1310

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

December 20, 1918.

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS.

The Editors are not responsible either for the statements
made, or the opinions expressed by correspondents.

All communications must be authenticated by the name
and address of the sender, whether for publication
or not. No notice can be taken of anonymous
communications.

As replies to questions are only given by way of published
answers to correspondents, and not by letter, stamped
addressed envelopes are not required to be sent.

THE THEOREM OF PYTHAGORAS.

Sirs,—I have heard from a foimer pupil that the
proof of Pythagoras’ theorem which I gave you a
fortnight ago is quite well known to French and Belgian
students. I should be interested in any explanation as
to why our educational authorities have so effectually
hidden this very simple proof from British students.
Is it by accident <t by design—it cannot he due to sheer
ignorance ?	H. W. Halbaum.

177, City-road, Cardiff,

December 11, 1918.

Sirs,—Perhaps Mr. Halbaum has not seen the
following proof of the theorem referred to in his letter.
Like his own, it depends upon the principle of similar

s

D

triangles. If BAG is a right angle and AD is perpen-
dici lar to the base BO, then:

AB _ BG

BD AB

or AB2 = BD.BC;

also = ££, or AC2 = CD . BO.

CD AC

By addition AB2 + AC2 = BC (BD + CD) = BO2.

Rider.

LABOUR AND WAGES.

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

The dispute at Bedwas Colliery, which by resolution
of a delegates’ conference threatened stoppage of the whole
coalfield, has been temporarily arranged. The demand
of the workmen who were on strike for more than a month
was that the firemen should be removed ; and Mr. Frowen
(secretary of the firemen’s trade union) brought the matter
before the Coal Controller and the Home Office, with the
result that Mr. W. Brace (Under Secretary of State for
Home Affairs), who is the president of the South Wales
Miners’ Federation, held an inquiry covering two days
last week, and received evidence both from the employers
and from the workmen. Mr. E. H. Hann and Mr. F.
Hann submitted the facts on behalf of the colliery com-
pany, while Mr. T. Richards (secretary of the Federation)
and Mr. Hubert Jenkins (the local miners’ agent) gave
evidence on their behalf. Mr. Walker (from the Home
Office) with Mr. J. Dyer Lewis (divisional inspector of
mines) and Mr. Greenland Davies (the district inspector)
were also present. Members of the council of the Colliery
Examiners’ Association and the firemen against whom
allegations were made also attended. It was arranged
that a full public enquiry should be held at an early date
and that pending that investigation two men specially
affected should refrain from work.

The workmen at the Arael-Griffin Colliery, Six Bells,
who came out because of a statement that gas had been
discovered in an old road and was not reported by the
officials, resumed work after two days’ stoppage. An
investigation took place, with the result that the men’s
evidence was not sufficient to justify their demand for
withdrawal of the officials concerned. There was, how-
ever, a second stoppage because of gas discovered in
another old road. It was stated that certain officials who
had been at fault had been dismissed. Messrs. Greenland
Davies and T. P. Jenkins, H.M. inspectors of mines, then
conducted an examination themselves, and decided that
the pit was fit for working, and the men then returned
to duty. A deputation from the workmen saw Mr. W.
Brace in Cardiff later on, and he asked them whether they
were satisfied with the withdrawal of officials, and they
replied that they were.

With regard to craftsmen’s hours at tinplate works, there
has been a joint meeting of different trade union repre-
sentatives at Swansea, among them the Amalgamated
Society of Engineers, the Welsh Artisans’ Association, the
Dockers’ Union, and other representatives of steel works,
tinplate works, and foundries. The principle of a 47-hour
week was unanimously agreed to, ajid a representative
committee was appointed to deal with the matter.

The coal trimmers of Cardiff and Barry decided to stop
work at one o’clock on Saturdays. They held a mass
meeting on Sunday, and confirmed a previous decision
to this effect, having been in consultation with men at
the other Bristol Channel ports, and all being in agree-
ment. The decision would affect Newport and other
places as well as Cardiff. Another matter discussed was
that of the Christmas holiday, and it was decided to
approach the employers in order that a holiday might be
arranged on the same lines as that of the miners.

