872 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. October 25, 1918. MEAN MAGNETIC DECLINATION at Kew Observatory, Richmond, in Degrees and Minutes, for each Two-hour Interval in the Week October 13 to 19, 1918. Sun., Oct. Mon., ,, Tues., ,, Wed., Thurs., ,, Friday, Sat., „ Diurnal ine- quality (i.e., departure from mean value for day)___________ Intervals—Hours G.M.T. Magnetic ch ar act ei 0h.-2h. 14° + 2h.-4h. 14° + 4h.-6h. 14° + 6h.-8h. 14° + ’ 8h.-10h. , 14c + 10h.-12h. I U° + i 1211.-1411. ll° + 14h.-16h. 14° + 1 16h-18h. 14° + 18h.-20h. 14° + 20h.-22h. 14° + 22h.-24h. 14° + Mean for day. 14° + 13 0 Min. 46’0 Min. 46’5 Min. 47’0 Min. 45’5 Min. ' 43’5 ! Min. ! 48’0 Min. 52’0 Min. 51’5 I Min. 49’5 Min. 48'0 Min. ■ 47’5 i Min. 47’0 Min. i7’5 14 0 47’0 47’0 46’5 45’0 44’5 48’5 53’0 52’5 ; 49’5 48’5 47’0 47’0 48’0 15 1 47 • 0 47’0 48’0 46’5 45 ’ 0 52’0 57’5 56’0 53’5 : 49’0 46’5 46’5 i 49’5 6 2 17’0 46’5* 54 ’ 5* 53’5*' 51’0* 58’0* 57’0* 55’0* i 51’5* 46’0* 46’5* 48’0 51’0 17 2 48’0 51’0 50’0 46’5 l 46’0 51’0 55’0 48’5 48’5 43’5* 42’0* 45’5 48’U 18 1 47’5 48’0 47’5 49’5 49’0 52 ’ 5 53’0 50'0 47’0 45’5 44’5 < 45’5 48’5 19 2 47’0 47’5 48’5 46’0 45’5 51’5 56’0 53’5 50’5 48’0 44’0* 36’5* 48’0 Oct. 1917 Ih. 2h. -1’5 -1’4 3h. 4h. -1’1 -0’8 5h. 6h. -0’8 -1’8 7h. 8h. -3’5 -5’1 9h. lOh. -4’7 -2’2 llh. 12h. + 1'5 +4’4 13h. 14h. + 5’5 +5’5 15h. 16h. + 4’5 +2’9 17h. 18h. + 2’1 + 1’3 19h. 20h. + 0’5 -0’1 21h. 22h. -0’7 -1’2 23h. 24h. -1’5 -1’8 Mean value for month. 14° 57'’5 Oct. ’17 Sep. 1918 -1’2 -1’7 -2’4 -2’9 -2’9 -2’9 -3’6 -3’8 -2’3 +0’4 + 4’3 +6’6 + 7’1 +6’3 + 4’8 +2’5 + 0’9 -0’1 -1’0 - 1’4 -1’7 -1’9 -1’9 -1’5 14° 48' ’6 Sep. ’18 Sep.1917 -1’2 -1'5 -1’8 -2’1 -2’4 -3’4 -5’0 -6’0 -5’1 -2’2 + 2’6 +5’5; + 7’1 4-6’5 + 4’9 +3’2 + 2’0 +1’1 + 0’5 +0’1 -0’2 -0’6 -0’9 -1’2 14° 58'’4 Sep. ’17 The day is counted from Oh. (midnight) to 2lh. (mi inight) G.M.T. Character (< 0” means a day wholly free from any but small disturban es. Character “ 1” means a.day part or all of which is moderately or considerably disturbed. Character “2” means a day pirt 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 abo*ut / 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, October 23. that unless the obsolete price lists were dealt with, the workmen would have no other alternative but to claim the day wage. The North Celynen men desire that there shall be an additional upcast shaft, and the meeting decided to bring this matter before the Federation execu- tive in order that the request might be sent on to the Home Office. The Celynen Lodge ask permission to tender 14 days’ notice in order to obtain a revised price list, and this matter will come up at the next meeting. The Vivian Lodge ask the district to apply for 100 per cent, increase on the war wage, and it was decided that this matter sKould be brought up before the Federation execu- tive. The question of payment for small coal was also raised, the demand being that this should be paid for. Addressing the monthly meeting of the Ebbw Vale miners on Saturday, their agent (Councillor E. Davies, M.P.) said that they were still within possibility of the strike, the danger of which was more real than many persons imagined. If “ the stupidity of the employers prevailed ” on a question which involved no principle and entailed no very great financial outlay, then trouble would come because of the eight hour question for the trades- men and craftsmen. In the four large collieries at Ebbw Vale the concession had practically been attained, but they had not been able to get the privilege extended to men employed in the Victoria shops. The matter was now a South Wales problem, and they were awaiting the answer of the Controller. Mr. Davies referred also to the very awkward position in which he was placed by the independent action of men who returned home for every little dispute that might arise. The other day three sets of summonses had been issued. He was able to get some of them withdrawn conditional upon payment of £43 and upon his giving an undertaking that there would be no illegal stoppages for six months; but the very next week, as if it were done purposely to nullify his promise, there was a stoppage of work. At the monthly meeting of East Glamorgan miners, held at Caerphilly on Monday, the agent (Mr. Hubert Jenkins) referred to the payment