Octobe K, 16, 1914,

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

835

The vote of thanks was heartily accorded.

Replying, Mr. Ralph remarked that, in his experi-
ments, he got some wholly unlooked-for results. It was
a great personal satisfaction, whether it became a
commercial success or not, to have achieved the object
that one had in view. Mr. Nelson asked as to the
method in which the variation of temperature was
compensated for. It was very simple. The two wires
were identical in size, resistance and material, and any
variation in the battery voltage affected one equally
with the other. Prof. Louis had mentioned the possible
danger from coal dust. In the mine into which he went
in South Wales, an exceedingly dusty mine, no trouble
was experienced. One day’s trial was not very much,
of course, but he did not apprehend any danger from
coal dust. He thought the gauze was a fairly good
protection, and most people would admit that red hot
wire was certainly very much safer than a flame enclosed
by gauze. Prof. Louis also referred to the alteration of
zero. The speaker beueved that other people had had
the same experience as himself, that working platinum
at that comparatively low temperature, the alteration,
if any, was very minute and one might expect the
heaters to last for a very long time. Mr. Wilson had
mentioned the question of safety from ignition, also.
The speaker thought the gauze protection could take
care of that, He was told by some authorities that he
had broken the law in taking that detector into the
mine before it was approved. He hoped no one would
get into trouble as a consequence—but he had not
mentioned the name of the colliery.

Hydraulic Stowing in South Africa.

Papers by Mr. Samuel Dean on “ Coalmining in
Illinois,” and by Mr. B. C. Gullachsen on “ Hydraulic
Stowing in the Gold Mines of the Witwater stand,” were*
taken as read. Abstracts of these papers are given in
another column.

Mr. J. D. Paton, of Manchester, supplied a long
commentary on Mr. Gullachsen’s paper, and illustrated
his remarks by a number of excellent lantern slides
which he had collected in relation to hydraulic stowing
of coal mines in this country and on the Continent. He
remarked that hydraulic stowing was said to be a
British invention, and that we bad one of the finest
installations in this country—at Clydebank— so far as
economy was concerned. He advocated hydraulic
stowing for the reason, amongst others, that it lowered
the temperature and improved the atmosphere of a
mine. In some cases, too, the timber recovered alone
had paid for the installation of stowing. He averred
that, if we went to the trouble of stowing our mines,
and confined our dust trouble to the roads, we would
very soon have a finish of tne dust trouble altogether.

The President, moving a vote of thanks to Mr.
Gullachsen for his paper, said the subject was very
important, particularly in regard to the new collieries in
the Doncaster district which were now being opened
out. He did not know whether it was suggested that
that particular system should apply to all collieries.
Aftei’ all, the whole thing came to the question of
whether it would pay. There was no doubt whatever
that it would be a great advantage to stow out the
goaves in all pits, but whether the cost of stowing them
up would be compensated by the advantages that would
accrue was a matter on which he was not in a position
to form an opinion.

The vote was warmly agreed to, and Mr. Dean was
also thanked for his paper.

The meeting closed with an exhibition, description
and demonstration of the Williams firedamp indicator
or “ methanometer.”

At the half-yearly meeting of the members of the Durham
Aged Mine Workers’ Homes Association on Saturday last
in Durham, the treasurer (the Rev. J. R. Croft) reported
that receipts had increased by £4,973 13s. 7d., and payments
by £5,732 6s. 8d. Of the increased receipts, lodges had
contributed £2,495 15s. 3d., colliery owners £1,300, district
committees £729 7s. 9d., and £390 had come from private
subscriptions and donations. The increase in payments
was accounted for to the extent of £5,644 by increased
expenditure on district buildings. The bank balance had
been reduced from £2,478 16s. 4d. to £231 17s. 5d. This
big reduction was to be accounted for by the fact that the
greater proportion of the receipts were not forthcoming until
the latter part of the year. Dr. John Wilson, M.P., who
presided, commented on the success of Rose Day, whereby
£220 had been raised for the association. He suggested
that, instead of devoting such money and other incidental
sums to the general fund of the association, it should be
set aside for the provision of coals for the inmates of the
homes. As to the building fund, although their income was
lessened by the effect of the war, they had more houses in
course of construction than ever before. The building
operations at present included the erection of homes at
Trimdon Grange at a cost of £1,800; Harton, £11,528;
Boldon, £3,897; Ebchester, £2,295; Seaham, £1,800; Thorn-
ley, £3,000; and Stanley, £1,296; and, in addition, they
had schemes in prospect for East Hetton, Wingate, Wheat-
ley Hill, Birtley, etc. In order to meet their liabilities and
to be able to complete these homes, he suggested that the
money in the hands of certain districts should be handed
over to the general fund. He made reference also to the
Hartley Disaster Fund, and said that although it was
originally intended to grant £6,000 (25 per cent.) towards
building operations, it was now found, in consequence of
the rush of buildings last year, it would be impossible to
pay more than 10 per cent.