The South Celynen Colliery workmen held the annual
meeting of their institute at Newbridge on Saturday, Coun-
cillor F. Davis in the chair. The election of officers and
members of the works committee was made, except for
the position of chairman, this being left to be decided by
ballot. The new secretary is Mr. W. J. Saddler.

The Monmouthshire Western Valley miners held their
monthly meeting at Abertillery on Monday, and Mr.
George Barker, the agent, spoke particularly on the ques-

tion of safety in mines. A resolution was passed urging
the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain to call a con-
ference so that the six hours shift for all colli ,ry workers
might be obtained. Complaint was raised as to the
management of one colliery having refused to sign Army
release forms, one result being that men had to continue
with their military units. It was decided to bring this
matter before the notice of Mr. W. Brace, the advisory
agent for the district.

There was a one-day strike in the Marine and Prince of
Wales pits at Ebbw Vale, wdiere 1,500 men stopped work.
Ropemen and hitchers had been seeking an inciease of
wages, and their demand had come before the executive
council, who deputed the secretary of the Federation to
interview Mr. bred Mills, the general manager, on the
subject. The meji considered that the interview had been
delayed, and therefore stopped work; but later in the
day they agreed to resume.

The Rhondda miners had before them on Monday a
deputation who. raised the subject of the medical scheme
at Llwynypia, and they asked for the support of the dis-
trict because of an alleged attempt to interfere with its
operation. The meeting passed a resolution promising the
support which was required, the men’s agent to render
assistance to the Llwynypia men in securing their object.
Upon a ballot for the appointment of permanent inspectors,
out of a total of 29 it was decided that the first lu names
should be submitted to a second ballot.

East Glamorgan men at their district meeting on Mon-
day passed a resolution that the general secretary of the
Federation should take steps towards extending the Rents
Act for a period of five years from the date of signing the
peace treaty. Another resolution was that the executive
of the Federation should endeavour to bring about the
adoption of a six hours shift, and thus facilitate the pro-
vision of work for men returning from the Army. It was
announced in the meeting that the workmen’s contribution
to the proposed cottage hospital for the district had reached
<£2,189.

The anthracite miners’ district delegates met on Monday
at Swansea, Mr. D. Davies, of the Cawdor Colliery, pre-
siding. The demand for Friday pays instead of Saturday
pays at Cwmdulais and Cwmgwendraeth collieries was
brought up ; and, in order to bring these into line with
other collieries in the district, it was decided to “ take
drastic action.” A special district meeting will be called.
Another subject to be taken up at that meeting will be
the need of a workmen’s train service at Cwmdulais. There
had been a two-weeks strike at Pwllbach on the question
of conveyance of men from the coal face to the screens,
but the matter has been partly settled, certain points
being referred to the joint disputes committee of the
Federation. The men have resumed work, and the district
meeting decided that strike pay for the two weeks should
be allowed. Upon a - motion from the Great Mountain
Colliery, a resolution was agreed to, and will be forwarded
to the executive council of the Federation. It calls upon
the executive “ to establish an intelligence bureau for
systematic dissemination of information relative to all
matters pertaining to industrial welfare, such as changes
in extension and interpretation of war wages, compensa-
tion, bonus pay, etc.,” and the resolution adds that this
information the members “ have now generally to seek
through the medium of the Capitalist Press.” The meet-
ing decided also to communicate with the proper military
authorities in order to secure the release of more doctors
for home service, there being at the present time an
inadequate medical attendance in the colliery areas.

At the monthly meeting of the Western Miners’ Asso-
ciation, held on Monday, a motion from Garngoch referring
to the Compensation Act was passed. It was to the
effect that’no man should be paid below the full amount
of the minimum wage in the grade to which he belonged
at the time when he was incapacitated—this to apply to
youths as well as men—and “ drastic action ” to be taken
if the resolution was not carried through.

