1306

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

June 28, 1918.

evidence. It is shown why direct methods of
attacking the problem have hitherto been less
fruitful than might have been expected ;■ but the
account which is given of the work which has been
done upon the action of solvents on coal is not only
remarkable for its completeness, but also highly
instructive as regards the authors’ comments upon it.
One of the great difficulties connected with this mode
of investigation is the ever-present uncertainty
whether the substances extracted by solvents were
present as such in the coal substance. Nevertheless,
the authors consider that evidence has thus been
obtained of the presence in bituminous coals of
unaltered resins and free hydrocarbons. Coming
next to the results which have been obtained by the
study of the destructive distillation of coal, the
authors complain of the difficulty of co-ordinating
the older investigations, because insufficient details
are afforded as to the temperature and other condi-
tions under which the distillation was carried out.
It is a great pity that this is so, for it has led the
authors to the necessity of instituting new researches
into this question, which are not yet completed. For
this reason, a discussion of much of the earlier work
on destructive distillation has been postponed to a
future occasion, and attention is here concentrated
on the more recent investigations, of which there is a
notable quantity, Dr. Wheeler having himself
contributed no inconsiderable share.

Upon the general question of the value of the
distillation method in its bearing upon the constitu-
tion of coal, we are reminded that, coal being a
conglomerate of different substances, there is no
clear indication of the source of any of the products
of distillation. The authors, however, are hopeful
that it may ultimately be possible, by means of
solvents or other methods, to separate actual entities
from the coal substance in quantity sufficient for the
study of their behaviour under distillation. Thus,
the authors have obtained a quantity of pure plant
cuticle, free from other residue, and suitable for
submitting to heat treatment. This mode of attack
is a new development, rendered possible by the
happy collaboration between the palaeobotanist and
chemist which the joint authorship of this memoir
affords. It is here that the value of microscopic
investigation becomes evident, and to this part of
the subject attention is next devoted.

There is a highly instructive historical account of
the application of the microscope to the study of
coal, which, we are glad to see, originated with three
English workers in 1833. Since that date, facilities
for the identification of plant remains have greatly
increased, but have for the most part remained the
property of a few specialists in this line of study.
It is a branch of research which must for a long
time remain largely in the hands of the palseo-
botanist, and this conclusion is strengthened by the
extremely able and detailed treatment of the subject
in this memoir. The authors’ remarks upon the
identification of resins in palaeozoic coals will be read
with interest. Note may also be taken of their views
upon “the fundamental jelly,” upon which they
remark that this structureless substance merely forms
veins and streaks in a mass consisting either of
recognisable plant tissue, or of comminuted vege-
table matter which, even if no longer recognisable,,
has not necessarily lost its original molecular
character.

We should have liked to have been able to refer
to many other points treated in this monograph.
Sections are devoted to the action of reagents upon
coal, synthesis of coal, and other matters. Lastly,
consideration is given to some of the theories which
have been based upon coal researches, and the work
concludes with the significant remark that although
the subtlety and complexity of the substances existing
in coal are beyond present technique to unravel,
there is no reason to abandon hope of the final
^solution of the problem.

We publish in another column a
Coal Mines letter signed “Secretary,” calling
Excess attention to the importance to colliery
Profits. owners of being assured that assess-
ments under the Coal Mines Control
Agreement Act are made in strict accordance with
the terms of the Finance Act. When this question
was under discussion, the Coal Controller made a
special point of the desirability of fixing the profits
basis in the same way as in the Finance Act, by
which he claimed that the computation would be
enormously simplified.

It is, therefore, of importance that colliery owners
should make themselves familiar with the terms of
the Finance Act—and particularly as regards the
deductions permissible under that Act. Our corre-
spondent calls attention especially to the question of
adjustments for increased capital, which, it is said,
surveyors are either ignoring or treating in a manner
which is not strictly in compliance with the Act,
which states that where capital has been increased
during the accounting period, a deduction must be
made from the profits of the accounting period at the
statutory percentage per annum on the amount by
which the capital has been increased for that part or
the whole of the accounting period during which the
increased capital has been employed, as the case
may be.

