February 9, 1917.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

293

Notes from the Coal Fields.

[Local Correspondence.]

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

Board of Trade and the Wage Rate—Swansea's New College
—Change of Pay Day Sought—Conference Regarding
the “ Combing Out ” of Miners—Accuracy of Absentee
Returns Challenged.

Ir. was anticipated that on February 1 the coal owners
would give notice of intention to apply for reduction in the
wage, rate; but an extraordinary condition of things has
arisen, by which, notwithstanding decrease in the price of
coal and increase in the working costs, no such application
is being submitted to the Conciliation Board. The wage
rate at present stands at 55-83 per cent, above the standard
of 1915. This includes the increase of 15 per cent, granted
in November by the Board of Trade, pending the result of
an independent audit of the costs of production.

It was understood at that time that the wage, advance
granted wais conditional upon the result of that audit. In
November, when the men made their application for an
advance to the Conciliation Board, they rejected the
employers’ contention as to the increase of costs, and
demanded that a joint audit should be taken in order that
these might 'be ascertained. Whilst refusing the joint audit,
the employers offered to grant an independent audit. As a
result of the disagreement, application was made to the .
Board of Trade, who granted the workmen 15 per cent,
increase—the Board of Trade undertaking, “ without loss of
time,” to appoint an independent auditor, who would ascer-
tain the increase in the cost of production. It followed neces-
sarily, from the concession of 15 per cent, advance which
was then made to the men, that these costs have materially
increased during the past three months; and, as already
stated, this has been concurrent with a decrease in prices
realised in the market to an extent of, it is said, 4d. to 6d.
per ton on the average.

The difficulties of the employers have therefore been greatly
enhanced; and the public, no less than the employers, have
waited for the result of the independent audit which the
Board of Trade undertook to institute. As it was necessary
that any notices to the Conciliation Board should be given
on February 1, the employers’ representatives met on
January 27, and decided that they would apply to the Con-
ciliation Board for a reduction; but they also decided that,
before making their application, they would communicate
with the Board of Trade, and a, letter was sent by the
secretary on their behalf.

The reply appears to show that the appointment of an inde-
pendent auditor, which in November last was to have been
made “ without loss of time,” has not yet been made; or that,
at any rate, the work imposed upon him has not been carried
out. The owners are informed that, “ pending the result of
the independent audit on costs of production which the Board
of Trade propose to undertake,” and this wording goes to
indicate that the investigation, so necessary, and in regard
to which time is of the essence of the requirement, has not
yet been undertaken. As matters stand, the employers have
to pay a higher wage rate upon a reduced price of coal at a
time when, owing to shipping shortage, there is lessened
output, and consequently the relative costs of production are
higher as an inevitable consequence. They still have to look
to the future for that independent audit, and the announce-
ment of its results which will enable them to. carry through
the ordinary procedure of the Conciliation Board.

In connection with the question of auditing the cost of
production, Mr. Finlay A. Gibson has issued a< statement, •
which is reproduced in another column of this issue.

The Swansea Technical Committee, in view of the antici-
pated co-operation of Llanelly, has decided to apply for
powers to borrow £40,000 for carrying out a building scheme;
and the name of their institution will be altered to “ Swansea
and West Wales College.” In order that a scheme for
mining instruction may be outlined, it has been decided to
confer with colliery proprietors o.f the district, and there is
an anticipation that £20,000 to £25,000 may be subscribed
by these.

The executive committee of the Senghenydd Explosion
Fund, at its annual meeting, received a statement that the
receipts during the year ha.ve totalled £8,883, of which £593
was for re-claimed income-tax. The expenditure had
amounted to £9,880. The accumulated fund now stands at
£99,818. Mr. W. P. Nicholas, the chairman, suggested that
application should be made to the county court judge to make
bigger compensation grants to widows, as it was not com-
petent to the executive committee to give increased allow-
ances without committing a breach of trust. Mr. H. Jenkins
(miners’ agent) pointed out that it wais impracticable for the
judge to do so, because he held that the money was as much
that of the orphans as of the widows.

The executive committee of the Wattstown Colliery Explo-
sion Fund met in Cardiff last week, and the balance-sheet
showed that during the 12 months a sum of £76 Ils. 9d.
had been distributed in relief. There are 12 children still
on the funds. A suggestion was made that the fund should
be wound up and the balance distributed among the remain-
ing dependent children, in order to avoid the costs of
administration.

