March 2, 1917.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

445

Notes from the Coal Fields.

[Local Correspondence.]

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

Government Control and Colliery Shares—Coal for Allies—
Question of Trust Funds — More Medical Attendance
Wanted — A Washery Development — Food Cultivation
by Miners—Releasing Miners for Timber Felling.

Speaking on Tuesday at the annual meeting of the Con-
solidated Cambrian Collieries, Mr. Innes, K.C., who occupied
the chair, referred to the control which the Government had
established throughout the coal fields. Colliery shares, he
said, however good the undertaking, were affected in market
value, in some cases to a substantial extent, by the uncer-
tainty which had been created- through the step taken by
the Government. There was uncertainty as to the future,
and nothing impaired the value of commercial enterprise
more than uncertainty. The total amount paid to labour on
coal last year was £1,468,494 for the four constituent com-
panies ; and, after payment of income-tax, all the share-
holders would receive was .£148,332. That was a percentage
of 10-1 for the shareholders as against the amount paid to
labour; or, put another way, for every 20s. received by
labour, the shareholders, both ordinary and preference,
would receive 2s. 0-24d. If the ordinary shareholders alone
were taken, the dividend (less income-tax) would be £106,098
representing a percentage as compared with labour of 7-22.

It is significant of the immense earnings of shipping—
largely due to high rates of freight in the carriage of coal—
that the chairman of the Redcroft Steam Navigation Com-
pany was able to tell his shareholders at their meeting in
Cardiff that their .steamers stood in, the books at the very
low value of £2 8s. per ton of dead weight; whereas their
present market value was £15 to £20 per ton. Their invest-
ments in Government securities represented a sum equal to
2J times the amount of the company’s capital.

It was stated at the meeting of shareholders in D. Davis
and Sons Limited (Ferndale Collieries) that the sum of
£9,500 per annum is being distributed in support of depen-
dants of employees who are serving with the Colours.

At the meeting of shareholders in Graham’s Navigation
Collieries, Mr. T. C. Graham, who presided, said that the
maximum prices fixed by the Government for France and
Italy operated unfairly against colliery companies. The
purchasers in these two countries obtained their supplies at
much reduced prices ; whereas in other markets the collieries
could secure greatly enhanced figures, so that France and
Italy, at the present time, were obtaining coal at lower rates.
He thought that, where a maximum price was fixed, there
should be also a minimum ; and he hoped that the principal
colliery companies in South Wales would take up this ques-
tion with the Government in order to have prices fairly
adjusted.

An application was made in the Chancery Division on
Friday of last week by trustees and members of the board
of management of the South Wales Miners’ Provident
Society, the direction of the court being sought as to what
benefits, “ in view of events which have happened,” ought
to be paid to the various classes entitled to share in the trust
funds. It was stated that there were 148 persons interested
in the trust funds, which had been invested in first-class
railway securities, but owing to depreciation the fund was
now insufficient to pay full benefits, Counsel for the appli-
cants stated that it was not suggested that the trustees were
in any way responsible for the depreciation, seeing that they
had acted throughout on the best advice. It was exceed-
ingly desirable that the funds should not be divided, because
division would not confer real benefit upon the recipients,
and therefore it was thought that reduced benefits should
be paid. In 1908 the funds stood at £74,250, all of it invested
in. gilt-edged railway securities; but the income had never
been large enough to meet the liabilities, and it had been
necessary to sell part of the capital. The board of manage-
ment considered it better to pay reduced benefits than to give
lump sums; and it was proposed that widows should
receive 3s. 3d. per week instead of 5s. ; children, Is. 6d.
instead of 2s. 6d.; and disabled members, 5s. instead of 8s.
Mr. Justice Sargant remarked that fair payment would have
to be made according to funds at disposal, and that the
society would have to wrork on an actuarial basis. The hear-
ing was adjourned till Tuesday, when the judge made an
order authorising reductions. Future payments will be :
Widows, 3s. 4d. ; children, Is. 8d.; and disabled members,
5s. 4d.

The joint sub-committee of the South Wales Conciliation
Board, which has been appointed to consider the question
of releasing labour in order to provide home-grown timber
for the collieries, sat in Cardiff on Monday. The matter
was fully discussed, and there was evidence on both sides
of a strong desire to come to mutual agreement. The pro-
posals which were agreed to are to be submitted to the
executive council of the Miners’ Federation; and the
principal one is that men should be asked to volunteer for
the work of felling timber—all of them to retain their certi-
ficates of exemption from Army service, and to be in no way
sufferers through leaving the collieries in order to undertake
the new work.

