September 10, 1915.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

525

Coke : Blastfurnace coke I., 17*50 mk. (15*50 mk.); II.,
16-50 mk. (14*50 mk.); III., 15-50 mk. (13*50 mk.);
foundry coke, 18mk. (16mk.); broken coke I. (50mm.
and over), 19-50 mk. (17*50 mk.); II.a (60 mm. and
49-70mm.), 20-50mk. (18-50mk.); II.b (over 30mm.),
19*50mk. (17*50mk.); III. (over 20mm.), 16-50mk.
(14*50 mk.); IV. (below 20mm.), 10-50 mk. (8*50mk.);
semi-screened and half-broken coke, 17-50 mk. (15-50
mk.); nubbles, 17 mk. (15 mk.); screened small, 15 mk.
(13 mk.); screened pearls, 10mk. (8mk.); breeze, 2-25
mk. (1-75 mk.). Briquettes I., 16*75 mk. (15*75 mk.);
II., 15*75 mk. (14-75 mk.); III., 14mk. (13 mk.).

Siegerland Iren Ore Association.

Sales for the fourth quarter of the year have now com-
menced, prices being advanced 70 pf. per ton for raw
ore, and 1 mk. for roasted. The output is to be increased
by engaging additional workmen.

Austrian Coal Output for the First Half of 1915.

The total production of pit coal amounted to 7,949,138
ton (8,201,054 tons in 1914), being a deficit of 251,916
tons, or 3*7 per cent.; briquettes, 105,137 tons
(92,125 tons), an increase of 13,012 tons or 14'12 per
cent.; coke, 877,678 tons (1,278,735 tons), a decrease
of 401,057 tons, or 31’36 per cent. Ostrau Karwin pro-
duced 4,642,814 tons (4,734,408 tons) of coal, 15,405
tons (13,524 tons) of briquettes, and 849,753 tons
(1,240,694 tons) of coke; Kladno district, 1,425,473
ton (1,206,510 tons) of coal; Pilsen district, 590,243 tons
(626,766 tons) of coal, and 40,331 tons (29,603 tons) of
briquettes; Galicia, 753,631 tons (1,031,484 tons) of
coal; other districts, 536,977 tons (601,885 tons) of
coal, 49,401 tons (48,998 tons) of briquettes, and 27,925
tons (38,041 tons) of coke. In brown coal the output
was :—Goal, 10,978,913 tons (13,065,248 tons) a
deficit of 2,086,335 tons, or 15-97 per cent.; briquettes,
127,465 tons (116,591 tons) an increase of 10,874 tons,
or 9'33 per cent. The Brux-Teplitz-Komotau district
produced 7,104,484 tons (8,918,474 tons) of coal, and
1,721 tons (675 tons) of briquettes; Falkenau-Elbogen-
Karlsbad, 1,836,200 tons (1,975,620 tons) of coal, and
125,742 tons (114,374 tons) of briquettes; Trifail-Sagar,
539,836 tons (539,638 tons) of coal; Leoben und
Fohnsdorf, 448,537 tons (479,699 tons) of coal;
Voitsberg-Koflach, 310,084 tons (330,490 tons) of coal;
other districts, 739,772 tons (821,318 tons) of coal, and
2 tons (1,542 tons) of briquettes.

Coal Syndicate Report for July.

