278 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. August 6, 1915. We are afraid that much of the The Organisation of Coal Mining. organisation that is being done to- day in this country consists merely in talking about it and in the coining of vacuous and dangerous phrases. Too much time is certainly wasted in useless and frothy speechmaking, but the great conference held in London a week ago was really admirable in its conception. On the one hand the Home Secretary was able, in his lucid way, to state what are the wishes and intentions of the Government in regard to the suspension of the Eight Hours Act and other restrictive regulations ; on the other hand, the opportunity was given to Mr. Lloyd George to deliver one of the noblest orations that he has ever uttered—all the nobler because he was dealing not with abstract emotions and unexception- able ideals, but with a rugged article of commerce. He succeeded in investing the business of winning coal with a dignity that cannot have failed to stimulate the imaginations of all who heard him. It is rather disheartening to realise that English- men need these oratorical 11 dopes,” but there are some minds that seem to be so turgid and ‘‘practical,” that no crisis can move them. In this sense, Mr. Smillie seems to us to have failed to rise to the opportunity that was granted him; he continued to toy with petty things and gave the impression that he still doubted whether the situation was “very serious.” The coal owners spoke as men who had passed the paroxysm of high enthusiasm, who were alive to, but not awed by, the need for hard work and drudgery. That, indeed, is the one clear fact that has to be faced. This is no time for punitive legislation, for “sweating,” or for strikes against visionary profits. If employers and workmen cannot agree to work in unison towards a well-defined object, and the Govern- ment are unwilling to recognise the obligation that rests upon them “ to sustain the industry in the efforts it makes,” the result must be failure, and we must envisage defeat and all that it entails. THE TIM-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. Business is very dull at present, and the tone of the market is easy. Works are closed down this week for holidays, and transactions have been largely confined to second-hand lots, which are being sold at slightly below makers’ prices. Buyers are not booking any more than they can help; on the other hand, works seem to have as much business on their books as they care about in the present state of affairs, and are, on the whole, standing firmly to their quotations, which range as follows :—Coke tins : I C 14 x 20 (112 sh. 1081b.), 18s. 9d. to 19s. per box; IC 28 X 20 (56 sh. 1081b.), 19s. 3d. to 19s. 6d.; I C 28 X 20 (112 sh. 2161b.), 37s. 9d. to 38s. 6d.; IC 14 x 18f (124 sh. lit) lb.), 19s. to 19s. 3d.; IC 20 x 10 (225sh. 1561b.), 27s. to 27s. 3d. I C squares and odd sizes, 19s. to 19s. 3d. basis. Charcoals are easy, at 21s. basis and upwards, according to finish. Ternes are quiet, at 34s. to 34s. 6d. for I C 28 x 20. Coke wasters are only in moderate request, and are quoted, as follow! CW 14 x 20, 18s. to 18s. 3d. per box; CW 28 X 20, 36s. 9d. to 37s.; C W 14 X I8f , 18s. 7Jd. to 18s. 9d.; CW 20 x 10, 26s. to 26s. 3d. per box; all f.o.b. Wales, less 4 per cent. Claim by a Belfast Coal Merchant.—At the Belfast Assizes recently, Messrs. Alexander King Limited, Wellington-place, Belfast, brought an action against Messrs. Howden Brothers, Larne, County Antrim, for damages for breach of a charter party made between the plaintiffs and the defendants on May 12, 1914, for the carriage of coal from Garston to Belfast. The statements of claim set out that the plaintiffs and the defendants duly executed a certain charter party whereby it was mutually agreed that the vessel “ Kilcoan,” or substitute at owners’ option, should proceed to Garston and there load -a full and complete cargo of coal, and subse- quently proceed to Belfast. It was further provided that the agreement should remain in force over 12 months, from June 1, 1914, till May 31, 1915, for the carrying of 25,000 tons. The defendants carried out the terms of the agreement until January 30, 1915, when the vessel “ Kilcoan,” while on a voyage from Garston to Belfast with a cargo of coal, was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine, whereupon the defendants intimated to the plaintiffs their intention not to carry out further the terms of the agreement. The defence was that Messrs. Howden Brothers were prevented from making any further deliveries after January 30, owing to the fact that the steamship “ Kilcoan,” which had been chosen by the plaintiffs for fulfilling the agreement, was torpedoed and sunk while engaged in the fulfilment thereof. The plaintiffs did not charter other vessels for the carriage of the balance of the coal undelivered. The judge, remarking that in his opinion the clause as to a substitute vessel which was entered in the agreement was for the benefit of either or both parties to it, entered judgment for the plaintiffs in the sum of £920, a stay of execution being granted. