574

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

September 11, 1914.

the.rate of oxidation is increased by the presence
of moisture is confirmed, in opposition to the view
of Richters ; but it must not on this account be
assumed that wet goaves are more liable to
spontaneous combustion than dry goaves. It needs
only a small trace of moisture to render a coal wet
in a chemical sense, and to stimulate the rate of
oxidation by its presence. Any excess of wetness
would probably have a cooling effect due to evapora-
tion. This shows how easy it is for authorities to
appear to disagree upon a fundamental matter.
Mahler was probably correct as regards chemical
wetness, while Richters may have been right
respecting physical wetness.

The influence of oxidation upon gob fires is, of
course, due to the heat change produced, and
importance, therefore, attaches to the thermal value
of the absorption of oxygen. Mr. Winmill considers
this question and criticises the conclusions of Mr. F.
E. E. Lamplough and Miss Muriel Hill, who
determined the heating equivalent as 3’3 calories
per cubic centimetre of oxygen absorbed. The
determination of this value is not by any means an
easy experimental matter, and it is not surprising
that different observers would fail to obtain con-
cordant results. Mr. Winmill finds reasons for
reducing the heat equivalent to about 2*5 calories,
but he seems to confirm in the main the statement
of the above-named authors that there is not much
difference in the heat evolution whether coal or
pyrites is undergoing oxidation

We must not, however, confuse the heat equivalent
with the actual heating effect. The latter depends
largely upon the rate of oxidation. The temperature
of a goaf can only rise when the heat is supplied
faster than it is lost by conduction, radiation and
evaporation of moisture. Now, the rate of oxidation
as well as the total quantity of oxygen absorbed
increases with the temperature. This is a remarkable
fact, proving clearly that as the temperatuie rises
new reactions take place in the coal. Mr. Winmill
investigated these relations, using Barnsley hard
coal, and Mr. Ivon Graham, using similar methods,
studied the same problem with regard to the various
parts of thb Barnsley seam, including (1) Top softs;
(2) black bituminous shale; (3) Barnsley hards ; (4)
Barnsley softs; (5) jacks; (6) cannel. The results
are highly interesting. Using Barnsley hards as a
standard of comparison, there is very little difference
in the rate of oxidation at temperatures below
70degs. Cent., but above this temperature the soft
coal absorbs oxygen at a greater rate than the hards.

The practical importance of the above lies in the
fact that the rate of oxidation and consequently the
rate of heating of a mass of coal is cumulative, and
it is shown by these researches that the mere absorp-
tion of oxygen from the air is quite sufficient to
cause the coal to fire, provided that no heat is lost
during the reaction. Attention, however, should
here be given to the fact, already demonstrated by
numerous researches, that as the temperature rises
the thermal phenomena become extremely complex,
being the result of exothermic and endothermic
reactions in the coal.

Finally, Mr. Winmill devotes special consideration
to the rate oi spontaneous heating of coal. In this
connection he is careful to point out the necessity for
separating primary and secondary causes. There is,
as he maintains, no necessary connection between
the so-called “points of inflammation of coal” and
its liability to spontaneous heating. In other words,
gob fires are not necessarily the result of the presence
of a highly-inflammable coal.

The authors of these papers have shown conclu-
sively, as we think, that under favourable circum-
stances both Barnsley hard and soft coal are capable
of generating sufficient heat by oxidation to cause
spontaneous ignition. We should, however, now
like to see this elaborate series of researches repeated
with other coals from seams known to be immune
from gob fires. We should also like to know more
about the comparative constitution of the Barnsley
seam with regard to the character of its resinous
derivatives. We want to know how these heating
curves are modified by the nature of the coal
substance. It is, we know, much to ask; but it is
perhaps excusable, and not uncomplimentary to the

authors of these coal researches, if enthusiasm
has been aroused by the results so far achieved, and
a desire has arisen to push still further the attack so
ably initiated in the Doncaster Coal Owners’ Research
Laboratory.

Several important colliery companies
The have decided to withhold for the
Non-payment present the dividends that would
Of Dividends, normally have been distributed
amongst their shareholders. Many of
the latter have regarded this as a hardship, as no
doubt it is, as a matter of fact. But it is idle to
accuse directors, who have been compelled to hold
up profits in this way, of robbery. The reason for
their action is a simple and honourable one.

Many collieries at the present time have very
large sums owing from abroad which they are unable
to collect, and in this country also some of their
customers have sought the protection of the mora-
torium. On the other hand, a colliery has to pay its
way largely from day to day ; wages, which consume
over 60 per cent, of the revenue, are a first charge
upon profits that has to be met each week, and
it is necessary that other costs should be promptly
liquidated in the interests of the company’s credit
and reputation. Any company that distributed
liquid profits amongst its shareholders and at the
same time failed to meet such commitments, would
be on the road to destroy the undertaking that earns
these profits for the shareholders. If the latter are
unable themselves, in consequence, to pay their
debts, it only shows that that necessary evil, a
moratorium, is, so to speak, endogenous.