THE COAL AMD IRON TRADES.

Thursday, June 27.

Scotland. Western District.

COAL.

The general situation in the Scotch coal trade is
unchanged. Markets are strong all round. Outputs are
still below requirements, and, with depleted stoc s, con-
sumers have great difficulty in securing sufficient supplies,
in order to keep works going at regular speed. In the
West of Scotland all sources of demand are as strong as
ever. Industrial and household sorts are in constant
request, whilst a fair import turnover is reported. The new
Board of Trade Order makes a difference equal to 2s. 6d.
per ton in the home trade, and retailers are already
charging an extra Hd. per cwt for coal sold in the streets.
Shipments for the past week amounted to 104,921 tons,
against 96,601 tons in the preceding week, and 123,247 tons
in the same week last year.

IRON.

No change of note has occurred in the Scotch iron trade.
In pig iron the call for haematite is still paramount—the
local demand being apparently insatiable. Ordinary quali-
ties are now difficult to secure, particularly foundry sorts
Outputs generally show no diminution; but, despite the
curtailment of the export trade, home requirements easily
account for the production, and business is of a hand-to-
mouth character. Approximate values are still as follow:—
Monkland and Carnbroe f.a.s. at Glasgow, Nos. 1, 140s.,
Nos. 3, 135s.; Govan, No. 1, 135s., No. 3, 130s.; Clyde,
Summerlee, Calder and Langloan, Nos. 1,150s., Nos. 3,145s.;
Glengarnock at Ardrossan, No. 1, 140s., No. 3, 135s ; Eglin-
ton at Ardrossan or Troon and Dalmellington at Ayr,
Nos. l,.145s., Nos. 3, 135s; Shotts at Leith, No. 1, 150s.,
No. 3, 145s. per ton. Malleable iron makers are hard
pressed for deliveries. General orders are plentiful, but
there are few sellers, practically nothing being accepted
unless classified as of national importance. Some sectional
material for mines and some agricultural supplies have
been put through, but ordinary stock sizes are receiving no
attention. The export department continues in a lifeless
condition.

Scotland, Eastern District.

COAL.

The collieries in the Lothians district have plenty of
orders for all classes of fuel. Admiralty requirements are
considerable, and local demands are to the fore, whilst ship-
ments are also fair and mostly for neutrals. Clearances
amounted to 16,667 tons, against 18,054 in the preceding
week, and 21,295 tons in the same week last year.

Collieries in Fifeshire are more than fully booked up.
Local requirements are large, and the export turnover is
fully maintained. Shipments were 42,842 tons, against
45,669 in the preceding week, and 19,598 tons in the same
week last year.

Under the latest Order, the prices quoted are subject to
an increase of 5s. per ton for shipment to France and Italy.

The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the
past week amounted to 164,430 tons, compared with 160,324
in the preceding week, and 164,140 tons in the corresponding
week of last year.

Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland.

Newcastle-on-Tyne. COAL.

