290 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN August 9, 1918. argues, any mistakes in the conversion figures is likely to mean an increase in the use of raw coal rather than a decrease. He states that the Controller has, in fact, given the user of electricity considerably more than the average generating station obtains from a ton of coal on the average year’s working ; whilst the gas consumer is only allowed about one- third of the gas and its fuel equivalent obtained from a ton of coal. We neither support nor deny this assertion, because it is an extremely difficult matter to ascertain, but Mr. Helps supports his argument by figures which deserve careful study. It is not difficult, he says, to discover the basis of rationing. Starting from the figure of 800 units of electricity as the production from one ton of coal, and multiplying this by 3,450 (the net B.Th.U. value of a unit) we get 2,760,000 B.Th.U., and assuming an efficiency of 80 per cent, this is reduced to 2,484,000, or in round numbers, 2,500,000 B.Th.U. Now assuming that the calorific value of gas per foot is 500 net instead of gross, as laid down in the recent Gas Works (Ministry of Munitions) Order, and that the efficiency of gas is taken as 33^- per cent., it is found that 2,500,000 B.Th.U. will be obtained from 15,000 cu. ft. of gas. Therefore 15,000 cu. ft. of gas are equivalent to 800 units of electricity, provided only that the quality of the gas is equal to 500 B.Th.U. net. But, it is argued, 15,000 cu. ft. of net gas is not equal to a ton of coal or anything like it. If it were so, the cost to the consumer would be something like this on a household ration of 10 tons:— £ s. d. A uses all raw coal, viz.: 10 tons at 45s. = 22 10 0 B uses all gas, viz.: 150,000 cu. ft. at 3s. 6d. = 26 5 0 C uses all electricity, viz.: 8,000 units at 3d. = 100 0 0 Mr. Helps then proceeds to show that in such a case the actual coal consumption involved would be as follows:—A, 10 tons; B, 3|- tons; C, 10-20 tons. Taking B’s case, he receives 75,000,000 B.Th.U. which the gas works supply upon a coal consumption (reckoning 20,000,000 B.Th.U. per ton of coal) of only 3J tons at the gas works, to say nothing of the tar and liquor produced. Looking at the matter in another way, 1 ton of coal = 30,000,000 B.Th.U. If gasified it will produce, say, 40,000 cu. ft. of 500 net gas, equivalent to 20,000,000 B.Th.U. If burnt at a generating station it will produce 800 units of electricity, equivalent to 2,760,000 B.TK.U. In practice it is necessary to reduce these figures in proportion to efficiency in use, when the relationship between coal, gas, electricity, works out at something like the following, per ton of coal:—Coal, 10,000,000 B.Th.U.; gas, 10,000,000 B.Th.U.; electricity, 2,208,000 B.Th.U. Assuming the approximate accuracy of these figures, it would appear that more coal would be saved by using gas than by using either raw coal or electricity. If his calculations are correct it would seem to be unsound to make 15,000 cu. ft. of gas the equivalent of 800 units of electricity. Its true value would appear to be something dike 2| times that amount or 37,500 cu. ft. If we had to criticise the above figures, we should say that the assumption that a ton of coal yields 40,000 cu. ft. of 500 net gas is excessive; and Mr. Helps himself admits that on the average throughout the country the actual yield is not more than 10,000 to 12,000 cu. ft. of gas of this heating value. The amount taken above, therefore, must be regarded as an optimum figure, and the argument is weakened in consequence. It is highly probable, however, that the Coal Con- troller, in arriving at his conversion equivalents, found himself compelled to make a compromise between several discordant factors. We know, for example, that there is no fixed value for coal in heat units, and there is equally no uniform heating value for gas. Neither is there any fixed ratio of thermal efficiency for either domestic grates or gas stoves, nor any fixed yield of gas per ton of coal. Mr. Helps goes further than merely to criticise the equivalents laid down in the Order. He believes the whole scheme to be unworkable, because most consumers will have overstepped their ration before they realise that they have done so. He therefore suggests as an alternative plan that, instead of rationing con- sumers, the sources of supply should be rationed, viz.: the gas and electricity undertakings and the coal merchants. Further, he advocates a removal of all restrictions as to the calorific value of gas, and he makes the somewhat paradoxical assertion that a given volume of 350 gas will in practice do as much work as the same volume of 500 gas. We should require some experimental proof of this proposition before accepting its validity. We have drawn atten- tion to this matter because the theoretical argument, whether justified or otherwise in practice, certainly throws light upon the relationship between gas, electricity and coal as sources of heat, and also serves to illustrate the difficulties of finding a suitable mathematical basis of converting one into the other. The late Mr. Wm. Armstrong, mining engineer and ex- president of the North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers, who died at his residence, Elmfield Lodge, Gosforth, recently, left estate valued at £7,984. The German Coal Syndicate has decided to increase the settling prices for the last four months of the current year by 2*40 mk. per ton for coal, 3-40 mk. for coke, 4 mk. for broken coke, and 2-40 mk for briquettes. The new tax on the turnover of the syndicate will be added to these increases. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, August 8. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. The resumption of work has not been complete, and outputs have suffered to some extent. In the West of Scotland district all available supplies of fuel are moving off rapidly, both for shipping and industrial purposes. Household deliveries are far behind. Shipments for the week amounted to 94,751 tons, against 71,548 in the pre- ceding week and 94,445 tons in the same week 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. The ironworks are now practically in full operation. There is no lack of business. The orders which accumu- lated during the holidays have been sufficient, in many instances, to keep plants going at full speed for six months. The pig iron situation is unchanged. Outputs, particularly of haematite, are earmarked for war purposes, and every- thing is quickly disposed of for home consumption. Con- sequently, ordinary users both locally and overseas are getting little opportunity of augmenting their supplies. Quotations, despite the absence of business, continue on a firm basis, and are 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.; 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. In the manufactured iron branches there is great pressure for all descriptions of material. Malleable makers have plenty of orders, particularly for small rounds and light rails for war purposes. Crown bars are quoted £16 5s. per ton for export, but shipments are very few and far between. Rivetmakers and nail makers are exceptionally busy. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. In the Lothians demands far exceed supplies. Tonnage is fairly plentiful, and the collieries can easily book as many orders as they can overtake at enhanced prices. Deliveries, generally, are considerably in arrears. Best Lothians for shipments are reported to be fetching as much as 65s. to 70s. per ton. Shipments amounted to 20,217 tons, against 16,000 in the preceding week, and 15,718 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... 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/ The collieries in Fifeshire, also, are easily disposing of x the outputs. Steamers are fairly plentiful and good prices are being obtained for neutral shipments. Clearances amounted to 36,871 tons, against 29,372 in the preceding week, and 26,876 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. Best screened navigation 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/ The prices quoted are applicable only to shipments to France and Italy. The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the the past week amounted to 151,839 tons, compared with 116,920 tons in the preceding week, and 137,039 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-on-Tyne. COAL. The position in the local coal market has undergone no great change on that of most recent weeks. The main altera- tion has been in the direction of greater firmness, in view of the paucity of supplies for neutrals. The output is steadily absorbed on Government, Allied and inland accounts, with respect to which the arrivals of requisitioned tonnage and railway trucks continue to be all that could be desired. Loading turns are congested for weeks to come, and neutrals are at present subsisting, so far as their fuel supplies from this district are concerned, on the oddments. For these scanty lots they are called upon to pay very high prices. So far as steams are concerned, there has been no change in quotations during the week. In the gas coal section, however, marked advances are to be noted. Thus, bests are now listed at up to 50s. per ton, an increase of 5s.; seconds at 42s. 6d., a like rise, and specials at 55s., an advance of 10s.; Durham unscreened bunkers are a shade firmer, whilst Northumbrians are quoted at up to 45s., an increment of 5s. Gas coke has advanced to 47s. 6d., a rise of 7s. 6d., whilst other descriptions of coke are fully main- tained at late figures. The general holiday has caused some arrears of business to accumulate, and it will be several days ere these are caught up. The miners of both counties made a very good resumption of work on Tuesday morning, and the output for the rest of the week promises to be very good - even better than was hoped for. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current i L’st week’s Last year’s Steam coals:— prices. j prices. i prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 37' -75/ j 37/ -75/ i 30/ Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 36/6-70/ ; 36/6-70/ j 29/6 Secondary, Blyths Do. Tynes (Hastings 32/6-65/ ’ 32/6-65/ i i 25/6 or West Hartleys) ..., 34' -65/ : 34/ -65/ i 27/ Unscreened 30 6-40/ 30/6-40/ ! 