1350

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

June 20, 1913.

had been found difficult, if not impossible, to formulate a
scheme which would give the officials who had served for a
great number of years, and were now advanced in age, any-
thing like an adequate pension, and they were proposing to
guarantee them minimum pensions, taking into account
their rate of salary at the date of retirement.

The statistics of the provision and coal departments of
the North German Lloyd fleet have just been issued, and
show some interesting items as to the maintenance of a
large line of Atlantic-going steamers. The company have
171 steamers of varying sizes, and the cost of provisioning
the fleet works out at 8d. a second, while coaling costs Is. a
second. The item as to consumption of coal, when worked
out, shows that the stokers shovel into the furnaces 3| tons
per minute, while the total value of provisions and coals
consumed represents over 2| millions sterling.

In a report just issued, Mr. J. T. Davies, surveyor to the
Little Hulton District Council, says the Council's gas
undertaking is proving successful, the number of consumers
having been largely augmented since the undertaking was
taken over from the Salford Corporation in 1911. The gas
is supplied by Lord Ellesmere to the Council, being made
at his lordship's coke ovens at Brackley Colliery, Middle
Hulton.

This week at the Oldside Works, at Workington, whilst
workmen were engaged in blasting operations in order to
provide a site for improvement to the blastfurnaces, a
difficulty presented itself owing to the discovery of a large
quantity of pure Bessemer iron which lay buried at a
considerable depth. Examination by experts proved it to
be a portion of the first Bessemer iron which was made by
Sir Henry Bessemer at the works. It is part of the identical
iron which revolutionised the steel trade.

ROTES FROM SOUTH WALES.

[from OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Serious Outlook on the Wage Question — The
Impending Conference of Miners—Consolidation !
in Trade Union Organisation—Conciliation Board
had “ No Work to do Badge System Closely
Recruits Federation Members — “ Sympathetic ”
Strikes for Petty Reasons — Summer Mining
School — A Million Pounds Scheme of River
Dockising.

The Parliamentary White Paper issued this week,
showing that the South Wales exports of coal approxi-
mate 24 millions of tons—considerably more than a
third of the total for the United Kingdom—gives
special importance to the new movement for increasing
the wage rate. We are witnessing the commencement
of an effort which must seriously affect that assured
continuity of output so urgently required—nowhere
more than in this district.

On June 23 the South Wales Miners’ Federation
hold a special conference in Cardiff, and in referring to
this a day or two ago, Mr. Winstone, vice-president of the
Federation, stated that, although the notice on the agenda
paper looked innocent, in reality it contained the germs of
“ the greatest necessary revolution ” that had ever taken
place in the life of the coalfield workers. The item
referred to states that a motion will be made to authorise
the council to take necessary steps for securing the
application of uniform rates of wages and conditions in
all future colliery developments and to settle the
schedule of rates recommended by the council.

The decisions of the conference cannot fail to have
far-reaching effects. They will be arrived at in a time
of high prices and abounding prosperity, and the subject
cannot, therefore, receive that careful consideration
which would be sure to arise under different circum-
stances. The later outlook in the coal trade will be
assumed to have features similar with those of to-day ;
but to-day’s conditions are by no means permanent. It
is obvious that the very large increase of output (even
judging it apart from the ordinary swing of the pendulum
in industrial affairs) must have the effect of flooding the
market. High prices have stimulated production, not
only here but also abroad; and the quantity of coal
coming forward will shortly be very much heavier, so
that the margin may easily go over from under-supply
to over-supply.

As has been pointed out many times, it is a
relatively small deficiency or a relatively small surplus
which exercises the hugely disproportionate influence on
prices—an influence very much beyond the actual
difference between supply and demand. A relatively
small shortage sends prices up abnormally; while a
relatively small surplus will send prices down abnormally.
It is in the face of this fact that the future has to
be regarded, seeing that South Wales is in a condition
of such rapid development. For some months this
influence is not likely to operate, because during the
summer the output will be restricted owing to numbers
of the men taking holiday. But it is clearly discernible
in the near future, and when the delegates come to the
conference they will be regarding the industrial situa-
tion in the light of to-day rather than in the light of the
immediate future; so that their decisions will be arrived
at upon an assumption of coal at present prices and the
demand continuing to exceed the supply.

Without going further into the matter—although
the subject is an inviting one, and branches out into many
considerations—Lit must suffice to recall the statement

that the demand for a fixed schedule of rates in all new
work is intended confessedly to be only a preliminary
for applying the terms of the new schedule also to old
work. That is, there will be determined effort to raise
the wage rate all round, and this notwithstanding the
admitted great advantage in wages which the recent
Act conferred.

