78 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. July 12, 1918. for an increased wage while this condition existed. With regard to the administration of the Order, the Board of Trade has wisely decided to rely solely upon the local authorities. The new machinery that will be required will be of the simplest nature, and will be based entirely upon the model already adopted in the metropolitan fuel area, which, we believe, has worked smoothly and satisfactorily throughout the past year. The institution of local fuel committees and local fuel overseers sounds much more formidable than it proves to be in practice, and the representa- tion upon these committees of all the interests concerned, as directed in the Order, ensures effective local control.. The scale of allowances will, we think, be found to be ample for the essential requirements of comfort and health. In the case of the smaller houses it is probably quite up to normal consumption, and provision is made in the Order for additional allowances where any exceptional hardship might be otherwise entailed. The Bill introduced by the Govern- SiliCOSlS. ment to provide compensation for persons killed or disabled by fibroid phthisis, caused by the inhalation of siliceous dust is mainly concerned with the refractories industry, and especially ganister mining and the manufacture of silica bricks, but indirectly it may ultimately touch the coal mining industry, and indeed all occupations in which exposure to a dusty atmosphere may con- ceivably be alleged to be the cause of this disease. Fibroid phthisis presents peculiar difficulties as an occupational disease, and the Industrial Diseases Committee, in 1907, were unable to recommend its addition to the list of diseases provided for under the Workmen’s Compensation Act. The reasons for this conclusion were stated at that time to be twofold, viz.: the slow growth of the disease and the difficulty of distinguishing it, in its early stages, from other affections of the respiratory organs. Further investi- gations, however, in this and other countries have apparently led to the removal of these difficulties, and a Bill is now before Parliament to provide for the inclusion of silicosis as a scheduled disease. In its present form the Bill is only designed to include certain specified groups of industries within its scope. Compensation is to be provided by the establishment of a general fund to which employers in those industries will be required to subscribe. Although it is the intention of the Government to limit the scope of the Bill to stone and tin mines in Cornwall, and to certain manufacturing industries, there is nothing in the text to preclude the sub- sequent inclusion of other industries at the discretion . of the Home Secretary. It is true that by clause 1, section 1, the Secretary of State is only empowered to institute a compensation scheme in any specified industry or process or groups of industries involving exposure to silica dust; but Mr. Brace has admitted that when once a scheme of compensation has been laid down it will be an easy matter to consider the extension of its scope. It is necessary, however, to accept his assurance that the Bill in its present form is in the nature of a war measure, designed to meet a ’ particular danger which has recently become acute in certain cases. For the present, therefore, there is no intention of bringing coal miners under its pro- visions. Nevertheless, the question of dust inhalation in coal mines is still more or less sub judice, as is shown by the discussion at the last meeting of the Institu- tion of Mining Engineers upon Dr. Haldane’s recent paper on the subject. A curious point has arisen in this connection. On the one hand we find Mr. Ellis Davies, in the House of Commons, eager to have slate quarrying scheduled as a dangerous disease, and, on the other hand, we have it authoritatively asserted that the inhalation of finely-divided shale dust in a coal mine has no injurious effect upon the health of the miners, even although this shale dust may contain 20 or 30 per cent, of uncombined silica. The difference between slate and shale, in their average composition, is probably not greater than the difference between particular varieties of each kind of rock ; and yet there is sufficient evidence to warrant two diametrically opposite conclusions with regard to the danger of inhaling dust particles of this description. As Dr. Collis has pointed out, Altofts shale dust has a higher percentage of free silica than granite dust, but whereas the workers in contact with the former keep perfectly healthy, the workers in the Cornish tin mines, most of which are in granite, are liable to fibroid phthisis. Dr. Collis believes in the theory advanced by Dr. Haldane, that the presence of clay has some inhibitory action upon the mischievous effects of pure silica. If clay possesses the power of opposing the influence of inhaled silica, however, we are confronted with the fact that potters exposed to flint dust suffer from its effects whether it is mixed with clay or not. The suggestion that the clay owes its effect to certain organic constituents is, we understand, being made a subject for further investigation. There is clearly a necessity for more information upon this question of dust inhalation. Thus, Dr. W. F. Smeeth asserts that the dust from the Kolar Mines, Mysore, with about the same composi- tion as granite dust, has no injurious effect upon the health of the miners; and apparently the same may be said of the dust from the Cripple Creek