1118 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN December 8, 1916. from any efforts to increase our knowledge in a direction in which, accurate information is remarkably deficient. There has been a disposition on the part of coal owners to regard chemical analyses as superfluous. This attitude is excusable in a country possessing rich supplies of first-class coal, always sure of a market, and fearless of serious competition. There has been little organised demand for chemical analyses on the part of fuel consumers. Coal contracts, in this country, rarely contain any complete specification as to chemical composition. The more important coal seams of the kingdom have acquired a certain market reputation, which they doubtless fully deserve; and coal owners naturally fail to see in what way a chemical analysis will serve them either in selling more coal, or in obtaining a better price for it. Of course, this attitude is quite unscientific, and so is that of the purchaser, who, in nine cases out of ten, is in complete ignorance as to the real fuel value of the coal he is accustomed to buy. So it has come about that in this, the premier coal- producing country of the world, reckoned not in tonnage, but in the antiquity and solid reputation of its produce, there is a lamentable deficiency of information upon the quality of many important seams of coal. It is not so much in respect of our best kinds of coal that this defect is disadvantageous. It is the inferior kinds, those which are often neglected as unmarketable, and are thrown into the goaf as rubbish, which suffer most from our want of knowledge of profitable ways of using them. The waste arising under this system is said to reach, in some cases, as much as 25 per cent, of the possible yield. There can be no justification for such waste, if, as seems probable, an economic use can be found for this coal. It is here where we look especially for the practical utility of the tests about to be performed. While referring to this subject of coal trade economics, we may perhaps be permitted also to draw attention to some remarks made recently by Prof. Brame in the course of his Howard lectures, now being delivered at the Royal Society of Arts. In touching upon the subject of coal exports he revived the old question of an export tax, and declared himself frankly to be in favour of taxing the export of coal out of existence. In enlarging upon this argument he recommended the utilisation of such a tax for the very purpose now about to be carried out under the auspices of the Department over which Lord Crewe presides. He said that the nation has an inalienable right to demand that its coal supplies should be dealt with in such a manner that posterity should, as far as possible, be provided for. Now this question of an export tax has been already exhaustively considered by a Royal Com- mission, which reported, without ambiguity, against the expediency of such a tax. The posterity argu- ment has been worn rather threadbare. There is an equally trite saying that one cannot both have one’s cake and eat it. We are not going over all this ground again just now ; for the re-imposition of an export tax at this time is about as unlikely an event as it is possible to conceive. We mention it because of its association by Prof. Brame with the question of scientific research. It is true that Lord Crewe indicated the advisability of paying for special researches out of the profits of the industry directly concerned. But in this case it appears to us that, if anyone is to benefit from an exhaustive chemical examination of our coal seams, it will be the con- sumer of coal rather than the producer. Doubtless the coal owner will not be averse from contributing liberally to the expense of this survey. But he will do it from purely altruistic motives, and not because he will expect to derive much benefit from it. Inci- dentally, we may suggest that the work involved will probably be so protracted that its economic results will be a substantial asset for that posterity about which Prof. Brame expresses so praiseworthy a concern. Aged 35, a carter in the employ of the Earl of Ellesmere, applied for exemption at the Worsley tribunal recently. He said he was principally engaged in carting coal to the military hospital at Worsley Hall. The department had already liberated three men for the Army. As he was passed by the medical Board for Class C 3, his case was adjourned until that class ia called up. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, December 7. