April 12, 1918. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 751 ing. Absenteeism is strongly complained of in many districts, and it seems to be attributed in the main to the “ comb-out,” and to unrest and negotiations in connection with the selection of the men. Many of the men who were likely to be combed-out had in recent weeks antici- pated the event by voluntarily joining up, and outputs suffered in consequence. Other circumstances contributed also to the present scarcity of supplies, which is being experienced in every branch of the trade, particularly the requisitioning of coal by the Controller, in which there has been considerable activity recently. This applies especially to supplies for the London gas works, a considerable ton- nage being drawn from West Yorkshire. Efforts to replace disturbed deliveries by open market business meet with very little success. While the production of coal is appreciably lower, the pressure for supplies is, for these reasons, heavier. The large attendance on the market included a number of London factors and merchants, who found practically nothing on offer. Coastwise shipments have almost reached vanishing point. In the local markets the retail demand for house coal has been stimulated by the preparations which are being made for a compulsory rationing scheme. This has led, in the larger towns, to a rush of orders. The details of the rationing scheme, which have been provisionally agreed to by a conference of local authorities, are on a much more liberal scale than originally proposed by the Controller, who had not made sufficient allowance for the extent to which home baking is practised by Yorkshire people. The reduction in the supplies of gas coal available for gas works normally supplied by West Yorkshire collieries has temporarily frustrated the hopes of engineers of being able to secure good quantities for stocking purposes. As to manufacturing fuel, munition and engineering works which continued in full activity throughout the holidays managed better than might have been expected, but the shortage of supplies, especially for nuts and rough slacks, is now sharply felt, and there is keen enquiry for anything obtainable. In the shipment of Hartleys to Allied countries, the situation which has pre- vailed for some weeks is now reversed. Ships are now awaiting cargoes, which are not forthcoming. Small slacks are about the only quality obtainable in quantities sufficient to meet the demand, and there is no great surplus of this grade. Coking qualities are, on the contrary, as scarce as ever. For washed furnace coke the demand fluctuates a little, but the full output continues to be readily absorbed. Pit prices are more or less nominal. Current pit prices. House coal:— Prices at pit (London) : Haigh Moor selected ... Wallsend & London best Silkstone best ....... Do. house .......... House nuts ........... Prices f.o.b. Hull:— Haigh Moor best....... Silkstone best ....... Do. house .......... Other qualities....... Gas coal:— Prices at pit: Screened gas coal..... Gras nuts............. Unscreened gas coal ... Other sorts:— Pi ices at pit .- Washed nuts......... Large double-screened engine nuts .......... Small nuts............ Bough unscreened engine coal........... Best rough slacks..... Small do.............. Coking smalls ........ Coke:— Price at ovens Furnace coke ......... Current prices. 21/6-22/6 21/ -21/6 21/ -21/6 20/ -20/6 18/6-19/6 25/6-26/ 24/ -25/ 23/ -24/ 20 6 -22 6 18/ -18,6 17/ -18/ 16/6-17/6 18/6-19/6 17/6-18/6 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 15/6-16/6 13,6-14/6 14/ -15/ 32/ L’st week’s ;Last year’s prices. I prices. 21/6-22/6 ’ 20/ —21/ 21/ -21/6 J 19/ -20/ 21/ -21/6 I 19/ -20/ 20/ -20/6 ! 