Mr. F. J. Matthews, of Abercarn, has been appointed
manager for the South Wales Coal Owners’ Association in
respect of this home-grown timber movement. He has for
a number of years been engaged in the timber trade.

So serious has become the state of things in Ebbw Vale
that a deputation from the Workmen’s Medical Society
interviewed Mr. Brace at the Home Office, pointing out the
undesirability of any more doctors leaving that district to
enter Army service. The district extends from Ebbw Vale
town, through Victoria and Cwm, to Aberbeeg, and it is
over 10 miles in extent, with a population of 30,000 to
40,000, the houses being scattered in the valley and over
the hillsides, making much difficulty for the medical men’s
work. Before the war there were 13, but now there are only
eight; and it has proved impracticable to secure proper
attention, even in some cases of accident. The deputation
was sympathetically received; but no decision has been
announced in response to the application that no more doctors
should be withdrawn.

Charged at Tredegar on Tuesday, with stealing coal, a
number of men and women pleaded, in defence, that they
had been without fuel during the severe weather, although
they held “ notes ” from the colliery. It was alleged that,
in certain cases, there had been no delivery for eight weeks.
Fines of 5s. each were imposed.

By an outbreak of fire in the upcast shaft of the Standard
Colliery, Ynyshir, due to ignition of some beams, work was
stopped on Wednesday. Fortunately, the fire was extin-

guished by the Ferndale fire brigade, who were quickly sum-
moned.

Steam coal miners in the western district are reported to
be suffering from irregularity of work, due mainly to lack
of shipping. It is said that not a third of them are fully
employed.

A new departure of considerable importance in colliery
work has been made in the Rhondda at the Glamorgan pits,
where a washery has been installed that initiates very pro-
fitable development in conservation of fuel. Mr. J. M.
Draper, of Manchester, who at one time was associated with
Lord Kelvin, has completed an invention, the result of long-
continued experiment, for treating “ sump slurry,” hitherto
regarded as waste. Mr. Draper’s mechanism separates this
very small coal from the general rubbish, spoil, etc., with
which it is mixed, and recovers the small coal for conver-
sion into high-quality coke. The Glamorgan Colliery is one
of those under the Cambrian Combine; and Lord Rhondda,
in the course of a visit on Saturday, inspected the new plant
which was then in working order, samples of the material
recovered being shown him, and also specimens of the coke
made from it. He was accompanied by M. Plisson, of
Cardiff (managing director of Messrs. Lysberg Limited),
Mr. H. J. Hill (of the Cardiff Coal Washery), and Mr. Sey-
mour Berry (one of the directors of the Celtic Colliery), and
with these gentlemen was Mr. Hedley Clark (general
manager of the Cambrian Combine). The apparatus has
been patented in all parts of the world, and it is estimated
that it will deal with 40 tons per day of the waste material
of the pit. Its distinguishing characteristic is its simplicity.
There are no complicated working parts likely to get out of
order. In charge of the installation at the Glamorgan
Colliery is Mr. E. M. Bowen, chemist to the Cambrian Com-
bine ; and it has now been in work a sufficient time to demon-
strate, not only its practicability, but its commercial value in
respect of economical operation. The process of recovery
opens out the alluring prospect of dealing with the numerous
colliery tips which contain so large a proportion of small
coal; for, in earlier days, when small coal was practically a
drug in the market, huge quantities found their way to the
tip mixed with the shale and other debris. The process is
one of washing, recovery being made through the difference
of gravity in the coal and the shale, etc. The specimens
of coke were shown to be absolutely free from shale, and it
was stated that dirty coal containing upwards of 27 per cent,
of ash can now be purified so that about only 8 per cent,
remains, or even as low >as 5 per cent. ; whilst, on the other
hand, not more than 1 per cent, of coal remains with the
shale. The rights of the patent have been taken over by a
new company—the Rhondda Engineering Company—who,
for the purpose of manufacture, have acquired a controlling
interest in Sheppard and Sons Limited, engineers, Bridgend.
Lady Mackworth, daughter of Lord Rhondda, will be chair-
man of the new engineering company, other directors being
Mr. Hedley Clark, Mr. J. M. Draper (the inventor), Mr.
Seymour Berry, Mr. LI. Davies, with Mr. Lewer as
secretary.

