July 16, 1915.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

129

LABOUR AND WAGES.

Miners’ Federation and the Munitions Act.

The intimation of the Proclamation under the Munitions
Act of the South Wales coal field reached the executive of
the Miners’ Federation vf Great Britain on Tuesday after-
noon, while they were engaged at the Westminster Palace
Hotel in considering the grave situation created by the
decision of the South Wales miners at their conference at
Cardiff on Monday. On the adjournment, Mr. Bobt. Smillie
informed the Press that there had been a long discussion of
the serious situation in South Wales, and the following reso-
lution was passed :—

That we express our deep regret that a settlement has not
been secured in the South Wales coal field dispute. We
believe that South Wales coal masters are mainly respon-
sible for the deadlock. In view of the very serious national
crisis which exists at the present time caused by the war,
we appeal to the South Wales miners to go on working
from day to day until a satisfactory settlement is arrived at.

Mr. Smillie added that in connection with the pledge recently
given to Mr. Lloyd George in regard to local and general
disputes, the executive committee agreed to send out word
to all the county organisations connected with the Federation,
advising that joint machinery should be set up between the
owners and the workmen for the settlement of all disputes.

The other business of the executive was of an interesting
character. It was agreed that the Federation should go on
making arrangements for the delegate meeting which is to
be held in London on Wednesday next. Mr. James Winstone
was appointed to take the place vacant on the war emergency
committee by the resignation of Mr. W. Brace, M.P.

A letter was read from the Northumberland Miners’ Asso-
ciation, which pointed out that the maximum increase which
could be secured in the rates under the Northumberland
sliding scale arrangements was 65 per cent, on the 1888 basis.
At the present time the price of coal under the sliding scale
justified the payment of a percentage amounting to 80 per
cent., but the fact that an increase of 15 per cent., which was
granted in connection with the increased cost of living some
weeks ago, prevented wages following prices up to the price
which would be now justified. It was held by the miners
that the war bonus of 15 per cent, should not be included in
the 65 per cent, limit laid down by the wages agreement. It
was agreed that the officials of the Federation alone, with
Mr. W. Straker, should consult with the Prime Minister as
to his definition of the point.

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

The general situation in the South Wales coal field is
dealt with under “ Notes from the Coal Fields.”

The dispute at Swansea Dock culminated on the 9th inst.
in a strike by the tippers, the consequence being that the
trimmers were also rendered idle, no fewer than 600 men
in all being affected. Work was resumed on Monday at all
the tips save one.

Craftsmen at the Cwmaman collieries have been on strike
for an increase in wages of 6d. per day.

At the Blaenavon Company’s Milfraen pit a stoppage was
occasioned by accumulation of water, with which the pumps
were temporarily unable to cope.

North of England.

But for the recent war bonus of 15 per cent.—which it was
agreed should be merged in any advance which thereafter
fell due—the Cleveland miners would have been entitled to
an advance of 7| per cent, in their wages for the ensuing
three months. They are still, of course, 7 J per cent, better
off than they would have been with the normal increase,
their wages remaining at 46J per cent, above the standard.
This was decided upon at a joint meeting of owners and
miners held at Middlesbrough on Monday.

At the most recent meeting of the Northumberland Coal
Trade Joint Committee, it was announced that a reduction
of 2|d. per ton in the scale height prices of the Yard seam
of Bedlington E Pit had been awarded. The owners had
agreed not to take off the l|d. per ton consideration now paid
in the Fourth and Fifth South Low Main seam during the
continuance of the war. Mr. Edward Shortt, K.C., M.P.,
chairman of the committee, intimated that, owing to his
professional engagements, he would be unable to accept
re-election to that position. He was thanked for his services,
and the choice of a successor postponed until the July
meeting.

The executive committee of the Northumberland Miners’
Association has arrived at the following resolution :—‘‘ That
in case it is ultimately agreed to suspend the operation of the
Eight Hours Act in any respect in Northumberland, the
following general conditions should be given such suspension :
(1) Any suspension of the Eight Hours Act to be for the
period of the war only; (2) where the required shift of any
class of workmen is lengthened, the extra hours shall be
paid for at the rate of one-and-a-quarter time; (3) all overtime
in excess of the required shift as arranged shall be paid for
on the basis of a six hours shift; (4) extra shifts or over-
time shall not be compulsory upon any individual workman;
(5) all additional week-end shifts to be six hours’ shifts; (6)
that no workmen, either men or boys, shall be dismissed
owing to any suspension of the Eight Hours Act; (7) the
minimum wage of any class whose hours are increased under
the suspension shall be raised in the same proportion, as the
extra hours are to be paid for under No. 2.”