17/ -18/ 18/6-19/6 | 16/ -17/ 25/6-26/ } 23/ -24/ 24/ -25/ | 22/ -23/ 23/ -24/ / 20/ -21/ 20/6-22/6 j 19/ -20/ I 18/ -18 6 17/ -18/ 16/6-17/6 18/6-19/6 17/6-18/6 i 16/6-17/6 j i 16/6-17/6 j 15/6-16/6 ; 13/6-14/6 14/ -15/ ; 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/6 15/ -16/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ 12/ -13/ 12/6-13/6 32/ i 25/8 Barnsley. COAL. The chief feature of the week has been the consideration of the effect of the comb-out amongst the younger miners at the various collieries. The arrangements appear to have been carried out thoroughly, and a fine patriotic spirit has been shown. However, in addition to the 5 per cent, which was called for, a considerable number of men who had “ escaped ” the ballot decided to go along with their colleagues, which has resulted in a considerable depletion in the number of the workers. The obvious effect on the output has been speedily recognised, and resulted in a great deal of enquiry in regard to supplies of practically every description of fuel. The result, however, has been that consumers have found it impossible to obtain any such requirements; and a good deal of apprehension exists amongst consumers who are not engaged in producing prime war necessities in regard to their future supplies. The prospect is that much reduced supplies only will be available, and with the distribution strictly controlled, there seems to be little likelihood of any effort succeeding in obtaining any substantial lots. The collieries have again been in full operation, but for the reasons stated, the productions have already been appreciably reduced. The character of the demand shows little material alteration except for the fact that larger supplies are pressed for of Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— 1 prices. ! prices. prices. Best Silkstono 23/ -24'6 ' 23/ -24/6 20/ -22/ Best Barnsley softs 21/ —21/6 1 21/ -21/6 18/6-19/ Secondary do 19/ -20/ ' 19/ —20/ 17/ -17/6 Best house nuts 18/6-19/6 ’ 18/6-19/6 16/ -17/ Secondary do 18/ -18/6 18/ -18/6 15/6-16/ Steam coals:— Best hard coals 20/ -21/ j 20/ -21' 17/6-18/6 Secondary do 19/ -20/ 1 19/ -20/ 16/6—17/6 Best washed nuts 18/6-19/6 j 18/6-19/6 16/3-16/6 Secondary do 18/ -18/6 1 18/ -18/9 15/6-16/3 Best slack 15/ -15/9 15/ -15/9 12/6—13/ Secondary do 12/ -13/6 12/ -13/6 10/6-11/ Gas coals:— Screened gas coals 19/ -19/6 19/ -19/6 16/6-17/6 Unscreened do 18/ -18/6 18/ -18/6 15/6-16/6 Gas nuts 18/9 18/9 16/ Furnace coke 32/ 32/ 25/8 all steam grades, and although the supply not only con- tinues of an average description, the present needs are only met by added difficulty. Although deliveries of gas coal do not permit of any additions to stock, they are fairly satisfactory in the bulk, and strong efforts continue to be made with the object of increasing the supply of coking slacks as much as ever possible. The large pro- duction of furnace coke has done a little towards relieving the situation in the blast furnace districts, but there is still a strong pressure applied from the North Lincolnshire district for heavier supplies. Hull. COAL. Conditions at the Humber ports are slowly returning to the normal, and the extreme difficulty experienced by exporters in getting urgent requirements is passing to some extent. Nevertheless, the quantity available for overseas business does not increase in volume, and can hardly be said to be even equal to the current demands. The Admiralty continue to take large quantities of South Yorkshire hards, and France is still a keen buyer of West Yorkshires, these two consumers accounting for a very con- siderable proportion of everything coming forward. Then there is no relaxing in the demand of the munition orders. Generally speaking, there is no free coal, and only a small amount of business is transacted with neutrals in South Yorkshire coal. Their requirements have to be met from other sources. Prices are unchanged. Chesterfield. COAL. There is a strong demand for house coal, supplies of which are below needs. The position is pretty much the same with regard to coal for manufacturing purposes. Cobbles and nuts are in urgent request, particularly qualities suitable for gas producers. This fuel is most difficult to find, and consumers engaged upon most impor- tant Government work are simply dependent upon such daily deliveries as collieries are able to make. There is a full demand for slack for boiler firing, and the whole pro- duction of this fuel is readily disposed of. Gas companies continue to press for supplies of gas coal, and railway com- panies are urgently in need of increased deliveries of steam coal for locomotive purposes. With regard to the export trade the position is without change, business being still impossible, owing to the inability to obtain shipping licences. The Admiralty are drawing fair supplies of steam coal from this district, and the remainder of this class of coal is required for inland consumption. The coke market continues in a satisfactory position, the