October 25, 1918. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 871 An Extra Charge. The District Pitwood Committee of South Wales and Monmouthshire—a body brought into being by the Board of Trade to deal with home-grown supplies—has received the privilege of charging collieries an extra 2s. 6d. per ton for wood supplied direct. Thus, whilst private enterprise has to sell at the scheduled prices laid down by the Pit- wood Order of July 29, 1918, a Government Department can charge 2s. 6d. per ton above the scheduled prices. A letter which has been sent from the Department of the Controller of Mines to South Wales colliery companies states that the increase is due to the fact that such timber must be handled twice.” Yet at a recent meeting of the Allocation Committee Prof. Pritchard, of the District Pitwood Committee, said that the increase was in lieu of lailway charges. Under the Pitwood Order of July 29, 1918, it was lai down that the miximum prices of home-grown pitwood were 6(js. per ton for hard wood and 65s. per ton for soft wood “delivered on railway at mine sidings or, failing railway connection, at mine premises.-” Merchants supplying collieries have to conform to these figures, no matter whether the wood is handled twice or three times, or whether transport charges are heavier. Colliery proprietors regard the impost as an unjust one, and hold that it is still more unjust to make the extra charge retrospective to July 8 last. Pitwood merchants are of the opinion that the fact of the District Pitwood Committee of the Board of Trade insisting upon a charge of 2s. 6d. per ton above the scheduled prices is tantamount to an admission that the Government depart- ment has failed to pay its way. and that the department's trading is economically unsound. COASTWISE SHIPMENTS IN SEPTEMBER. According to the returns issued by the Commissioners of H.M. Customs and Excise, the following quantities of coal were shipped coastwise from the United Kingdom during September:— From ; Total cargo. Total bunker. 1917. 1918. 1917. 1918. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Bristol Channel ports : 103,365 105,253 8 806 7,076 North-western ports 177,516 137,996 39,484 34,924 North-eastern ports • 459,921 216,352 18,597 12,258 Humber ports : 31,247 22,059 3,573 3, i 99 Other ports on east coast 8,920 11,570 1,581 1,191 Other English ports 5,138 7,363 1,986 1,517 Total from England and Wales i 786,107 500,593 74,027 €0,165 Ports on east coast of Scotland i 49,869 28,170 5,247 4,420 Ports on west coast of Scotland 201,732 170,013 21,619 15,687 Total from Scotland 251,601 198,183 1 26,896 20,107 Irish ports , — i 50 i 1,4< 6 1,101 Total from United Kingdom 1,037,708 i 698,826 i 102,329 81,373 The destination of cargo shipments was as follows :— To ports in England and Wales........ Scotland................. Ireland ................. Sept. 1917. Sept. 1918. Tons. Tons. 613,626 ... 335,067 22,761 ... 18,182 401,321 ... 345,577 THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products.—The firm tone of pitch and tar continues, and fuel oils are in request. Such huge arrears of work are accumulating in the wake of current requirements that peace contingencies are not likely to disturb sellers. Briquette makers complain that shortage of labour is a bar to a greatly increas - d output. At the same time the price of pitch is giving rise to considerable dissatisfaction among them. Carbolic crystals are in demand, and naphthalene (both crude and refined) has been going pretty well in London, but the provincial demand has been rather variable. In some quarters the refined sort is dull. Creosote, benzole, and cresylic are unchanged at late rates. Sulphate of Ammonia.—The sulphate trade is following the usual line of supplies—well booked at the scheduled prices. Imperial College of Science and Technology.—In order fully to meet what seem to be the requirements of the post-war situation, it is proposed that the future Depart- ment of Chemical Technology shall be organised so as to include four principal sections, the first of which is fuel technology and chemistry of gases, with refractory materials. It is suggested that this important group of subjects shall be located in the existing fuel block, which, however, it will be necessary to enlarge by the addition to it of two further storeys and its extension right up to the front of Prince Consort-road. The principal sub- jects for which accommodation will be provided in such an enlarged east wing will be the following : (a) General fuel technology and the constitution of peats, lignites and coals; (b) the carbonisation of coal and wood distilla- tion ; (c) the chemistry of coal tar, ammonia, and the manufacture of intermediate products from coal tar; (d) the chemistry of gases and technical gas catalysis, with special reference to the new developments in the manufacture of ammonia, nitric acid, sulphuric anhydride, etc., resulting from the war; (e) refractory materials, clays, earths and sands used in furnace construction, and the manufacture of ceramics, glass and cements ; and (/) tech- nical analysis connected with the foregoing. It should be noted (1) that the arrangements contemplated under (c) would include some provision for investigating the materials used in the manufacture of optical glass, which it is hoped will be a useful adjunct to the new department of technical optics; (2) that those under (b) meet the need, already felt in many quarters, of an adequate pro- vision being made in this country for the scientific study of wood distillation, etc., in the interests of India and the Empire generally ; and (3) that those under («) will pro- vide for an extension of the important investigations on lignites which have already been instituted in the depart- ment during the war, in the interests of the Dominions. PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE. HOUSE OF LORDS.