As was to be expected, the Northumberland coal owners,
at a joint meeting in Newcastle last Saturday, resolutely
declined to agree to the miners’ claim for a wages advance to
76 per cent, above the basis of 1879, a claim made under
circumstances fully detailed in our previous issue. The miners
therefore decided to submit the whole question to the
executive committee of the Miners’ Federation of Great
Britain, and an appeal to Mr. Asquith to define his award
may result.

Our North of England correspondent points out that the
statement issued by the Miners’ Federation is not accurate
in stating that “ the maximum which could be secured in
wages under the Northumberland sliding scale was 65 per
cent, on the 1888 basis. At the present time the price of
coal under the scale justifies the payment of 80 per cent.”
The basis on which Northumberland miners’ wages are
regulated is that of 1879, not 1888, and even the miners’
leaders themselves do not contend for a wages advance to 80
per cent., but to 76. The facts are as reported in the
Colliery Guardian last week. That this is so is demonstrated
by the letter which Mr. Wm. Straker, corresponding
secretary of the Northumberland Miners’ Association, sent to
Mr. Ashton, secretary of the Federation, as follows :—‘‘As
you know, in this county wages are regulated by a sliding
scale, with a maximum of 65 per cent. Had that maximum

not been in the road, and steps in the scale continued upward,
according to the last ascertainment of prices, we should have
been entitled to 76 per cent, on wages, irrespective of the 15
per cent, war bonus, which we recognise must be merged in
that 76 per cent. We contend that, according to the Prime
Minister’s decision respecting the war bonus advance, no
maximum had to stand in the way of any such advances.
Therefore, percentage advances in this district, providing
prices rise so high, should continue to be put on until the
price equals an advance of 65 per cent, under the scale, plus
15 per cent, war bonus, making a total of 80 per cent. Only
by this interpretation can the two statements in the Prime
Minister’s decision be reconciled. The owners, however, con-
tend that under no circumstances, so long as the agreement
continues, can our wages advance further than the maximum
of 65 per cent.” As a result of the deliberations of the
Federation executive on this matter, a deputation, consisting
of Federation officials and of Mr. Straker, is to wait upon
Mr. Asquith to seek his definition of that point in his award.

Algernon lodge of Northumberland Miners’ Association has
passed a resolution protesting against the renewal of the
sliding scale agreement without consultation with the county,
and calling upon the executive committee to call a -special
council meeting at which to clear the matter up.

It was, it appears, Mr. Scott-Elder, chief inspector of
weights and measures to the Durham County Council, who,
visiting the Wheatley Hill Colliery in his private capacity,
brought about a settlement of the brief strike over the removal
of a weighing machine from one pit heap to another. The
men objected to the coal having to go from No. 1 to No. 2
pit to be weighed, alleging that a good deal of the coal fell
from the tubs en route—to their financial detriment. Mr.
Scott-Elder expressed the opinion, after examining the posi-
tion, that the machine should be restored to its former
position, and the men thereupon agreed to allow the cavils
to go in and to start work, leaving the matter and a minor
grievance to be settled by negotiation.

East Stanley miners have declined to revert to the two-
shift system on the terms proposed by the owners.

The minutes of a meeting of the executive committee of
the Northumberland Miners’ Association, sent out to the
branches recently, contain reference to a letter received from
the Preston Lodge, North Shields, stating that two women
had been engaged on the coal washer at that pit. The com-
mittee replied that they could not too strongly condemn the
introduction of women labour in connection with the hand-
ling of coal, directly or indirectly, at mines in Northumber-
land, as it was contrary to the practice in this country for
centuries, if not during the whole history of coal mining in
■the district. Moreover, in their opinion, it w&s not neces-
sary, even under present circumstances, and was contrary
to the recommendation of the Departmental Committee deal-
ing with the coal industry. The committee have instructed
their officials to at once communicate their views on the
subject to the Colliery Owners’ Association, and to take any
other steps necessary to have this practice at Preston, or
any other pit where it may have been commenced, ended
at the earliest possible moment.

Federated Area.