A decision arrived at last Monday has an important
bearing on this question. The desire has been expressed,
and negotiations have been undertaken during many
months, for bringing the Enginemen, Stokers, and
Craftsmen’s Association into close integral connection
with the Miners’ Federation, the latter desiring actual
amalgamation. The enginemen and their colleagues
wished to have separate lodges throughout the coalfield
of their own members, with a certain degree of
autonomy, retaining their own separate agents.

The sittings on Monday lasted several hours,
Mr. Brace, M.P. (president of the Federation), being in
the chair at the miners’ separate meeting; and Mr. T. S.
Davies, of Clydach, in the chair at the enginemen and
stokers’ separate meeting. At the joint meeting the
Miners’ Federation council and the executive committee
of the enginemen’s associations were all present. Draft
proposals for amalgamation were submitted by both
sides ; and finally it was agreed that the two executives
should recommend to their members that the enginemen
and stokers should become merged in the Miners’
Federation, but that they be allowed to retain any
lodges now in existence ; these, however, to unite directly
with the Federation district in which they are situated.
These separate lodges shall be open to workmen solely
engaged in the working or maintenance of colliery
machinery. Agreement was reached as between the
parties concerning representation of the enginemen and
stokers upon the Conciliation Board, &c.; and a sub-
committee of four from each side was appointed, with
two other members, to draw up the agreement in detail.

This union of the two sections of mineworkers has
been generally considered an essential preliminary of
decisive action, and has now to be regarded in the light
of the facts just stated as to the forthcoming conference.

A warning note has also to be added concerning oil
fuel; for with the adoption of oil comes another adverse
influence to the demand for coal, and consequently to
its price, and the ability of the industry to bear heavier
wage rates.

A very satisfactory incident in connection with coal
trade affairs at the present time is the fact that whilst
the ordinary meeting of the South Wales Board should
have been held this week for consideration of disputes,
there was not sufficient business on hand to warrant
calling the Board together, and therefore no meeting
was held.

A curious question and one of great importance has
come before an umpire appointed under the Minimum
Wage Act. Aiderman 0. H. Bird, of Cardiff, was
called upon to decide in reference to a man at the
Ocean Colliery, Blaengarw, whether his failure to earn
the minimum rate was due to a cause beyond his own
control. For the workman it was stated that his failure
to earn the minimum was due to the inadequacy of the
price list; and the umpire having decided in his favour,
it would appear as though a new principle has been
established.

The badge system amongst the colliers is in full
operation in the Maesteg district. A change is made
every two months in its design, because the rules of the
Federation provide that members who are two months
in arrears are not in compliance; and it is stated that
“ men will decline to descend the pit with a man who
does not wear the proper badge, which he can only
secure by paying the lodge dues.” New employees have
also to obtain their badge before the Federationists will
work with them. The result in the Maesteg district has
been that the average membership is higher than at
any previous period; and Federationists claim that
thousands of pounds in wages will be saved, because it
will obviate strikes on the non-unionist question; also
that their lodge funds will be augmented by fuller
contributions; and that the expenditure on “ show-
cards,” which in the past has been considerable, will be
reduced to only a small sum.

The “ sympathetic ” strike is still a frequent
experience; and it would be well if measures were taken
for dealing with sudden and wholesale stoppages—
though perhaps the fine weather has as much to do
with cessation as any sympathy with some supposed
victim. On one man being stopped for filling dirty
coal, over 600 at a Monmouthshire colliery ceased work
for a day last week, seriously to the derangement of
the concern. This is by no means an isolated case of
wholesale stoppage when one or a few men are directly
concerned; and, with an elaborate system of trade
union and conciliation organisation, such stoppages
ought to become rare. No fewer than 1,700 men also
were idle again at Llanhilleth, clearance being among
the points in dispute.

The workmen at a colliery in Blaengarw decided to
give notice because of a dispute which, they allege,
infringes custom. In many mines the vacancies for
coal hauliers have been filled up by the promotion of
rubbish hauliers, these taking charge of the spare horses
in order of seniority. Because this custom was not
observed by the management in a particular vacancy

recently, the men decided to support the rubbish haulier-
in his claim for appointment, and to give notice for
termination of contracts.

The prospectus of the summer mining school which
the Glamorgan Council intend to hold in August has
now been issued. Mr. D. A. Thomas, chief of the
Cambrian Combine, will preside, the Lord Mayor of
Cardiff will give a reception, and on August Bank
Holiday Mr. Redmayne, chiefs inspector of mines, will
give an address. A special feature of the school will be
the lectures on mining and electrification of collieries,
to be delivered by Mr. Burns, of the Glasgow College.