The matter which has caused most concern in the local
coal market this week is the Order of the Board of Trade
increasing coal prices. The order is, of course, welcomed
by colliery owners, who, as Mr. A. F. Pease pointed out in
a recent speech, have been losing money on every ton of
their output in many instances lately. As is usual with
Government orders, however, this Order is not so clearly
put as it might be, and is so far unaccompanied locally
by any detailed schedule, so it is difficult to arrive definitely
at the present standing of prices. The top prices quoted
nowadays for neutral requirements remain unaffected as
yet by the increases in scheduled figures, although it is
probable that if there were any supplies available the prices
would be speedily capped by the 2s. 6d. advance. Coke
appears to be included in the Order. So far as can be
ascertained, f.o.b. prices which by law must now be charged
as fixed figures for France, Italy, British protectorates and
possessions and coaling stations therein, and as minimum
prices for home consumers, Allies, other than France and
Italy, and neutrals, are as follow :—Best steams, Blyths,
35s.; Tynes, 34s. 6d.; seconds, Blyths, 30s. 6d. ; Tynes,
32s.; unscreened, 28s. 6d.; smalls, Blyths, 25s.; Tynes,
23s. 6d.; specials, 25s 6d.; smithies, 30s.; gas bests, 30s.;
seconds, 28s. 6d.; specials, 31s. 6d.; unscreened bunkers,
Durhams, 29s to 30s.; Northumbrians, 29s. to 30s.; coking
coals, 29s. to 30s.; households, 33s fid. to 35s ; foundry
coke, 47s. 6d.; and blast furnace coke, 47s. 6d. These
figures leave out of account the inflated values placed upon
supplies for neutrals at present. The above-mentioned con-
cession is regarded as insufficient by many owners and
managers. The market itself is of a holiday character,
although, contrary to the usual practice in Race week, there
is to be no close holiday on ’Change. The continued
excellence of the demand on Government, Allied and inland
accounts is responsible for the absorption of practically the
entire output, and so far as transport facilities are con-
cerned, the authorities are leaving nothing undone to ensure
that collieries shall not need to lose a single hour for want
of steamers or of trucks. Neutrals are still faring very
scantily as to fuel supplies, and are likely to do so for many
weeks to come, for official and home demands are so great
that it is difficult, with the depleted man-power at the pits,
to keep pace with them Many of the contracts which
normally are renewed at this time of the year are still in
abeyance, and customers are being supplied with hand-to-
mouth quantities. Where contracts have been arranged,
they are subject to reductions in deliveries in proportion to
the decreased outputs of the collieries and to changes in price
in accordance with official decisions. Tenders to supply the
Norwegian State Railways with 16,500 tons of local steams
for delivery over August-September has been sent in based
on 60s. per ton for Blyth large and 45s. for smalls, which
is, so far as large is concerned, identical with the quota-
tions for the Swedish State Railways requirements - on
which no more has been heard—and shows an increase of
5s. per ton for smalls.

Sunderland.	COAL.

The coal market position is still very strong. Supplies
are scanty and wholly inadequate to the pressing demand,

Note.—Owing to the uncertainty prevailing as to the
precise application of the new increase of prices Order, we
are postponing our usual lists of prices until next week.

which includes heavy official requirements and continued
enquiries on the part of neutrals, whose chances of obtaining
cargoes are extremely small. Moreover, some of the pits
are lying-off for at least one day during the Race holidays,
and to that extent the output will be reduced, though in
the majority < f cases the collieries will remain at work.
Turns are very full,and the efforts of fitters are concentrated
upon getting shipments away in fulfilment of orders
recently booked. The home trade absorbs a considerable
quantity of the output. The coke pressure shows no
diminution, neutral buyers freely bidding 50s for any
quantity. The schedule of prices has been increased
from 24th inst, the maximum to France and Italy is raised
5s., and for neutrals the schedule, which is a minimum, is
raised 2s. 6d. per ton. The schedule for the home trade is
raised 2s 6d., and this, of course, will raise household coal
values. There is no reference from an official source as to
coke prices, but makers and merchants are of the opinion
that advances are necessary. No licences for shipment to
France are now granted for screened coal without a proviso
that one-third of smalls must be included.

Middlesbrough-on-Tees.

COAL.

Fuel is very scarce. Official absorption on home and
Allied account practically takes up the output and next to
nothing is left for merchants who have neutral business
on hand. Neutral enquiry continues heavy, and quota-
tions for such business are inflated and firm, but what
effect the new Order will have on this branch is not yet
apparent. The advance in coal for France and Italy, of
5s., which is a maximum, and the rise for neutral trade of
2s. 6d, which is a minimum, makes up the half-crown
leeway which has hitherto existed, as previously the Allies
prices were 2s. 6d. below the figures for neutrals. The
half-crown advance in home coal rates makes household
from 23s. to 24s. 6d. at the pithead. Complaint is heard that
the 2s. 6d. on home coal is insufficient, and that more is
necessary to cover cost of production. Coking coal con-
tinues to be well taken up. A good deal of anxiety is felt
as to the coke position. Supply is below what is needed,
and with home and Allied demands pressing, business on
behalf of neutrals is almost impossible. Disappointment
is felt that prices have not been raised with the advance in
coal, both makers and merchants declaring that the situa-
tion justifies higher figures. For home use, average blast-
furnace quality is 33s. at the ovens ; and low phosphorus
sort 35s. 6d. at the ovens.