Mr. C. Cleeves, of -the well-known firm of Cleeves and
Company, anthracite colliery proprietors, Swansea,, has volun-
teered for service with the British ambulance in' the Service
de Santo Militaire, and proceeds to France this week.—Mr.
Arthur Andrews, also well known in the coal trade, has
similarly volunteered, and will go to France at the same time.
Both gentlemen were prominent in raising the fund of £8,000
which the western district colliery proprietors contributed
for motor ambulances.

Carmarthenshire mining classes are more successful than
ever. Mr. Bellin, the county mining lecturer, reports : “ We
have more classes and a better staff than ever before, and I
think the prospects are brighter than ever, as the colliery
managers as a whole are. taking greater interest in the
classes and in the work done at them.”

The executive council of the South Wales Federation has
resolved to apply to the Conciliation Board that the pay-day
each week shall be changed from Saturday to Friday.

It has been decided by the executive council of the South
Wales Federation to have a conference of delegates from all
parts of the coal field on Tuesday, regarding the “ comb-
out ” of men from the mines. At their meeting in Cardiff
on Monday, the executive heard the report of Mr. Winstone
and Mr. Hartshorn as to the interview of the Federation
deputation with the Home Secretary, and subsequently the
decision to hold a conference was arrived at. Before the date
named, Mr. T. Richards, M.P., secretary of the Federation,

will seek interviews with the members of the three colliery
recruiting courts, and endeavour to get a joint meeting
arranged, so that an understanding as to. mode of procedure
may be arrived at; and he will afterwards call a meeting of
his executive, in order that information and instructions may
be issued to the workmen.

In the course of a statement concerning the “ combing
out,” Mr. Vernon Hartshorn summarises the result of the
Federation interview with the Home Secretary. He observes
that in the case of a man who may have contracted nystagmus
and been idle for two, three, or four years, but since August 15
had returned to the mines, that would be regarded as tem-
porary absence. Concerning absentees, men who have
hitherto been persistent absentees are not to be dealt with in
the present “ combing out,” but “ this must not be under-
stood to mean that action will not for some time be taken by
the Home Office in this matter, and it would be well for all
men to work as regularly as possible.” It would be very
difficult , he states, for'the Federation or anyone else to defend
men who lost, over a period of three months, an average of
two days a. week through avoidable causes.

Upon the subject of avoidable absenteeism, Mr. T.
Richards, M.B., challenges the accuracy of the returns com-
piled. Whilst not questioning the work of Mr. Gibson,
secretary to the Coal Owners’ Association, he disputes the
accuracy of the returns from which that gentleman compiled
his report, defects which make the figures “ unreliable and
worthless.” His contention is that the individual reports
from the pits are ma.de without due enquiry; that men absent
for a day or two owing to a. chill or family exigencies are
put under “avoidable”; that the number of men employed
and the number absent are. recorded, but no attempt made to
ascertain the reason of absence. Mr. Richards declares that
the investigations by the medical board, when workmen have
been summoned to appear before them under the absentee
provision, show that the returns which have been published
as to “ avoidable ” cases are untrustworthy.

A general meeting of-the Cardiff Institute of Shipbrokers,
held on Monday, had before it the report of a deputation
which waited upon the Board of Trade in reference to the
interests of brokers under the new chartering regulations,
and this was considered satisfactory. Subscriptions to the
benevolent fund totalling 2,000 gs. were announced.

Mr. Joseph Shaw, K.C., chairman of the Powell Duffryn
Company, is taking an active interest in the scheme for
developing scientific research and technology in South Wales
and Monmouthshire. A circular signed by him has been
issued, summoning a committee of business men to a meet-
ing in Cardiff on Monday, in order to consider the general
lines of co-ordination between business and educational
interests. There will be present representatives of the
University College of South Wales, the Swansea, Cardiff,
and Newport Technical Colleges, and the South Wales and
Monmouthshire School of Mines.

With reference to the supply of coal to France, the secre-
tary of the Cardiff Local Committee has issued the following
notice :—“ Coal shippers are again warned that it is of the
utmost importance that the daily sailing list should be sent
to me within 24 hours of the ships’ sailing; and though these
matters may appear to them to be of minor importance, they
are among the most important factors of the successful work-
ing of the scheme of control. Exporters are hereby warned
that failure to comply with the above will be dealt with
severely by this committee, by whom a substantial penalty
will be enforced. It would also be much appreciated by this
committee if, when sending to Swansea the daily sailings
under Cardiff licences, exporters would kindly supply them
with a duplicate, of the same.”