—October 22. Petroleum Production Bill. Lord Elphinstone moved the second reading of the Petroleum Production Bill. The Duke of Northumberland expressed the opinion that there had been deliberate obstruction by the Govern- ment. A strange partiality had been shown towards Messrs. Pearson, who were conducting the boring opera- tions. He moved that the Bill be read a second time and referred to a Select Committee. The Petroleum Production Bill and the Petroleum Pro- duction (No. 2) Bill passed the second reading. The House negatived the proposal to refer them to a Select Com- mittee. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—October 17. Coal Supplies in Sussex. Sir A. Stanley, in answer to questions, said that en- quiries were being made regarding inadequate supplies of coal in East Sussex. Concerning schools, all schools were rationed for fuel and lighting in accordance with their requirements. The public elementary schools were being maintained at a reasonable standard of comfort and effi- ciency, and the same arrangements would, as far as con- ditions permit, apply to all other schools October 21. Fuel and Lighting Order. Mr. Wardle, in answer to Mr. Fell, observed that every scheme of allowance which adopted a fixed scale must produce some anomalies. No scale could take account of all exceptional circumstances. The scale of fuel allowances under clause 6 of the Household Fuel and Lighting Order, 1918, was a scale of maximum allowances, subject to certain exceptions, and less might be allowed later. It was hoped that the public would respond by exercising economy even where under the Order they could claim a larger supply. Coal Allowance to Miners. Mr. Gilbert asked wdiether the President of the Board of Trade was aware that in some districts miners were allowed a ton of coal per month at a low rate, and in many cases the recipients, not being able to use such a quantity, sold some of it at a cheap price. Mr. Wardle said that such coal allowances were com- prised in a wages ’ agreement, and could not be arbi- trarily interfered with. The question of diverting any surplus to ordinary consumers was being considered. Coal Supply Forms. Mr. Wardle, in answer to Mr. Gilbert, said he was not aware of any considerable number of cases in which the supply of coal to consumers in London had been de- layed through a failure of the local fuel overseer to issue to the merchant the necessary certificate. What happened in many cases was that certain consumers failed to com- plete and return forms of requisition issued by the local fuel overseer for the purpose of finally determining the quantities of fuel to which the consumer was entitled. Miners Released. Sir A. Stanley informed Mr. Cotton that 26,910 miners had been released from the Army and had reported at the coal mines since May 1, 1918. Of that number about 20,000 had been released since August 1. About 300 had also been released from the Navy and the Air Force for the same purpose. Apart from sickness and accident, it was believed that all the men who had reported at the coal mines were now at work there. Number of Mine Workers. Sir G. Cave, in answer to Mr. Runciman, stated that the average number of persons employed below ground in collieries in 1913 was 895,857; in 1914 it was 901,387 January to July, and 769.099 at end of December; in 1915, 743,465; iii 1916, 782,312; in 1917. 799.464; and in June 1918 760,000 (approximately). October 22. The Release of Miners. Sir Albert Stanley, in reply to Major Wheler, said he had reason to believe that the percentage of coalgetters amongst the miners released since May 1, 1918, was a considerably lower figure than the normal percentage pre- vailing at the average colliery. This in the main was due to the fact that the bulk of miners so far released were mostly men of 1owt medical category. Recently, however, men of higher categories had been made eligible for release, and this fact would tend to improve the per- centage of men capable of working at the coal face. Prisoners in Mines. Col. Yate asked whether, having regard to the employ- ment of British prisoners in German mines, steps had been taken to employ German prisoners in our salt and coal mines. Mr. Jas. Hope replied that no such steps had been taken. Apart from the difficulties of language, British miners were unwilling to work with such men. If any way of overcoming the difficulty could be found it would be taken. --------- October 23. Coal Rationing. Sir A. Stanley, in answer to several questions, said he was not aware of any general discontent as to the allow- ance of fuel for houses of not more than four rooms, and did not think that the scale laid dowm in the Household Fuel and Lighting Order discriminated unfairly between large and small houses. So far no representations had been made to the Controller of Coal Mines that any reduction in the steam heating of Foor Law institutions had increased the sufferings of the aged and infirm. Under the Coal Rationing Order the local fuel overseer had power to deal with any case of hardship, and this would apply to any such institution. Baron Schroder’s excess stock of anthracite coal was being held at the disposal of the Controller. The coal was stored before any rationing Order existed