Iarch 2, 1917.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

437

THE AMERICAN COAL TRADE.

Th Government has issued orders that Navy require-
mens must be given the right of way over all other
busaess, and the prospects of a considerable extra
denand for this source, together with the probability of
thewithdrawal of numerous colliers for naval service,
has made it impossible for shippers to find where they
stand. Exporters are doing practically nothing, owing
to prohibitive freight rates and high insurance, while
bunker demand has declined. There have been no
important developments in contracting, the dominant
note being a waiting attitude on the part of both buyers
and sellers, says the Coal Age.

Reports from Boston state that present sales are
restricted chiefly to the export and bunker trade.
Both shippers and consignees are buying small lots of
spot coal to clear ships, and on such purchases about
6*50 dols. to 6’75 is asked. On contract April 1 to
April 1, 4’75 dols. is quoted f.o.b. Hampton Roads.

The prices current in Philadelphia per gross ton f.o.b.
cars at mines are as follow:—Georges Creek, Big Vein,
5’75 dols. to 6’00 dols.; South Fork, Miller Vein,
5’50 dols. to 5’75 dols.; Clearfield (ordinary), 5T5 dols.
to 5’25 dols.; Somerset (ordinary), 5T5 dols. to 5’25 dols.;
West Va., Freeport, 5’00 dols. to 5T5dols.; Fairmont
gas, lump, 5’50 dols. to 5’75 dols.; Fairmont gas, mine-
run, 5*25 dols. to 5’50 dols.; Fairmont gas, slack, 4’50
dols. to 4’75 dols.; Fairmont lump (ordinary(, 5’00 dols.
to 5’25 dols.; Fairmont, mine-run, 4’75 dols. to 5’00 dols.;
Fairmont slack, 4’50 dols. to 4 75 dols.

Baltimore prices at tide are about on an average with
mine offerings. Prices at the mines to the trades are
about as follow .-—Georges Creek Tyson, 4’50 dols.;
Quemahoning,4‘25 dols.; South Fork, 4dols. to 4’25 dols.;
Somerset, 4 dols.; Clearfield, 3’75 dols. to 4 dols.;
Freeport, 3’50 dols.; Fairmont gas, three-quarter,
3’75dols. to 4dols.; same, run-of-mine and slack, 3’75
dols.

The anthracite market continues strong, though there
is an absence of the very urgent buying that has so
recently characterised the situation; in the domestic
trade some of the individual operators are occasionally
seeking orders at prices they would not have considered
a few-weeks ago. Stocks are admittedly light. Con-
tracting is coming in for considerable attention, indi-
vidual operators at New York having covered about a
quarter of a million tons of buckwheat No. 1 at 3 dols.
per ton, an advance of 1’25 dols. over the old figure.
The new circular of the anthracite companies, which
omits quotations on the smaller sizes, has resulted in
advances on these grades. In Philadelphia market the
prices per gross ton f.o.b. cars at mines for line ship-
ment for tide are as follow:—Broken, 4’25 dols.; egg,
4T5 dols.; stove, 4’10 dols.; nut, 4’50 dols.; pea, 2’80
dols.; buck, 2’50 dols.; rice, 2’10 dols.; boiler, 1’95 dols.;
barley, 1’85 dols.

At Hampton Roads the quotations are slightly easier
for spot delivery. Pocahontas and New River run-of-
mine coals for coastwise and foreign shipment are
quoted 6’75 to 7 dols. per gross ton (4’75 dols. on con-
tracts).

Charters are rare, and in the open market no rates
are reported on steamers over an extended period.
West Coast of Italy is about 52’80 dols. and Marseilles
51’60 dols. Apparently some of the vessels are being
diverted to South American ports, and others are
waiting at congested piers. Recent clearances include
only two for Italy and one for Spain.

Spot coke is higher at 9'50 to 10 dols. for furnaces and
10’50 to 11 dols. for foundry. A large curtailment of pro-
duction is anticipated.

OBITUARY.