LABOUR AND WAGES.

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

The banksmen who have for three or four years been
pressing their demand for fewer hours and uniform pay
have a new grievance at the present time. It is alleged
that where the extra hour is being worked, the banksmen
are in some cases not getting any extra pay. This matter
w7ill come up for discussion to-day (Friday) at a meeting of
the Joint Committee; and, in addition, there will be con-
sideration given to proposals from some of the larger col-
liery companies, who are endeavouring to meet the men on
the original question. High hope is entertained that a
settlement may be reached.

Progress is being made with the endeavour w’hich wras
initiated at the outbreak of war to settle all the disputes in
the coalfield. As has been already reported, a number were
promptly disposed of, only very few’ remaining to be dealt
with; and on Friday last the joint sub-committee that has
the matter in hand met again in Cardiff, when it wras stated
that no more than three disputes were still unsettled. There
is the house coal strike at Llangennech and other pits of
Messrs. T. Williams and Sons, also questions at the Pwll-
bach Company’s Tirbach collieries, as well as a difficulty in
the Upper seam of the Ocean Colliery. Certain proposals
were put forward, and these will be considered by the work-
men’s representatives, who will give reply at a further meet-
ing of the joint committee.

As showing the effect of recruiting, it has to be recorded
that Neath Labour Exchange announced on Monday that
2,000 men were wanted for collieries in Aberdare. district.
Owing to the slackness in the anthracite area, this announce-
ment was w’armly welcomed.

North of England.

Regardless of the depleted condition of the union
exchequer, a section of the members of the Durham Miners’
Association, headed by Mr. Thos. Craggs, president of the
Washington Glebe lodge, appears to be determined to
enforce payment of the unemployed benefits authorised by
the rules. It will be remembered that on August 22 the
council of the association decided by show of hands that
Rule 54, which deals with the out-of-work payments, should
be suspended. The malcontents are calling the associa-
tion’s attention to another rule—84—which reads : “ The
council at all times to be guided by and abide by rule.”
Mr. Craggs states that he has called the attention of the
Registrar to the suspension, and that ” the Registrar's letter
is very definite on the subject.” He adds : ” We have now
tried to get through the proper channel the ‘ rule support ’
to which we are legally entitled, and we have failed. I have
laid the matter before our lodge, and they have instructed
me to call a special delegate meeting, to be held at Wash-
ington Station on Saturday, September 12. All the collieries
in the county of Durham are invited to send as many
delegates as possible.”

A rather unpleasant state of affairs exists at Pegswcod
Colliery. Mr. Fraser, the owner of Pegswood Colliery,
which has only worked four da vs since August 2, met the
representatives of the men, and, after explaining that the
price of coal had dropped considerably since the outbreak of
war, that the pit was being worked at a loss, and that an
expert had given the opinion that there should be an output
of at least three tons per man, he would have seriously to
think of closing the pit unless the output per man was
increased. The men held a mass meeting, and great resent-
ment was shown at the statement of Mr. Fraser, the men
declaring that the output is now 2 tons 13 cwt. per man,
and the following resolution was passed :—“ That the
message, conveyed by deputation to the workmen of Pegs-
wood Colliery, from Mr. Fraser is an insult and an asper-
sion on their honesty. Further, that we treat the message
with the contempt it deserves.”

The Chopwell miners’ lodge members are very dissatis-
fied at the action of the Durham Miners' Association in not
granting relief to the men of the No. 1 and No. 2 Chopwell

pits. At a meeting of the men it was decided that, in the event
of the association not paying the relief, the lodge contribu-
tions would stop, and an appeal would be made to the rest
of Consett Iron Company’s collieries to form an independent
union.

Iron, Steel, and Engineering Trades.

Last Saturday evening Mr. Janies Gavin, general secre-
tary of the Iron and Steel Workers’ Union, received inti-
mation from the Board of Trade that the Steel Company of
Scotland Limited, Cambuslang, had intimated. that they
were willing to submit their workers’ dispute to arbitration,
and that the arbiter selected was Sheriff Mackenzie. Mr.
Gavin, on receipt of the intimation, communicated with Mr.
Matthew L. Simpson, the general manager of the Steel
Company, and it was decided that the Hallside Steel Works
should be opened forthwith. The dispute originated fully
three months ago through 70 “ timmers ” refusing to
accept the new conditions offered by the company, and 1,500
men have been idle during that time.

THE LONDON COAL TRADE.

Thursday, September 10.