Total coal raised, 6,567,151 tons (8,855,292 tons in
July 1914), or 243,228 tons (327,974 tons) per working
day. Calculated distribution, 5,326,954 tons (6,969,420
tons), being 197,295 tons (258,127 tons), or 67*16 per
cent. (87*92 per cent.) of the participation. Total coal
distribution of the Syndicated pits, 6,739,939 tons
(8,744,169 tons), or 249,627 tons (323,858 tons) ‘per
working day. Deliveries, including local sales, miners’
house coal, and supplies to pits’ own iron works : Coal,
3,840,009 tons (6,064,821 tons), or 144,223 tons (224,623
tons) per working day; coke, 1,569,222 tons (1,390,222
tons), or 50,626 tons (44,846 tons) per working day.
Briquettes, 355,907 tons (401,389 tons), or 13,182 tons
(14,866 tons) per working day. In the first 12 months
of the war the total coal raised amounted to 69,731,134
tons (98,873,580 tons), being a deficit of 29,142,446 tons,
or 39*47 per cent.; calculated distribution, 54,375,779
tons (77,054,910 tons), a deficit of 22,679,131 tons, or
29*43 per cent.; total coal distribution of the Syndicated
pits, 70,440,285 tons (97,845,833 tons), a deficit of
27,405,548 tons, or 28*01 per cent. During July the
pits having a sales agreement with the Syndicate raised
471,156 tons (550,860 tons) of coal, of which 416,766 tons
(519,642 tons) were distributed, 187,013 tons (240,257
tons) being for Syndicate account; total coke distribu-
tion, 108,335 tons (172,378 tons), 67,415 tons (108,827
tons) being for Syndicate account; total distribution of
briquettes, 3,753 tons (nil), 3,750 tons (nil) being for
Syndicate account.

Fuel Traffic in Ruhr Harbours in July.

Shipments to Koblenz and places higher up river,
580,924 tons (852,896 tons), a deficit of 271,972 tons; to
places below Koblenz, 19,135 tons (32,183 tons), a
deficit of 13,048 tons; to Holland, 167,296 tons (904,087
tons), a deficit of 736,791 tons; to Belgium, 43,184 tons
(423,334 tons), a deficit of 380,150 tons); to France, nil
(59,207 tons); to other destinations, 10,710 tons (38,428
tons), a deficit of 27,718 tons). Total shipments to all
parts from Duisburg-Ruhrort, 646,246 tons (2,004,346
tons); Rheinpreussen 66,589 tons (114,325 tons);
Schwelgern, 33,916 tons (91,547 tons); Walsum, 74,499
tons (99,918 tons); total, 821,250 tons (2,310,136 tons),
a deficit of 1,488,886 tons.

Upper Silesian State Collieries New Price List.

The following new prices came into operation on
September 1 (the previous prices being given in
parentheses) : — Openburning coals, large 16-10 to
16-30 mk. (15-60 to 15-80 mk.); cubes, 16-10 to 16-30 mk.
(15-60 to 15-80 mk.); nuts I., 16-10 to 16-30 mk. (15-60
to 15-80 mk.); nuts I.b, 14-60 to 14-90 mk. (13-80 to
13*90 mk); washed nuts I.b, 15-30 mk. (14*50 mk.);
peas, 12-50 to 12-70 mk. (11-50 to 11-70 mk.); washed
peas, 13 mk. (12 mk.); through and through, 13*90 mk.
(13-20 mk.); small I., 12 to 12*30 mk. (11-40 to
11-50 mk.); screenings, 10-80 to 11-10 mk. (10-30 to
10*40 mk.); dust, 6-30 to 6*70 mk. (5-80 to 6-20 mk.).
Gas and bituminous coals : Large, 16-20 to 16-80 mk.
(15-60 to 16-30 mk.); cubes, 16-20 to 16*80 mk. (15-60
to 16*30mk.); nuts I., 16*20 to 16*80mk. (15*60 to
16-30 mk.); nuts I.b, 14*70 to 15-30 mk. (13-90 to
14-60 mk.); peas, 12-50 to 13-50 mk. (11*50 to 12-50
mk.); through and through, 14-80 mk. (14 mk.); small,
13 mk. (12 mk.). All prices per ton, f.o.r., ex pit.
Terms for all buyers, except municipal and communal
authorities, cash with order or on delivery, though
regular customers will be granted one month’s credit
against approved security or banker’s sight draft.

TRADE AND THE WAR.

