182 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN July 26, 1918. but it can be cultivated and improved to the highest pitch of efficiency. To carry out its programme the University of London will require funds, for which an appeal was made, and the Lord Mayor was able to announce, at the meeting, that the London County, Westminster and Parr’s Bank have opened the list of subscriptions by a promise of £1,000 for initial expenses and an equal annual amount for five years after .the scheme is in working. In the House of Lords, on July 18, Output Earl Russell called attention to the and Price output and price of coal, referring Of Coal. more particularly to domestic coal. His complaint arose from the fact that orders to coal merchants had been delayed in execution, and in the meantime prices had been raised, whereby the advantage of the lower prices prevailing at the time when the order was given had been lost to the purchaser. This procedure, he implied, offered little encouragement to those who are accustomed to place orders in the summer months, expecting to benefit from what, under normal circumstances, would be understood to be summer prices. His enquiries led him to infer that the reason for this state of things was to be attributed to diminished output, and that, in a large number of coal pits at the present time, only from two to four shifts per week were being worked. If this contention were true, it would be difficult to deny the accuracy of his conclusion that the dimi- nished man-power in the collieries was being used in an uneconomical manner. On behalf of the Government, Lord Somerleyton explained that the rise in the price of coal was the result of the increased cost of production, caused in part by the rise in cost of equipment and materials, and in part from the increased war wage granted to the miners. The position is as follows:—In July 1914, maximum pit prices were fixed by the Govern- ment, and no further advance took place until September 1917, when an advance of 2s. 6d. was sanctioned except in the case of coal exported to France and Italy—a distinction which was naturally resented by exporting firms. On June 24 last an additional 2s. 6d. per ton was allowed—the price of export coal being at the same time brought into line with that of the home market. On July 8 a further Is. 6d. was added. Thus, the total additions to the price fixed by the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act was 6s. 6d., which brought up the pit price oi coal to 10s. 6d. above the pre-war figure. The contention of the miners is that the addition of 6s. 6d. since 1914 is greater than is warranted by the increased wages of the men. According to their view, this addition to the cost of coal is more than can be justified by an increase of 3s. per day in wages, together with a fair sum to cover the rise in price of materials. It is, however, a difficult matter to assess the additional cost of production, which varies considerably in different pits. It is impossible to arrive at any conclusions upon this point without an exhaustive analysis of colliery accounts, such as no outsiders would be in a position to under- take. It is a matter for the Coal Controller to decide, and as he is practically compelled to fix such an amount as would compensate deserving cases, it is obvious that those collieries which are in the happy position of being economically worked will profit to the extent that their good fortune entitles them to do. This seems to be a reasonable position to take; for otherwise, not only would some collieries be penalised, but others would be deprived of their natural or acquired advantages. When, therefore, the miners threaten to make a serious enquiry into the circum- stances of these additions to pit prices, the obvious reply is that that enquiry has already been under- taken on behalf of the Government by the Coal Controller, whose independence of judgment can hardly with justice be assailed. Let us come now to the question of output, which is clearly an important factor of this problem. It may, perhaps, be conceded that a given increase in the day wage—viz., the minimum wage rate —does not at first sight necessarily warrant the addition of an equal amount to the tonnage price of coal. If it were so, it would be expected that the average productive capacity of the miner would have to be one ton per working day. As a matter of fact, it is considerably less. Previous to the war the number of tons produced per annum per person employed had been declining. From 312 tons per annum in the five years preceding 1890 it fell to 260 tons in 1911. But this method of reasoning is unsound, because the tonnage cost of production rises in pro- portion to diminution of output, and falls with an increase in the same. The principle of the big divisor, which is a mere commonplace to the colliery manager, is apt to be lost sight of by the ordinary person, and is conveniently ignored by the miners’ leaders. Coming next to Lord Somerleyton’s answer to the question of the number