October 4, 1918.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

715

quite 25 per cent, of that coal was thrown aside and
wasted, while thousands of tons of debris were brought
to the surface. It was decided that the matter should be
communicated to the Coal Controller.

The Executive Committee for Supply of Coal to France
and Italy met at Cardiff Exchange on Tuesday (Sir Thomas
Watson in the chair) and appointed Mr. S. W. Hansen to
fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. W. Jones.
An allocation committee was appointed, to consist of
Messrs. S. Instone, H. J. Hill and P. H. Coward (repre-
senting the exporters), with Messrs. W. R. Hann, P.
Phillips and W. H. Chambers (representing collieries), and
Messrs. J. T. Duncan, J. Emlyn-Jones and G. F.
Harrison (representing ship owners). An appeal committee
was also set up consisting of Messrs. E. F. Thomas, R. 0.
Sanderson and A. J. Griffiths.

The president and secretary of a miners’ committee in
the upper part of the Rhondda Valley have drawn attention
publicly to a threat of strike which would involve 10,000
men, stating that notices to terminate contracts will be
tendered on October 7. The grievance alleged is that the
employers refuse to grant house coal at workmen’s rates
to the widows of men who have been fatally injured, and
dependants of men who have entered-the Army. Three
meetings held at Treherbert, Treorchy and Ystrad have
passed a resolution desiring this concession, and threaten-
ing to terminate contracts. It is said that two or three
of the colliery companies do grant what is demanded, but
that certain others refuse.

It is announced that the Coal Controller will authorise
facilities for the making of patent fuel so as to utilise
more small coal, and it is to be noted also that he has
been advocating the more general use of anthracite.

The final ballot for sub-agent and secretary of the
Brymnawr and Blaina district of miners has resulted in
the election of Mr. W. Dunn (Nantyglo) by 1,181 votes,
’ against 663 apd 592 for his two opponents.

Northumberland and Durham.

Consett Fuel .Allowances—Managerial Change—Electric
Power from Waste Gases—Sir A. Stanley and the
Miners—Conference of Colliery Officials—Compensa-
tion Cases—War Wage Conference.

In response to representations that the ordinary allow-
ances of fuel are inadequate for a place in the exposed
position of Consett, the Coal Controller has replied that,
whilst recognising the justice of the claim, the available
coal supplies preclude any augmentation of the rationing
at the present juncture. He may, however, be- able to
accord Consett and the northern area more generous treat-
ment after the New Year, when the cold spring weathei
sets in. The Consett fuel overseers have reported to the
local Fuel and Lighting Committee that many house-
holders have been accustomed to purchase coal from per-
sons entitled to free or “privileged” coal, but have now
registered with dealers, with the result that this surplus
will be wasted unless some .provision is made for its use.
The committee has instructed the fuel overseers to pur-
chase such surplus lots and re-sell it to licensed dealers
at such an enhanced price as will meet the cost of transfer.

Mr. B. L. Brodhurst, manager of the South Brancepeth
or Pagebank) Colliery of Messrs. Bell Brothers Limited,
Middlesbrough, has been appointed manager of the Wil-
lington Colliery of Messrs. Strakers and Love. Mr.
Ramsey, of the Bowburn Colliery of Messrs. Bell, is to
succeed Mr. Brodhurst at Pagebank.

Mr. G. Mure Ritchie, presiding over the annual meet-
ing of shareholders in Messrs. Palmers Shipbuilding and
Iron Company Limited, Jarrow, on Tuesday, stated that
within two months they hoped to be supplying nearly all
their own electric power from waste gases. They were
booking forward shipbuilding contracts as far as appeared
to be safe, although they were unable to book forward
contracts for iron and steel, owing to Government control.

The destructive nature of a “ slippery jack ” is illus-
trated by a fatality which took place in the Doctor Pit,
Bedlington, on Wednesday last week. When George
Reed and J. Fairless were preparing for work, a stone
fell from a slip, slewing out sevefi planks and a double
steel girder, killing Reed and severely injuring Fairless.
The coroner’s jury were informed by the workmen’s
inspectors that the occurrence could not be foreseen, and
a verdict of “Accidental death” was returned.

At the request of the President of the Board of Trade
and the Coal Controller, the coal owners’ and miners’
associations of Northumberland and Durham have
arranged a meeting of representatives of all the collieries
in Northumberland and Durham, to be held in the Pavi-
lion Theatre, Newcastle, to-morrow (Saturday) morning
at 11 o’clock, to be addressed by Sir Albert Stanley and
Sir Guy Calthrop themselves, as to the necessity of increas-
ing the output of coal to meet the national needs.