The joint committee which has been dealing with the
application for a 47-hour week for craftsmen engaged at
the Siemens steel and tinplate works and the foundries
of South Wales have agreed that there shall be 47 hours,
with two breaks for meals for day maintenance men at
the steel and tinplate works, and that the arrangement for
hours in regard to the foundrymen—whether there shall
be one or two breaks for meals—is to be further con-
sidered. Where alternative weeks as maintenance men
are worked, there will be eight-hour shifts. It is stated
that 1,500 men from the Army are expected to be brought
bacl$ within the next few days for the steel and tinplate
works.

The Garngoch Colliery stoppage was promptly settled
and work resumed after a very short cessation.

It was reported to the Pontypridd and Rhondda district
of miners on Tuesday that there will be no stoppage of
work at Trebanog Collieries.

North of England.

Newbiggin miners threaten to strike this week-end to
enforce the abolition of the three-shift system and the
adoption of a system of two shifts. The Coal Controller
has declined to assent to the proposed change, and the
men’s unions’ executives are stated to have requested the
men to abide by the Controller’s decision. It is stated
that the desire to strike is by no means unanimous, 300
of the workers not having given in their notice. Any
stoppage, however, would affect at least 800 men and
youths.

The council 'of Durham Miners’ Association has decided
to seek to have all candles and oil used in the working
of the mines supplied by the owners. The agents have
been requested to give a full and detailed report of the
county as to their negotiations with the National Service
representative on the shipyard question, affecting members
from Birtley and other districts. It has been decided
that the joint committee rules should be amended by giving-
notice to the owners’ committee so that workmen should
have the same rights as owners on the committee. The
owners are to be asked to supply the best class of coal
as fire coal for the workmen. It has been decided to
seek, through the Miners’ Federation and the Labour
Party, to have uniform datal frages fixed for all classes of
labour in and about the mines of not less than 50 per
cent, above the current cost of living at all times, so as
to guarantee to the lowest-paid worker a decent standard
of living, this to be regarded as a reconstruction measure.
The Government is to be called upon to take immediate
action to raise pensions and allowances, and trade unions
are being requested to support the miners efforts in this
direction. Hearty approval has been expressed by the
council of the action taken by the Scottish miners in this
regard. The council has decided to recommend an altera-
tion in the Coal Mines Act to make it compulsory for
keps ” to be used at surface when coals are being drawn.
A mass meeting of representatives of the Northumber-
land Mechanics’ Association, held at Bedlington, has
adopted resolutions claiming the right to set forth their

views on all matters of justice and principle affecting them
as an association, and asking their executive council to
take the necessary steps to ensure that, in future, their
claims shall receive due consideration ; absolutely refusing
to approve the working week of 49 hours accepted by the
Miners’ Federation on their behalf, and, in its place,
demanding a 44-hour week without reduction of wages, and
declining either to make or to receive any suggestions
as to the working of the 49-hour week until their demands
have been submitted to the country for approval or other-
wise, or, alternatively, until they have been placed before
the coal owners or the Coal Controller for consideration,
time allowed 14 days. The Mickley branch of the
Mechanics’ Association has accepted the 49-hour wTeek
under protest, and has decided to- seek a 44-hour week,
with eight hours per day for five days and four hours for
Saturday, including meal times. A meeting of delegates
stated to represent 1,000 colliery mechanics at Willington
has decided to oppose the acceptance of the 49-hour week,
and to ask for a 46-hour week, with one break each
day for meals.

Under an agreement arrived at between the Durham
Enginemen’s Association and the Durham Coal Owners’
Association, the 49-hour week is to be applied to the
county enginemen as follows : Ordinary shifts to be eight
hours and ten minutes per day, with no interval for meal
times ; for men at continuous work in three shifts over
the 24 hours, the hours to be eight per shift, the men
changing at the job; underground hauling men’s hours
to be as at present and the hours of any underground
enginemen now working longer than the underground haul-
ing men to be the same as those of the hauling men; the
hours of any class whose recognised hours are less than the
above not to be affected ; the arrangement to take effect
with pavs commencing on and after Monday, January 6,
1919.