demand for all qualities being such as to call for the whole production of the ovens. Coking fuel is in good request, but supplies are difficult to find. IRON. There is a continued activity in every branch of the iron trade, all establishments working up to their full capacity. Nottingham. COAL. With the pits in this county being in full swing again after the holiday, the general demand for house coals is being fairly well met, and the public has reason to be satis- fied with the supplies they are able to obtain from merchants. There is a fair amount of pressure on collieries by some merchants, who are desirous of acquiring stock to cover emergencies. Generally speaking, the situation is satisfactory, and, with the public demand falling off, there is every prospect of both collieries and merchants being able to place some tonnage in reserve during the summer months. Activity is more pronounced in the steam coal branch, where the demand for home consumption, mainly by firms engaged on war work, absorbs a considerable proportion of the output. Most collieries have got a number of outstanding orders on their books, and in many cases it is difficult to keep pace with current requirements, especially following on the holiday stoppage; but ordinary contracts have to take a second place to war work supplies. Ordinary slacks are in fair supply, but there is still a diffi- culty t@ meet the abnormal demand for coking grades. Both gas coal and coke are in active request. Prices at pithead. Hand-picked brights ..... Good house coals......... Secondary do............. Best hard coals.......... Secondary do ............ Slacks (best hards)...... Do. (second) .......... Do. (soft)............. Current prices. 21/ -22/ 20/ -21/ 18/6-19/6 18/3-19/ 17/ -18/ 14/ -14/6 13/ -13/6 L’st week’s prices. 21/ -22/ 20/ -21/ 18/6—19/6 18/3-19/ 17/ -18/ 14/ -14/6 13/ -13/6 13/ I Last year’s prices. 19/ -19/6 18/ -18/6 17/ -18/ 17/ -17/6 16/ -17/ 12/ -13/ 10/6-11/6 11/ Leicestershire. COAL. The difficulties are becoming greater week by week, although the period is at hand when the position under normal conditions would be much easier by the decline in the domestic consumption. The demand for all classes of manufacturing fuel is still increasing, and at the same time the output is persistently declining through the calling up of more men for military service. Supplies of steam coal are very far short of the demand, and ever-increasing quantities of household have to be diverted for this purpose. A very serious shortage of household is threatened, and it Prices at pit. Best household coal ..... Second, hand picked ..... Deep screened cobbles ... Deep large nuts ......... Bakers’ nuts............. Small nuts............... Deep breeze ............. Peas .................... Small dust .............. Main nuts for London kitcheners............... Steams, best hand picked Steams, seconds ......... Main cobbles for kitcheners Main breeze.............. Current prices. 20/ -21/6 19/ -20/ 18/6-19/6 18/6-19/6 17/6-18/6 17/ -18/ 15/3-16/ 14/6-14/9 8/6- 9/6 16/ -17/6 16/6-17/6 15/6-17/ 16/ -17/6 14/9-15/6 L’st week’s prices. 20/ -21/6 19/ -20/ 18/6-19/6 18 6-19/6 17/6-18/6 17/ -18/ 15/3-16/ 14/6-14/9 8/6- 9,6 16/ -17/6 16/6-17/6 15/6-17/ 16/ -17/6 14/9-15/6 Last year’s prices. 17/ -19/ 15/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ 14/6-15/6 12/9-13/6 12/ -12/3 6/ -7/ 14/ -15/ 14/6-15/6 13/6-15/ 14/ —15/ 12/6-13/6 will be extremely difficult to lay in stocks against next winter’s consumption. Orders for this purpose are coming in freely, but they cannot be dealt with. There is a good demand for household for London and the South of Eng- land, but it has become impossible to keep up deliveries even to the minimum standard. Cobbles and large and small nuts are cleared out day by day, and peas for mechanical stokers are quite inadequate for Government works and important national concerns. There are quite ample supplies of empty wagons belonging to private owners, and they are subject to long delays before they can be filled. Country merchants are heavily handicapped by transport troubles, and they have heavy arrears on hand to make good. There are no reserves of any kind at country sidings or at the collieries. South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. The collieries are again in full work after the holiday, but supplies are