of shifts being worked per week, it is gratifying to find that statistics for the four weeks ending May 25 last showed that coal was won on 5’30 days per week in England, 5-34 days in Wales and 5 42 days in Scotland. But this method of stating the case is likely to be misleading, because it takes no account either of absenteeism or stoppages at individual pits. Clearly, it would be possible for coal to be won on six days a week throughout the country, with a very unsatisfactory result as far as production is concerned. Instances of avoidable loss of output continue to recur with regrettable frequency. Not long ago nearly 4,000 men were idle at the Cambrian Colliery for a day, on account of a grievance affecting a few hauliers in a district where the output was small. Sir Hugh Bell, at the annual meeting of Messrs. Bell Brothers Limited, said that in 1917 the number of shifts lost through neglect was 4,774. Lord Aberconway, at the Tredegar Company’s meeting the other day, said that the decrease in output of more than 3 per cent, was largely attributable to the irregular strike that had taken place, without notice, and without consulting the Disputes Committee set up by the Conciliation Board. These are only haphazard instances of loss of output from avoidable causes ; and although the miners as a whole have responded magnificently to the nation’s urgent need, it cannot be denied that the efforts of the majority have been, to some extent, neutralised by the action of a few. Absenteeism and local stoppages may affect but a small proportion of the miners at any given time, but their cumulative effect soon becomes considerable. The Marquess of Crewe, speaking upon Earl Russell’s question, appealed to the miners to follow the example of other war workers in these hours of crisis and stress. It is to be hoped that the men will appreciate this point of view. We should like to see a spirit of emulation in the pits, with every man’s conscience clear as to the part he is taking in the great war. COAL CONCILIATION BOARD. The Coal Concilation Board of the Federated Mining Districts in England and North Wales met at the Savoy Hotel yesterday (Thursday). Mr. F. J. Jones (Yorkshire) presided over a full meeting, which in- cluded the joint secretaries, Sir Thos. Ratcliffe-Ellis and the Right Hon. T. Ashton. Mr. Stephen Walsh, as the chairman of the men’s section of the board, intimated to the coal owners that, under the decision of the Southport Conference that all general wage questions shall in future be settled by a National Wages Board, the men’s repre- sentatives were unable to continue the negotiations for the renewal of the wage agreement for a further period of years. The Chairman expressed the regret of the coal owners at the rupture of the relations under which wages questions had been settled in the Federated area for nearly a quarter of a century, and empha- sised the many difficulties which stood in the way of a National Board by reason of the great economic differences between the various coal fields. The coal owners then submitted proposals for a joint board on the lines of the Whitley Report to deal with questions which may arise, other than wages. The owners considered that a board on these lines might be useful in the adjusting of differences as to working conditions and other matters which may occur at collieries within the Federated area. The men’s representatives promised to submit the proposal to the men employed at collieries within the Federated area, and give a reply at a further joint meeting. The wage agreement terminates on July 31, but with the collieries controlled by the Government all wage matters are now settled by the Coal Controller. THE TIN-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. The tone of the market is very firm. Quite a consider- ably business has been done the last week or so in tinplates for the home trade, and on Allied account, and the position to-day is that most makers have as much on their books as they care about, and will not look at anything less than the official maximum price, which at present stands at 33s. 3d. per basis box for coke finish, net cash f.o.t. at makers’ works. Wasters in large sizes are very scarce, and in big demand at top prices. Some of the smaller sizes, however, can be bought at slight discounts. Conference of Local Authorities.