84

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

January 11, 1918.

between the Birmingham city justices and representatives
of the Retail Committee, to attempt to decide upon some
common ground upon which the magistrates shall be
guided when prosecutions for the sale of inferior coal
corrie before them. It was stated that there was no doubt
a good deal of coal was being sold of inferior quality,
and that the Bench desired the fixing of a standard respect-
ing the various grades of coal sold, so that they might be
well informed, and also that retail coal sellers in small
quantities might have an agreed standard to sell to. Sir
Thomas Barclay considered that upon each prosecution the
justices should have the assistance of the evidence of a
professional analyst, called in by the police. “ It was just
as bad to sell coal which was often nothing but bats and
ash as to sell inferior food?’ The Lord Mayor (Aid.
Brooks), who presided over the conference, agreed that
“ the poor were as much defrauded when sold bad coal as
by being sold short weight. The Order of the Coal Con-
troller was one difficult to understand, but if people paid
for best house coal, they should be supplied with it.”
Ultimately, after further discussion, it was decided that the
local Retail Coal Trades Committee should confer with the
General Purposes Committee and the Birmingham justices
to formulate some scheme by which the fuel offered to the
public in small lots could be satisfactorily tested, and also
proper evidence laid before the magistrates.

Kent.

Sir Hugh Bell was very plain-spoken at the recent meet-
ing of the Channel Steel Company, when he gave details
of the amalgamation of the Kent Collieries Limited and
the Channel Collieries Limited. He said they had to open
out a coal field which was, comparatively speaking, unde-
veloped. Their investigations had given them a reason-
able hope of dealing with other minerals, especially iron-
stone, which was the chief reason why Dorman, Long and
Company and Bolckow, Vaughan and Company joined the
enterprise. This would involve the building of steel works,
the exact positions of which involved very great compli-
cations, and required a great deal of thought. He looked
forward to a very prosperous business of the kind indi-
cated in the county of Kent, but he should do very wrong
indeed if he did not say to the shareholders that this was
no more than a really speculative enterprise, and, being of
such a character, if the worst came to the worst, they must
be prepared to lose their money. But, on the other hand,
he would point out that, if the gentlemen who constituted
the board and had a large interest in the undertaking, did
not think the enterprise had a reasonable chance of success,
they would not have taken any part in the operations.

Mr. John Dewrance, Mr. S. Greig, and Mr. Studholme,
who are all directors of Kent Coal Concessions and allied
companies, have been elected directors of Wingham and
Stour Valley Collieries Limited, in succession to Mr. A.
Burr, Mr. A. Johnson, and Mr. H. Marley.

Scotland.

The shipments from Burntisland last week amounted to
8,739 tons.

Maj. Rowan has received a bar to his Military Cross.
The major is a son of Mr. H. Rowan, mines’ agent to the
Fife Coal Company in their Cowdenbeath district. He
re-joined the Territorials at the outbreak of war, and, on
going to the front in 1915, was transferred to the Engi-
neers. Previous to joining, he was manager of Donibristle
Collieries.

Operations are now in progress in connection with coal
mining under the sea at Prestonlinks Colliery, Portobello.
Some years ago there was much satisfaction when Whin-
stone dike, which barred access to the undersea coal, was
first pierced. Since then, ramifications in the working of
this coal, known as the “ sea dook,” have been carried
much further under the sea. Another break through Whin-
stone dike has just started, this having been rendered
necessary by altered methods of working and winning coal.

Fire broke out in one of the Fife Coal Company’s pits at
Donibristle, near Cowdenbeath. The outbreak was dis-
covered by a horse attendant, and successful efforts were
made for rescuing the ponies. All the men were out of the
danger zone at the time. A large staff of workers have
been engaged fighting the fire, which has now been got
over to a considerable extent. No miners are allowed to
work beyond the danger area, and 300 men have been ren-
dered idle. Colliery experts are at present engaged in
directing salvage operations.

The mining situation in the East of Fife has been con-
siderably relieved by the transference to the Cumberland
iron ore mines of about 400 miners, and this total is likely
to be augmented within the next few weeks. The execu-
tive committee of the Fifeshire Miners’ Union have unani-
mously passed a resolution cordially thanking Mr. David
Gilmour for the assistance given in the transfer of’ the
men.

MINING EXAMINATIONS.