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. Conditions in the west of Scotland coal trade are far from satisfactory, owing to the scarcity of wagons and shipping delays. This is the case particularly with regard to ell coals, supplies of which are now very plentiful, and prices a matter of arrangement. Steams, too, are dull. Splints are fairly steady, while navigations are well placed with regard to orders on hand, and values remain about 33s. per ton. The market for smalls is unchanged, and house- hold sorts continue in strong demand. The shipments for the week amounted to 90,421 tons, compared with 103,246 in the preceding week and 126,238 tons in the same week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Steam Goal 20/ -25/ 23/ -27/ 15/6-17/6 Ell 22/6-25/ 24/ -25/ 18/9-19/ Splint 25/ -32/ 26/ -30/ 19/6-25/ Treble nuts 23/ 23/ 18/6-19/ Double do 22/ 22/ 18/6 Single do 21/ 21/ 17/ -17/6 IRON. Markets in Scotland are very firm, and where prices are not fixed the tendency shows a strong upward direction. In pig iron the outputs of haematite are quickly taken up for local consumption, and other qualities are also rapidly disposed of. Under the circumstances exports are consider- ably curtailed. Shipments for the past week amounted to 780 tons—560 foreign and 220 tons coastwise—compared with 1,861 tons in the same week last year. Pig iron warrant stocks now amount to 5,523 tons, against 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. Malleable iron makers report firm conditions. Work is mostly on Government account, directly or indirectly, and all departments are fully employed. Crown quality bars are quoted .£14 10s. per ton net for export, and mild steel bars about <£16 10s. to <£17 per ton net for basis sizes. A large volume of business is passing at present in the wrought iron and steel tube trade, and there is constant pressure for deliveries of both light and heavy castings. At the black sheet mills the highest activity still prevails, and only an occasional stoppage is made owing to irregular supplies of raw materials. The price remains about <£18 15s. to .£18 10s. per ton net f.o.b. Glasgow. Scotland.- Eastern District. COAL. A slight improvement is reported from the Lothian dis- trict, but collieries are still in a position to undertake prompt tonnage for steam coal. Clearances amounted to 17,668 tons, against 22,103 in the preceding week and 33,380 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Best screened steam coal... Secondary qualities Current prices. 27/ -28/ 26/ -27/ 23/ -26/ 22/ L’st week’s prices. 28/ 27/ 23/ -25/ Last year’s prices. 18/6-19/6 17/9-18/3 19/ -20/ 18/ -18/6 16/3-16/9 Treble nuts Double do 22/ Single do I 2!/ 21/ / House coals ...........• 27/6-30/ ; 30/ -32/6 I 21/ Coke, foundry ...........! 38/ -42/6 ’ 38/ -42/6 ? 34/ —36/ Do. blast-furnace.......! 34/ -36/ ; 34/ -36/ : 34/ Do. gas ................i 33/ -35/ | 33/ -35/ | 27/ -30/ There is practically no change in the coal trade in the Fifeshire district. Business, to a large extent, is still confined to navigation and first-class steams, which are in constant demand at good prices. Third-class steams are very dull, and quotations are declining gradually. A good turnover is being done in smalls, and though supplies are plentiful quotations are wonderfully steady. Shipments for the past week amounted to 57,056 tons, compared with 34,647 in the preceding week and 64,232 tons in the same week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. 1 1 Best screened navigation) coal 1 Unscreened do J First-class steam coal Third-class do Treble nuts Double do Single do Current prices. 30/ -35/ 28/ -30/ 28/ -32/6 20/ 23/ -25/ 22/ 21/ L’st week’s prices. 30/ -35/ 28/ 30/ -33/ 21/ 23/ -26/ 22/ 21/ Last year’s prices. 23' -24/ 21/ -22/ 20/6-21/ 14/9-15/ 18/9-20/ 17/6-18/6 16/3-16/6 The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 165,145 tens, compared with 159,996 in the preceding week and 223,850 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. N e wcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week 97,024 tons of coal and 9,601 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, a decrease of 4,183 tons of coal and an increase of 4,953 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 35,174 tons of coal and 6,027 tons of coke, a decrease of 6,806 tons of coal and 49 tons of coke. Thus the shipments from these two places aggregated 147,826 tons of coal and coke, an increase of 3,228 tons when compared with those for the previous week, but a decrease of 6,085 tons when compared with the figures for the corresponding week of last year. The Christiania Gasworks are stated to have contracted for 6,000 tons of Wear specials at 31s. per ton, f.o.b., and 6,000 tons of Tyne primes at 30s. per ton, f.o.b., for delivery over the