954

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

May 10, 1918.

THE MINING ASSOCIATION AND EDUCATION.

Mr. C. B. Crawshaw, president of the Mining Asso-
ciation, presided at a meeting, held on Thursday, at
the Savoy Hotel, London, to consider the attitude of
the mining, textile and other industries towards the
provisions of the English and Scottish Education Bills
as bearing on the employment of boys who will have to
attend continuation schools.

The following motion was submitted:—

That this meeting, while unanimous in its desire that
educational facilities should be adequate in the national
interest, and giving its general support to the English
and Scottish Education Bills now before the country,
views with much alarm the proposals in these Bills with
reference to continuation classes.. It believes that these
proposals are calculated to injure unnecessarily the
industrial and commercial interests of the country. It
believes that in particular they will result in increasing
the cost and in reducing the volume of production
(at a time when volume and cost of production should
be at their maximum and minimum respectively) by
withdrawing from their employment during a considerable
period in each year a 1 rge amount of indispensable
labour which cannot reasonably Le replac'd, and affecting
a considerable amount of additional labour dependent on
it, thereby causing disturbance and unrest and lowering
efficiency in the conduct of the industries. Further, it is
strongly of opinion that the industrial and commercial
position of the country after the war will be sufficiently
complicated and difficult without the introduction of
such experimental legislation calculated to raise economic
questions of great importance, and that further con-
sideration of these continuation classes should be
deferred until the country has returned to normal
conditions.

Mr. Adam Nimmo, in moving this resolution, said
that the proposal would affect from 15 to 25 per cent,
of the total amount of the labour employed in the mines
of Great Britain, and would probably mean a yearly
reduction of output of between 20 and 28 million tons.
All industries using coal must be affected, and the cost
of production increased.

The motion was seconded by Mr. Smethubst
(Federation of Master Cotton Spinners), and supported
by Mr. Hindle (Cotton Spinners and Manufacturers’
Association), Mr. Wilfred Turner (West Riding
Worsted Spinners), Mr. R. T. Nugent (Federation of
British Industries), and Sir John Harmood-Banner,
M.P. The resolution was carried unanimously.

TESTS OF CONCRETE PIT PROPS.

Some interesting tests were carried out at the
Manchester University on April 23 and 24, in the
presence of about 50 gentlemen interested in the coal
mining industry. The object of the tests was to
compare results obtained from both concrete and wood
props and bars. The props were manufactured by the
Lilleshall Company Limited, Priors’ Lee Hall, near
Shifnal, Salop, who are stated to be able to make
3,000 per week. The following collieries were repre-
sented :—Messrs. Clifton and Kersley Coal Company
Limited, Manchester; Locke and Company (Newland)
Limited, Normanton; A. Knowles and Sons Limited,
Pendlebury, Manchester; Womb well Main Collieries
Limited, Barnsley; Staveley Coal and Iron Company
Limited, Chesterfield; New Monckton Collieries
Limited, Barnsley; Crigglestone Collieries Limited,
Wakefield; Pearson and Knowles Coal and Iron Com-
pany Limited, Wigan; Bradford Colliery Company
Limited, Manchester; Garswood Hall Collieries
Limited, Wigan; Newton, Chambers and Company
Limited, Sheffield; Pemberton Colliery Company
Limited, Wigan; Strafford Collieries Limited,
Barnsley; New Silkstone and Haigh Moor Collieries
Limited, Castleford; Hodroyd Coal Company Limited,.
Brierley, near Barnsley. J. F. Rush, Esq., repre-
sented the Timber Control Department, Westminster,
S.W. 1. Several wood props were tested of various
lengths, about 5 in. diameter, and subject to a load
of from 141 tons to 30 tons. Only two English larch
props withstood 30 tons. The rest were considerably
less. The wood props in nearly every case broke in
the middle, and were of no further use as a prop.
About 25 concrete props were tested. The following
is the result: —

io- Broke -at,	Broke at, -vr Broke at,

tons. J*0’ tons.	tons.

