560 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. September 13, 1918. MEAN MAGNETIC DECLINATION at Kew Observatory, Richmond, in Degrees and Minutes, for each Two-hour Interval in the Week September 1 to 7, 1918. go • 0h.-2h. 2h.-4h. 4h. -6h. ! 6h.-8h. ! 8h.- -lOh. S3 14° + 14 ° + 14° + 14° + 14 c + Min. Min. Min. Min. Min. Sun., Sept. 1 2 37’5* 40’0 42’5 41’0 48’0 Mon., 2 ! 0 47'0 46’0 44’5 45’0 ' 49’0 Tues., 3 ! i - 45*0 44’5 43’5 43’5 i 48’0 Wed., 4 i i 46’5 43’0 43’0 45’0 49’0 Thurs., 5 i 46’0 44’5 44’5 44’5 ; 47’0 Friday, 6 : i 48’0 46’0 45'5 43’5 46’0 Sat., 7 i I i 41 7’5 46’5 45’0 43’5 | 41 ■•o Diurnal in e- Ih. 2h. 3h. 4h. 5h. 6h. 7h. 8h. 9h. lOh. quality (i.e., Sep. 1917 -1-2 -1-5 -1’8 -2’1 , -2’4 -3’4 -5’0 -6’0 -5’1 -2’2 departure from Aug.1918 -1’2 -1-3 -1’5 -2’5? -3’7 —4’6 -5’1 -4’9 —3’2 -0’4 mean value for Aug.1917 -1-5 -1'8 -1’7 — 2’2 | -3’6 -4’8 -5’4 -5’3 -3’6 -1’0 day) Intervals—Hours G.M.T. 10h.-12h. 14° + 12h.-14h. 14° + 14h.-16h. 14° + 16h.-18h. 14° + 18h.-20h. , 14° + ■ 20h.-22h. { 14° + i 22h.-24h. 14° + Mean for day. 14° + Min. Min. Min. Min. i Min. Min. Min. Min. 55’0 59’5 57’0 52’0 46’0 46’0 1 46’5 I 48’0 53’5 54’5 52’0 49’5 49’0 48’0 | 47’0 ; 49’0 53’5 53’5 52’0 48’5 48’0 46’5 j 48’0 48’0 55’0 57’0 52’0 48’0 46’0 ; 45’5 ! 48’0 48’0 53’5 55’0 51'0 i 46’5 42’5 46’0 48’0 1 47’5 53’5 55’0 52’0 47’5 46’5 45’5 44’5 ' 48’0 51’0 55’5 52’0 47’0 46’0 46'5 47'0 48’0 I Mean value for Uh. 12h. 13h. L4h. 15h. 16h. 17h. 18h. 19h. 20h. 21h. 22h. 23h. 24h. month. + 2’6 +5’5 + 7'1 +6’5 + 4’9 +3’2 + 2’0 +1’1 + 0’5 | + 0-l -0’2 -0’6 -0’9 -1’2 14° 58'’4 Sep. T7 + 3’1 +6’0 1 + 7’5 +7’1 + 5’6 +3’5 + 1’5 - ’1 -0’8 -0'5 -0’7 -1’4 -1’3 -1’1 14° 49' ’0 Aug."18 + 3’0 +6’5 + 8'5 +8’1 + 6’0 +3’4 + 0’8 -0’5 -0'7 -0-7 -0’8 -1’0 -1’0 -0’8 14° 58'’3 Aug. "17 The day is counted from Oh. (midnight) to 21 h. (mi inight) G.M.T. Character “ O’" means a day wholly free from any but small disturbances. Character “ 1"" means a day part or all of which is moderately or considerably disturbed. Character “ 2” means a day p irt or all of which is highly disturbed. The normal value for an hour is the mean declination for that hour in the month, derived from quiet days only, or from all days excluding those of character “2."" On a day of character “ 0” declination at any hour will usually be within about 3' of the normal. On a day of character “ 1 "" the departure from the normal will usually not exceed 5', but it may occasionally be as much as 10', or even more. On a day of character “ 2/" the departure from the normal will seldom exceed 20', but departures of 30' or even on extreme occasions of 1° or more may occur. The above values were obtained from measurements made after “ smoothing ” the curves. * Large disturbances during this interval. ' Meteorological Office, September 11. THE AMERICAN COAL TRADE. Coal production recedes steadily week by week while demand increases. According to the Coal Age, August 22, the latest revised figures show that every possible effort will have to be made by the coal-mining industry if the war programme is not to suffer a setback. For the week ended August 10 (the latest statistics available), the output of bituminous coal is estimated at 12,274,000 net tons. This means an average production of 2,046,000 net tons a day for this period, which is 54,000 net tons below the daily output established as a minimum. To emphasise the seriousness of the situation still further—the soft-coal mines are now 14,500,000 net tons behind schedule, and it is a foregone conclusion that they will never catch up. The causes of the fall in output seem to be divided between car shortage and labour unrest, with the greater part of the blame attaching to the former. Shipments of soft coal to the lakes grow more and more disappointing. Despite reduced labour forces, the output of anthracite coal continues to keep well ahead of the quantity mined last year. The total output of anthracite coal in July amounted to 7,084,775 tons, an amount exceeded only twice before; but what is even of more importance, virtually the entire tonnage of anthracite mined for the first quarter of the coal year—April to July—is in the hands of the consumer. The labour situation looks quite critical at present, the practice of paying bonuses at the less responsible operations being the cause of the trouble. The produc- tion department of the Fuel Administration