first three months of next year. The Copenhagen Municipality has arranged for 11,000 tons of Wear gas specials or Hettons, for December shipment, at about 30s. 6d. per ton, f.o.b. The Bergen Gas Works have ordered 6,000 tons of Wearmouths, at 31s. 3d. per ton, and 6,000 tons of another quality—probably New Pelton or Holmside —at 28s. 6d. per ton, in each case for delivery over the next three months. The Norwegian State Kail ways are once more in the market for steam coal supplies. On this occasion, they are inviting immediate offers of 14,000 tons, for delivery from December 10 to January 10. Some searchings of heart have been caused by the fact of recent Scandinavian steam coal contracts having been fixed at under 30s. per ton f.o.b., less than the maximum prices for Allied customers. Collieries will henceforward, it is stated, stand out for the full 30s. for best steams for the Allies and for, at least, 32s. 6d. for neutrals. A similar determination is said- to have been come to by the Durham collieries so far as their produce is concerned. The prompt market is once more sore beset by tonnage difficulties. Thus far, the hopes of better shipping supplies in the closing month of the year have remained unrealised, and the spot position is truly desperate. At the time of writing, it is reported that many collieries in Northumberland and Durham are working short time because of the impossibility of getting railway wagons cleared. The Durham pits appear to be most hard hit, but Northumberland is getting its share of inconvenience. Just now the market is practically at a standstill, save in the case of a very few fortunately-placed shippers who have vessels at their command. In such cases, discounts are obtainable on the nominal quotations. Despite the present deadlock, however, selling values have receded very little on the week, the only changes in f.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment being as follow:—Tyne best steams are weaker ; gas bests, Is. 6d. to 3s. 6d. down; seconds, Is. lower; specials, 2s. 6d. cheaper; Durham unscreened bunkers, Is. reduced; coking coals, easier; smalls, ditto; and households, 2s. 6d. decreased. It will be observed that the weakness in price is almost wholly con- fined to the production from south of the Tyne. As to forward transactions, these are, for the time being, almost absolutely held up by the uncertainty as to shipping supplies. Both in the prompt and in the forward market, it may be added, there is any amount of enquiry, and were steamers coming forward in sufficient numbers, there would be a very active shipment indeed. 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) 1 Special gas coals [ Unscreened bunkers, < Durhams Do. do. N orthumbrians [ Coking coals i Current prices. 30/ 27/6-30/ 25/ -27/6 25/ -27/6 20/ -22/6 20/ 17/6 21/ 20/ 24/ -26/ 18/ -20/ 25/ -27/6 17/ -19/ 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ j L’st week’s prices. 30/ 28/ -30/ 25/ -27/6 25/ -27/6 20/ -22/6 20/ 17/6 21/ 20/ 27/6 19/ -21/ 27/6-30/ 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ 19/ -20/ Last year’s prices. 20/6-21/ 20/ 17/6 17/6-18/ 15/6-16/6 10/6—11/ 10/3-10/6 12/6-13/ 17/6-18/6 19/6-20/ 17/6 21/ 17/ -18/6 16/6 17/6-18/6 Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 71,295 tons of coal and 475 tons of coke, as compared with 58,630 tons of coal and 1,040 tons of coke for the corres- ponding period of 1915, being an increase of 12,665 tons of coal and a decrease of 565 tons of coke. A brisk demand prevails for practically all grades of fuel, but prompt business is held in abeyance by the impossibility of exporters to secure the requisite tonnage. Every description is in abundant supply, and sellers show eagerness to clear wagons at moderate discounts in order to prevent further pit stoppages, some already being idle through lack of trucks. Forward enquiries are on a moderate scale. Stocks are ample, and quotations nominally steady, but contracting ahead is slow, as producers are not keen to operate owing to the uncertainty prevailing as to whether contractors will be able to arrange shipment. Consequently they prefer to keep free and sell day by day. The Municpality of Copenhagen has closed for 11,000 tons of Wear special or Hetton gas coals for shipment over December at about 30s. 6d. a ton f.o.b.; also the Bergen Gas Works have contracted for 6,000 tons of Wearmouth gas coals at 31s. 3d. per ton f.o.b. Wear, and 6,000 tons of another quality at 28s. 6d. f.o.b. Wear for delivery over the next three months. It is also said that a quantity of unscreened steams has been sold to merchants for shipment over 1917 at 30s. per ton f.o.b. The Norwegian State