1	...	26	8	... 19	15	...	301
2	... 251	9	... 191	16 ...	30
3	... 37	10	...	171	17 ...	33
4	... 411	11	... 201	18 ...	31
5	... 421	12	... 251	19	...	291
6	... 191	13	... 30£	20 ...	25
7	... 23	14	... 23		

An ordinary prop was also tested for side pressure.
This broke at 6,500 lb. This weight was kept on the
prop, , which continued to bend, but did not collapse.
A 7 ft. Welsh larch bar broke at 2,700 lb. A 10 ft.
concrete bar broke at 15,100 lb., and had a deflection
of 6f in., and was still considered safe, ’although the
concrete was badly cracked. A great feature about
the concrete props was that they broke or crushed at
one end, only damaging about 9 in. to 12 in. in
length. This was cut off, and the prop again put
in the testing machine, and in every case the prop
which was retested came out stronger than the original
prop. The ends of one prop were s'awn off twice,
making three props in all, and there was no reason
to believe otherwise that all the props could be sawn
in a similar way. This is a great factor in the use
of concrete pit props underground, because they can
be used over again after one has been broken, without
any deterioration in strength.

Seven thousand Monmouthshire miners struck this week
because 20 of the men were not paid for time spent in
attending the funeral of a workman killed in a mine.

A Japanese Ordinance abrogates the Customs duty of
5 per cent, ad valorem which has hitherto been levied
on coal imported into Corea, coal being now placed on
the “free list” of the tariff. The duty on coke remains
at 5 per cent, ad valorem.

Notes from the Coal Fields.

[Local Correspondence.]

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

Distribution and Decentralisation—Taking Timber up the
Shaft—Quarterly Statements by Colliery Companies
—Swansea Port Charges—Case Concerning Colliery
Equipment.

Mr. Finlay Gibson, secretary of the Coalowners’ Associa-
tion, and also of the Coal and Coke Supplies Committee,
has published a statement concerning the attempt which
is being made to meet the demand for decentralisation in
regulating coal supply. He states that experience has
now been gained in the supply and distribution of South
Wales coal to the south-western counties of England, and
one consequence is that the scheme introduced by the
Controller last year has thrown a greater weight of mineral
traffic on the Severn Tunnel line of the Great Western
Railway. For some months past the Coal and Coke Sup-
plies Committee has been considering, in conjunction with
the Controller, a scheme to relieve the congestion which
exists, and one measure is to lessen the railway transport
by taking coal across in small vessels from Newport to
Bridgwater in Somerset. Another is the creation of a
zone system in the south-western counties—these counties
being divided into six zones, and in each of these one
leading local factor with a personal knowledge of the
coal trade in his district being appointed to act on behalf
of the other local merchants—these leading zone-factors
to deal with a central office at Cardiff. Mr. Gibson finds,
however, that difficulties are raised against this scheme
by the merchants, and he points out that the sole object
of the proposal is to relieve congestion on the railway,
permitting of coal being sent in bulk and not in smaller
quantities as hitherto. Also that there would be a general
co-ordination in the work of ordering and forwarding sup-
plies. Unfortunately, the attitude of the merchants is
calculated to defeat the desire to secure a more extensive
use of practical business knowledge in administration of
the regulations of the Controller.

The coal exporters have considered further the ques-
tion of the one-third of 5 per cent, brokerage on freight
which the Controller desires them to hand over to the
colliery proprietors, and have held another meeting.

At the New Tredegar Court on Friday four colliers were
fined 20s. each for taking timber up the shaft. It was
represented to the Bench that if one of the blocks fell
down the pit whilst the men were waiting at the bottom
to be raised, the consequence might be very serious, and
the employers desired to put a stop to the practice. The
police evidence was to the effect that the defendants had
the blocks of timber under their coats, which was even more
dangerous than if they had been carrying them openly.

At the Penybont Pit, Abertillery, a tram containing
timber was being lowered when apparently the tram
became loose, and there was a collision with the ascending
cage, the result being that both crashed to the bottom.
Fortunately, the men below heard the noise and got out
of the way. About 100 employees in the pit had to make
their ascent through another shaft, as it was impossible
to use that which was damaged. The stoppage of the shaft
rendered over 600 men idle subsequently.

It is now understood, although no official statement has
yet been issued, that the Controller is willing to accept
a quarterly statement (instead of a monthly one) from
colliery companies.

With regard to the effort of Swansea Harbour Trustees
to obtain recognition of their docks in the status as a
controlled port, the Board of Trade is taking certain
action ; and it is hoped that the result will be a compliance
with the Trustees’ wishes whereby any increase in the
present rates upon coal shipments may be averted.

The Rhondda miners, in their monthly meeting, dis-
cussed the imprisonment of Mr. A. T. Cook, Trehafod,
for breach of the Defence of the Realm Act, and were in-
formed that the executive of the Federation had been in
communication with the Home Office in regard to the
matter.