Mr. Wilfred Hill, of Birmingham, a member of the
Whitley Committee, was the principal speaker at a con-
ference of colliery officials held, under the auspices of'
the Northern Colliery Officials’ Mutual Aid Association,
at Ashington. He explained the proposals of the Whitley
Committee in detail. As applied to the mining industry,
there should be, at the head, a grand council of the
representatives of the federated coal owners and the
workers. From that they came down to the joint district
council, and from that to the committees at each indi-
vidual pit. These latter should consist equally of repre-
sentatives of the miners, management, and proprietors.
The idea was that they were going to try to scotch
trouble at its source and to prevent it developing into
strikes. Mr. Robt. Nuttall, general secretary of the
Officials’ Association, said that for the first time in the
history of colliery officials they would receive recognition.
If there were a great national question of mining to be
decided the officials were never considered. If the Con-
troller wanted a larger output of coal he met the Miners’
Federation, but what would be the position of the hewer
but for the master shifter and other officials ? They
were 50 years behind with regard to strikes.

Mass meetings of the miners of Northumberland, Dur-
ham, Cleveland, and West Cumberland, held last Saturday
under the auspices of the Northumberland and Durham
Miners’ Permanent Relief Fund, passed a motion of pro-
test against the superannuation or any other benefits and
aged miners’ homes provided by workmen’s subscriptions
being taken into account in determining the amount of
State old-age pensions, and called upon the Government
to amend the Old Age Pensions Act so as to raise the
amount of pension to 10s. per week, to commence at 60
years of age.

Mr. J. Stoker, under-manager of Wheatley Hill No. 2
Pit, who commenced his mining career as a driver boy
at Wheatley Hill, gained his first-class mine manager’s
certificate a little over a year ago, and has been appointed
manager of the Ludworth Colliery of the Weardale Steel,
Coal and Coke Company Limited.

The donation of £1,000 to the funds of the Durham
Aged Mineworkers’ Homes Association, credited in last

issue to Mr. Cecil Cochrane, M.P., is, it appears, the gift
of the late directors and shareholders of Messrs. Cochrane
and Company Limited—i.e., the Cochrane family as a
whole.

Mr. Jas. Robson, compensation agent to the Durham
Miners’ Association, reports as* to seven claims with
reference to fatalities and 27 regarding non-fatal accidents,
recently dealt with. The only case in the former cate-
gory calling for mention was that of a Chopwell hewer,
aged 61, regarding whom it was a question whether he
died from an injury eresulting from lifting a large stone
or, as the medical evidence at the inquest stated, from
exhaustion due to peritonitis. After hearing evidence,
the arbitration committee awarded <£300. The committee
failed to agree in the case pf a Marsden picksharper,
whose right knee gave way in May, due, he alleged, to
an accident which occurred to him four years ago.
Another case in which an accident was alleged to have
had long-drawn-out results was that of a Houghton timber
drawer, who received injuries to his back and hip in
July 1903. The man received compensation at varying
rates up to March 1905. Unsuccessful claims for a con-
tinuance of compensation were made in June and Novem-
ber of that year. After a lapse of 13 years, the man now
produced medical evidence that he was unable to work
owing to the injuries received in July, 1903, and pro-
duced as corroboration the evidence of a doctor, who was
one of those who formerly certified that he had recovered
from the accident. The case was adjourned. A rather
extraordinary case was that of a screen lad at Shildon
Lodge, whose legs were scalded by the plug of a steam
pipe blowing out. The claim was allowed.

Mr. Wm. Turnbull, for over 17 years second engineer
at the Backworth group of collieries, has been appointed
chief engineer at the Littleburn colliery of the North
Brancepeth Coal Company Limited.	*

To-morrow (Saturday) representatives of the miners’
lodges in Northumberland and Durham are to meet in
Newcastle, under thet auspices of the Ashington Miners’
Federated Committee, to consider proposals to press for
an increase of 100 per cent, in the war wage, £1 a week
separation allowance of soldiers’ and sailors’ wives, with
10s. for each child under 16, and the old age pension to
be £1 a week at the age of 60 years, age to be the only
qualification.

Returns received by the Northumberland Miners’ Asso-
ciation indicate that during September 38 steam coal col-
lieries worked an average of 5-41 days per week, and 20
household coal pits an average of 5’47 days per week, a
general average of 5-43 days per week.

A joint meeting of representatives of associations of New-
castle tradesmen, held on Tuesday, decided that, in view
of the lighting restrictions, shops should close on Mondays,
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 p.m., Wednesdays at
1 p.m., Fridays at 7 p.m., and Saturdays at 8 p.m., as
from Monday next. It was remarked at the meeting that
it was incumbent upon every consumer, tradesmen as
well as private householders, to save at least 20 to 25 per
cent, on his previous consumption of coal, gas and elec-
tricity, and as much more as possible.

