an inherent weakness in our fundamental methods, and its remedy is compara- tively simple. Let us apply it, for example, to the coal tar colour industry. It explains at once why we lost pre-eminence in this branch of trade. All the stock excuses, such as the duty on alcohol, the neglect of research, the failure to keep Hofmann in the country, and the like, become trivial by com- parison with the fundamental fact that the small scale business must necessarily succumb in compe- tition with a big State-aided combination. But to concede the abolition of individualism in business is to fall at once into the arms of the Fabian Society, which has long been preaching that self-same doctrine. We are no Fabians, and we have always upheld individualism against Socialism in whatever form it may be disguised, but we are prepared to admit th’at there is here an exceedingly strong case for consideration. The need for organisation and co-operation in industry can no longer be disguised, and the assistance of the State can no longer safely be withheld from the conduct of our key industries. Our unknown authors maintain that “the British industrial and business problem is to scrap the methods of 1850-1860, and not to imitate Germany with a copy of her 1890-1900 methods, but to go right ahead to the 1920 pattern.” For this purpose it is necessary to forecast what that pattern should be. One of the most important things to recognise in this connection is that no sudden process of a revolutionary nature is practicable. There are those who, in their eagerness to initiate * The Elements of Reconstruction . London : Nisbet and Co. Ltd., price Is. net. reforms, are prepared to make a clean sweep of the old order, for the purpose of making at once a fresh start on new lines. There is in this book no sympathy with such a policy. Neither is any plan of nationalisation by expropriation suggested; but the authors have in view a step towards the nationalisation of the larger industries by bringing the State into partnership with them, and organising them by the methods of amal- gamation, co ordination and co-operation. What this would mean in the case of the coal industry is not at once apparent, but we have an indication of its tendency in the big combines that are springing up in increasing number in the coal fields of this country. A still better indication is afforded by the example of Germany, as illustrated by the West- phalian Syndicate and the various Kontors, or selling agencies, in that country. We do undoubtedly suffer seriously in Great Britain from internal competition. There is no need for this fritterirg away of energy, which is as wasteful in business as internal friction in mechanics. Lord Milner has shown in his intro- duction to this book that he is in full sympathy with many of its suggestions. The work he has been doing of late in the organisation of the coal industry during the war should not be allowed to be barren of permanent results, and the coal industry would welcome from him any plan whereby the principles of reconstruction can be successfully applied to the coal industry. The attitude of employers towards trade unions is discussed at some length in this little volume. The authors .speak quite plainly of the aims of each, at least so far as the past is concerned. The employers, as a class, they say, were obsessed by the idea of getting as much work for as little money as possible, and the original trade unions deliberately aimed at shirking. Employers are not spared, and it is claimed that both sides have been demoralised by the old conditions, and they must go to school together if the empire is to be saved. The result is that there is a legacy of lurking suspicion, which must be removed before any real community of purpose can be brought about. For this reason the formation of national trusts and large-scale businesses must be accompanied by greater frank- ness of conduct towards labour and the entire absence of private arrangements and secret intrigues on both sides. The broadness of view taken by the authors of this volume is well shown in their treatment of the subject of Syndicalism, and Guild Socialism, which appear to be a growing tendency amongst the younger workers in certain coal fields. The authors refer to the notions now being put about by Mr. Cole, Mr. Mellor, and the Editor of The Neto Age, and largely supported by sections of the workers. It is not enough, they claim, that these men should be merely snubbed and , ignored. Although their views are couched in terms of class hostility, and in the irritating and militant manner of Karl Marx, it is contended that they are worth attention, and are in fact constructive rather than destructive in their practical tendency. We confess to some astonishment at the leniency with which this branch of the subject is handled. Our authors, it is true, have no sympathy with the revolutionary change of control advocated by these Syndicalists, but they comfort themselves with the conviction that new social classes cannot be suddenly created, and any efforts to do so will break down at the first attempt. But surely even the attempt would do incalulable harm to industry. We believe, nevertheless, that the views here expressed are inherently sound, and the correct way to guard against the results of such doctrines is not to ignore them, or to snub their exponents, but to guide the new forces into their proper channel, and endeavour to utilise them for the furtherance of the great national reconstruction that must be kept in view if the Empire is to achieve its true destiny. In addition to its industrial aspect the subjects of political and educational reconstruction form an integral part of the authors’ scheme, but space does not permit of further comment at the present time. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, November 9. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. There is nothing fresh to report with regard to the coal trade in the west of Scotland, but business continues fairly satisfactory, though tonnage is still somewhat irregular. Ell coals are a trifle easier owing to more plentiful supplies, while splints are unchanged. Naviga- tions are strong round about 30s. to 33s. per ton, and ordinary steams remain on last weeks level. Smalls are in brisk demand for local consumption, and prices are steady. Shipments for the week amounted to 99,293 tons, compared with 134,034 in the preceding week and 127,171 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Steam coal Current prices. 21/ -27/6 26/ -28/ 25/ -32/6 23/ 22/ 21/ L’st week’s prices. 23/ -27/6 27/ -28/ 27/ -32/6 23/ 22/ 21/ Last year’s prices. 15/6-17 6 18/3-18/6 18'6-24/ 18'3-18/6 17/9-18/3 16/6-17/ Ell Splint Treble nuts Double do Single do. IRON. The position in the various branches of the Scotch iron trade continues one of extreme activity. Producers are doing their utmost to meet demands, and works are running as fully as the supplies of labour and materials will allow. In the pig iron trade the demand for haematite is still the outstanding feature, and outputs are barely sufficient to meet requirements. Ordinary qualities are also going away to a large extent against contracts, and consequently new business, on home account, is difficult to arrange, while exports are practically out of the question. Shipments for the past week only amounted to 484 tons 94 tons foreign and 390 coastwise—against 1,818 tons in the same week of last year. Pig iron warrants at present amount to 5,884 tons, compared with 116,098 tons at the end of 1915. The prices of Scotch makers’ iron are quoted as follow:— Monkland and Carnbroe f.a.s. at Glasgow, Nos. 1,125s., Nos. 3, 120s.; Govan, No. 1,122s. 6d., No. 3,120s.; Clyde, Summerlee, Calder and Langloan, Nos. 1,130s., Nos. 3,125s.; Gartsherrie, No. 1, 131s. 6d., No. 3, 126s. 6d.; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 130s., No. 3, 125s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon and Dalmellington, at Ayr, Nos. 1, 126s. 6d., Nos. 3, 121s. 6d.; Shotts and Carron, at Leith, Nos. 1, 130s., Nos. 3, 125s. per ton. Makers of malleable iron products are working under tremendous pressure. The output from the steel department is almost entirely for Government requirements, but a good general business is being done in iron. Crown quality iron bars are quoted about £14 12s. 6d. per ton net, for export and mild steel bars from £16 10s. to £17 10s. per ton, for basis sizes. Black sheet makers are still short of raw materials, and find it quite impossible to make up arrears of deliveries. The price is unchanged at £18 5s. to £18 10s. per ton, net, f.o.b. at Glasgow. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. The coal trade in the Lothians district continues satis- factory. All classes of coal are well booked in the meantime, and prospects are bright. Shipments amounted to 25,381 tons, against 31,230 in the preceding week, and 26,708 tons in the same week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Mr. T. Jones, for a long time the managing director of the South Hetton Colliery Company, left estate valued at £31,161. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Best screened steam coal... 30/ 30/ -32/6 17/6-18/ Secondary qualities 29/ 30/ 16/ -16/6 Treble nuts 23/ -26/ 23/ -26/ 19/ -19/6 Double do 22/ 22/ 18/ -18/6 Single do 21/ 21/ 15/9—16/3 A good proportion of the turnover in the Fifeshire coal trade consists of transactions in navigation and first-class steams, and a fair amount of small stuffs. Shipments amounted to 54,537 tons, against 36,664 in the preceding week, and 66,739 tons in the same week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Best screened navigation coal 30/ -40/ 40/ -41/ 21/ -21/6 Unscreened do 28/ -35/ 35/ -37/6 19/ -20/ First-class steam coal 28/ -35/ 35/ -37/6 17/9—18/6 Third-class do 22/ -25/ 22/ -24/ 14/ -15/ Treble nuts 23/ -26/ 23/ —24/ 18/6-20/ Double do 22/ 22/ 17/ -17/6 Single do 21/ 21/ -21/6 15/6—16/6 The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 179,231 tons, compared with 201,928 in the preceding week and 220,618 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week 61,916 tons of coal and 3,886 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, a decrease of 22,234 tons of coal and an increase of 1,937 tons of coke. The Dunston clearances amounted to 16,341 tons of coal and 4,935 tons of coke, decreases of 21,590 tons of coal and 183 tons of coke. The Bly th figures are, unfortunately, not to hand. The Tyne shipments showed a decrease of 52,206 tons when compared with those for the previous week, and of 42,069 tons when compared with those for the corresponding week of last year, figures which bear eloquent testimony to the manner in which tonnage shortage is hampering transit operations at a most crucial time. The