At Cowbridge on Tuesday no fewer than 88 summonses
were answered by the Ynysawdre Colliery Company and
certain officials. It was stated by the solicitor representing
the Home Office that the breaches of the Act alleged were
nearly all due to the fact that the colliery was not properly
equipped; and the defence was that, although ordered
some time back, the company had not been able, owing
to the war, to get delivery of all the machinery and equip-
ment and that work had been carried on because the coal
was going to steel works supplying munitions. A fine of
<£50 was imposed upon the company, one of £6 upon the
financial agent, £4 upon the agent, and £5 upon the
manager, while the charges upon the under-manager and
a fireman were dismissed on payment of costs.

Northumberland and Durham.

Military Cross Award—Manager's Narrow Escape—Fatal
Fall of Stone—Aged Mineworkers' Homes—Con-
scientious Objectors—Overcrowding at Chester Moor.

Capt. Hamilton Moss, Duke of Wellington’s, who has
been awarded the Military Cross, is a Sunderland man,
who, at the time of the outbreak of war, was a colliery
manager in France.

Mr. John Brad well, under-manager at St. Helen’s Col-
liery, Bishop Auckland, has been appointed in a similar
capacity to one of the collieries owned by the Nunnery
Colliery Company Limited, Sheffield, under Mr. C. S’.
Magee, late manager of the St. Helen’s Colliery.

Mr. J. Severs, manager of the Hebburn Collieries, had
a narrow escape from death last week. Whilst seeing a
friend off by train at Jarrow he was caught by the foot-
board and thrown off the platform into the space between
the railway and the platform wall. He had the presence
of mind to crouch close to the wall and lay there until
the train had passed out of the station. He was. very
little the worse for the fall.

When the circumstances attending the death of James
Jones, 29, miner, who was killed by a fall of stone in
Seaton Delaval Pit, were enquired into, deputy-overman
James Armour said he was in charge of. the workings.
Two shots were fired by permission. A third shot caused
the accident. If the coal had been properly kirved before
the shot was fired it was probable that the stone and the
coal would have come down together. Witness had not
given permission for the third shot to be fired. He was
satisfied that they had not broken the timbering rule. Any
man known to fire a shot without the sanction of the
deputy was reported to the manager. Enoch Jones,
deceased’s brother, said they fired the third shot without
permission because the deputy was a long time in coming
back and the work would be stopped had they waited
longer. A verdict of “ Accidental death ” was returned.

The 18th annual report of the Northumberland Aged
Mineworkers’ Homes Association, the annual meeting of
those interested in which was held in Newcastle last Satur-

day, states that, owing to war-time and its effect on the
price of building materials and the supply of labour, the
association has not erected any’ new cottages during the
year. The contributions received from mineworkers in the
county show an increase of £116 odd, as compared with
those for the previous year, although, owing to military
calls, the workers are less numerous. At a few centres
in the county the arrears are increasing, and at certain
collieries the number of men and boys paying is very small.
The latter is generally at centres where the levies are not
deducted at the colliery offices. Special efforts of various
kinds have increased the association’s income by £253 odd.
Private donations have amounted to £1,619, £1,500 of
which is from the estate of the late Sir C. Milburn, who
during his life showed great sympathy towards the work.
The total income, including a balance from last year of
L,038, amounts to 4,455. The total expenditure, includ-
ing a further £1,500 transferred to the trustees’ account
(which is now worth over £3,000), amounts to £2,632,
leaving a balance of £1,822 to be carried forward. An
assurance was given that the whole question of arrears
would be carefully gone into. It was agreed, on the
motion of the president, seconded by Mr. Wm. Weir, that
the governors should be empowered to draw up a scheme
for the grouping of the cottages, with a view to obviating
the removal of the old people from the districts in which
their families resided. Mr. Cairns was re-elected as presi-
dent, Mr. John Wilson secretary, and Mr. Wm. Hogg
treasurer.

The executive committee of the Northumberland Miners’
Association is circularising the lodges in the Morpeth Par-
liamentary Division urging them to concentrate their
efforts on the nomination of Mr. John Cairns, financial
secretary of the association, as the Labour candidate for
Morpeth.

Despite intervention by the executive committee of the
Northumberland Miners’ Association, the Walbottle miners
have insisted on the termination of employment at Wal-
bottle Colliery of ten men claiming to hold conscientious
objection’ to military service. The executive committee
desired the local lodge to receive a deputation on the
point, but the lodge flatly refused. The ten men attended
a lodge meeting and pleaded their own case, but it was
decided by a large majority to adhere to the previous
decision.