mines, which contains from 70 to 80 per cent, of silica. The evidence, therefore, appears to be highly contra- dictory, and we are not yet in possession of a clear explanation of the case. The bearing of all this upon the Silicosis Bill is evident. As is too often the case in Acts of Parlia- ment, there is no attempt to define precisely what is meant by exposure to silica dust. We are all, more or less, liable to inhale siliceous particles, and it is probable that some workers in quite healthy occupa- tions actually inhale more silica dust than many who will be brought under the protection of the Work- men’s Compensation Act. It is gratifying to read Sir Henry Cunynghame’s testimony to the willingness of the coal owners of this country to further every proposal which can be shown to be for the good of the health of the miner; and in this question of the chemical and physical behaviour of dust, they have materially assisted investigation in the very practical way of providing, funds for the purpdse. THE LONDON COAL TRADE. Thursday, July 11. The principal feature on the London Coal Exchange during the week has been the unexpected advance of Is. 6d. per ton on all prices. This advance, so closely following the increase of 2s 6d. per ton on June 24, has been somewhat startling to the trade generally. Last year practically no change took place in any of the official prices, but since January 21 the new advances will amount to 5s 6d-per ton in all. Trolley prices also show an increase ~ of 4d per cwt. Two very important notices were issued by the Coal Merchants’ Society on their notice boards on Monday last, and created a good deal of discussion. In one of them Mr. Geo. Gentry, on behalf of the London Coal Committee, observed:—“ With reference to the increase of 2s. 6d per ton on all coal, which came into force on and from June 24 last, I have to inform you that where coal has been ordered and paid for before delivery, the contract is completed as far as the customer is concerned, and the coal will have to be delivered at the price paid. Where coal has been ordered and not paid for, and no portion delivered, the whole of the quantity may be charged at the increased price. Where an order has been partly executed at the previous price that price will stand good for the portion delivered, but the balance may be charged at the increased price. Please note that the maximum price of gas coke delivered in the Metropolitan Coal Distribution Area is 42s. 6d. per ton.” The other notice, dealing with the increased charges for coal and coke, appears in another col mn. The export trade continues very strong, and large quantities of coal are being diverted from nearly all the Midland collieries to build up the 400,000 tons of coal required by France. All the shipping ports on the east side and west side of England are busy with this special order, which has to be delivered during the ensuing two months. Twenty- five vessels were reported on Monday’s market as arriving in the Thames for the London trade, and four for Wednes- day, all contract cargoes. The greatest demand is for steam coal at the present time. Unfortunately, the restric- tion is the greatest, and traders are looking forward with a good deal of anxiety to the continued shortage in this quality. House coals are also scarce, but the actual consumption is fortunately low. The serious aspect of the coal output has been emphasised by the Coal Controller in his statement that 400,000 colliers have been drafted to the war during the past four years. Of these, about 75,000 colliers have been called up this year. The new Household Fuel and Lighting Order will undoubtedly affect the larger houses much more than the smaller houses in the Metropolis. A 12-roomed house will be allowed 11 tons of coal, and a five-roomed house 4 tons 10 cwt , and each will have a lighting allowance of 15,000 cu. ft. of gas. If more gas is used it has to be taken as part of the coal allowance, and everyone recognises that 15,G00 cu. ft. of gas will go but a little way in many of the larger houses. The new rationing scheme is computed to save between eight and nine million tons of coal, but it is also estimated that if each man now at work will produce ten hundredweight more coal per week, the increase in the output will amount to ten million tons in the year. From Messrs. Dinham, Fawcus and Company’s Report. Friday, July 5.—The seaborne house coal market was rather quiet, there being no cargoes offering for sale. Arrivals, 13. Monday, July 8.—Seaborne house coal was in good demand, but the supply to-day having been previously arranged for, no fresh sales were reported. Cargoes, 25. Wednesday, July 10. There were no seaborne house coal cargoes on offer. The demand, however, continues good owing to the short supply coming forward. Arrivals, 4. THE TIN-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. The tone of the market is firm, and makers are not disposed to sell at less than the official maximum price, which at present stands at 32s. 6d. to 32s. 7id. per basis box for cokes, net cash, f.o.t. at works ; only for specially wanted orders are any concessions made. Most works are well booked up for the next two or three months. The demand for wasters is very fair, and top figures are realised for 28 x 20 and large sizes generally. Small sizes can be bought at a slight discount. Terne plates are in moderate request. New Shipment Charges.