Prior to Lord Mersey’s sittings as arbitrator on rules
and regulations under the Coal Mines Act, a special
council meeting of the South Wales and Monmouth-
shire Colliery Examiners’ Association took place on
Saturday to discuss the new regulations issued by the
Home Office, and to suggest amendments. Ultimately,
Mr. D. G. Price, the secretary, was instructed to attend
in London and submit the suggestions to the arbitrator;
and with him Mr. G. Frowen, of Abertillery, who has-
previously acted on behalf of the General Federation of
Firemen.

One more indication of the increasing trade of
South Wales is afforded by the proposal, mooted this
week, that the Neath River, from the entrance at
Britonferry to the Neath Abbey wharf, should be
dockised. This would involve an outlay of a million
sterling, and would give at least a mile and a-half of
dock area, after dredging. At present the Main Colliery
have coal-tipping appliances at the Neath Abbey wharf
and the carrying through of the project would open out
a great addition to the shipping facilities of the Neath
Valley and adjacent territory, the output of which is
3 million tons per annum. In view of the large dock
extensions elsewhere, the Neath proposal may be “ a
little previous,” yet it is worth record as a sign of the’
times.

A most important conference affecting the tin-plate
workers was that which took place in Swansea—unfor-
fortunately, in private, and therefore not reported.
Trade union leaders, with employers, and five or six of
the more experienced factory inspectors, met to consider
regulations under the Factory and Workshops Act
which have the object of improving the conditions of*
labour at tin-plate works.

G0RTRAGT8 OPES FOR GOAL AID GOKE.

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

Athlone, June 25.—The Urban District Council of
Athlone invite tenders for the supply of 1,600 tons of best
screened gas coal, delivered in their works at Athlone in
good and dry condition, in such quantities as may be*
required over the period of one year from date of notifica-
tion of acceptance of the tender. Tenders should be placed
in sealed envelopes marked “ Tenders for coal," and must be
sent by registered letter, accompanied by a certificate of
analysis, so as to reach the undersigned not later than
2 o'clock p.m. on Wednesday, June 25. The lowest or any
tender not necessarily accepted. No tender forms issued.
P. V. C. Murtagh, clerk, Town Hall, Athlone.

Abstracts of Contracts Open.

Airdrie (Scotland), June 23.—Coal required for the-
schools under the New Monkland School Board's charge.
Offers, Mr. G. B. Motherwell, solicitor, 10, Bank-street,.
Airdrie, clerk of the Board.

Ashford (Kent), June 26.—For supply of steam and
anthracite coal, for the Urban District Council. Form from
Mr. W. Terrill, surveyor, 5, North-street, Ashford, Kent.

“Basford, June 23.—Best hard coal and screened
(through 2 in. bar) engine slack (name of colliery to ba
stated), for the Rural District Council. Forms from Mr^
H. Stone, clerk, Public Office, Basford, Nottingham.

Blean (Canterbury), June 23.—For the supply of
about 200 tons of household coal, about 220 tons of hard
steam coal, and about 120 tons of coke, for the Guardians-
of Blean Union. Forms obtainable of Mr. J. E. Burch, clerk,
39, Castle-street, Canterbury.

Bodmin, June 27.—For the supply of best large house-
hold coal, double-screened, good steam coal and coke, to
the Cornwall County Asylum, for the Visiting Committee.
Forms from Mr. A. F. Hughes, clerk of Asylum.

Bodmin, June 27.—Best large household coals, double
screened, good steam coals, and coke, to the Cornwall County
Asylum, for the Committee of Visitors. Forms from Mr.
A. F. Hughes, clerk of the Asylum, Bodmin.

Bolton, July 1.—Yearly supply of either best slack or
through-and-through coal—say, 10,000 tons—in equal daily
supplies. Tenders, Deakins Limited, Belmont, Bolton.

Bournemouth, June 28.—For supply of coal, coke and
firewood to the schools under the control of the Education
Committee. Particulars from the Director of Education,.
Municipal Offices, Bournemouth.

Bridgnorth, June 24.—For supply of good screened
slack, also for rough slack, for the Corporation. Tenders,
Mr. J. H. Cooksey, town clerk, Bridgnorth.

Brighton, June 27.—Coal, &c., to the various schools
for the Education Committee of the Corporation. Par-
ticulars at the offices of the Committee, 54, Oldsteine,
Brighton.

Canterbury, June 23.—About 200 tons of household coal,,
about 220 tons of hard steam coal, and about 120 tons of
coke, for the Guardians. Forms from Mr. J. E. Burch,
clerk, 39, Castle-street, Canterbury.

Cheltenham, June 23.—Household and small steam*
coal for the Corporation. Forms, Mr. J. Sk Pickering,,
borough engineer, Municipal Offices.