Notes from the Coalfields.

[Local Correspondence.]

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

Coal Supplies to the Enemy : Shippers' Repudiation—
“ Enemy Aliens ” Excluded from the Exchange—
Swansea Trade and the Anthracite Outlook — Large
Imports of Pitwood — Remarkable Case Under the
Compensation Act — Investing Senghenydd Explosion
Fund — Freedom of Cardiff for Sir W. J. Thomas—
Mining Education in Monmouthshire and Swansea—
Probabilities of the Freight Market — Colliers as
Recruits : Heavy Enlistments—Employers' Allowances
to Families — Demand for More Liberal Govern-
ment Pay—Stories of Determined Miner Recruits.

Much feeling has been aroused by the suggestion that mer-
chants in the coal trade are not taking sufficient care to
prevent supplies reaching the enemy, one of the chief alle-
gations against them—and this applies to the North of Eng-
land as well as to South Wales—being that the increase of
coal exports to Holland is proof positive that the Du'ch
ports are being used as routes of supply to Germany. The
allegation is unfounded; and the suggestion of one of the
London papers, that because of this increase Holland is
infringing neutrality, has not necessarily any basis in fact.
It should be borne in mind that during times of peace Hol-
land imports heavy supplies of coal from Belgium and West-
phalia ; that at the present time those collieries are not
working; and that consequently the Dutch must come to
Great Britain for supply. More than this, it is inevitable
that as the winter progresses, coal exports to Holland must
further increase, because more men are being withdrawn
from the mines in Germany in order that they may serve as
soldiers.

The authorities of Cardiff Exchange have recognised the
danger of retaining aliens as members, and have warned off
four firms; individual employees who are of the enemy
nations being also barred. It is obvious that upon an
Exchange which is for shipping and other business as well
as the coal trade, there is special risk of information leak-
ing out—as to Admiralty requirements in respect of fuel
and transports, as to destinations of merchant vessels, etc.
Coal for the Fleet, of course, is despatched under sealed
orders, not even the captain of the steamer knowing his
destination until he is well away from land. The ordinary
Customs returns are suspended, and even the dock offices
do not notify the departure of merchant vessels. From the
signalling stations, too, the intimations as to homeward-
bound craft have been restricted. Nevertheless, there
would still be opportunities for well-paid spies to pick up
valuable intelligence for the enemy; and consequently every
possible precaution is necessary.

Lord Giantawe, in a speech at Monday’s meeting of
Swansea Harbour Trust, said that the war was responsible
for the depleted returns of the past month, though, if they
compared the figures with 10 years ago, scarcely any reduc-
tion was manifest. Yet it was a serious matter that all
the progress made in the interval had been wiped out.
September of this year shows a decline of 42 per cent, in
tin-plate exports as compared with the corresponding
month of 1913, the figures being 23,973 tons against 41,336.
The galvanised sheet trade had a decline of no less than
69 per cent., 19,573 tons against 63,654.

Notwithstanding the serious interference which the war
has occasioned in anthracite and other exports, the trade
of Swansea during September has a record not entirely
unsatisfactory. Though there is reduction in tonnage as
compared with last year, the figures mark a large increase
over the corresponding period of two years ago. Also, now
that the anthracite trade is reviving, it has to be noted that
the outlook is even more satisfactory. Exports of anthra-
cite during the month of September from the United King-
dom were less by 141,797 tons than in the corresponding
month of 1913, the figures being 113,014 tons against
254,811; and in this, of course, Swansea stands for by far
the greater part. Steam coal figures are questionable, and
must be read with the reservation that large quantities
shipped for Admiralty use do not appear to have been
included in the returns. These have no destination
recorded.