The total gross tonnage (approximately) of ships of all
nationalities captured, detained, sunk, or damaged from the
outbreak of hostilities in August 1914, until the end of August
1915, amounted to nearly 4,000,090 tons, and numbered close
on 3,000 vessels. The numbers and tonnage of the various
nationalities up to the end of July were as under :—

	Ships.	Tonnage.
German 		521	... 1,113,298
British 		476	980,773
Neutral 		418	593,820
Austrian 		75	254,282
Allied, French, Russian, Belgian	82	128,177
Turkish 				56	18,508
	1,628	... 3,188,858

In addition, there were 776 vessels (ranging from a tonnage
of 500 to 25,000) whose cargoes or part of them have been
detained in many cases without delaying or seizing the ship
itself. The Allies captured 10 neutral vessels, with total
tonnage of 16,980, whilst the Germans sunk 43 vessels
(tonnage 50,299). Some idea of the magnitude of the work
done in connection with the department of the Admiralty
Marshal, in whom the custody of all property in the Prize
Court is vested, may be gathered from the fact that the gross
proceeds of vessels and cargoes sold and freight received on
cargoes released amounted to no less a sum than £4,104,804
up to the end of August. After deducting freight, expenses
of realisation, etc., which amounted to £1,161,000, the balance
represents the net amount standing to the credit of the Prize
Fund at the present moment. In addition to the above, over
5,000 claims in respect of cargoes have been dealt with in the
Procurator-General’s office since the war began.

The increasing scarcity of coal in Denmark is reported to
be felt to a more serious degree, every day, and prices are
rising enormously. The situation has led to a thorough
search for coal throughout Denmark by scientists and
Swedish mining experts, with the result that coal strata have
now actually been located on the Danish island of Bornholm,
in the Baltic, the only rocky part of the country. Steps
are being immediately taken to set up regular mining
operations if considerable quantities should be found, and
the quality proves good.

It is reported that an agreement has been come to between
the British and United States Governments in regard to the
export of tin-plates to neutral countries < and that a pro-
clamation embodying it will be issued in a few days. It
is understood that this will set forth the methods by which
the regulations for licences to export will be relaxed. It was
in regard to this matter that a deputation from the trade
unions concerned and the AVelsh Tin-Plate Employers
Association waited upon the Board of Trade a few days
ago.

The French Government has commenced strong legal
action against an alleged trust in certain chemical products.
Certain electro-chemical and metallurgical factories, princi-
pally in the Pyrenees, the Alps, and the Dauphine, are said
to be implicated, and their head offices and depots in .Paris
and the provinces have been searched. A “ hold-up ” in the
price of certain essential prime materials is alleged, and
it is hinted that the case may come under the head of high
treason under the Act of April 4, 1915, forbidding traffic
with the enemy.

Speaking at Glasgow last week, Lord Rosebery remarked
that if we were to carry the war through to a successful
conclusion, unity was necessary. Our attitude was eagerly
watched by all other nations, and without unity all nations,
our own included, knew that victory could not be possible.
It was disheartening—even worse than any defeat in battle—
to see huge strikes proceeding in the very stress and agony
of the war. A huge strike of our working men employed
in providing the necessary munitions of war for a larger
wage at such a moment was worse than the loss of a pitched
battle in the field. Now that the last of these disturbances
was over could we not resolve to proceed with unity, men
and masters, in this particular instance? Could we not
resolve to proceed with unanimity in fighting this
tremendous war?

It is known that the system of providing Constantinople
with coal by means of a large number of sailing vessels
has ended in a complete fiasco. Germans and Turks are
endeavouring to organise another system, and in this con-
nection four large transports and one barque filled with coal
were recently making for the Bosphorus, convoyed by a
detachment of naval vessels, including the “ Hamidieh,”
armed with two 150 mm. guns and eight 120 mm. guns,
and two of the best modern torpedo boats of 620 tons each.
These were met by Russian torpedo-boat destroyers, and the
coal transports were sunk.