Yorkshire.

A meeting of the coal merchants” section of the Brad-
ford Chamber of Trade was held last week, under the
chairmanship of Mr. Joshua • Smith. Mr. H. Triffitt
reported that the Yorkshire Federation was progressing
successfully in getting prices of the various handling
costs of coal throughout the Yorkshire area. Mr. H.
Mosley, presenting his weekly report as local supervisor
under the Fuel Order, renewed his former complaint of
delay on the part of merchants in returning forms,
especially Form 36 and those relating to military ser-
vice and volunteer drill.

At the Doncaster County Court, on Wednesday, James
McGloin, miner, Askern, sued another miner, Charles
Leeson, to recover £1 15s., balance of a week’s wages
from the colliery. The two men worked in a stall with
eight others, and the defendant drew in one week £80 for
the stall. Of that plaintiff claimed as his share, having
worked six shifts, £10 19s., but defendant had paid him
£9 4s. 9d. only. Judgment was given for £1 14s. 3d.

• Lancashire and Cheshire.

A trade correspondent says it was reported in Man-
chester coal trade circles that some of the principal coal
owners in the Manchester, Leigh, Bolton, and Wigan
districts are said to be considering plans for the installa-
tion of extensive batteries of ovens.

The Garswood Hall miners’ branch of the Lancashire
Miners.’ Federation, representing' 2,000 miners, passed a
resolution, which is to be sent to the Wigan Food Control
Committee and other local food control committees,
strongly protesting against miners and other workers
having to enter queues, for in some cases hours, in order
that they may obtain “ a bit of tobacco ” or cigarettes.

The Midlands.

The annual report of the engineers to the South Staf-
fordshire Mines Drainage Commission states that in the
Tipton district 52 tons of ‘ water had to be raised for
every ton of coal brought to the surface. The Public
Works Loan Commissioners have advanced £20,000 for
the continuance of pumping arrangements in this sub-
merged area. The general manager (Mr. Edward Howl)
reports that the mineral assessed for general drainage
rates for the year has been 1,988,043 tons, an increase
of 17,352 tons, the figures for each district being : Tipton,
output 428,569 tons, increase 44,307 tons; Oldbury, 129,896,
increase 25,034 tons; Kingswinford, 764,331, a decrease of
5,706 tons; and Old Hili, 665,247, a decrease of 46,283
tons. The outlay on maintenance of works and electrical
pumps was £2,596, as against £1,978 for the previous year.

Leicestershire miners have for some time had a low
percentage of absenteeism, but the latest figures show an
improvement even on their previous record. Mr. Lovell,
the miners’ agent, states that at one of the largest col-
lieries last week preventable absenteeism was reduced to
0-23 per cent.

Kent.

The Betteshanger Coal Boring Company’s application for
permission to bore under Deal Corporation land, in order to
approach their seaward mineral rights, was further con-
sidered by the Corporation. The town clerk reported that
he wrote asking the company for more definite information.
The company’s solicitors had replied, pointing out that
there was nothing novel in the proposals, as there were
many other coast towns which were in the immediate
proximity to coal which was being worked far out at
sea. Their clients owned a considerable area of coal to
the north-west of Deal, the solicitors added, and had
also acquired the Crown mineral rights for the coal under
the sea. The Crown coal was to be worked, from a spot
to be settled by the mineral advisers of the Crown and
of the Boring Company. The site for the shaft could
not be determined until a number of other factors had

also been settled, but it was necessary at present to
determine the general line of the mineral roadways which
would connect the various workings. The first seam found
in the Betteshanger boring, they added, was at 1,208 ft.
from the surface, but the first seam likely to be worked
was at a little over 1,800 ft. There was a great thick-
ness of chalk, about -750 ft., above the coal measures,
which was in itself a great protection. Under the terms
of agreement with the Admiralty, the company were to
have full and irrevocable liberty’and licence to drive two
pairs of underground headings not more than 12 ft. wide,
not less than 15 yards apart, and with a pillar of coal or
other substance of riot less than 120 ft. between each pair
-of roads. The letter concluded with a suggestion that, if
there was still any hesitation in acceding to the Boring
Company’s request, the Corporation should appoint
a small committee to meet a committee, of the
Boring Company’s board on the matter. This letter
had been handed to the Corporation surveyor, who
reported that as the letter contained none of the
information asked for, such as a plan and description of
the whole mining area in or near Deal, nor any detailed
statement of what the company propose doing, he did not
see that the Corporation would be in a position to sell
any mining rights under ground purchased by the public
funds. If the mining company could only give verbally
to a small committee the information required, it was
obvious that they realised now that the danger to the town
’was not only very real but also much too grave to be
trusted to the public of Deal if all chances of purchasing
mining rights under town property were not to be lost.
He added that subsidence caused by mining operations
must be very considerable, even some distance away, in
any area where the strata were like that at Deal. The
surface levels of Deal in relation to the sea‘would not
admit of any lowering, if they did not wish to give back
to the sea the site the town stands on. After a lengthy
discussion, the question was deferred for further con-
sideration.