The Board for Mining Examinations have issued the
following amendments of the rules as to the qualifica-
tions of applicants for first- and second-class certifi-
cates of competency: —

(1)	The rules made by the Board on January 24,
1917, are amended, and shall take effect as if in
Proviso (1) to Rule 1 the words “ two and a half years
or (in the case of a candidate who has received an
approved diploma or taken an approved degree)”
were omitted therefrom.

(2)	Rules 3 and 4 of the said rules shall extend to
all candidates who have served in any of his Majesty’s
Forces for the purposes of the present war, and who
satisfy the Board that in consequence of such service
they are disabled from executing mechanical drawings
or preparing plans, or (as the case may be) that they
are disabled from writing or can only write with
difficulty.

Following the action of the United States Government
in taking over the railways, a Bill is now being prepared
empowering the Government to assume control over the
entire output of the nation’s coal, iron, chemicals, petro-
leum, and all mineral oils. This step is coming to be
regarded as necessary to speed up war preparations, and
eliminate congestion.

Negotiations are proceeding between Holland and the
United States with a view to the release of the Dutch ships
which for several months have been lying at American
ports, unable to obtain a sailing permit. They aggregate
about 315,000 tons, and have been refused supplies of
bunker coal because their owners decline to give an assur-
ance that they will return to the United States and will
not engage in trade with Germany.

LABOUR AND WAGES.

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

The Joint Sub-Committee of the Conciliation Board which
deals with questions arising out of the war wage, met
under the presidency of Mr. Evan Williams, and dealt
with several allegations as to refusal of payment. Blaen-
avon colliers had complained that they had not been paid
for a day subsequent to the examiners’ strike; and there
were also complaints from Gwaun-cae-Gurwen. Some of
the points were that pieceworkers w’ho left the pits before
the schedule time were refused payment, although they
were leaving at a time according to custom. In other cases,
colliers who had filled the usual number of turns, but had
left work before the shift, or others who had left owing
to illness or accident, had been refused. Cases came from
all parts of the district—from Llanhilleth and Merthyr to
Saundersfoot in the far west. The committee reached deci-
sion in certain instances, and others were referred to small
committees for investigation with power to settle. It was
stated during the proceedings that since the institution of
the war wage there had been in certain cases refusal to
carry out the agreement of allowing 10 per cent, of the
workmen to ascend the shaft during working hours.

The conditions of employment of enginemen and crafts-
men are being dealt with by a joint committee; and at a
meeting presided over by Mr. T. H. Deakin, disputes
regarding payment of the war wage to men at Guest, Keen
and Nettlefolds and at Crawshay Brothers collieries were
dealt with. Some of the points raised during the discus-
sion are to be referred to the Coal Controller. In addition,
the committee dealt with a request for increased rates in
respect of different classes of workmen in the Enginemen
and Craftsmen’s Association; and the employers’ repre-
sentatives will make enquiry before giving their answer.

The enquiry into the Llandebie strike, which affected 300
miners, has been continued at Swansea by Mr. Vaughan
Edwards. The colliery was idle for five weeks owing to
the demand by the workmen that the company’s weigher
should be removed. Mr. C. W. Kenshole appeared for the
employers, and Mr. Randall for the workmen. Evidence
was taken, and an adjournment subsequently decided upon.

Operative bricklayers in the employment of the Blaen-
avon Company and Ebbw Vale Company have had their
claim for increased wages considered by the Committee on
Production, who have decided that the men shall have an
advance of l£d. per hour as from the first full pay in the
new year. It is provided that the advance of the war wage
is to be regarded as due to the existence of abnormal con-
ditions.

The anthracite district has been requested by the execu
tive.of the South Wales Federation to take up a complaint
from Cross Hands as to a system of “ cropping ” for
rubbish sent out in the coal, the men contending that the
system is arbitrary and unfair.

Mr. W. Hopkins, general secretary of the Colliery
Enginemen and Craftsmen’s Association, represented the
association at the London conference of the Labour Party
on the man-power question.

An agreement has been reached between the Miners’
Federation of Great Britain* and the Coal Controller for
establishing employment bureaux, which will facilitate the
transfer of men from collieries working short time to other
areas where men are required; and the South Wales Feder-
ation has decided to establish a bureau at their own central
office in Cardiff. Mr. Evan Thomas, who is assistant secre-
tary of the Federation, is to be the secretary of the bureau.