President Wilson has requested the American Inter-State
Commerce Commission to investigate ocean transportation
and rates. This announcement, from the office of Mr.
McAdoo, Secretary to the Treasury, is understood to be
another step in the plan of the Government to secure, if
possible next winter, the enactment of the Ship Purchase
Bill which was defeated at the last session of Congress. Mr.
McAdoo stated that the investigation would cover all phases
of American foreign commerce, but particular reference to
the trade with Central and South America is contemplated,
it is understood. An interesting question will be determined
by the investigation, viz., the effect of the European war
upon rates to Europe and rates to South and Central
America. The Commission is likely to find its labours
timely, as the rates for ocean freights, after showing a
downward trend for the past three months, have once again
begun to advance.

The Minister of Munitions has made an Order under
Section 4 of the Munitions of War Act declaring 180
additional establishments as controlled establishments
under the Act, as from Monday last. A total of 715 estab-
lishments have now been declared as controlled under the
Act from the date of the first Order, July 12 to September 6
inclusive.

As from September 9 the re-exportation of coal and coke
from France will be prohibited. Exceptions may be
authorised under conditions fixed by the Minister of Finance.

The Black Diamond says :—“ The export movement con-
tinues good. Hampton Roads shipments are keeping up
pretty well with the July, record. Baltimore has slumped,
due to the delay in the arrival of vessel tonnage. Some new
business for Italian interests is said to have been closed,
estimates as to the tonnage involved, running around 250,000
tons. Rumours also continue regarding negotiations for a

very heavy tonnage for France. American shippers note
with interest the very light shipments going from England
to South America during the past three or four weeks, and
look for no few spot sales of American coals to make up for
the lack of shipments on the part of the Welsh shippers.
Later figures show that July exports from Hampton Roads,
Baltimore and Philadelphia reached the total of 1,142,567
tons. This was an increase of 100,000 tons over June.”

American coal exporters are showing some interest in the
Egyptian market, but complaints are being made as to the
terms of the specification issued by the Egyptian State Rail-
ways and Telegraphs. The contract involves 360,000 metrical
tons (354,310 gross tons) of either Welsh or American screened
steam coal. It is provided that Welsh coal must be furnished
from certain specified collieries only, and American coal must
be suitable for locomotives, to contain about 35 per cent., and
not over 40 per cent., volatile, and about 6 per cent, ash—
both on the dry basis. Analysis must be submitted with the
proposal. Each cargo is to be judged by a sample taken at
the loading port by the Administration’s inspector. For more
than 2 per cent, ash in excess of the percentage established
in the contract, 4c. will be deducted for each 1 per cent, or
fraction thereof. Two per cent, of the total value must be
deposited as “ earnest money,”’ this to be increased to 10 per
cent, if the tender is accepted. The Administration has the
option of increasing any monthly quota up to 30 per cent., or
dividing the contract according to a prescribed table, the unit
of shipment being 5,000 tons, or one shipload. Guaranteed
rate of discharge is to be 700 tons per working day. Con-
tractors are to make all necessary arrangements for payment
of freight. American exporters especially “ jib ” at the strike
clause, which gives the right either to cancel the unfilled
portion of the contract or to compel the contractor later to
make good the deliveries which would otherwise be made were
no strike in force; and the power of rejecting cargoes,
the deposit, and other requirements as to chartering and
payment do not fit in with Transatlantic ideas.

Following upon their advice to London merchants and
householders, the Board of Trade has drawn the attention
of various local authorities in the country to the probability
that owing to the number of miners who have joined the
Colours the supply of coal for home consumption next winter
will be less than usual. They point out that it is important
that every effort should be made at the present time to
accumulate stocks of coal. As regards domestic coal, the
Price of Coal (Limitation) Act regulates the price at the
pithead, and the cost of the hire of private railway wagons,
but this might not in itself prevent the retail price from
being fixed at such a point as to be a serious burden on the
poorer classes. So far as the London area is concerned, Mr.
Runciman has been able to make arrangements with the
principal merchants for the limitation of the sum which they
will charge over the cost of coal delivered at the station or
sidings, to cover expenses of distribution and profit; and
the Board asks the authorities to consider whether, under
the present abnormal circumstances, an arrangement on
somewhat similar lines with the merchants in their area
might be practicable.