One of the largest cargoes of pitwood ever imported—
probably the largest—arrived at Barry a few days ago, there
being at least 5,000 tons on board. It came from Bor-
deaux. Another notable incident of the pitwood trade is
the arrival at Newport of the s.s. “ Vauxhall,” which,
after lying in Baltic ports since the outbreak of wa?, has
run the gauntlet of German mines and cruisers and brought
home a heavy cargo. On this subject of pitwood, an
announcement of much importance is made, namely, that
the Board of Trade suspends for a while the prohibition of
carrying heavy deck loads during winter.. The object of
removing the prohibition is to ensure heavier supplies from
the Far North; and the Russians will attempt to keep open
Archangel by means of ice breakers till November is well
advanced, special craft for this purpose being bought from
Canada. Across the Bristol Channel, in Devonshire,
directly facing the South Wales coalfield, is an extensive
wooded area that can furnish large supplies of pit props,
and it is now announced that tens of thousands of fir trees
in the vicinity of Woods Bay, directly on the coast, are to
be cut down and marketed.

A remarkable case under the Compensation Act came
before the Aberdare County Court on Monday, involving
the question as to the legal claim of a collier, who had been
injured when under 21 years of age, to have his compensa-
tion increased when he passed that age; he now claiming
as to the effect of the Minimum Wage Act upon his com-
pensation rate. In April 1912 he sustained a fracture of
the leg at the Tower Colliery, Hirwain, and received 12s. 6d.
per week compensation (based upon average earnings of
25s. per week) ; subsequently receiving 18s. per week at
light employment, plus 2s. compensation. On his behalf it
was urged in Court that but for the injury he would be now
entitled to the minimum wage, plus percentages, and that
the compensation should therefore be increased. For the
colliery owner it was contended that the minimum rate
applied only to abnormal places, and that applicant's
“ stall ” was normal. The judge held that, although the
minimum wage was no fixed criterion, it must necessarily
mean—in the opinion of the competent authority that fixed
it—the average wage which an ordinary workman, with
ordinary diligence, and in ordinary circumstances, could
earn and would earn. This was precisely his assumption
in the present case; and he increased the compensation pay-
ment from 2s. to 3s. 6d. per week.

Senghenydd Explosion Fund Committee met in Cardiff
on Thursday of last week, when Mr. W. P. Nicholas
reported upon the investment of the fund. Their special
difficulty, he said, had been so to adjust the income as to
meet the obligations of the next five years, and so to arrange
investments that at the end of that period they could call
up sufficient money from time to time as would be needed.
Next year the payments would amount to £11,200, decreas-
ing to £8,162 in 1919, the total for the five years being
£48,425. Up to date, £96,071 had been invested with dif-
ferent public authorities, and the sub-committee were
authorised to invest £9,000. Cordial acknowledgment was
made of the valuable service Mr. Nicholas had rendered the
committee in dealing with this financial business.

The Cardiff Council have approved a suggestion to confer
the freedom of the city upon Sir W. J. Thomas, Ynyshir,
who recently sold his collieries to the United National
Company. Sir W. Thomas, however, retains a large
interest in the Bedwas undertaking. The Council’s propo-
sition is based upon Sir William’s philanthropy manifested
in the district, £100,000 having been given by him to the
Welsh National School of Medicine which is being estab-
lished in the city; in addition, close upon £20,000 has been
given to aid the work of the Cardiff Hospital. He has been
a liberal contributor to the Seamen’s Hospital, the Welsh
National Hospital for wounded soldiers, and to numberless
churches and chapels, as wTell as other local institutions.
Chiefly, no doubt, it is his engaging personality that wins
for him the approbation of so many upon the Cardiff
Exchange as well as of public men in the district.