is increasing the number of its speakers to 50. It is expected that one of the Administration’s orators will be placed in each coal mining district. . It is regrettable that the steel business has seen fit to increase wages 10 per cent, just recently, thus renewing its raid upon the coal industry, and cutting its own throat, for already the steel companies are com- plaining that they cannot get coal. Applications for permission to open new coal mines are to receive prompt action. The Fuel Administration continues to allocate furnace coke orders to such an extent that practically no offerings come upon the market. Foundry coke, on the the other hand, continues to be offered Tn considerable volume. Fuel Rationing.—.Referring to our leading article of August 9 last, our contemporary, Gas, points out that Mr. Helps did not make the statement that a ton of coal yields 40,000 cu. ft. of 500 net gas, but that 20,000,000 B.Th.U. can be obtained in form of gas of about 350 B.Th.U. net (which would be the equivalent in calorific value of 40,000 cu. ft. of 500 gas). The apparently para- doxical statement that a given volume of 350 gas will in practice do as much work as the same volume of 500 gas is claimed to be an actual fact, and one that Mr. Helps has abundantly verified in practice. This is one of the grounds of his strong advocacy of a gas of that lower calorific power, as he contends that when gas of 500 B.Th.U. per ft. is distributed, it generally happens that only about 350 B.Th.U. per ft. out of them are com- pletely consumed, and therefore if 350 gas were distributed and the whole of the B.Th.U. used, the less rich gas would do the same work as the rich gas. Fuel for Canada.—Arrangements have been made by the Fuel and Railway Administration at W ashington for the shipment of 28,000,000 tons Of coal to the North- Western States and portions of Canada, via the Great Lakes. Approximately 4.000,000 tons of this will go to Canada, and will materially improve the fuel situation. In Quebec some new regulations regarding the sale and consumption of coal are notified. Consumers will not be allowed to buy more than 70 per cent, of the supply of anthracite coal which they used from April 1. 1917, to March 31, 1918, and in the case where the 70 per cent, is less than six net tons of anthracite, coal consumers will be permitted to buy more coal to make up for the de- ficiency. If still more is needed during the winter, it will be necessary to use bituminous coal. No domestic anthra- cite, which includes anthracite and peat, shall be used by, or delivered to, any industrial consumer for heating, in- dustrial or power purposes without the written authority of the Fuel Administrator. This is expected to result in a big saving of coal, as it has been found in the past that much coal is consumed unnecessarily for these pur- poses. Another large saving of coal will probably be effected by the regulation which states that no building of a public or semi-public nature shall have delivered to it domestic anthracite without the written consent of the Fuel Administrator. Notes from the Coal Fields. [Local Correspondence.] South Wales and Monmouthshire. Difficulty of Forming Joint Committees—Wagon Delays and Output—Food Question—War Bonus in Swansea -—Hay for Pit Ponies—Housing Schemes—Effects of Strike on Swansea Trade—Releasing Miners from the Army. Colliery proprietors in South Wales having been con- demned for failure to co-operate in appointment of joint committees at the pits for improving output, it is pointed out, in their behalf, that the miners are not prepared to establish such committees. Both the Western district of Glamorgan and the Rhondda district have deferred action, and have called for a general conference of miners’ dele- gates or for the result of negotiation between the Federa- tion executive and the Coal Owners’ Association, and it is also insisted, as Mr. Finlay Gibson previously pointed out, that the joint sub-committee’s scheme for the same purpose, unanimously adopted in 1916, came to nothing because of the men’s indifference or disinclination, being really unpopular. Further, the present scheme is one arranged by the Controller with the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain, without consultation with the employers.; and inasmuch as responsibility for management is impose’d upon the owners by statute, they desired, before