The death took place at a nursing home in Glasgow of
Mr. Thomas Campbell, Penlee, Bearsden. Mr. Campbell,
who was chairman of Shaw (Glasgow) Limited, Maryhill
Iron Works, was born in Ayrshire 63-years ago, and came
to Glasgow early in life. After being in the employment of
a firm of shipbuilders, he went to Dundee, but returned to
Glasgow, where he carried on the Maryhill Iron Works as a
private concern until three years ago, when the business was
converted into a limited company. Mr. Campbell was -a
member of the West of Scotland Iron and Steel Institute,
in whose affairs he took an active interest.

Lieut. Lloyd Thompson, who has been killed in action,
was formerly demonstrator in geology at Armstrong College,
Newcastle. He was 23 years of age, and a grandson of the
late Mr. John Thompson, for many years mining agent at
Bur tree Pasture.

Mr. Evan Morgan, at one time manager of the Abergorky
Levels,.has just died at the age of 85. He was one of the
earliest workers (in the Rhondda collieries, and was one of
the survivors of the explosion of 1855.

Mr. William Shaw, who has died at New Washington at
the age of 62 years, was a very active miners’ representative.
Acting as the miners’ check weighm an at Us worth Colliery,
he was also local secretary of the Miners’ Permanent Relief
Fund, and a member of the Durham miners’ executive com-
mittee and of the appeals committee of the Miners’ Perma-
nent Relief Fund, the Labour representative of Usworth on
the Chester-le-Street Rural District Council, and -a member
of the Usworth Parish Council since its formation.

On Monday, a very large number of the London coal mer-
chants attended a memorial service at St. Olave’s Church,
Hart-street, Mark-lane, for the late Mr. J. C. H. Greig, who
died on February 21. The church was crowded in every
part, and a short address was given by the Vicar of Wester-
ham (the Rev. Sydney Le Mesurier, M.A.), in whose parish
Mr. Greig had resided so long. A detachment of the
Scottish Company of the National Guard (of which Mr.
Greig was a member) paraded at the service. The deceased
gentleman commenced his career in the coal trade with the
firm of Messrs. Beadle Brothers in 1889, of which his father
was a partner. After some years, he was taken into partner-
ship, and on the amalgamation of this firm with Messrs.
William Cory and Son in September 1896, became one of
rhe managing directors of the new company of William Cory

and Son Limited. In 1904 he became sole managing
director, and continued in this capacity until his death.
Throughout his management Mr. Greig steadily kept before
him the importance of maintaining the fleet, discharging
machinery, tugs, etc., at the highest point oif efficiency. He
was a member of the Central Coal and Coke Supplies Com-
mittee and the London Coal Trade Advisory Committee. In
addition to his managing directorship of William Cory and
Son Limited, he was chairman of Messrs. Rickett, Cockerell
and Company Limited, and chairman of Vryheid Coal and
Railway Company Limited (Natal). In connection with the
war, he was instrumental in raising an entire company of
the Buffs from among the employees of Wm. Cory and Son
Limited and Rickett, Cockerell and Company Limited.

Mr. Bevan Thomas, colliery proprietor, died suddenly on
Saturday at his residence in Swansea. He was apparently
in fairly good health, and went for a walk during Friday
evening; but as he entered the house upon return, he had a
seizure, became unconscious, and died the following day.
His age was 49 years.

TRADE AND THE WAR.

The Foreign Trade Department has issued a new Con-
solidating List containing the names of over 2,000 indivi-
duals and firms with whom persons in the United Kingdom
are forbidden to trade under the Trading with the Enemy
(Statutory List) Proclamation, 1916. The Statutory List is
published at intervals in a consolidated form, and additions
are made approximately at intervals of a fortnight. Copies
of the list and of all additional lists may be obtained at a
small cost from the Superintendent of Publications, H.M.
Stationery Office, Imperial House, Kingsway, W.C.

- Two new Orders have been issued by the Ministry of
Munitions. The first prohibits all persons engaged in the
manufacture, sale, or purchase of or other dealings in drawn
steel rods or bars, steel wire, or steel wire rope, from accept-
ing orders without the approval of the Admiralty, the War
Office, or other Government departments mentioned in the
Order. The second Order relates to the taking possession by
the Minister of Munitions of brass swarf and scrap. The
Order gives directions affecting persons having control of
the metal.

We are informed that the New Haden Collieries Limited,
Cheadle, Stoke-on-Trent, is now, and has been since
January 1, 1917, under the control of Mr. John Slater,
colliery proprietor and ship owner, of Bolton, Lancashire,
as chairman and managing director.