The Cambrian Combine has opened to its workmen large
areas of land adjacent to the different collieries for allotment
gardens and piggeries—ploughing up the land in advance in
order to facilitate cultivation. On Saturday Lord Rhondda
laid the foundation stone of a model piggery on the Pont
Rhondda grounds, and made a present of 10 pure-bred
Gloucester Old Spots pigs; whilst M. Plisson, who was also
present, contributed 25 gs. to the fund of the local
association. Already the workmen of the different collieries
have taken up over 1,000 allotments; and it is expected that
approximately 400 tons of potatoes will be raised by them,
for 'applications are still coming in rapidly.

Mr. Hedley Clark, M.E. (general manager of the Cam-
brian Combine), presided at a meeting on Saturday evening
when a motor ambulance car, subscribed for by the inhabi-
tants of the Tonypandy area, was presented by Lord
Rhondda on their behalf to Col. Hepburn, representing the
War Office. The car had been provided at a cost of £372.

Prof. Knox, of the South Wales School of Mines at Tre-
forest, has been interviewed with regard to the research upon
fuel economy which is being undertaken by a Government
Committee. He regards it as an idea to deal, first of all,
with the best quality coal in order to obtain as much of the
by-products as possible; and he states that it has been also
suggested that part of the by-products should be extracted
from the inferior types of coal, and that the residue should
be converted into a smokeless fuel, such as coalite, for house-
hold purposes. The gaseous products of that class of coal
could be used for gas engines, for the purpose of producing
cheap electrical power.

Principal Griffiths, of the South Wales University College,
said that, if that institution were provided with the neces-
sary laboratories, more research work of the character
described could be undertaken. He believed that if the
laboratories existed at their college, there was reason to
believe that the upkeep and expense of maintenance for
research work would be defrayed by the Government.

The announcement made by the Press Bureau on
February 22 that the Board of Trade have issued the formal
Order taking possession of all collieries as from March 1,
brings the other coal fields of the kingdom into line with
South Wales, which came under control on December 1.
It may be hoped now that, under the complete scheme,
some remedy will be found for the anomaly of lower class
coals securing higher prices than better qualities have been
allowed to realise. The early fixture of price for Admiralty
coal and for supplies to Allies left those collieries possessing
second-rate coal in comparative freedom; and as demand
outran supply, these were able to secure rates higher than
those to which the best coals were limited, this obviously
unfair and intensely irritating condition of things practi-
cally penalising the more valuable properties. Mr. Guy
Calthrop, Controller of Mines, has been in consultation with
representative coal owners and exporters, and very keen
anticipations prevail as to what will be the decision con-
cerning prices in the future.

The returns of trade at Penarth Dock for the year 1916
shows that the export of coal and coke exceeded that of the
preceding year, the total having been 3,219,532 tons, as
against 3,145,957 tons in 1915. The imports of pitwood also
showed material increase, being 42,775 tons, as against
26,339 tons; but the iron ore imports were slightly lower,
being 93,804 tons, against 94,195 tons. These docks and
the harbour are worked by the Taff Vale Railway Company,
and the number of vessels cleared during the year was 2,550,
with a registered tonnage of 1,563,114, as compared with
2,607 vessels of 1,575,183 tons during 1915.

The Port Talbot Railway and Docks Company share-
holders, in their meeting, presided over by Col. J. Wright,
were informed that works in hand at the docks at the present

time included new blast furnaces in connection with Messrs.
Baldwins’ undertaking — these having been especially
authorised by the Ministry of Munitions. Col. Wright
stated that negotiations were in progress for erecting new
patent fuel and other works; and these, added to the heavier
traffic derived from the new blast furnaces and steel works,
as well as from developments taking place in the coal field
adjacent to. the port, ensured 'a bright future for the under-
taking. During 1916 the trade of the docks had increased by
334,504 tons above that of 1915.

The Swansea Chamber of Commerce, at its meeting on
Friday of last week, dealt with the report of its committee
upon commercial and industrial policy after the conclusion
of peace. Amongst other things, the committee suggested
that the profits of ship owners accumulated during the war
should, if applied to the building of new craft, be free from
taxation, provided the order to the builder were placed within
one year after signing peace; and that, in the meantime, the
exempted money be placed with the Government. They
suggest that the ton-for-ton demand against Germany in
respect of submarine losses should be persisted in. They
criticised present methods of British business; proposed the
adoption of the decimal and metric system; and, in regard
to the coal trade, made reference to the shipments to Italy,
stating that they viewed with alarm the attempt being made
by the Italian Government to eliminate the British exporters
and the Italian coal importers.. The suggestion as to dealing
with ship owners’ profits provoked considerable discussion;
and ultimately the wording was altered, making the sugges-
tion to apply to “ British ship owners and all other members
of the Empire.”