—The Coal Controller, in addi- tion to notifying that the price of coal for bunkers and cargo is increased by 2s. per ton, directs that shipments on account of the Belgian Government, shipments to Belgian Possessions, and shipments to Portugal and Portuguese Possessions, shall as regards contracts made with the buyers on or after July 8, 1918, be subject to the same conditions in respect of prices and exporters’ remuneration (including brokerage arrangements) as apply to shipments to British Possessions and Protectorates. The price of coal for the manufacture of patent fuel for shipment on Belgian and Portuguese account shall be the same as in the case of coal for the manufacture of patent fuel for shipment to British Possessions. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, July 11. Scotland. Western District. COAL. There is nothing of a fresh nature to report regarding the Scotch coal trade. The outstanding feature is the increasing shortage of supplies for home consumption, the demand being far in excess of the capacity of the collieries. In the West of Scotland district gas and industrial concerns are running short, and collieries are also considerably in arrears with household orders. Ells, splints and navigations are being well taken up for shipment to the Allies, and a fair turnover is also done with neutral countries. Ship- ments for the week amounted to 114,038 tons, against 97,885 tons in the preceding week, and 116,062 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Steam coal Current prices. 32/6 31/6-33/ 33/ -35/ 28/ 27/ 26/ L’st week’s prices. 32/6 31/ -33/ 33/ -35/ 28/ 27/ . 26/ Last year’s prices. 23; 6-25/ 26/ —28/ 28/ -30/ . 23/ 22/ 20/ Ell Splint Treble nuts Double do Single do IRON. Conditions in the Scotch iron trade are, if anything, a little more strenuous in view of the holidays which com- mence this week and will probably last until near the end of the month. In pig iron there is an all-round scarcity and many brands are entirely out of the market, unless for national purposes, and even then orders have to be cut up to include the greatest number of customers. Some grades of foundry iron ore are now as difficult to secure as haematite. Nothing of any consequence is passing for export, and approximate values may still be taken as follow : —Monk- land and Carnbroe f.a.s. at Glasgow, No. 1,140s., No. 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.; Eglinton at Ardrossan or Troon and Dalmellington at Ayr, Nos. 1, 145s., Nos. 3, 135s.; Shotts at Leith, No. 1, 150s., No. 3, 145s. per ton. There is a continuous outpouring of material from the malleable iron works. Raw materials are now in rather better supply, but the amount of labour available is far from satisfactory. '1 he steel departments have good orders on hand for France. Values are unchanged, but it is rumoured that prices for export are to be fixed. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. All qualities of Lothian coal are in great demand, and with supplies running short, collieries have little to spare for shipment. Clearances for the week amounted to 17,546 tons, against 17,800 tons in the preceding week, and 17,497 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices Best screened steam coal... 31/6 31/6 ' 26/6 Secondary qualities 30/6 30/6 25/6 Treble nuts 28/ 28/ 23/ Double do 27/ 27/ 22/ Single do.- 26/ * 26/ 21/ Fifeshire collieries have a very strong export* demand, and consignments for neutral destinations are realising very high prices. Large quantities of navigations are on requisition for the Admiralty. Shipments amounted to 36,872 tons, against 32,636 in the preceding week, and 27,605 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Best screened navigation Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. coal 34/ -36/ 34/ -36/ 29/ -31/ Unscreened do 29/ -30/ 29/ -30/ 24/ -25/ First-class steam coal 33/ 33/ 28/ Third-class do 29/ 29/ 24/ Treble nuts 28/ 28/ 23/ Double do 27/ 27/ 22/ Single do “ i 26/ 26/ 21/ The prices quoted only apply to shipments to France and Italy. It is reported that in the case of neutral shipments prime ells are in the region of 45s. to 50s.; best Lothians and first-class F fe 55s. to 60s. per ton. The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 168,456 tons, compared with 148,321 tons in the preceding week, and 161,164 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-on-Tyne. COAL. Influenza is still affecting output, and production just now is insufficient to meet the needs of the Government, our Allies, and our home consumers. Requisitioned vessels and railway trucks tend to accumulate at the shipping placesand the collieries. This is making the position of neutrals all the more hopeless, of course. The neutral request is very considerable and very pressing; the quantity of coal available in response is insignificant, almost negligible, and this would appear to be likely to be the condition of things for a good many w^eks ahead. We understand that the local allocation committee has been instructed by the Coal Controller very strictly to regulate shipments to the several markets, so that each market shall have its fair share of whatever coal is obtainable. This is regarded as likely to restrict still further the amount of coal available for neutrals—and that quantity already approaches the microscopic. Another readjustment of prices is now necessitated by reason of the Coal Controller’s latest Order in compensation for the increases in wages recently granted to the miners. The appended price list indicates the fixed price for Allied consumption. The present market quotation for neutrals is, in most instances, many shillings in excess of the schedule. So far as current