IRON.

A heavy business in Cleveland pig iron has been put
through this month, and transactions continue on a sub-
stantial scale. So satisfactory have been the deliveries,
owing to improved facilities for railway supplies, that a
number of supplementary allocations for foundry quality
for Scotland have been issued, and distribution has been
limited only by the fact that some furnaces have been
producing below the average of foundry kind, turning out
more forge quality, so that the latter has become quite
plentiful, and indeed, both makers and consumers have
recently accumulated stocks of forge iron. Some further
expansion of export trade in Cleveland pig is noticeable,
the tonnage situation continuing to improve. Whilst
business with Italy is not large, despatches to that country
are reported, and shipments to France are larger and are
proceeding regularly. For home consumption, No. 3
Cleveland pig, No. 4 foundry, and No. 4 forge are all
quoted 95s.; and for export to France and Italy No. 3 and
the lower qualities are 114s. and No. 1 is 119s. Better
facilities for home delivery have resulted in heavier dis-
tribution of east c ;ast haematite, but disposal of output
continues carefully controlled, and as cargo space becomes
available parcels are made upfor the Allies. Manufacturers
of finished iron and steel are very busily employed, all the
works being practically exclusively engaged, directly* or
indirectly, on war contracts. Excellent progress is being
made with various extension schemes which will consider-
ably increase output. Prices all round are strong.

Cumberland.

Mary port.

COAL.

The coal trade is busier than ever this week, the demand
for fuel is keener and all branches are being taxed to their
utmost to satisfy requirements At midsummer the demand
usually represents a smaller volume than at any other
period of the year, but so far there has been no diminution
on any account; the call for fuel for export and home use
is firmer, and at the moment there is still an acute shortage
for all purposes except landsale. The pits are working
regularly, and the output is rather better this week, but
the supply is still inadequate to satisfy all consumers to
the full. No supplies are available for outside consumers,
and the amount that can be spared for shipping is lower
than ever. Both coal and coke are now in short supply.
Landsale is down to summer level, and business at the
depots is quiet. Gas and engine fuels are very firm. The
export trade is brisk, and the demand for coal from Ireland
is well maintained, but owing to shortage the shipments
from Cumberland ports have declined of late. House coal
for shipping is quiet, but works and gas coal is in keen
request, and Irish customers are taking all the supplies of
both Cumberland and east coast coal that are available.
The shipments for the week amounted to 3,850 tons, com-
pared with 3,930 tons last week and 1,840 tons at the
corresponding period of last year. Two good cargoes of
pit timber have arrived for the local collieries. Exports
also included 2,000 tons of creosote oil from the Maryport
benzol works for a Continental port. The coke industry is
busy, and more smalls and coking' fuels are being imported,
so that the production at some of the ovens is steadily
improving again. All the make of local coke is going to
the West Cumberland furnaces. On Monday the price of
all classes of fuel advanced 2s. 6d. per ton, except foreign
bunkers and shipments to France and Italy, in which case
the increase is 5s. per ton. Best house coal delivered in
the Maryport district is Is. 8d. per cwt., or from 32s. 6d.
to 33s. 4d. per ton.

IRON.

The Cumberland and North Lancashire haematite pig
iron trade continues in an exceedingly brisk condition, and
there is no abatement in the demand for special and ordi-
nary brands of iron. All the plants are engaged at fullest
capacity in meeting the increasing requirements, and
production all round is now more satisfactory. The demand
for iron is keener than it has been since 1915, and the
outstanding feature of trade—the great pressure of
orders—was quite in excess of the supply. The situation,
however, is improving. With foreign and local supplies of
iron ore being fairly plentiful, there is every prospect
of an early lighting of two new furnaces. The number at