covering the area in question. Coal Supplies in Ireland. Mr. Field asked whether a better supply of imported fuel could be provided for Dublin, and whether the Presi- dent of the Board of Trade could say when the Irish coal mines would be connected with the main line. Sir A. Stanley said that instructions were given about a fortnight ago that bellmen and hucksters, who supply the poorer classes, wjere to have preference and to receive as far as possible their 1917 quantities. The recent gale had, however, interfered with shipping, and consequently reduced available supplies. He would endeavour to ascer- tain w’hether any steps could be taken locally to increase the supplies of timber and turf. As regards the connec- tion of certain collieries with the railways, the Athy and Wolfhill line was completed with the exception of the sidings at the collieries, and the Castlecomer and Arigna extension railways were being constructed as rapidly as circumstances permitted. The shortage in Belfast wras mainly due to bad weather and the consequent interference with shipping. Instructions were given to let bellmen and hucksters have preference in case of shortage. LABOUR AND WAGES. South Wales and Monmouthshire. The executive council of the Miners’ Federation met at Cardiff on Saturday, Mr. Winstone in the chair. The secretary of the Clerks’ Union drew the attention of the executive to the difficulty in which some of their members at Ogmore Vale stood, matters in dispute being still open, and he informed the executive that notices to terminate contracts would probably have to be tendered by members of the Clerks’ Union. His request was that members of the Federation would not “ black-leg ” members of the Clerks’ Union in the event of a stoppage. The executive passed a resolution stating that their “ declared policy respecting the organisation of all colliery workmen prevents us from rendering assistance in the Ogmore Vale district, and that we propose to convene a meeting between our representatives and the Ogmore Vale district of the Clerks’ Union with a view to obtaining re- form in their wage rates.’* It was decided that Messrs. F. Hodges and W. Jenkins should represent the executive at that conference. Another question raised was as to the withdrawal of doctors from the district for military service. Mr. V. Hartshorn stated that their district was being depleted in Maesteg. A most serious situation was developing, and the men were threatening to stop work if the with- drawals of doctors continued. It was resolved that approach should be made to the Controller, desiring that he would present to the War Office the need of retaining medical men in the coal field, and that action should be taken as soon as possible. The Western Valleys district complained of insufficient ventilation at one of the collieries, and the secretary will call the attention of the Home Office, asking that it receive serious consideration. With regard to the recent dispute concerning safety lamps at Llanhilleth Colliery, a report was submitted giving details of the condition of the colliery, and the executive resolved that these should be printed and circu- lated amongst the members of the council. Another resolution passed was that all the work done between the completion of the day shift on Saturday and the commencement of the morning shift on Monday should be regarded as overtime and should be held to qualify for the war wage. At Ebbw Vale, on Friday, Prof. J. P. Bailey sat to arbitrate upon a question that had arisen between the Blastfurnacemen’s Union and the Iron and Steel Trades Confederation. The complaint of the former was that the latter had been “ poaching ” members from their trade union. This the Confederation denied, and they argued also that as their organisation provided for all sections in the iron and steel industries they had a perfect right to accept any man independent of what section he be- longed to. The dispute had led to a strike at Ebbw Vale ; and upon the suggestion of Mr. Fred Mills, managing director of the works, the matter had been brought to arbitration. Statements were made by representatives of each side, but’the arbitrator’s award is not yet announced. The anthracite district delegates met at Swansea on Saturday, and it was reported that disputes regarding workmen’s trains and pay days in the Dulais Valley had been referred to the Controller, but that that gentleman’s decision had not yet been received. The. dispute at Pwllbach Colliery concerning safety lamps had, it was stated, been referred to the Controller. There was a one day strike at Blaencorrwrg Colliery on Saturday, arising out of a dispute as to additional payment for working in water, but upon communication with Mr. Jenkins, the miners’ agent, he advised the men to return to work. The Western Valleys Council (Monmouthshire) meeting at Abertillery, on Monday, dealt with the question of the surfacemen’s' hours, there being strong expressions of opinion that this matter should be promptly settled, and the agent (Mr. Barker) informed the meeting that it was hoped the decision of the Coal Controller would be received during the current week. A report was presented that arbitrators had met to deal with the revision of the price list at Rose-Heyworth and Cwmtillery collieries; also that negotiations with regard to the Meadow A ein seam at Llanhilleth were proceeding. The latter was regarded as of importance because a number of men are out of places. At Cwmcarn and Abercarn applications have been made for revised price lists, and also at Celynen. It was stated