At Swansea on Monday, the new labour pooling scheme
came into operation, a clearing house with four officials being
opened at the entrance to Prince of Wales Dock. Workmen
who are unemployed register themselves, and employers need-
ing men apply at that office ; so that labour is rendered fluid,
easily diverted from point to point on the docks, and the old
wastage of men needing work and employers needing men,
each ignorant of the other’s position, is done away with. Coal
trimmers will continue their old routine, but if their numbers
are short of trade requirements, cargo hands will be put to
that work.

Mr. R. M. Stewart, secretary of the Central Executive
Committee of Great Britain for Supply of Coal to France
and Italy, has issued for the information of coal exporters a
letter wherein he summarises the position of vessels taken
on time-charter—he having issued this letter because so many
communication have reached him from parties in the different
districts regarding the position of time-chartered steamers for
the supply of coal to France. He states the position as
follows :—

(1)	Neutral steamers above 1,000 tons cannot since
January 18 be fixed with individuals or firms, but must be
submitted to and approved by the Inter-Allied Chartering
Executive, and meantime fixed with the nominated charter-
ing firms.

(2)	Neutral vessels up to 1,000 tons are still subject to
the time rates approved by the Central Executive Com-
mittee; and that committee, through its chairman’s com-
mittee, is prepared to approve all time-charters for these
vessels at not exceeding 52s. 6d. per ton dead weight.
War insurance above 1 per cent, charterer’s account.
Valuation for war insurance lowest possible, but not
exceeding £35 per ton.

(.3) British and Allied steamers are still subject to the
approved time rates—that is, up to 1,000 tons, 42s. per ton
dead weight, including bunkers; up to 2,500 tons, 41s. per
ton, ditto; over 2,500 tons, 40s., ditto.

(4) (a) British and Allied steamers of all sizes fixed
since July 1916, and (b) neutral steamers above 1,000 tons
fixed since January 16, 1917, above the time rates in
No. 3, and (c) neutral steamers up to 1,000 tons fixed
since January 16 upon terms other than specified in No. 2,
do not comply with the decisions of the Centra. Executive
Committee of Great Britain (January 16, 19.17, is the date
up to which neutral tonnage was whitewashed).

Note.—Nos. 2, 3, 4 apply w’hether steamers have been
fixed in France or Great Britain.

The form of time charter approved is “ Baltime.”

Any steamers which do not comply with the terms speci-
fied m Nos. 2, 3, 4, still fall to be allocated by the local
committees, irrespective of who is the time charterer.

The local committees are authorised to refuse to allow the
holder of such steamers to load same, and to allocate such
.steamers at schedule rates of freight to other shippers who
have orders for coal for France. Mr. Stewart adds :—“ It
should be made quite clear to parties in your district that it
is not sufficient to maintain

(a) In the case of neutral steamers that the time-charter
has been approved by the Admiralty War Trade staff.

(b) In the case of British or Allied tonnage thait a
Ship Licensing Committee has approved of time-charter,
unless such approval has been obtained on the recommen-
dation of the local committee in whose district the steamer
is to load.

It is, however, stated that the time-rate for neutral steamers
up to 1,000 tons, and for British and Allied steamers, may be
altered by the Central Executive Committee, but that unless
notice of alteration is given from the Central Executive Office
the rates referred to will stand.

This explanation, whilst very useful, is held to leave
matters still in an unsatisfactory condition, because neutral
vessels will not be. drawn into the trade, as the terms are
not sufficiently high; indeed, it is alleged that foreign owners
have vessels in the Welsh ports which they will not charter
until better terms are obtainable.

Among local subscriptions to the War Loan are :—£130,000
new money from the Cambrian Combine, making a total of
£325,000; and the directors are taking up £20,000, which
will be offered to the workmen free of interest, repayments
to be extended till the end of two years. A large number of
the leading coal trade and shipping firms in Cardiff are adopt-
ing a similar practice, the time-limit being December next
or any other agreed period.

Northumberland and Durham.

Bly th Shipments—Exporters' Association—Entering a Pro-
hibited Place—Housing Question.

The coal and coke shipments from Bly th last, week totalled
54,569 tons, a decrease of 2,6'26 tons when compared with
the clearances for the corresponding week of last year.

Messrs. G. Jenkins and Company, coal exporters, Milburn
House, Newcastle, announce the retirement from the firm of
their senior partner, Mr. George Jenkins. The business is
being continued by the remaining partners, Mr. Edward
Charlton and Mr. John Sanderson Dawson.