Prof. Galloway has been consulted by the Monmouthshire
Council representatives as to the mining school which it is
proposed to establish on behalf of the county at Crumlin.
This school is being proceeded with independently of any
scheme which the coal owners have on their part. The
county school at Crumlin will provide for 60 scholars, and it
has been decided to give tuition in respect of both first
and second class colliery managers’ diplomas in mechanical
engineering, etc.

The Swansea Education Committee have had under con-
sideration a letter from the secretary of the South Wales
Mining School (the coal owners^ organisation), wherein they
express the opinion that it is most desirable in the interest
of efficiency in mining education, that the establishment of
a mining section at the Swansea Technical School should
be proceeded with at an early date, on the basis of arrange-
ments which have been already discussed. It was proposed
that in order to relieve the present school of mines a lec-
turer should be sent one day weekly, and that he should
conduct a preliminary mining class in conjunction with the
educational authority and its staff. The Swansea Commit-
tee also had before it a communication from the Glamorgan
authority suggesting joint action in regard to provision of a
course for the Home Offie examination in mining. It was
agreed the committee should meet the county authority.

Although the rates of freight are at present favourable to
exporters, and therefore of advantage to the coal trade, it
is clearly recognised—especially by those whose duty it is
to make long contracts forward—that in the near future
considerable difference may arise. One reason for this is
that the withdrawal of German competition will give to
British and Scandinavian ship owners practically the whole
work of transportation upon the sea, by far the greater
part, of course, being British. Although a number cf cheap
vessels will come into the home trade by reason of purchase,
through the Prize Court, of German vessels taken during
the war, the owners of these, notwithstanding their ability
to make good profit upon low rates, wTill without doubt be
as eager as others to secure the highest figures. Carriage
of the necessary raw material and food stuffs will employ
all the available steamers; and just when the shippers of
coal have to meet the extra demand occasioned by stoppage
of the German, Belgian, and French coal mines, they will
be brought face to face with a competitive demand for
tonnage. It is estimated that as much as 40 million tons
per annum of coal hitherto sent out from the Continent
represents the shortage that Will have to be made up, and,
whatever America may do, Great Britain is bound to secure
a great proportion of this extra business. However early
the war comes to a conclusion, the labour shortage in the
Continental mines will alone prevent the output meeting the
demand.

The South Wales Miners’ Federation is taking action to
obtain larger allowances for the soldier and his dependants,
it being felt that men who surrender well-paid employment
should be more liberally treated when in the national ser-
vice. Especially is it desired that the families of those who
have gone to the front should be better provided for; and in
all probability the terms submitted will be in accordance
with the resolutions passed in the different districts, viz.,
“ That at least £1 per week should be paid to the wife of
a man on active service.” One part of the argument is
that in the event of a man being killed, it would not be fair
that the district which has sent thousands of men to the
Colours, as is the case in the mining valleys in South
Wales, should bear the poverty that would be occasioned.
It is desired that there should be a guarantee that the
family of a soldier killed in the war or of a man permanently
disabled shall not suffer through his patriotism, but that
the provisions of the Compensation Act should apply.

The arguments on behalf of dependants is that when
house rent and other demands are taken into account, a
wife with two children (whose maximum allowance at pre-
sent only reaches 17s. 6d.) does not get nearly sufficient to
keep up the home adequately. Mr. Watts Morgan, the
Rhondda miners’ agent, has said : “ Had not some generous
colliery owners come to the rescue, women in the Rhondda
could never hope to pay 8s. 6d. for rent and Is. 6d. to 2s.
for coal. Thanks to the generosity of some colliery owners
—though I am sorry to say all have not done so—families
in the Rhondda had been kept above want. ... It is hard,
that a woman living in one house should get 25s. per week
while the woman next door gets only 15s., simply because
in the first place the husband worked for generous employers
and in the second case the husband was employed by colliery
owners who make no grant to dependants of men who have
enlisted.”

The Federation executive discussed at Cardiff on Monday
the rate of payment to the families of soldiers and sailors,
and passed a resolution expressing disappointment that the
Parliamentary Committee of the Trades Union Congress had
not icsponded to the request of the National Executive of
the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain. That request was
for the calling of a special congress to discuss “ the inade-
quate provisions for soldiers’ and sailors’ families,” and
the need of a State scheme for dealing with unemployment.