The London coal trade still remains very quiet for the
season of the year. Supplies are coming forward with
greater regularity, and the traders are better able to deliver
the arrears of coal on order. The low priced offers to the
Government have had a considerable influence upon public
orders, and very little new trade has been entered into
lately. So many orders, however, were received during the
first few days of the war, and the fear of a shortage of fuel
W’as so pronounced, that it has taken the market quite until
the present time to execute the orders received. The hot
weather has been a wonderful help during the past few
weeks, and the practical cessation of the export trade has
allowed ample time for full supplies to come forward suffi-
cient to cope with the rush of orders received during the
scare. Now, however, the London merchants find them-
selves nearly at the end of these orders, and the pressure
for coal usually noticeable during September is completely
gone, as the general public filled up all their cellars during
August. The London market is very seriously affected by
the restricted output, especially with the house coal col-
lieries, for in many cases working is down to four days per
W’eek, and some less than that. Fortunately, however, the
weather continues unusually warm, and the actual coal con-
sumption is at its lowest minimum rate. The reports from
the collieries all point to a distinct curtailment of labour
during the coming winter, arising from the enrolment of so
many men willing to serve in the war, and this enlisting
is still going on, so that the short-handed feature of colliery
labour is likely to become more acute as winter advances.
There are some, however, who prophesy that the export trade
is so terribly crippled, and is felt more keenly in the North,
that there must very shortly be a large number of the
Durham collieries close down, whilst Yorkshire and Lanca-
shire collieries will endeavour to find heme markets for their
output, even at reduced prices: and men from these dis-
tricts are not unlikely to remove into the Midlands, where
W’ork is not so much affected by the cessation of the export
trade. This state of affairs, however, means keeping a
plentiful supply of coal ready to hand, and will help con-
siderably in preventing anything like inflated prices during
the coming winter; and fear is that the enormous quantities
available will flood the market, and the supply will be far
beyond the demand. The Midland collieries, however, are
still very much behindhand with their summer deliveries,
and in very few cases are they able to quote for ” forward,”
or even for “ prompt ” delivery at the present time. The
railway companies have been working better during the
past week, and have brought in a large number of empties
which have been seriously delayed en route lately, and the
loaded wagons also have been shifted from the colliery
sidings, so that altogether the volume of trade doing has
considerably increased on the London Exchange. Arrears
have been: overtaken or materially lightened^. and colliery
agents are prepared to deal with new business. No great
pressure, however, is evidenced for any fresh business for
the September trade is usually fairly brisk, and it is the
last month of the summer prices. October 1 will begin
the winter contract prices, which are in many cases Is. per
ton higher for household qualities, and 6d. to 9d. per ton
higher for kitchen coal and bakers’ nuts. Meanwhile, all
colliery prices are firm, but very little new* trade has been
opened up. The reports from the depots are not encouraging,
and apart from the orders booked at the lowest summer
prices, very little is doing. Already there are returns show-
ing the delivery trade to be very weak, and dealers are
buying very little indeed. In the seaborne market no
quotations are given, and all the coal coming forward is for
contract cargoes. Twenty-five cargoes were returned on
Monday last as entering the River Thames, and seven for
Wednesday's market. A small quantity of Sharlston Main
(Ycrks) and Wallsend nuts has been on offer during the
week, and was sold at fairly steady prices. The market
for small coal, both slacks, peas, and D.S. nuts, has been
overdone with supplies lately, and prices are considered
weaker. Gas coals have also been very plentiful and diffi-
cult to sell. Many of the factories along the Thames side
—especially those who are dependent upon the import trade
for the raw material—have either closed down, or are work-
ing very short time. But in other cases, where local indus-
tries have been required either for war material or to do
with fitting up the various transports, the factories are
working at high pressure. The whole of the North London
stations were closed and the train service cancelled from
Monday at three o'clock until Tuesday at three o'clock,
evidently for the moving of the troops or the transport of
war material to and from the various London docks. Prices
are reported to be much easier in the Newcastle district and
the Humber ports. The Metal Exchange continues closed.
The extension of the moratorium affects the London coal
trade very little indeed, as all the accounts are paid monthly,
and in the few cases in which the July account was held
back, the firms sent on a level amount for August consign-
ments in advance, and have since squared up the July
balance. Collieries for the most part holding to themselves
the right to cease sending further supplies until the July
accounts were paid in full. The iron market is reported as
very quiet. The shipping danger has seriously crippled the
oversea trade. Local consumers are taking contract sup-
plies, but producers report a somewhat heavy stock on hand.
The same may be said of the North Country coal trade. The
demand is good, and especially for the Mediterranean coal-
ing ports, but the difficulty of getting the cargoes safely away
is causing a number of steamers to lay up. Freights are