Judge Bryn Roberts, at the Bridgend County Court, had
before him a claim raising the question whether employer or
workman has the option to decide whether wages shall be
paid at the “ large ” or the “ through ” coal rate. The case
for the plaintiff workman .was that he had marked his trams
indicating that he desired to have the “ through ” rates, but
that he had been paid as for “ large ” coal. In the agreed
price-list there were different rates for “ large ” and for
” through,” and the miners’ agent for Garw district, who
gave evidence as to arranging the price-list, said that since
the plaintiff’s claim had been put in there had been allow-
ances by the employers (Ffaldau Colliery) on a more generous
scale than previously. The workmen claimed that they had
the right to be paid at “ through ” rates if the “ large ” fell
below 66| percentage. On the other hand, Mr. Kenshole,
who appeared for the employers, stated that when the terms
of the price-list were agreed upon, the percentage of small
coal was only 50; and that it had not fallen below this pro-
portion since. His contention was that the men were not
entitled to “ through ” rates unless the small coal exceeded
50 per cent. For the plaintiff, counsel argued that when a
contract did not state which party was to exercise an option,
the right to that option rested with the party who performed
the first act; and that, in this instance, the first act was the
cutting of the coal. The judge reserved his decision.

Between 80 and 90 colliery workmen were summoned at
the Blaina Court on Friday of last week, for absenting them-
selves from work, the hearing of the cases having been
adjourned from a previous sitting. Mr. Kenshole, who
appeared for the prosecution, stated that an agreement had
been arrived at and signed by himself and the workmen’s
solicitor. The chairman of the Bench expressed satisfaction
at the settlement, and said that the hearing wmuld be further
adjourned for a month, in order that the terms of the agree-
ment could be carried out.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer arranged to receive a
deputation from the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain
upon the subject of abatement of income-tax to miners to the
extent of outlay in railway fares incurred in their employ-
ment. There is a diversity of practice as to these allowances
—it being refused in some cases—and the Federation desire
that the abatement shall be allowed generally.

In their report to shareholders, the Powell Duffryn Steam
Coal Company point out that their output during 1916 was
3,659,016 tons. The number of workmen serving with the
Army is 4,379, with 92 officials. Of these, 117 have lost
their lives. The company’s contribution to the dependants
of these men amounted during the year to £34,873. A benzol
plant was started in May, and, by Government request, a
concentrated ammonia plant is being erected, and is nearly
ready to work. Steamers have been completed and are
running; and a company, called the Normandy Shipping
Company, has been formed for the purpose of taking them
over.

The miners of South Wales are advised that in the carry-
ing out of the agreement arrived at between the Home
Secretary and the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain, the
workmen at each colliery have a right to appoint a repre-
sentative to attend the meeting of the colliery recruiting
courts when the work of “ combing out ” is in process. The
name of the selected representative is to be suggested by
their leaders to be sent to the inspector of mines for the
district, and notice will be given him of the sittings of the
court. It is suggested, further, that that representative
should obtain from each employer the names of workmen
likely to be dealt with by the court; that he should ascertain
what medical class the man has been put in; and that he
should notify the inspector of mines when any man, not in
Class A, is called before the court, the in tention .being to
secure that such men should be left at the colliery, and not
drafted into the Army. As to men who were engaged in the
mines before August 15, 1915, the workmen’s representative
will ascertain their marital position, in order to secure for
married workmen three months’ delay before being taken
into military service. Other points are also suggested, such
as dealing with the case of underground men temporarily
employed on the surface. All the facts relating to each indi-
vidual colliery will be brought bef ore the lodge committee;
and the idea is that if the members of that committee think
the working of the mine will be unduly interfered with, action
shall be taken to prevent more men being removed. It is
estimated that the Army authorities seek to obtain between
5,000 and 6,000 additional men from the mines of this
district.

Owing to the slackness of work in the western part of the
coal field, a resolution has been passed by coal owners’ repre-
sentatives, who met in Swansea, favouring enlistment of
unemployed miners. They “ draw the attention of the
Government to the waste labour in the collieries of the
western district caused by lack of tonnage, and suggest
the release of as many young men as can be spared con-
sistent with the maintenance of the output of each colliery
per month to approximately the same quantity per annum as
was produced on the average for three months ended
February 28, 1917.” Thousands of men, it was pointed out,
worked only short time, spending part of the week in idle-