A very prudent step, especially in. view of the many
harassing circumstances at present attendant on. the .
industry, is said to be. in contemplation by the coal exporters
of this district. It is reported that many of them have
decided to form an association for the protection of their
interests, the organisation to have its head offices in New-
castle.

The River Wear Commissioners were informed last week
that the amount of coal, coke, etc., shipped from the port
during the year was 3,144,185 tons, compared with 3,505,382
tons during 1915. The average for many years prior to the
war was 4,000,000 tons. The principal exports other than
coal and coke included: Iron and steel, 5,613 tons; pitch,
14,895 tons; and creosote oil, 11,106 tons. The principal
imports other than coal and coke included : Timber, 20,589
loads; props, 39,606 loads; iron and steel, 995 tons; ores,
72,330 tons; and petroleum in bulk, 17,896 tons.

A year ago, Fredk. Page Grice, 22, stone putter at Hough-
ton pit, received injuries to his leg owing to his pony sud-
denly turning round and the leg being struck with the
limmers. He was removed to an infirmary, where he was
treated from that time until November, when it wa.s found
necessary to amputate the limb. He died last week. On the
face of it, the death seemed clearly to be due from accident,
but a post-mortem examination made by three doctors
revealed the fact that death was due to heart disease of long
standing, and that there was not sufficient evidence to show
whether it was accelerated by shock due to the accident.
The jury at the inquest returned a, verdict in accordance
with the medical evidence.

The Bly th magistrates fined Chas. Pordum, 22, putter,
10s. for having passed into a prohibited place in the mine on
December 21. He pleaded not guilty, and stated that,
although he admitted having gone into the place to fill coal,
there was no fence on. A deputy stated, however, that
defendant had passed the place, which was fenced, many
times, and knew that he had no right to enter it.—At the
same court, Pordum was fined £5 on the charge of having
obtained 10s. by false pretences from the Seaton Delaval Coal
Company. The prosecuting solicitor described the case as
one of the worst that had been before the Bench for some
time, for defendant had induced young boys to change the
tokens on tubs on his behalf. There had been a break-up on
the, main way, and the boys had put 10 tokens on Pordum’s
tubs, each of which meant Is. for defendant. Defendant had
given the boys 6d. The practice had been going on for some
time, and notices regarding it had been put up on the pit
heap, at the, workmen’s request. Mr. Tweddle, manager of
the colliery, mentioned that there had been six similar cases
dealt with at the colliery offices.

At the last meeting of the Durham County Council, Mr.
Lawson, referring to the housing conditions at Boldon
Colliery, condemned some 500 tenements belonging to a local
colliery company. When these houses were being built eight
years ago, the miners’ lodge protested against such a type
of house, and the county medical officer and the chairman of
the Health Committee also expressed themselves unfavour-
ably on the erections. For many years there had been an
epidemic of a minor type in the place, and the infant mor-
tality them was so serious that the whole village had become
a by-word in the district. He moved that a special deputa-
tion from the Health Committee, together with the medical
officer of health and any other expert help they might obtain,
•should investigate the prevailing conditions in the colliery
houses at Boldon Colliery, in order to make representations
for such structural alterations as were considered necessary
in the interests of the occupiers, such recommendations to be
presented to the South Shields Rural District Council and the
Local Government Board. — Aid. H. Curry Wood, while
advising the withdrawal of the resolution, in view of the
Health Committee’s endorsement of the preparation of a
municipal housing scheme, considered that the state of things
existing at Boldon Colliery was intolerable, and that the
Council should not allow it to continue.—After further dis-
cussion, the resolution was withdrawn.

Cleveland.

Messrs. Price, Waterhouse and Company, accountants,
have ascertained the average net selling price of iron manu-
factured by the firms associated with the Board of Concilia-
tion and Arbitration for the Manufactured Iron and Steel
Trade of the North of England during the two months ended
December 31 last to have been £13 5s. 7-22d., as compared
with £12 17s. JL-91d. for the previous two months. The
advance results in an increase in puddlers’ wages of 6d. per
ton, and in the wages of all other forge and mill workers of
5 per cent., making a total rise, since the war commenced, of
6s. and 60 per cent, respectively, during a, period when
average net selling prices have increased by about £6 12s. 6d.
per ton. During the two months ended December, the total
production of iron by the firms amounted to 7,819 tons odd,