INDIAN AND COLONIAL NOTES.

Africa.

Coal in Natal. — There was a slight decline in the coal
output of Natal in November, as compared with the previous
month, but it wasi under 4,000 tons, so that, on the whole,
the Natal coal trade isi still in a satisfactory condition. The
Hlobane Colliery at Vryheid, which recently increased its
contract with the South African Railway, was at the head
of the list with 37,210 tons, followed by the Dundee
Collieries, with 33,448 tons. Natal Navigation Collieries have
lost Ihe commanding position they so long enjoyed, and in
November were third on the list, with an output of 30,672
tons, the Durban Navigation Colliery coming next, with
21,610 tons. The Glencoe Colliery is gradually improving
its position, and reached an output of 16,099 tons;, whilst the
Natal Cambrian followed closely with 15,274 'tons. The
Utrecht Colliery produced in November 14,530 tons, and the
South African Collieries1 9,715 tons. Hatting Spruit Colliery
wais credited with an output of 9,354 tons, Wallsenid Colliery
with 8,274 tons, and the Natal Steam Coal Colliery 7,581
tons. Newcastle Colliery continuesi to improve its position,
and in November turned out 7,340 tons, but Elandslaagte
Collieries have now come down to a monthly output of 6,176
tons. Tendega Colliery is credited with an output of 5,712
tons, and the old Grown Collieries, now known as the Fair-
leigh Collieries, near Newcastle, produced 3,602 tons. The
Vryheid Coke Colliery was credited with an output of 875
tons in November, the whole of which was converted into
coke and sent to the Transvaal. The Natal Ammonium
Collieries only produced 823 tons, whilst Dewar’s Anthracite
is at the bottom of the list with 720 tons. The total output
for November was therefore 229,016 tons, as compared with
232,945 tons in October, being a decrease for the month of
3,929 tons.

Australia.

Working Hours in Queensland Coal Mines. — In the
Queensland Legislative Assembly, the Minister for Mines
(Hon. W. Hamilton) introduced a Bill relative to the hours
of work in coal mines. The Bill contains only two sections.
The principal one provides that the full working shift pin
any mine worked for coal, under whatever tenure such mine
may be held, shall not exceed eight hours from bank to bank
in any consecutive 24 hours on Monday, Tuesday, Wednes-
day, Thursday, and Friday (not being holidays) in each
week, 'and shall not exceed six hours from bank to bank in
any consecutive -24 hours on Saturday or any holiday, and
shall not exceed 46 hours in any one week. The time from
bank to bank is defined as meaning the period between the
time when the first person in the shift descends the mine
until the last person in the shift returns to the surface.
The section is not to apply to any foreman, overman, deputy,
fireman, pumper, or other person employed in the service of
the owner of a coal mine whose work requires him to enter
the mine before the commencement of the shift, or to remain
therein after the end of the shift, or to be in attendance in
the case of accident, breakage of machinery, falls, flooding,
or other sudden emergency. The section does not prohibit
or limit the working of more than one shift in any consecu-
tive 24 hours for any shaft sinking, stone work, or any work
authorised in writing by the inspector, which is necessary
for ventilation, safety, or in any emergency. The Bill has
been read a second time.

A guide to the Registration of Business Names Act, 1916,
has been written by Kenneth Brown, solicitor, and will be
published immediately by Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons
Limited, of 1, Amen-corner, E.C. It sets forth plainly the
obligations placed by the Act on all classes of businesses.
The price is Is. net,

PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—February 26.
Pit Ponies.

Mr. Butcher asked the Secretary of State for the Home
Department whether he had received any reports for 1915
on the horses and ponies employed in coal mines from the
divisional inspectors and horse inspectors other than the
reports published in 1915; and, :if not, whether he would
request the divisional inspectors to furnish him with infor-
mation as to the number of animals employed, the number
of deaths from accident and disease, the number, of injuries,
and any other material facts.

Sir G. Cave replied that the reports had been made as
brief as possible, but he hoped that by next year they could
return to normal practice by having full reports. The figures
asked for in the latter part of the question were published
in the Chief Inspector’s Report for 1915.

February 27.

London Coal Distribution.

