236 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN August 2, 1918 same prices at which neutrals can obtain German coal, presumably of the quality^ they require. On the point that blast - furnace workers, munition workers, and railwaymen are to have their coal supplies reduced, while miners do not, there is no doubt something to be said; and it seems not improbable that if miners had the inconvenience of coal shortage brought home to them by being placed on the same footing as their compeers in other industries, it might have a beneficial effect on the question of avoidable absenteeism. Since, however, free coal is an old-established custom in the mining industry, the Controller probably found that any attempt to interfere with it would be impolitic. The complaint that people, being unable to understand what the Order means, may consume the whole of their coal supply by Christmas, and then have to go without, is not very flattering to their intelligence, for the schedule of rationing is plain, the more involved portions of the Order being those which affect the coal industry and trade rather than the consumer. This assumed ignorance on the part of the householder formed a theme for several of the Controller’s critics, who seem to have rather laboured the point and to be more desirous of allowing unthrifty independence of control to prevail than to inculcate a sense of economy among the masses of the people. With regard to the situation in London, the general experience of rationing last winter was that conditions were far better than before rationing was introduced; and, given the necessary good will all round, there seems no real reason to anticipate a less favourable result now that the system is to be more generally applied. The Controller has made good his case for the necessity of economy, and has drawn up the scheme with an. evident desire to be fair to all. Special consideration will be given to well-founded cases of hardship, and the personal discussion to which the Controller has invited members of Parliament, should lead to a cessation of criticism that is based on insufficient information, and enable outstanding points to be settled in a satisfactory manner. THE LONDON GOAL TRADE. Thursday, August 1. The market has settled down to the apparently hopeless task of endeavouring to overtake the mass of orders on hand. The work at all the depots is progressing favour- ably, but the dominating feature in every direction is the shortage of the arrivals. Loaded trucks are coming forward with very good despatch, but the tonnage is very small. The market sales are very restricted, and the demand is considerably in excess of the supply. Influenza has, to a large extent, subsided, and the returns from the collieries show a better turnover; but the increasing exports and the call for extra coal for Admiralty purposes leave very little prospect of an adequate supply for London. Colliery repre- sentatives point out that in many cases the maximum tonnage must still come forward to the London area, so that the outlying districts must be exceptionally awkwardly placed. The new rationing scheme has apparently necessi- tated the publication of a booklet of 130 clauses, covering 39 pages of closely printed matter, and severe comments are made regarding the quantity of 'paper and printing, besides the complicated nature of the procedure. Very little coal is offering on the London market, and factors are greatly incensed because so much of their contract coal has been taken from them, not alone for Government purposes, but to supply smaller merchants and others who have complained to the Controller of shortage in supplies. Steam coals and hard cobbles are particularly short and difficult to obtain. Factories along the Thames side are largely compelled to use slacks and coke for their boilers. The seaborne market continues fairly supplied, although the bulk of the vessels arriving are not of the heavy tonnages of last year. Twenty-three vessels were returned as arriving in the Thames for Monday's market, and seven for Wednesday last. These, however, were mostly loaded with gas coal. The attendance on the market lately has been very much below the average, but it is not to be wondered at when so few have any coal for sale, and merchants also find that they can do more good by arranging deliveries at the depots than by putting in an appearance on the Exchange. Colliery owners are getting very concerned about the new regulations as to the Fuel and Lighting Order, for the reduced output must be recognised in every direction, and unfortunately, as the shortage is making itself felt more than ever, the demand is steadily increasing. The census of privately-owned railway wagons is largely viewed from the standpoint that sooner or later the Board of Trade may revive the old question of pooling all the rolling stock at present in use in the coal and coke trade. From Messrs. Dinham, Fawcus and Company’s Report. Friday, July 26.—The demand for seaborne house coal continued good, but no sales were reported owing to the very short supplies coming forward. Arrivals, 9. Monday, July 29.—There was a good enquiry for sea- borne house coal and a fair supply, but the arrivals had all been previously arranged for, no spare cargoes being on offer. Arrivals, 23. Wednesday, July 31.