At a meeting of the council of the Cumberland Miners’
Association it was reported that at many collieries the
managers had brought men from the night shift on to
other shifts to evade Judge Gawan Taylor’s award of
August 15, which provided for the payment of an extra
Is. per shift to men continuously working on the night
shift. The delegates were instructed to forward particu-
lars of the cases to Mr. Cape, so that immediate steps
might be taken. Complaints were also made that fuel
overseers were not prepared to give the extra allowance of
coal obtained for coal miners by the Miners’ Federation
from the Coal Controller, and were adhering to the six-ton
limit. Telegrams were read from the Coal Controller,
with whom Mr. Cape had been in communication. A
depiuation was appointed to wait on the fuel overseers
and committees.

At a meeting of the Cumberland Coke Conciliation
Board, held at Workington last week, under the chairman-
ship of Mr. J. McGowan, an applicaiton was received
from the coke workers for an advance of 6d. per shift
on their standard base rate. After a long discussion, it
was decided that the recent award of Judge Gawan Taylor
granting advances to the surface workers should also
apply to the coke workers from the same date, October 26.
All the men employed at the by-product coke ovens will
therefore receive an advance of 6d. per shift; those under
18 years’ of age, 3d. per shift.

Federated Area.

At meetings of miners employed at Lord Ellesmere’s
Clifton and Kersley Coal Company’s and Hulton Colliery
Company’s pits in the Manchester and Bolton districts,
held on Monday night, resolutions were adopted in favour
of pushing forward their application for a further advance
in wages. At certain of the meetings resolutions were
also adopted in favour of co-operating with railway and
transport workers in the matter of securing exemption
from payment of income tax on salaries up to <£200 per
year.

Scotland.

The underground shot-firers and firemen throughout
Lanarkshire, together,with the pit head men in the area,
are the latest class’ of workers in the mining industry to
agitate for improved rates of pay and general conditions
of service.

Iron, Steel arid Engineering Trades.

The Employers’ Federation has communicated their
decision to the Central Ironmoulders’ Association that
during the transition period from war to civil employment
moulders who are unable to obtain the present wages of
£3 15s. 6d. will have their wages made up to that amount.

CONTRACTS OPEN FOR COAL AND COKE.

For Contracts Advertised in this issue received too late
for inclusion in this column, see Leader and Last
White pages.

Abstracts of Contracts Open.

Bridgenorth, December 26.—Coal for the Guardians.
Forms from the clerk, New Market-buildings, Bridge-
north.

Devizes, December 24.—Coal for the Guardians. Forms
from the clerk.

Hendon, January 6.—Coal and coke (12 months) for
the Urban District Council. Forms from the engineer,
Council offices, Hendon.

London, January 6.—Coke, pitch, tar, creosote oil, and
carbolic powder for St. Pancras Borough Council. Forms
from the borough engineer, Town Hall, Pancras-road.

Oxford, December 24.—Screened cobbles (6 months) for
Corporation institutions. Particulars from the town clerk.

The date given is the latest upon which tenders can
be received.

CONTRACTS OPEN FOR ENGINEERING, IRON
AND STEEL WORK, Ac.

.Melbourne, January 8.—Spring W^ashers.—500,000
spring washers for fish bolts for Victorian Government rail-
ways. Specifications may be seen at the Inquiry Office,
Department of Overseas Trade, 73, Basinghall-street,
London, E.C.

Huge Demand for Timber.—At the annual meeting of
the English Forestry Association, on Wednesday, Major
G. L. tourthope, in acknowledging his re-election as
president, said the Government demand alone was ex-
pected to be 100,000 standards a month. They were
expecting to employ 16,000 demobilised British soldiers
who had had timber experience. It was quite certain that
this country would be required to find something like
300,000 or 350,000 standards of timber for reconstruction
purposes during the next twelve months.