THE IRISH COAL TRADE.

Thursday, September 9.

Belfast.

There is no improvement so far in the coal trade, business
being very quiet generally, and stocks are accumulating
owing to the small demand. City prices of house coal are
unchanged, as follow:—Best Orrell, 34s. per ton; best
Wigan, 32s.; best Whitehaven, 32s.; Pemberton Wigan,
31s.; kitchen nuts, 30s.; best slack, 26s.; all less Is. per
ton discount for cash. Welsh steam coal, 33s. per ton;
Scotch, 29s. per ton net; coke, 34s. per ton net. Pit prices
for Irish coal at Wolf hill Collieries, Queen’s County, are
25s. per ton for round coal; culm, all prices from 3s. 4d. to
10s. per ton. Pit prices for Kilkenny (Castlecomer) coal,
outside of contract prices, are as follow :—Best small coal,
23s. 4d. per ton; best large, 21s. 8d.; second quality, 20s.;
bottom coal, 16s. 8d. ; breakage, 11s. 8d.; culm, 5s. to 8s. 6d.
The coal vessels arriving in this port during the past week
amounted to 45, as compared with 61 the week previously,
chiefly from Workington, Point of Aire, Whitehaven,
Garston, Ardrossan, Newport, Manchester, Glasgow,
Partington, Preston, Irvine, Cardiff, Ayr, Troon, Liverpool,
Brittonferry, Ellesmere Port, Campbeltown and Swansea.
The total quantity of coal discharged upon the quays was
21,000 tons, as against 25,500 tons the previous week.

Belfast.

The weather has been decidedly chilly for the past week
or two, consequently demand for house coal has somewhat
improved locally, although the country trade continues to
be quiet owing to harvesting operations being in full swing.
Stocks are a fair average, and prices remain unchanged, as
follow^ :—Best Arley, 36s. per ton; Orrell nuts, 35s.; Scotch
house coal, 32s.; Orrell slack, 32s. per ton delivered. Coal
laden vessels arriving during the week were chiefly from
Ayr, Workington, Ardrossan, Silloth, Troon, Preston,
Garston, Newport, Partington, Cardiff, Whitehaven,
Llanelly, Glasgow, Maryport, Ellesmere Port, Girvan, and
Swansea. A large contract is open for coal for works in
connection with the Belfast Harbour Commissioners.

THE TIM-PLATE TRADE.

Liverpool.

There is practically no change to report on the week. There
is no improvement in the demand, and transactions of any
moment are few and far betv*een. Prompt parcels are being
disposed of at low figures; 17s. 9d. to 17s. 10|d. has been
taken for the basis size, and 18s. with options. Makers’
quotations at the moment may be called :—Coke tins : I C
14 x 20 (112 sh. 1081b.), 18s. to 18s. l|d. per box; IC
28 x 20 (112 sh. 216 lb.1, 36s. to 36s. 6d.: IC 14 x 18}
(124 sh. 1101b.), 18s. 3d. to 18s. 4d.; IC 20 x 10 (225 sh.
1561b.), 26s. 3d. to 26s. 6d. IC squares and odd sizes,
18s. 3d. to 18s. 6d. basis for approved specifications. Char-
coals are quiet, at 20s. basis and upwards, according to
tinning. Ternes are generally quoted 34s. to 34s. 6d. per
box of I C 28 x 20, but there is very little doing at present.
Coke w-asters are in moderate request. Prices are about as
follow :—C W 14 x 20, 17s. 3d. to 17s. 6d. per box; C W
28 x 20. 34s. 7|d. to 34s. 9d.; C W 20 x 10, 24s. 9d. to
25s.; CW 14 x 18}, 17s. 9d.; all f.o.b. Wales, less 4 per
cent.