—There was a short supply of sea- borne cargoes. No house coals offered for sale. Cargoes, 7. The late Mr. Thomas Taylor, colliery proprietor, of Liverpool, formerly of Parbold, near Wigan, left estate valued at £15,078 gross. Coal Crushing.—There is a considerable demand for coal-crushing apparatus in the United States, owing to several factors : (1) Attention has been directed to the serious waste of fuel which occurs unless coal is sized to suit mechanical stokers. (2) Purchasers have now to take whatever coal is available, instead of being able to specify grade and size. (3) Manufacturers have given up trying to persuade collieries to crush coal, and have devoted their energy (more successfully) to the coal user. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, August 1. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. The position in the west of Scotland coal trade is unchanged. The shortage of all kinds of fuel is most acute, and the ten days stoppage for the “ fair” holidays has not improved matters. The situation in regard to household supplies is extremely difficult, and deliveries con- siderably in arrear. Tonnage is arriving steadily, and outputs of bunker and cargo coals are quickly absorbed. Shipments for the week amounted to 71,548 tons, com- pared with 61,410 in the preceding week and 72,101 tons in the same week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Steam coal Current prices. 34/6 32/6-35/ 35/ -37/ 30/ 29/ 28/ L’st week’s prices. 34/6 32/6-35/ 35/ -37/ 30/ 29/ 28/ Last year’s prices. 27/6 26/6-28/ 28/ -30/ 23/ 22/ 21/ Ell Splint Treble nuts Double do Single do IRON. Business in the Scotch iron trade is again in full swing, and demands are more strenuous than ever. In pig iron, the home demand continues heavy for all grades, and difficulty is found in meeting all requirements. Practically everything produced is absorbed by national work of some sort, and very little is disposed of privately. Quotations are firmly maintained. Approximate prices :—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. Makers of manufactured iron have a large accumulation of orders, and full employment is assured for months ahead. Some agricultural and mining requirements are being put through. Apart from the latter, ordinary business, both for home and export, is almost at a standstill. Scotland. —Eastern District. COAL. The collieries in the Lothians district experience a heavy demand. Industrial and household requirements are fully maintained, and a fair business is being done with neutral steamers at good prices. Shipments were 16,000 tons, against 16,216 in the preceding week, and 17,805 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... 33/6 33/6 26/6 Secondary qualities 32/6 32/6 25/6 Treble nuts 30/ 30/ 23/ Double do. 29/ 29/ 22/ Single do 28/ 28/ 21/ No change is reported from Fifeshire. Local require- ments are maintained, and a fair tonnage is available- Everything produced is quickly taken up, and good prices are obtained for shipments. Cl arances amounted to 29,372 tons, against 1,383 in the preceding week, and 33,858 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current Best screened, navigation prices. coal 36/ -38/ 31/ -32/ Unscreened do First-class steam coal 35/ Third-class do 31/ Treble nuts 30/ 29/ Double do Single do 28/ L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. 36/ -38/ 29/ -31/ 31/ -32/ 24/ -25/ 35/ 28/ 31/ 24/ 30/ 23/ 29/ 22/ 28/ 21/ The above prices apply to business for France and Italy. The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the the past week amounted to 116,920 tons, compared with 79,009 tons in the preceding week, and 123,764 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Northumberland! Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-on-Tyne. COAL. Conditions in the local coal market have been very similar to those of most recent weeks.. The output of coal has been hardly sufficient to supply the needs on British Government, Allied and home accounts, and neutral orders had to be ignored, generally speaking, as they could be ful- filled only in those few cases in which small odd lots of fuel have, from one cause or another, been thrown on the market. There has been rather less absenteeism from influenza, and less stoppage of collieries from local disputes. Miners are working exceedingly well, and the output is becoming larger, although, so far as can be foreseen, it will not be adequate to meet demands in wartime. The requirements on official and home accounts are, if any- thing, larger than ever this week, and are taxing the capacity of production of the collieries, while requisitioned steamers and rolling stock are in excellent supply. Prices have been still further raised against neutrals. Thus, to neutrals best Blyth steams are now .quoted at 75s., an advance of 5s. on the week; Tyne bests at 70s., an increase of 5s.; Blyth seconds at 65s., a rise of 2s. 6d ; Tynes at 65s., a similar increment; Blyth smalls at 45s., Tynes at 40s. and specials at 45s., an advance of 5s. in each instance; and households at 70s., a similar upward movement. Durham bunkers are exceedingly scarce, and are stronger for neutrals at from 47s. 6d. to 50s. The Norwegian State Bailways are hesitating to pay the 70s. per ton for large and 45s. for small steams in respect of their enquiry for 14,000 tons of best steams for September-October loading, and are credited with the intention of trying to draw their supplies on this occasion from Yorkshire or Scotland at lower prices. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current i L’st week’s Last year’s Steam coals :— prices. 37' -75/ ! prices. prices. Best, Bly ths (D.C.B.) ... i 37/ -70/ 30/ Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 36/6-70/ i 36/6-65/ [ 29/6 Secondary, Blyths Do. Tynes (Hastings 32/6-65/ 32/6-62,6 25/6 or West Hartleys) ... 34/ -65/ 34/ -62 6 27/ Unscreened 30 6-40/ 30/6-40/ 23/6-25/ Small, Blyths 27/ -45/ 25/6-40/ 27/ -40/ 20/ Do. Tynes 25/6-35/ 18 6 Do. specials Other sorts:— 27/6-45/ 27/6-40/ 20,6 Smithies Best gas coals (New 32/ -40/ 32/ -40/ 25/ -30/ Pelton or Holmside) Secondary gas coals 32/ -45/ 32/ -45/ 25/ (Pelaw Main or similar) 30/6-37/6 30/6-37/6 33/6-45/ 23/6 Special gas coals Unscreened bunkers, 33/6-45/ 26/6-30/ . Durhams Do. do. 31 /—50/ 31/ -50/ 24/ -25/ N or thumbr ians 31/ -40/ 31/ -40/ 24/ -25/ 24/ -25/ Coking coals 31/ -40/ 31/ —40/ 31/ -40/ Do. smalls 31/ -40/ 21/ -25/ House coals 35/6-70/ 35/6-65/ 28/6-30/ Coke, foundry 49/6-65/ 49/6-65/ 42/6 Do. blast-furnace 49/6-65/ 49/6-65/ 42/6 Do. gas 40/ 40/ 29/ -30/ Sunderland. COAL. Owing to the unabated shortage of supplies, business is quiet and featureless. The bulk of the output continues to be taken by the Government on requisition account and by home trade consumers, whose wants are still heavy. There is a good enquiry for neutral shipment, but so little free coal is available that business is at a discount, and it is only possible to quote for forward loading, neutral steamers meanwhile having to wait in turn for cargoes. Gas coals are very firmly held. Manufacturing fuel and coking coals are absorbed by official and munition works. Ordinary bunkers are in keen request, and supplies difficult to secure. The lowest figure for neutrals for prompt shipment is 47s. 6d., and for superior kinds anything from 50s. to 70s. is quoted. Coke remains exceedingly scarce in all sections. Foundry is still quoted at 65s. for neutrals and gas-house (for shipment) 40s. M i d d I esbrough-on-Tees. COAL. Business in coal is dominated by the scarcity. Official demands absorb a great proportion of the production, and ordinary trading is very difficult. Neutral quotations, which are all for forward delivery, are very strong, with marked further upward tendency. Gas and manufacturing coals are quoted 50s. and upward. Bunkers are in keen request, and difficult to secure. Nothing below 47s. 6d. is named for ordinaries for outside trade, and for superior qualities anything from 50s. to 70s. is quoted. Coking coal is promptly taken up. Coke continues exceedingly scarce in all sections. Neutral trade is almost impossible, and in their endeavours to meet essential home needs makers are resorting to expedients that at one time would not have been thought of. Foundry coke is quoted 65s. for neutrals, and gas house kind for shipment is round ' about 40s. Medium furnace coke remains at 33s. at the ovens, and quality low in phosphorus at 35s 6d. at the ovens. IRON. Owing to the acute situation as regards coke, some blast- furnaces have had to go on slack blast. The market fully maintains its strength, and is fairly active. Home trade in Cleveland foundry iron is considerable under the August allocations, which are reported coming forward moderately well. The issue of allotments is below those of recent months because less iron is expected to be required in August, consumers being in a better position. Forge iron is still very plentiful, and is offered freely, both on early and forward account, notwithstanding the recent sub- stantial contracts made over August and September. There is a ready market for all iron that can be put on rail, and deliveries would be much heavier but for the labour shortage. Export trade is proceeding steadily through official channels. For home consumption No. 3 Cleveland . pig, No. 4 foundry, and No. 4 forge all stand at 95s.; and No. 1 at 99s.; and for shipment to the Allies No. 3 and the lower qualities are 119s. and No. 1 is 124s. In the east coast haematite branch, the heavy demand on home account is unrelaxed, but by continued careful distribution, under strict official supervision, all essential home needs are still being adequately met. There is relatively little iron available for export, and any obtainable is eagerly taken up by the Allies. Mixed numbers are 122s. 6d. for home use, and 147s. 6d. for export. In the manufactured iron and steel trade there is very great activity, and prices are stiff. Cumberland. Mary port. COAL. The outstanding feature of the coal industry in Cumber- land is the great pressure of demand. The pits are working regularly, and the output is said to be rather better than it was, but there is still room for some improvement. The demand for household fuel is now down to summer level, but in spite of this the depots are unable to secure sufficient coal. The shortage of small and coking fuels is more acute. The local output of smalls is not so large as it was, and supplies from Durham and Northumberland have been lower than usual this week. Bunkers are in keen request. The cross-channel trade is very active. Little more than a 1,000 tons weekly can now be spared for shipment from the Cumberland collieries. There has been no alteration in either home or coastwise quotations.