Another batch of Black Country miners have been sum-
moned at Brierley Hill for neglect of work. The South
Staffordshire stipendiary ordered 23 men to pay 10s. each
and the costs, for causing a stoppage at one of Lord Dudley’s
Himley Collieries. It was stated that it was necessary to put
a few men to play, owing to a lack of room, and that the
other men ceased work in sympathy. There had been so
much trouble at the pit recently that Lord Dudley’s agent
contemplated closing it unless the men worked more regu-
larly. Mr. B. G. Wills appeared for the men, and said that
the charter master at present working the pit had only
.recently taken up the duties, and he had introduced new
methods, which were resented by the men. The cause of
the trouble which led to the last stoppage was his endeavour
to compel two men to do a three-men’s job.

At a meeting of the council of the Yorkshire Miners’ Asso-
ciation at Barnsley on Monday, Mr. H. Smith presiding,
the council passed a resolution of condolence with the rela-
tives of 40 more members of the association who have lost
their lives in the war. Applications to take a ballot on the
question of giving notice at the Ossett, Boundwood, Mill-
bridge, Lofthouse, and Halifax collieries were referred to the
district for decision. The disputes are in regard to alleged
victimisation, house coal, non-unionists, and the war bonus.
Commenting upon the cases, Mr. Wadsworth, M.P., said
the officials had pledged themselves to do all they could to
prevent the men from striking during the national crisis.
Where owners and managers did not carry out agreements
regarding the war bonus, minimum wage, etc., the associa-
tion officials would be compelled to communicate with the
Prime Minister, pointing out the action which each indi-
vidual colliery were taking. The officials did not consider
that the simple carrying out of an agreement entered into
between the Miners’ Federation and the Coal Owners’ Asso-
ciation was a subject for arbitration. The men were very
dissatisfied at the treatment they were receiving, especially in
West Yorkshire. The officials had been in communication
for about six weeks with the West Yorkshire Coal Owners’
Association, asking for a meeting, and could get nothing
done, and it looked as though the owners were determined
nothing should be done if they could prevent it. If this
kind of thing continued, the owners must be held responsible
for what might happen. It was reported that the vote of
the branches showed an overwhelming majority in favour of
an increase in the contributions from 6d. to 9d. for full, and
3d. to 4|d. for half-members. It was decided to take an
individual vote of the members on the proposal that the
increased contributions should take effect from August 7 next.
A resolution was passed protesting against the suggestion
that two or three million pounds should be taken from the
National Belief Fund (subscribed for the relief of distress) to
supplement Army and Navy pensions.

The representatives of the Lancashire and Cheshire Colliery
Firemen’s Association have met the executive committee of
the Lancashire and Cheshire Coal Owners on the wages
question, and a wages agreement has been ratified, whereby
all colliery firemen in the area will be paid on a settled basis,
which varies in different districts. Under the agreement
arrived at, the day’s wage of all men who have been in
receipt of 7s. 5d. and under will be increased to 7s. 9d.. the
advances on the other day wage rates being from 7s. 7d. to
7s. lid., 7s. 8d. and 7s. 9d. to 8s., 7s. lOd. to 8s. Id.,
7s. lid. to 8s. 2d., 8s. and 8s. Id. to 8s. 3d., 8s. 2d. to
8s. 4d., 8s. 3d. to 8s. 5d., and 8s. 4d. to 8s. fid. The wages
of those colliery firemen who are already in receipt of 8s. 6d.
or over 8s. 6d. per day will remain as at present. An
arrangement has also been made between the coal owners
and the men’s representatives in regard to a six-days week,

with the exception of holiday times, so that, should the
collieries in the area at any time go on slack time, the fire-
men will be granted facilities for working six days each
week. The war bonus of 15| per cent, which has been
granted to the miners will also be paid to the colliery firemen
under the agreement, in addition to the increases specified,
but any advances which may have been received by firemen
in the area since the beginning of the present year will be
considered as part of the increases under the agreement.
Fire coal also is to be reckoned as part of wages. Special
consideration is to be given in the case of old men acting as
firemen. The first increases under the agreement will be
paid on 23rd inst. Any difficulties that may arise in con-
nection with the carrying out of the agreement are to be
referred to a joint committee representing both sides for
settlement.

Scotland.

The Scottish Miners’ Union on Tuesday made a demand
for a further increase of wages, their claim being 25 per cent,
on the 1888 basis scale. The present wage is 8s. 3d. per
day, and came into force about two weeks ago, upon Sir
George Ask with’s decision. The increased prices being
secured by colliery owners is the explanation of the new
demand. Some 90,000 miners are affected.