The Federation executive has agreed that a joint deputa-
tion of employers and workmen shall wait upon Sir Richard
Redmayne with regard to the dispute over the introduction
of electric lamps at Cilely Colliery, and also as to the dis-
missal of a workman at Oakdale.

The annual meeting of the Blaenavon Trades and Labour
Council was held on Monday evening. The following
officers were elected for the ensuing year : President, Mr.
Rees Price (Smiths and Strikers’ Union); vice-president,
Mr. C. Newman; treasurer, Mr. F. Bayliss; secretary,
Mr. W. R. Williams.

The 300 workmen employed at the Crumlin Valleys,
Pontypool, who struck work on Saturday week owing to
the alleged wrongful dismissal of a haulier, have returned
to their duties pending negotiations.

The colliery examiners’ representatives met the
employers’ representatives at Cardiff on Friday of last
week, and it was decided that war wages should be paid
as from September 17. Where any cases of disagreement
arise, such as on account of advances granted since March
merged in the war wage, they will be investigated by Mr.
W. Johnson and Mr. T. Morgan. There is a general wish
that all matters in dispute shall be speedily settled.

North of England.

Mr. Robert Pow, who is relinquishing the position of
fore-overman in the Main coal seam at Murton Colliery,
in order to take up an official position at Trimdon Colliery,
has been presented by the officials and workmen at the
former pit with a gold hunter watch and curb, by the
putters with a barometer, arid by the boys with a gold-
mounted walking-stick.

Clara Vale miners’ lodge has passed the following reso-
lution : “ That, in consequence of the delay of the Coal
Controller in giving his sanction to the proposed increase
of minimum rates now obtaining in the county, we call
upon our agents and executive committee to immediately
carry out the council resolution and ballot the county on
the same.”

Over 1,500 men and boys employed at Silksworth Colliery
received unemployment pay last week, owing to the irre-
gular working of the pit.

The Burnhope lodge of the Durham Miners’ Association
passed a resolution urging upon the executive committee
the necessity of demanding of the Government a guarantee
of at least five days’ work per week, or, as an alternative,
a guarantee of five days’ pay at county rates for every week
in which work cannot be found for five days, and, further,
urging the committee to demand the Coal Controller’s
sanction to the recent advance which the owners have
offered on the minimum rates; failing to get satisfaction,
a special council meeting to be called to decide what action
should be taken.

Federated Area.

At a meeting of Lord Ellesmere’s miners held on Monday
night at Walkden, it was reported that the executive
council of the Lancashire and Cheshire Miners’ Federation
have passed a resolution protesting against the action of
the military authorities in calling up large numbers of
underground workmen under conditions which constitute a
direct violation of the agreement recently entered into with
the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain. A further pro-
test has been entered, it was added, against men being
taken into the Army under conditions that deprive them
of their legal rights of appeal, and the authorities are called
upon to suspend forthwith such conduct, and asked for

the return of the men so drafted into military service.
Unless this is done, it is stated that the coal pits of
Lancashire and Cheshire will be laid idle.

About 3,000 miners in the Burnley district left work as a
protest against unequal distribution of food. For some
days previously they had shown restiveness, and on
Monday evening they passed a resolution demanding com-
pulsory rationing, and submitted it to the local Food
Committee.

Scotland.

There is now no likelihood of any further trouble regard-
ing the explosives question at the Ardeer East pit,
Stevenston. It has been decided at a meeting of represen-
tatives of the owners and the union officials that two of the
workmen should have an inspection of the pit, and report
generally as to the position. A specified quantity of the
higher explosive is now being given, and this to a large
extent has removed the ground of complaint.

The drawers in the Dockra pit, Barkip, Ayrshire, have
been conceded an advance of Id. per ton. The concession
has been given because of the condition of the roads.

Trouble is threatened at Nos. 4 and 5 pits, Auchencruive
Colliery, Ayrshire, should the management fail to agree to
the reinstatement of one of the workers who had been dis-
missed.

The colliery office and despatch clerks in Fifeshire are
now in a fair way to securing some benefits from their
agitation for higher remuneration. The notices which had
been lodged have been withdrawn, pending the result of
conferences to be held in the Board of Trade Office, London.