Chester Moor miners recently sent a deputation to the
General Purposes Committee of the Chester-le-Street
Urban. District Council complaining of the continuance
of overcrowding at their village. It was- stated that the
arrangement suggested by the Council to the coalowners,
namely, that the overcrowding could be abated to a certain
extent by an interchange of houses and the men with
larger families being allocated to the larger houses, wa$
not carried out. Difficulty had arisen between the lodge
officials as to the position of the deputies and their claims
to the larger houses. It was arranged that the lodge repre-
sentative should meet Councillor Holt, the under-manager,
when it was anticipated the difficulty would be overcome.

Newcastle coal exporters have decided not to take any
action in connection with the endeavour to recover the
one-third-of 5 per cent, brokerage on freight which the
Controller of Mines has ordered to be paid over to the
collieries. At their meeting the resolution passed by the
coal exporting representatives of all the districts of the
United Kingdom—to the effect that the Coal Controller
had acted ultra vires in cutting off a commission which
coal exporters have for years past secured, and that the
various districts should be asked to consider the advisa-
bility of legally contesting the Controller’s action—was
considered. The meeting ’ decided not to support any
such legal action, and refused also to contribute any portion
of the cost of any action that might be brought. The
Newcastle exporters favour asking the Coal Controller to
abolish his order now that higher prices have been secured.

Mr. F. Shaw, who has been appointed manager of the
coke oven plant of Messrs. Walter Scott Limited, at
Trimdon Grange, was manager of the Bispham Hall coke
ovens prior to his latest appointment.

Mr. Ralph Pringle, of Dudley, Northumberland, who has
just celebrated his 94th birthday, was one of the founders
of the Northumberland Miners’ Association. He com-
menced work at the age of 11, driving, a gin at the pit
bank, at a wage of 3s. per week.

Cleveland.

Messrs. Hanson, Brown and Company’s “Middles-,
brough Monthly Circular” for April reports business in
rather better tone during March, although the truck
shortage is still very acute and the possibilities of water
carriage to Scotland are being more and more considered
and exploited. Supplies of iron for France are moving
off fairly steadily, but Italian business is being checked
by tonnage shortage. Deliveries of foreign ore have been
good, and consumers are now coming on the market for
supplies over the second half-year. There has been no
overplus of coke in the market, but supplies have been
adequately maintained. The further comb-out at the col-
lieries will necessarily tend to make matters more difficult.
During April 35,851 tons of pig iron were shipped from
Middlesbrough, as against 25,950 tons during March. Of
this total, 30,461 tons went abroad and 5,390 tons coast-
wise, the latter being the biggest total sent coastwise
during any month since September, 1915, and being signi-
ficant of the increasing use of water-borne traffic for the
relief of pressure on the railways. Of manufactured iron,'
303 tons were shipped abroad and 215 tons coastwise,
whilst 4,390 tons of steel were sent abroad and 1,283 tons
coastwise, an aggregate of 6,191 tons of iron and steel,
as against 9,624 tons in March.

To finance the purchase of the undertakings of Sir B.
Samuelson and Company Limited, the shareholders of
Messrs. Dorman, Long and Company Limited on Tuesday
approved the directors’ proposal to increase the capital
of the latter concern to £3,000,000 by creating 1,500,000
shares, to be known as preferred ordinary shares, of £1
each, bearing a non-cumulative dividend of 8 per cent,
per annum. At the meeting Sir Arthur Dorman stated
that the properties purchased comprised ironworks—
standing upon 70 acres of freehold land, with a river
frontage—consisting of eight blast furnaces, upwards of
200 coke ovens, and two wharves on the Tees, capable of
dealing with ships of up to 8,000 tons. Messrs. Samuel-
son also possessed collieries in Durham county, adjoining
those of Messrs. Bell Brothers Limited, and ironstone
mines in Cleveland. The collieries produced about 500,000 •
tons of coal per annum, an output which could be con-
siderably increased. The by-product coke-oven plants
produced 270,000 tons of coke per annum for use at the
blast furnaces and the ironstone mines produced 400,000
tons of ore—an output which could be increased to the
pre-war level of 500,000 tons. This, supplemented by a
certain amount of foreign ore, enabled the blast furnaces
to produce 275,000 tons of pig iron per annum, nearly all
of which would Bb used in their Britannia steel works in
a molten ’condition. The coke was all used at the blast
furnaces, and any coal from the collieries not so used was