A monthly meeting of the executive board of the Fife and
Kinross Miners’ Association was held at Dunfermline last
week, Mr. Archibald Adam (Lassodiemill) in the chair. A
proposal was under consideration to admit to the membership
of the association the female workers employed about the
mines of the county. The meeting decided, on the request
of the Scottish National Union of Mine Workers, to take up
the matter. In view of the possible shortage of coal through-
out the country, it w7as decided to reduce the annual summer
holidays from six days to three days. It was agreed io
recommend the members to invest T5,000 of the association
funds in the Government War Loan.

Iron, Steel and Engineering Trades.

Official figures of the voting amongst members of the1 Amal-
gamated Society of Engineers on the question of accepting
the proposed agreement with the Government regarding the
output of munitions and equipments of war, have now been
given by the executive of the men’s union. The ballot
resulted as follows:—In favour, 18,078; against, 4.025;
majority in favour, 14,053. The agreement has therefore
been approved.

War Bonuses.

The executive committee of the Miners’ Federation of Great
Britain, in a communication to the affiliated unions, gives the
result of the recent wages movement. The English Concilia-
tion Board area received 15| per cent, on current wages, or
about 25 per cent, on the old basis. South Wales, 17| per
cent, on the old basis; Durham, 15 per cent, on their present
basis, it being understood that they would have no further
claim for an advance until prices reached the amount that
would justify an advance under the agreement. In the
award was included per cent, previously obtained, so that
they only got 13| per cent. Northumberland, 15 per cent,
on their basis to date from May 3. This represented about
10-13 per cent, on current earnings. Scotland 18f per cent,
on the 1888 basis. Cleveland, 17| per cent on their basis.

OBITUARY.

Capt. Sir John Edward Fowler, Bart., 4th Seaforth High-
landers (T.F.), who is reported killed with the Expeditionary
Force, was a son of the late Sir John Fowler, Bart., who
(with his brother, Mr. William Fowler) founded the Sheep-
bridge Coal and Iron Company.

Capt. Edward Dickinson, 11th Yorkshire Begt. (attached
1st Boyal Dublin Fusiliers), aged 29, who was killed at
the Dardanelles on June 28, took the B.Sc. degree at the
University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. When war broke
out he was science master at Darlington Technical College.

Mr. Charles H. Whitham, steel and file manufacturer,
died at his residence, 45, Crescent-road, Sheffield, on the
12th inst.

Mr. Marshall Forster, engineer to the owners of Ham-
steels Collieries, who died suddenly on Monday last at his
residence, South View, Hamsteels, was 68 years of age, and
had been in the service of the Hamsteels Collieries for practi-
cally the whole of his working life. He superintended the
firm’s engineering enterprises at Shotton, Castle Eden, and
Whitworth. His father and he were first down the mine to
the rescue of the miners after the boiler explosion at Haswell
Colliery many years ago.

With the death, at the age of 68 years, of Mr. William
Foster, of Willington, another old and faithful servant of the
mine has passed away. Mr. Foster, who entered the pit as
a youth, held the post of deputy-overman at Brancepeth A
Pit for over 40 years, until his death. He took a prominent
part in the rescue work after the disastrous explosion at the
pit on April 13, 1896, and was one of the first party to
descend the mine.

Report on an American Dust Explosion.—At the inquest
into the death of nine men killed by an explosion in No. 1
mine of the Smokeless Coal Company, Johnstown, Pa., a
report of the commission appointed to investigate the explo-
sion was read. The commission agreed that the initial point
of the explosion was at a place where a shot had been recently
fired near the face of an entry, the shot having liberated a
small quantity of gas, which was ignited by the workmen’s
lamps on their return to note the result of the shot. The
concussion produced by the ignition of the small body of gas
raised the dust in suspension, which in turn ignited, causing
the explosion. The flame produced spread into room work-
ings at this point, where it was reinforced by a small accumu-
lation of gas at the room faces. This, in connection with
the dust thrown into suspension, developed a very fierce
explosion. The inspectors recommend that the mine be kept
as free as possible from coal dust, and. if necessary, to prevent
any accumulation of dust from floating in the atmosphere,
that the dust be kept thoroughly watered, loaded, and sent
out of the mine. It is interesting to note that a reversible
fan was in use at this mine, and that the building erected for
the purpose of reversing the ventilation was damaged by the
force of the explosion, thereby reducing the volume of air
entering the mine until temporary repairs could be executed.