Scotland.

The shipments of coal from the Clyde last week
amounted to 106,521 tons, as against 140,004 in the cor-
responding week last year. The total from the Forth last
week was 18,320 tons; and from the Fife ports 34,597
tons.

LABOUR ARD WAGES.

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

The executive members of the South Wales Enginemen,
Stokers, and Craftsmen’s Association met at Hereford on
Saturday the North Wales Craftesmen’s Association, the
subject of discussion being that a joint policy should be
adopted in order to secure the eight hours day. It was
decided that further approach should be made to the coal
owners’ associations, and that should the application be
unsuccessful a ballot of the members should be taken
as to future action.

The iron,, steel, and kindred trades executive has
decided with reference to a recent stoppage at Ebbw Vale
that the action taken by the local men was contrary to
the rules of that trade union, and that consequently no
claim for strike or lock-out pay can be granted.

Mr. Barker, miners’ agent in the Western Valley of
Monmouthshire, declares that considerable dissatisfaction
is felt among men in the Abercarn and Newbridge area
for the reason that the price list operating at their col-
lieries is, in their opinion, obsolete. He states that the
seam has changed since the list was originally framed,
and that the men on tonnage rates are not able to earn
satisfactory wages on the old list and that there is there-
fore a prevalence of allowances.

The Rhymney Valley miners held their monthly meet-
ing at Bargoed on Saturday, and the agent stated that
at the New Duffryn Colliery of the Rhymney Iron Com-
pany the clay seam was being developed and that it was
intended to work it on the conveyor system. He had
been down the colliery twice to see the sections and the
kind of conveyor used, and he wished to have the ques-
tion of a price list considered. Discussion followed, and
the agent will communicate with the employers with
reference to the question raised. It was reported to the
meeting that no progress had been made with regard
to transforming the price list of the Elliott Pits, New
Tredegar, from old to new standards, although there
had been two interviews with the employers’ agent on
the matter. The question came before the Joint Dis-
putes’ Committee, and application was made that two
arbitrators should be appointed to deal with it; but the
employers’ representatives on that committee refused the
request. As a consequence, the Elliott Pit workmen will
make application to the Federation executive for permis-
sion to give notice. The men’s agent (Mr. Walter Lewis)
stated that some of the Elliott Pit price lists were the
poorest in the district.

The Coal Controller has received a deputation from
South Wales, who consulted with him as to the demand
of surfacemen for an eight hours day, it being argued that
as a very large proportion of these men already have the
eight hours day the whole of them should be similarly
treated, and that the cost entailed would not be material.
Emphasis was laid upon a statement that the output of
the collieries would not be injuriously affected. No
decision was arrived at, but the Controller promised
careful consideration.

The Committee on Production issued their award con-
cerning claims made upon Messrs. Guest, Keen and Com-
pany by labourers and others in their employ, the men
concerned being governed by the sliding scale agreement
of 1915 under the steel workers’ organisation. The Com-
mittee have decided that the claims submitted were not
established.

The Joint Standing Disputes Committee, sitting on
Tuesday, arrived at a settlement in respect of the hauliers’
dispute at Bryncoch, and also in u-egard to the difficulty
which had arisen in the old Black Vein pit of the United
National Company concerning payment of war wage to men
absent from work on one day. Other disputes were
referred to representatives for investigation, they being
empowered to settle.

Now that the British Steel Smelters’ trade union has
decided to amalgamate with the Iron and Steel Trades
Confederation, the probability is of a further development
in the organisations to which South Wales iron and steel
men belong, the whole tendency, being to consolidation
of different interests which have operated sectionally.

On Tuesday, at Cardiff, a joint meeting of the new
Colliery Examiners’ Conciliation Board took place. Mr.
B. Nicholas presided over the owners’ representatives, and
Mr. R. Williams over those of the examiners. Agree-
ment was reached as to wages. This provides for a
weekly rate of £4 10s., with 18s. war bonus for six days,