Mr. Roberts, in reply to Sir C. Kinloch-Cooke, stated
that the whole subject of the distribution of coal in London
was receiving the attention of the Controller of Coal Mines,
who was in consultation with the merchants and with the
men’s organisations. The importance of the question was
fully realised, and every effort would be made to reduce
absenteeism as far as possible.

Fuel Research Committee.

Mr. Boland asked the President of the Board of Trade
whether the newly-appointed Fuel Research Committee pro-
posed to investigate the utilisation of the peat resources of
Ireland, and, in particular, that method of producing suction
gas and obtaining valuable by-products which had been
used in a factory at Portadown.

Mr. Fisher replied that the terms of reference to the
Board of Fuel Research covered all forms of fuel/but with
the present shortage of man-power they would be compelled
to devote their attention, in the first instance, to the pro-
blems of coal utilisation.

State Control of Mines.

Mr. Duncan Millar asked the President of the Board of
Trade whether he was in a position to make any statement
as to the financial. and other arrangements in connection
with the transfer of the coal mines in the United Kingdom
to the State and their control by the Controller of Mines,
and as to the position and rate of pay of the miners under
the new scheme.

Air. Roberts replied that he could not add -anything to the
reply given on February 19. The Controller was hard at
work, and he (Mr. Roberts) was anxious to make a state-
ment as soon as practicable.

March 1.

Coal Prices.

Mr. Gilbert asked the President of the Board of Trade
whether, in view, of the complaints as to coal dealers not
selling at the prices issued by the Board of Trade, and the
impossibility of dealing with the same under the present law,
he would consider the issue of Regulations with penalties
under the Defence.of the Realm Act to prevent this over-
charging, mainly of small buyers of coal.

Mr. Roberts, in reply, said he understood that the Con-
troller of Coal Mines discussed the question of small dealers’
charges with the London Coal Merchants’ Committee on
Saturday last, and that the committee promised to make a
full report on the subject.

MINING INDUSTRY AND MILITARY SERVICE"

At the colliery recruiting court at Gorseinon (under Mr.
J. Dyer Lewis), a large number of men at local collieries had
their exemptions reviewed because they had entered the
mines after August 1915, and had not previously been colliery
workers. A material proportion of these, having passed in
Class A, were released for service in the Army, but -a large
number of exemptions were granted to men employed at the
Cae Duke, Broad Oak, Beili Gias, and also at the Mountain
Ash and Garngoch collieries.

Mr. William Straker, of the Northumberland Miners’
Association, has circularised the local lodges with reference
to the calling up of colliery workers, -saying : “ There has
been considerable confusion regarding the matter, for which
we are not responsible. Almost immediately after Mr. Weir
and I got the assurance from the divisional mines inspector
that two months would be allowed between the date of pass-
ing and the date of being called up to everyone who was in
the industry previous to August 14, 1915, other instructions
were received from the Home Office, saying that this would
only apply to unattested men, but that all attested men
would be allowed only 14 days. This appears to us to be
contrary to the terms of the Home Secretary’s letter to the
committee of the Miners’ Federation, -but, unfortunately, we
have no means of testing this point. We have, however,
asked the Miners’ Federation to express an opinion as to
whether this later instruction is .in keeping with what they
understood by the Home Secretary’s communication.”

At Willington tribunal, 18 cases from Brancepeth Colliery
were heard. The military representative said substitutes
could be found for nine men employed at the brick works,
coke yards, and on a farm. Mr. R. L. Weeks, agent to
Messrs. Strakers and Love, said they had nine substitutes
sent to Brandon coke ovens. One began at 7 o’clock in the
morning to fill a truck of coke, and was still at it at 3 o’clock
in the afternoon. The man he substituted could have drawn
three ovens and filled eight tons of coke in the same time.
Continuing, Mr. Weeks, said they had 400 tons of coke lying
on the benches at Brandon, and had not a man to lift it.
The tribunal assented to the military representative’s pro-
posal that these nine appeals should be dismissed, but that
the men should not be called up until satisfactory substi-
tutes had been found. The military representative then con-
sented to conditional exemption being granted in the other
nine cases.

It is stated that 33 per cent, of the surface workers at
Cambois, 25 per cent, of those at Cowpen, and 8 per cent,
of those at North Beaton have been taken for military
service.