going further, to ascertain from the Controller the real scope and extent of the scheme has been initiated. Even the local Federation has done nothing more, as yet, than appoint a sub-committee to draft rules of operation, for submission to the employers. Commenting upon the discussion as to the shortage of output, one colliery sales manager describes his own expe- rience, disclosing a chief cause of unsatisfactory conditions. In the Swansea Valley area, he points out, it is the railway companies’ inability to clear loaded wagons from the pits, despite urgent appeal made to them. In his case, two days’ output lies in the sidings, and the c-lhery has to staid idle for wagons, although customers are begging for sup- plies, telegraphing insistently. It is, he contends, the transport question which most needs attention. Further enquiries into the food position of South Wales has shown that there were reasonable grounds for com- plaint in certain areas. At Forth, in the Rhondda Valley, the representatives of the Food Ministry were furnished with much evidence as to shortage of particular kinds of food, and Mr. John, millers’ agent, stated that the allowance of two ounces of cheese per week was not sufficient for one day, cheese being the staple food of the miners. Mr. T. G. Jones, one of the Ministry representatives, has stated that there had been cause for investigation both as to supplies generally, and as to distribution. Captain Tallents, another representative, stated that it was clear that more cheese was wanted. Both the harbour trustees and the railway companies serving Swansea Docks have given notice to the Chamber of Commerce that as the war bonus to tippers and crane- men had been increased by 20 per cent, (from 60 to 80), this amount will be added to the labour charges, including those for waiting time and screening. Owing to a serious shortage of hay, which has already caused grave inconvenience at some of the collieries in South Wales, consultation has taken place between the Forage Distribution Committee and the secretary of the Coal Owners’ Association in order that better supplies may be obtained for the pit ponies. In view of the good hay harvest, it is felt that the requirements of the colliery industry, so important to the national effort, now make a strong claim for release of hay rather than that a dis- proportionate amount should go to the Army. To meet civil requirements horses have to be registered, and the supplies are rationed, but the local committee can dis- tribute only the hay which is released by the Forage Department of the Army, and the procedure is that local growths are taken away, making it necessary to import supplies (generally inferior quality) from other parts of the country. It is understood that as a result of the con- sultation fuller supplies will be released. Gelligaer Council, in the Rhymney Valley, which has developed very rapidly owing to the enterprise of the Powell Duffryn and the Rhymney comptnies, have a housing scheme which will entail expenditure of half a million of money, and they have now under consideration the application from architects and surveyors for carrying out the work. Newport has decided to proceed with plans for a thousand houses, although an estimated loss of one penny in the pound is foreseen, and the borough architect will report upon three specified sites. Indication has been given that some further degree of Government supervision of the coal trade, particularly in regard to production, may be exercised, chiefly on account of the recurring difficulties with labour, and particularly arising out of the dilatoriness in forming the suggested joint committees. Swansea Corporation Committee, which has discussed the practicability of reducing consumption of coal in the genera- tion of electricity, the design being to bring it down to the equivalent of 16 per cent, on last year’s consumption, has decided to experiment with coke. Unless coal be saved, the prospect is of 50 per cent, decrease in the tramway service. Owing mainly to the strike the return of trade for Swansea docks during August shows a decrease of 74,000 tons (imports and exports) as compared with the cor- responding month of last year ; but taking the eight months of the current year as a whole the total is 1,000 tons better. For August, in coal and patent fuel alone, the decrease in exports was over 