A demand has been formulated by the pithead workers at
Birsie and Dockra pits, Ayrshire, for increased wages. The
manager has indicated that he will grant the increase so
soon as proof is furnished that the surface hands are lower
paid in his pits compared with others in Ayrshire.

According to the latest reports from Cumberland, „ the
Scottish miners employed there are highly pleased with the
conditions of labour generally, although difficulties have
occurred once or twice regarding food supplies. As a
result of pressure by Mr. David Gilmour, the Ministry of
Munitions arranged to allow all the Scottish miners home
for a short holiday. Free travelling by train was sanc-
tioned by the Ministry.

At Kippsbyre Colliery, Lanarkshire, there is trouble
regarding weighing conditions. The Lanarkshire Miners’
Union has referred the whole question to Mr. James
Murdoch, Hamilton, for settlement.

At Hirst Colliery, Salsburgh, Lanarkshire, the tonnage
rate in one of the seams has been increased from 6d. to 8d.
per ton.

Coal contracting has again cropped up at Loanend
Colliery, in the Cambuslang district of Lanarkshire, and
the miners have expressed a desire to strike work for its
abolition.

At Ballochnie Colliery, in the Airdrie district, there has
been friction through the refusal of the manager to pay the
war wage to miners who were unable to find work at their
own employment of coal getting through the scarcity of
empty wagons. The Coal Controller has been approached
to take the matter in hand.

The dispute between the colliery clerks of the West of
Fife and their employers for an increased war bonus has
been settled. Meetings between the Coal Controller, repre-
sentatives of the Clerks’ Union, and the employers have
been held, at which it has been decided to grant male
clerks over 21 years of age <£1, and male clerks 18 to 20
years 10s. per week war bonus.

Another effort has been made toward the settlement of
the dispute at Bedlay collieries, where the miners have
been on strike for several weeks. After a conference
between representatives of the Miners’ Union and the coal
owners, it was agreed to appoint a committee to deal with
the points at issue, and, failing settlement, to appoint a
neutral chairman.

At a conference of Midlothian and Haddingtonshire
miners’ delegates, reports from districts showed that the
coal trade of the district was satisfactory, with occa-
sional stoppages through unavoidable breakdown, of
machinery and despatching arrangements. The demand
for household coal was very brisk.

Iron, Steel and Engineering Trades.

A conference of the emergency committees of iron
moulders was held in Glasgow on Thursday of last week.
A discussion took place on the Government report on the
hours worked in munition factories, and also on the experi-
ment which is being carried out by the Ministry of Muni-
tions for a shorter working day in Government establish-
ments. The delegates were of the opinion that the time
had arrived when the foundry workers should demand a
shorter working day, and a resolution to this effect was
carried.

The big strike of men in the steel producing and steel
manipulating sections of the Sheffield munition works was
ended on Saturday, when the men concerned decided to
return to work. Steel smelters, rollers and forgers of
steel, and various grades of unskilled and semi-skilled
men working on work incidental to these industries were
affected.

The electrical workers’ dispute was settled by the grant-
ing of the 12| per cent, increase in wages demanded to all
classes of the workers in the trades concerned.

A settlement of the dispute at Staveley Works of the
Staveley Coal and Iron Company regarding the Govern-
ment 12^ per cent, advance to workers in the iron and
steel industry was reported to a meeting of workmen at
Chesterfield by Coun. A. J. Bailey, Sheffield.

Partnerships Dissolved.—The London Gazette announces
dissolution of the partnership of J. H. Ashcroft (who con-
tinues the business without change of title) and E. Quayle,
trading as the Canning Tin-plate and Iron Company,
Water-street, Liverpool; also the partnership of C. E.
Johnson (who continues the business) and W. I. Johnson,
trading as the Drum Engineering Company, 77, Havelock-
street, Great Horton.

Miners’ Protest Regarding Food. — At a meeting of
Burnley miners on Wednesday, Mr. J. A. Sampson,
miners’ secretary, was instructed to send the following
resolution to Lord Rhondda : “ That an equal share of
the foodstuffs being handed to the country be sent to
Burnley, and that the local Food Control Committee be
given powers equally to ration the public of Burnley and
avoid the great amount of dissatisfaction which is at
present prevalent, and which has brought about a general
stoppage of the miners of this district.” After a two days’
strike, the miners on strike (3,000) resumed work to-day
(Friday).