23/6-25/ 20' Small, Blyths 27/ -45/ 25/6-40/ 27/ -45/ Do. Tynes 25/6-40/ 18 6 Do. specials Other sorts:— 27,6-45/ 27/6-45/ 20 6 Smithies Best gas coals (New 32/ -40/ 32/ -40/ 25/ -30/ Pelton or Holmside) j Secondary gas coals 32/ -50/ 32/ -45/ 25/ (Pelaw Main or similar) j 30/6-42/6 30/6-37/6 23/6 Special gas coals Unscreened bunkers, 33,6-55/ 33/6-45/ 26/6-30/ Durhams Do. do. 31 1-501 31/ -50/ 24/ -25/ Northumbrians 31/ -45/ 31/ -40/ 24/ -25/ 24/ -25/ Coking coals 31/ -40/ 31/ -40/ i 31/ -40/ ; Do. smalls 31/ -40/ 24/ -25/ House coals | 35/6-70/ 49/6-65/ : 35/6-70/ | 28/6-30/ Coke, foundry ... 49,6-65/ : 42'6 Do. blast-furnace 49/6-65/ i 49,6-65/ ! 42/6 Do. gas j 47,6 j 40/ i 29/ -30/ Sunderland. COAL. Owing to Bank Holiday the coal market is idle. The energies of the collieries and merchants are devoted to getting shipments away. There is a plentiful supply of tonnage on hand to load, and the output promises to be quickly absorbed in making requisition shipments. Reports indicate that the output at the collieries is increasing a little, but there is not sufficient to meet the large neutral enquiry. Open market quotations remain firm and high, but are without change in any particular. Bunkers and coke are in strong demand. The latter is very scarce, with late values fully maintained for export. M iddlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. The general position as regards fuel is far from satis- factory. Supplies continue extremely scarce and there seems very little prospect of early improvement. Official requirements are still heavy for all’ classes of fuel, and absorb a very large proportion of the output. Neutral business is inactive in the face of lack of supplies, there being little or no dealing except for a long way ahead. Quotations for such business are very firm, but buyers con- sider that prices will not further advance. For export gas and coking coals are 50s. and upward, and ordinary bunkers are in the neighbourhood of 47s. 6d., with superiors at anything above 50s. The enquiry for bunkers for neutrals is very keen. There is no relief in the very acute situation as regards coke. Supplies are exceedingly scarce, being hampered by the great shortage of coal. Some blast- furnaces have had to drop on to slack blast as a result of the shortage. Average furnace coke remains at 33s. at the ovens, and low phosphorus sort at 35s. 6d. at the ovens. For neutral shipment 65s. i® freely offered for best foundry kind, and gas house make is reported firm at 45s. to 47s. fid. for export. IRON. Shortage of fuel and labour are restricting trade. With some furnaces running on slack blast, both volume and quality of pig iron production is reduced, and all the pig iron that can be despatched is eagerly taken up. Traders are busy placing August allocations of Cleveland foundry iron, most of which have now been issued. They are on a good scale, but rather less than those of recent months. Consumers are understood to be somewhat better placed than they wera a little while ago, as they now have some stocks, and, in addition, requirements for August promise to be less than in other months in consequence of annual holidays. Exports to the Allies are proceeding through official channels. Those to France are substantial, but clearances to Italy are still only moderate. Forge iron continues plentiful, notwithstanding recent heavy sales, and is still offered rather freely, both for early and forward delivery. It seems now to be taken for granted that home prices of Cleveland pig will not follow the advance in export quotations announced a few weeks ago, but that the position will be adjusted by subsidy. 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. Make of east coast haematite is maintained on a scale sufficient to meet all essential home needs, but after these have been satisfied, relatively little iron is available for export. Mixed numbers are 122s. 6d. for home use, and 147s. 6d. for shipment to the Allies. Though conditions as regard labour and fuel hamper, to some extent, finished iron and steel manufac- turers, output continues on an enormous scale. Prices all round are very stiff, and common iron bars are advanced to £14 15s., best bars to £15 15s., and double best bars to £16 15s. net. Cumberland. Mary port. COAL. The situation in the coal industry in West Cumberland was probably never more uncertain and difficult. Pro- duction is still below normal, and supplies are diminishing. There is at present no sign of any improvement. The importation of coal from Durham and Northumberland for shipping and the coke ovens has also decreased fully 50 per cent, during the last few weeks. Local needs are so heavy that little attention can now be given either to landsale or export. Land sale is quiet, and very little new business is offered. Bunkers, gas and engine fuels are firm, and there is a strong and growing demand for all varieties for industrial purposes. Stocks are very scarce. Smalls for outside and export consumers are practically unobtainable. The shipping trade is brisk. The amount of Cumberland coal available for shipping this week has scarcely exceeded 1,500 tons. Shipments to Irish ports this week have amounted to 2,470 tons, compared with 3,060 tons for the previous week. Recent shipments have also included a cargo of 600 tons of pitch from the West Cumberland By-Product Works. The coke industry is very busy.