of the war wage for the substi- tute shift and overtime. He stated that a general arrangement had been reached for the whole of the country, but that nevertheless it was probable that some points of difficulty might arise peculiar to South Wales. The Federation executive had decided that the Sunday shift should be regarded as overtime. No fewer than 5,000 men were idle in the Amman Valley, Carmarthenshire, on Tuesday, the surfacemen and craftsmen having gone on strike because of delay in deal- ing witli the eight hour day demand. It was urged by their leaders that, seeing a conference of the whole coal field will deal with the question, their action was unneces- sarily precipitate. The Joint Committee of the Conciliation Board for dealing with disputes sat at Cardiff on Tuesday, Mr. Evan Williams in the chair. Agreement was reached as to the payment of the 5s. standard rate, plus percentages, to house coal hauliers at Abergorky. Certain claims _ were referred to representatives of each side for investigation. North of England. In his quarterly report (covering the period July-Sep- tember 1918) as compensation agent to the Northumber- land Miners’ Association, Mr. Wm. Weir states that £1,520 has been paid to dependants in respect of fatal accidents. Some trouble arose with light work compen- sation men with regard to minimum wages at Woodhorn. As the minimum wage for the shift work on which the men were was higher than the base wage, including the county percentage, the association contended that as the men were doing the work as efficiently as those who were not receiving compensation, they were entitled to the minimum wage. The owners’ secretary agreed, and in- structed the manager to pay accordingly, but he also gave instructions to cease all payments of compensation. As some of these men were old cases, whose compensation could not be reduced when an advance of wages was granted, owing to the custom of the colliery, the asso- ciation strongly resented the procedure proposed. In many cases it meant a large reduction in wages. The owners’ secretary was not prepared to admit that the men’s contention was right, seeing that the basis wage liad been altered. The directors, however, agreed with the men’s point of view, and instructed the manager to resume payments, together with all arrears. A special meeting of the council of the Cumberland Colliery Officials’ Association was held at Workington on Saturday, delegates being present from practically all the collieries in the county. A card vote showed a large majority against amalgamation with the winding engine- men, boiler firemen and electrical and kindred workers. Summonses issued by Messrs. Bolckow, Vaughan and Company Limited against 25 workmen at Westerton Colliery, damages being claimed from defendants for having unlawfully laid the pit idle, were withdrawn at Bishop Auckland, Mr. J. T. Proud, for the company, stating that the men had agreed to pay the damages, to be deducted from their wages. The pony putters of the Vale Pit Lodge, Durham, have resolved that they will not abide by any agreement that makes the first “ rank ” for pony putters more than 100 yards and less than 3d. a score for each additional 15 yards. They consider that the minimum wage for this class of worker should be increased. The Bishop Auckland magistrates on Monday ordered 92 workmen employed at the Shildon Lodge Colliery of Messrs. Bolckow, Vaughan and Company Limited each to pay 5s. damages for wrongfully absenting themselves from work on the 11th inst. It was stated that the back shift men refused to descend the mine, and the manager promised to meet a deputation in order to discuss the alleged grievance, which had reference to deductions under the minimum wage. The men, however, followed the manager to the office, and shortly afterwards a stone was thrown through the window. The pit had subsequently to be “ loosed ” out. The proportionate standing charges and wages incurred a loss of about £168. For the defend- ants it was argued that what happened was due to mis- handling of the matter by the management . Federated Area. The question of separation allowances to sailors’ and soldiers’ wives, children and dependants was considered at the monthly conference of the Lancashire and Cheshire Miners’- Federation, held last Saturday at the Miners’ Hall, Bolton. The meeting decided in favour of pressing the Government and of convening a special meeting of the Miners’ Federation. Scotland, The agreement reached at Cadzow Colliery, Hamilton, settles the question of the amount to which wages should be made up when men are working in deficient places. In a section of Loganlea Colliery, West Lothian, the men complained of not getting “ cleek ” and claimed to be made to the prevailing standard rate of wages. In the special circumstances of the case the manager stopped the places and gave the men suitable work in other sections of the pit. At Boghead Colliery, West Lothian, the men have been idle for eight days, due to a breakdown of the pumping plant. In consequence of the idle time there is now a complaint from a section of the miners that they have not been paid the war wage. The men employed in two machine wall sections of Armadale Colliery, West Lothian, were idle one day last week. They complained of low and heavy roads, of extra falling, and of abnormal conditions at the face. The matter has been adjusted. A deputation recently waited upon the Ministry of Food, Edinburgh, with complaints in regard to the inadequacy of the supplies of food to the mining districts in East Lothian. Of late there has been a marked improvement in the supplies of cheese. The Coal Controller has been appealed to for a decision in an interesting test point from Wallyford Colliery, East Lothian. The claim is put forward for a war wage on behalf of a miner whose “ place ” was finished, and who was told not to turn out again until new work could be found for him. The opinion of the members of the Wally- ford branch of the Miners’ Union is that the man is entitled to payment of the war allowance. The Kinglassie Colliery management have put forward a claim for preferential treatment in respect of working time. The colliery is very heavily watered, and the seams are much troubled, with the result that most of the work going on is development work. In view of these diffi- culties they wish the colliery to work six days per- week. The Controller has been asked to decide a disputed point at Blairhall Colliery relative to the increase on brushers’ wages granted by the Controller in June. Several men have not received the advance. These men are employed direct by the company, and the plea of the management is that they are repairers, not brushers. Coal for Holland.—The general tone of the Dutch Press is adverse to the offer of the United States to supply coal to Holland if Holland ceases to export foodstuffs to Germany. In some quarters it is held that the condition would involve a breach of neutrality. ■ The Ablain Coal Cake Mould.—With reference to the article in our issue of October 18 last, describing the Ablain coal cake mould, we understand that a patent for the United Kingdom, France and Italy has been pro- visionally granted, and applications have been made for patents in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Canada and the United States. Coal Economy Exhibition.—On Monday, November 18, a fuel economy exhibition will be opened on Trafalgar- square, organised by Lady Rhondda’s “ Win the War ” Committee. The object is to show people how to economise their coal and light rations by making use of the means to hand without having recourse to expensive patent appliances. No materials will be used which cannot easily be obtained in an ordinary household. The exhi- bition will be open for a week, and on each day an expert will lecture on practical means of economising. Notes from the Coal Fields. [Local Correspondence.] South Wales and Monmouthshire. Surfacemen’s Wages—Withdrawal of Strikers’ Exemption Certificates—Greek Delegates at Local Works—Food Shortage Conference—Presentation to Principal Griffiths—Demobilisation Question—Utilisation of Duff—New Type of Washery. Once more the circumstances of the coal trade in South Wales have become critical. The cause of the trouble is the demand for an eight hours day which is made by the enginemen, stokers, and craftsmen, both through the inde- pendent organisation and also through the Miners’ Federa- tion (to which a number of these men belong). A special conference of the Association of Enginemen, Stokers, and Craftsmen for South Wales, Monmouthshire, and Forest of Dean was held in Cardiff