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, August 5. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. There is a firmer tone in the west of Scotland coal trade, and prices for some qualities have advanced fully Is. per ton. Splints are very busy and have very little coal avail- able for early loading. Ells are steady but bookings are heavy, and collieries are not disposed to consider further business unless at enhanced quotations. Navigations continue firm round about 21s. 6d. to 23s. 6d. per ton, while ordinary steams are improving. The demand ’ for washed nuts is well maintained, and supplies, especially in the case of trebles, are becoming scarce and values are inclining upward. Shipments for the week amounted to 123,638 tons, compared with 115,185 in the preceding week and 61,904 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Steam coal 14/ -16/6 14/ -17/6 11/9-13/3 Ell 17/ -17/3 15/9 11/9-12/ Splint 17/ -21/ 15/6-19/6 12/ -15/ Treble nuts . 18/6-19/ ! 17/6-18/ 12/ Double do 16/9-17/ 16/6-16/9 11/6-11/9 Single do 16/6-16/9 i 16/3-16/6 11/ -11/3 IRON. A full restart has been made in the various departments of the Scotch iron trade, and the works are busier than ever, the pressure for deliveries of all kinds having increased, partly owing to the recent stoppage. Pig iron makers are active, and while new business is still con- spicuous by its absence, the works have as much on hand as they can manage. There are 67 furnaces in blast in Scotland at present, compared with 62 in the preceding week and 52 in the corresponding week last year. The prices of Scotch makers’ iron are unchanged, and are quoted as follow: —Monkland, f.a.s. at Glasgow, No. 1, 80s. 6d., No. 3, 79s. ; Govan, No. 1, 79s., No. 3, 77s. 6d.; Carnbroe, No. 1, 83s., No. 3, 79s.; Clyde, No. 1, 85s. 6d., No. 3, 80s. 6d.; Gart- sherrie, Summerlee, Calder and Langloan, Nos. 1, 85s., Nos. 3, 80s. ; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 86s., No. 3, 81s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1, 80s., No. 3, 79s.; Dalmellington, at Ayr, No. 1, 81s., No. 3, 79s.; Shotts, at Leith, No. 1, 85s., No. 3, 80s.; Carron, at Leith, No. 1, 86s., No. 3, 81s. per ton. The Glasgow pig iron warrant market has been moderately active during the past week, when about 10,000 tons changed hands. Prices ruled fairly steady for the most part, and Cleveland iron closed at 66s. Id. per ton cash buyers, compared with 66s. 8d. in the preceding week. Warrant stores amount to 145,261 tons, compared with 82,252 tons in the same week last year. Finished iron makers are very active. Black-sheet makers report a strong demand for the heavy gauges, and plants are as fully occupied as the labour supply will allow. Malleable iron makers are well employed in both their iron and steel departments. Orders are plentiful, and deliveries, in many instances, are running into arrears. Iron and steel tube makers are well placed for orders on home account, and the export enquiry shows signs of improving. Scotland. -Eastern District. COAL. A more satisfactory position of affairs is reported from the collieries in the Lothians district. The different qualities of coal are in much better demand, and bookings for the month are fairly heavy, while values are firmer. The clearances for the week amounted to 34,347 tons, com- pared with 52,969 in the preceding week, and 44,361 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Best screened steam coal... Secondary qualities..... Treble nuts ............ Double do............... Single do............... Current prices. 16/6-17/6 15/6-16/6 18/6-19/ 16/6-17/6 16/3-16/9 L’st week’s Last year’s prices. 15/ -15/6 14/3-14/9 17/6-18/6 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/ prices. 11/6-11/9 10/9—11/ 11/9-12/ 10/9-11/ 10/6-10/9 Business in the Fifeshire district is brisk. Notwith- standing the presence of the licensing difficulty, the collieries report satisfactory bookings. Navigations are well sold, and both first and third class steams are in good demand, while smalls of all sizes are very active. Ship- ments during the past week amounted to 73,547 tons, against 28,281 in the preceding week and 63,306 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Best screened navigation coal Current prices. 24/ -25/ 22/ -23/ 20/ 15/ 18/ -19/ 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ L’st week’s prices. 24/ -25/ 22/ -23/ 18/ —20/ 13/9-14/ 17/6-18/6 16/ -17/ 16/ -16/6 Last year’s prices. 16/ -16/6 14/6 12/6-13/ 10/ -10/6 12/ -12/6 11/ -11/9 10/6-10/9 Unscreened do First-class steam coal Third-class do Treble nuts Double do Single do The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 231,532 tons, compared with 196,435 in the preceding week, and 169,571 tons in the corre- sponding week of last year. As a direct result of the Government Bill for the limita- tion of coal prices, the Glasgow Corporation is expected to benefit to the extent of between £50,000 and .£60,(00 on the recent contracts made by the gas and electricity depart- ments. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. N e wcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week 117,697 tons of coal and 1,351 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, a decrease of 39,424 tons of coal and an increase of 1,156 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 52,534 tons of coal and 1,528 tons of coke, an increase of 6,010 tons of coal and a decrease of 5,829 tons of coke. The Blyth shipments totalled 72,342 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 27,792 tons. Therefore, whilst showing a decrease, when compared with the corresponding week of last year, of 65,684 tons, these shipments are 23,004 tons in excess of those for the third week in July. The new Order in Council prohibiting (save under licence, presumably) the shipments of coal and coke to all countries excepting British possessions and protectorates has created great uneasiness in local commercial circles. It is too early yet to make any pronouncement as to what the effect of the market is likely to be, but, in view of the great embarrass- ment which has resulted from the limitation of exports to neutral countries, the Order restricting the export of supplies needed by our Allies is, assuredly, not welcomed. However, the belief is expressed that the Order merely means a further organisation of the control of the coal supply, having in view the Act which comes into force presently for the limitation of retail coal prices. The prompt market has been very active during the week under review, and most of the collieries are in good positions. It is a considerable time since turns were so well filled, both for gas and steam coals, and prices are very firm. There is a marked improvement in the enquiry for bunkers and coking sorts. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment have varied as follow during the week:—Gas bests are 6d. dearer ; seconds, 6d. to Is. advanced; specials, Is. to 2s. more; Durham unscreened bunkers, Is. 6d. higher; coking coal, 6d. up; smalls, 6d. to Is. increased ; and households, firmer. Other descriptions of fuel are unaltered. Blastfurnace coke is stated to have been sold, for delivery over the rest of the year, at 38s. per ton delivered in Middlesbrough. For gas bests, delivered over a similar period, 20s. per ton has been offered, and for gas seconds 16s. 9d. Best Blyth steams have been offered for August-September loading at 21s. 9d. per ton. A direct sale of this quality of coal has been made for October-December shipment at 20s. f.o.b. Blyth. It would appear that none of the tenders of local collieries to supply the Egyptian State Railways with 360,000 tons of steams, over eight months from September, have been accepted. The order, it would seem, is likely to be divided between South Wales and the United States. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Steam coals :— prices. prices. prices.* Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 21/ -21/6 21/ -21/6 19/6-20/ — Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 19/6-20/ — Secondary, Blyths 16/6 16/6 — Do. Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) ... 16/6-17/ 16/6-17/ 15/ -16/ — Unscreeiied 15/ -16/ — Small, Blyths 13/6—14/ 13/6-14/ — Do. Tynes 13/ 13/ i — Do. specials 15/ -15/6 15/ -15/6 | — Other sorts:— Smithies 16/ -17/ i 16/ -17/ ' Best gas coals (New Pelton or Holmside) 20/ -21/ 20/ -20/6 • Secondary gas coals (Pelaw Main or similar) 17/ -17/6 16/ -17/ ? Special gas c Dais 22/ -23/ 21/ J — Unscreened bunkers, Durhams 16/6-18/6 15/6-18/ j Do. do. Northumbrians 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ i — Coking coals 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ ; — Do. smalls 15/6-16/ 15/ i — House coals 21/ 20/ -21/ — Coke, foundry 32/6-35/ 32/6-35/ — Do. blast-furnace 30/ 30/ i — Do. gas 26/ -27/ 26/ -27/ > — * Outbreak of war. Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 77,350 tons of coal and 1,034 tons of coke, as compared with 86,140 tons of coal and 40 tons of coke for the corresponding period of 1914, being a decrease of 8,790 tons of coal and an increase of 994 tons of coke. The coal market has opened after the holidays with a good tone, and the prospects for the first half of August are very good. Most of the pits were idle on Monday, so that the output this week will be short; tonnage is meanwhile accumulating, and this is Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Gas coals:— Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices.* Special Wear gas coals 21/ 21/ — Secondary do. House coals:— 17/6 17/ — Best house coals 20/ 22/ .— Ordinary do Other sorts :— 18/ 20/ — Lambton screened 22/6 22/6 — South Hetton do 22/ 17/6-18/ 22/ — Lambton unscreened ... 16/6 — South Hetton do 17/6-18/ 16/6 — Do. treble nuts 19/6 19/6 — Coking coals unscreened 17/6 15/6 — Do. smalls 16/ 15/3 ■■ — Smithies 18/6-19/ 17/ ■ — Peas and nuts 22/ 19/6-20/ — Best bunkers 18/6-19/ 17/ -17/3 — Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 16/ -16/6 15/6 — Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 35/ 36/ — Teesside furnaces) ... 28/ 30/ —- Gas coke 21/ 22/ — * Outbreak of war.