not coming through satisfactorily, and many people are short of coal. Output will be further restricted and costs correspondingly increased by the comb-out. The young, vigorous men are being taken, and a Warwickshire report states that very few fail to pass the medical board. Details of the coal rationing scheme are awaited with some interest. It is stated that the basis will be the number of rooms in the house, ranging from two and a-half tons annually for one or two rooms, to 12 tons for 11 or 12 rooms. Every description of works fuel is scarce, and a large pro- portion of it is earmarked for munition factories and establishments engaged on essential work. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Staffordshire (including Cannock Chase) :— j prices. prices. prices. House coal, best deep ... ! 24/6 24’6 22/ Do. seconds deep 22/6 22/6 20/ Do. best shallow : 21/6 21/6 19/ 18/ Do. seconds do. 20/6 : 20/6 Best hard 21/ i 21/ 18/6 Forge coal 18/6 18/6 16/ Slack Warwickshire:— 13/6 13/6 11/6 House coal, best Ryder.. Do. hand-picked 21/6 21/6 19/ cobs 20/6 20/6 18/ Best hard spires 22/6 22/6 20/ Forge (steam) 18/6 18/6 16/ D.S. nuts (steam) 17/ i 17/ 14/6 Small (do.) 17/ | 17/ 14/6 IRON. The quarterly meeting this week brought with it no relaxation of the stringency ; nor did it bring any material price movement. During the quarter the average net selling price, according to the return of the Midland Wages Board, fluctuated only to the extent of 2s. 3d. a ton com- pared with November and December last year, and that in an upward direction. The total works out at ^£15 12s. 3d. Bar iron output has slightly increased, representing about 70 per cent, of the whole, and the average price of ^£15 4s. 5d. is 2s. 7d. more than that of the preceding ascertainment. Strip, which has been the subject of negotiation recently with a view to it being controlled, is slumped with hoops and miscellaneous, and the average net price realised is given at <£16 10s. Urgent lots of strip have been recently fetching this figure, and it is stated that the proposed controlled price of <£14 7s. 6d. f.o.t. at makers’ works would involve such unwelcome consequences to the workers that the question is being reconsidered The whole of the productive capacity of the bar mills is taken up with a ceaseless flow of orders of paramount importance, and in turn they are making continuous demands on the blast furnaces. It is an indication.of the state of the pig iron market that consumers are willing to pay the full basic price of 97s. 6d. for the off-iron from the basic furnaces, and which, owing to its high percentage of silicon, makes it unsuitable for certain purposes. For foundry and forge iron, Derbyshire houses are booking lots of from 100 to 200 tons, a little better than recently, but far below what customers offer. Transport difficulties are encountered in respect of deliveries. Steel makers are getting good supplies of basic iron, and there is a big outlet for all their output, and more. Steel strip realises <£18 5s. to .£18 10s. Forest of Dean. Lydney. IRON. The general condition of business remains much the same as reported during the past few weeks—that is to say, the demand for house qualities is well ahead of the production at the various collieries, and a large number of orders await attention. Consumers of steam and manu- facturing fuel, too, are experiencing some difficulty in procuring full supplies, though the pits are working at full pressure. There are no stocks of any description. Prices at pithead. House coals:— Block Forest Rubble Nuts Rough slack Steam coal:— Large ... ... Small ... Large Current prices. 26/ 15/6 L’st week’s prices. 26/ 15/6 Last year’s prices. <24/ \ 23/ I 23/3 (.21/6 13/ .......... 22/6-23/6 ........... 18/ -19/ 22/6-23/6 20/ -21/ 18/ —19/ 16/ Prices 2s. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. Mr. T. Ashton's Retirement.—Mr. Thomas Ashton is retiring from the position of secretary of the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain, which he has held since its formation 29 years ago. The uncertain state of his health —he is 74 years of age—makes him anxious to be relieved of the more onerous part of his duties. He will still continue to act as secretary of the Lancashire Miners’ Federation. The resignation will take effect from the annual conference of the Federation in July.