on Saturday, Councillor Wathen, of Blaenavon, in the chair; and the delegates pre- sent numbered 54—representing close upon 8,000 members. The general secretary, Mr. Hopkin, read the report of an interview between the association officials and the Prime Minister, the Coal Controller, and the Chief Inspector of Mines. They also reported their proceedings with the South Wales Coal Owners’ and Enginemen’s Wages Com- mittee. Prolonged discussion took place upon the report, and ultimately it was resolved by a large majority that a ballot should be taken of the members of the association upon the question of tendering 14 days’ notice to cease work, the council of the association being given plenary power to carry through the arrangements. At a meeting of the Miners’ Federation executive council a resolution was passed that the Federation secretary should communicate with the Controller, pointing out that no reply had been received from him as to the demand for an eight hour day for surface workmen and to inform him that unless a favourable reply were received on or before the 24th inst. a coal field conference on the subject would be called forthwith. It was resolved that the Federation council should meet on October 24 in order to consider the Controller’s reply if it had by that time been received. The Avon Valley miners met at Neath on Saturday, and a resolution was passed that the meeting viewed with alarm “ the action of the Government in withdrawing the exemption certificates of men on strike.” The central executive will be asked to take immediate steps “ to submit this matter to the triple alliance for the purpose of con- sidering ways and means of retaining the strike weapon in the case of necessity.” It was decided also to petition the Controller that South Wales should be exempted from the coal rationing scheme on the ground that a number of collieries are at the present time working short time— some of them only three days a week. A further resolu- tion expressed a decision to co-operate with the anthracite district in an effort to secure increased shipping for the export trade of these areas, and particularly the western part of the coalfield. Commercial delegates from Greece have been touring the western part of the district, visiting chiefly the iron and tin plate works. They were at the large new works of Messrs. Baldwin, in Port Talbot, on Friday, and during Saturday proceeded to Llanelly for inspection of the Welsh Tin Plate and Metal Stamping Company’s works. A visit was also paid to Messrs. Vivian’s copper works. A large number of miners’ delegates sat in Cardiff on Friday, representing the whole of the South Wales coal- field, to confer with Captain S. G. Tallents and other representatives of the Ministry of Food concerning the shortage, of which complaints are so widespread. This was the first conference of the kind to be held in the provinces, and Mr. J. Winstone (president of the Miners’ Federation), who occupied the chair, stated that a genera] endeavour would be made to reach the wage-earners in the country. For nearly two hours delegates from all parts of the district voiced the complaints of the workmen. One speaker from Monmouthshire referred to the unsatisfac- tory quality of food supplied at Blaina, where, he said, quite recently over 100 cheeses had to be destroyed, and in one week 526 lb. of meat and 640 lb. of ham. He declared that the bacon supplied to the district was hardly fit to eat; and that unless the food problem were dealt with the miners of South Wales would “take a holiday.” A similar threat was made by other delegates. Captain Tallents denied that South Wales was being made the dumping ground for inferior food. He antici- pated an improvement in the bacon supply ; but with regard to butter lie said that there were difficulties as to ship- ping. The supply of cheese had improved; but the pros- pect for the winter was bad. He would see to a better distribution of jam as soon as he returned to London. The Ministry hoped to supply a half-pound of fruit per person before Christmas, but more than this could not be allocated. In regard to the food, preference was given to miners and labourers. Mr. T. G. Jones referred to the establishment of pit-head canteens, stating that munition workers and others were well fed during working hours.