—The Household Fuel and Lighting Order was the subject of a special conference of representatives of the municipalities of the north-east coast, held at Newcastle on Wednesday afternoon, under the presidency of the Lord Mayor of. Newcastle (Sir George Lunn). The Mayor of Middlesbrough (Mr. Jos. Calvert) said his council came to the conclusion that to consider the Order in operation as from July 1 was im- possible, not to say absurd. They had asked that it should be postponed until October 1st. The machinery would involve a vast amount of labour from a great number of people at a very considerable cost, two-thirds of which would be borne by the State, and one-third by the munici- palities ; but, after all, it did not matter very much whether the money came out of one pocket or the other. What the nation wanted was coal; what we got was an Order, which neither warmed nor enlightened us. If shortage existed, the Controller should devote his energy, ability and skill to the production of more coal and fewer Orders. If he took the army of persons who would be called into being to carry out that Order, sent them to the front, and brought the miners back, he would produce more coal. A motion in favour of the withdrawal of the Order for further consideration was defeated. The meet- ing passed resolutions asking for postponement of certain portions of the Order, for a minimum of five tons for a two-roomed house, for an increased gas equivalent per ton of coal, and for a grading that would increase the allowance for each individual room occupied. It was agreed that a deputation should interview the Coal Controller. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, July 25. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. Business in the West of Scotland coal trade has been practically at a standstill during the past week owing to the holidays. It is expected that a full restart will be made before the end of the present week. Shipments amounted to 61,410 tons, compared with 107,401 in the preceding week, and 115,259 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. Steam coal 34/6 34/6 27/6 Ell 32/6-35/ 32/6-35/ 26/6-28/ Splint 35/ -37/ 35/ -37/ 28/ -30/ Treble nuts 30/ 30/ 23/ Double do 29/ 29/ 22/ Single do 28/ 28/ 21/ IRON. The ironworks have also been at a standstill throughout the past week, and the restart largely depends upon supplies of fuel. Pig-iron smelting has been carried on during the holidays, and it is anticipated that a fair amount of arrears will be overtaken. Makers have plenty of orders on their books, for all classes of iron, and no diminution in the pressure for deliveries is likely for a long time to come. Approximate quotations:—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.; 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. . Scotland. Eastern District. COAL. The coal trade in the Lothians has been affected by the holiday, and little or nothing has been done during the past week Shipment's were 18,000 tons, against 18,001 in the preceding week, and 17,507 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Best screened steam coal... prices. 33/6 prices. 33/6 prices 26/6 Secondary qualities 32/6 30/ 32/6 30/ .29/ 25/6 Treble nuts 23/ Double do 29/ 22/ Single do. 28/ 28/ 21/ Collieries in Fifeshire have been more or less idle during the past week. Shipments amounted to 1,383 tons, against 41,035 in the preceding week, and 24,320 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Best screened navigation prices. prices. prices. coal 36/ -38/ 36/ -38/ 29/ -31/ 24/ -25/ Unscreened do 31/ -32/ 31/ -32/ First-class steam coal 35/ 35/ 31/ 28/ Third-class do 31/ 24/ Treble nuts 30/ 29/ 30/ 23/ Double do 29/ 22/ Single do. 28/ 28/ 21/ All prices quoted only apply to business for France and Italy. The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the the past week amounted to 80,793 tons, compared with 166,437 tons in the preceding week, and 157,086 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-on-Tyne. COAL. Practically every ounce of coal that is being extracted from the earth by the miners of Northumberland and Durham at present is finding speedy transport on Govern- ment, Allied and inland accounts. The output is insuf- ficient to meet these requirements, to say nothing of leaving any margin wherewith to meet the requests of neutrals for considerable supplies. In addition to the shortage of man-power and the abnormal absenteeism from illness, coal production is suffering by reason of occasional stoppages in the county of Durham—the question of the remuneration of putters being the principal bone of conten- tion. These stoppages are not frequent, nor are they large where they do occur. In the present condition of things, however, every such stoppage intensifies the difficulties of the coal trade. The supply of requisitioned steamers and coal trucks is larger just now than the pits can deal with, and loading turns are full up for several weeks ahead. Neutral orders are going a-begging, and prices may not improbably be raised still further against neutrals in the very near future. There is no quotable alteration, so far as coals are concerned, this week, but blastfurnace and foundry cokes have undergone two increases for foreign shipment. The first of these made the price to neutrals 60s. per ton ; the second has raised the price to 65s. At these figures limited supplies of these fuels have been available for over- seas delivery, but coke is now very scarce. Tenders to supply the Norwegian State Railways with 14,000 tons of best steams for delivery during September and October have been forwarded, and are stated to have been based on 70s. for large coals and 45s. for the now usual proportion— 25 per cent.—of smalls.