81,000 tons. Addressing a parade of troops at Cardiff, Major Willcox, officer commanding the depot, spoke upon the release of soldiers for colliery work. Men who desired release should, he said, make immediate application to him, there being urgent need for coal hewers, for operators of mechani- cal coal cutters, and for mechanics, winding enginemen, electricians, stokers, blacksmiths, etc. Prescribed forms, after being filled in, would be sent to the man’s trade union, and the employers would be asked whether they were prepared to reinstate the man in his former work. Communication would then be made with the War Office ; and when assent had been obtained, he (as officer com- manding) would bring the men before the invaliding board and the men would be transferred to Class W or Class P of the Army Reserve. The former class consisted of men who were not suffering from wounds or sickness due to service and a man in that class would have all the privi- leges of a civilian, but if at any time it was desired to recall him to the Colours he would have to rejoin imme- diately. That reserve carried no pension. As to Class P, the men transferred to it would be those whose health was impaired through wounds or sickness, and they would be eligible for a pension. All men of category Bl, B2, and B3 would be eligible to make application for release pro- vided they were employed in or about the mines prior to August 4, 1914. No soldier who was employed on the clerical, managerial, or administrative staff of a colliery should apply. At a meeting of the Windsor Steam Coal Company at Cardiff, on Wednesday. Mr. W. North Lewis (chairman) said that without an increase of men at the mines there would be no increase in production. At present they had 1,640 men working, whereas before the war they employed 2,500. It was for the Government to consider whether men taken from the collieries were better employed in the Army or in producing for the Army’s needs. The first annual report was presented to the meeting of the South Wales Coal Owners’ Pitwood Association held in Cardiff. The chairman stated that 143 woods had been purchased, containing approximately 210,000 tons of timber. Of these, 57 woods had been cleared, and 75 were in process of clearance. The area covered by the asso- ciation was 10,000 square miles, and they had 750 em- ployees, with a weekly wages bill of £2,600, and sixteen contractors were at work with 300 men. No fewer than 600 railway wagons were in use weekly, and they paid railway tolls amounting to <£72.000 per annum. Their lorries covered 4.000 miles weekly, and carried 1,500 tons. Announcement was made that increased duties necessitated the resignation of the secretary and general manager, Mr. Finlay Gibson. Mr. T. Rome, commercial manager,. had been appointed to succeed. Messrs. B. Nicholas, Mr. S. Reid, Mr. F. Halford, Mr. W. H. Mewton, and Mr. A. S. Tallis had been re-elected directors of the association. Swansea Harbour Trustees were presented this week with another unfavourable financial return, it being stated that there was an increased deficit for July. This amounted-to £],385, not attributable to any extraordinary expenditure, but brought about solely by decreased revenue, due to the war and decrease in the staple trades. Mr. W. T. Farr, on behalf of the Finance Committee, pointed out that, as from September 1st, the trustees were author- ised to levy increased charges, and the statement of accounts for the current month would show a more satis- factory result. It is announced that Mr. V. Hartshorn, miners’ agent, Maesteg, is to co-operate with the Controller in respect of measures for increasing output. Mr. F. W. Gilbertson, of the firm of Gilbertsons, iron and steel manufacturers, etc., has addressed a communi- cation to Swansea Education Committee with reference to co-operation between education authorities and both em- ployers and workmen in the industrial districts. In his opinion the way by which full practical effect can be given to the idea is for industrial organisations to employ an education official and to invite education authorities to co-opt him, as they have power to do. Employers recog- nised the need of improving educational facilities for the workpeople, and the only way was by definite co-operation. Mr. S. O. Davies, B.A.. of Tumble, was nominated by Llanelly as miners’ candidate, but intimation has been