680 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. October 1, 1915. enterprises. A still more serious consequence has been that the workmen have preserved their so-called “ liberty of action,” have, many of them, failed to realise the national import of their industry, and have sulked in the contemplation of imaginary “ profiteering.” As we have inferred, no one engaged in the pro- duction of coal is likely to utter a protest against a tax on war profits; at any rate, we are not likely to voice any protest of this nature here. But the Mining Association will be wise to bring to the notice of the Chancellor obvious cases of injustice, and especially those which in the result may create heavier loss to the country by strangling industry than can be set off by the amounts obtained by the Treasury in the form of taxation. If this last point of view were entirely ignored, it would be apparent that the policy of the Government might be to encourage high prices, yielding excessive profits, and then “ share the swag.” Mr. McKenna is not likely to lend an ear to the voice of the tempter; we believe that he is truly anxious to be fair, and to do as little harm to trade as he can. OBITUARY. Mr. Oswald Bainbridge, of Achnashellach, Rosshire, died at Kirklington Hall, Southwell, on Monday, from the result pf an accident in the hunting field, which occurred some 18 months ago. Mr. Bainbridge was a son of the late Mr. Emerson Bainbridge, the well-known coal owner, and was himself a director of several colliery companies, includ- ing Bolsover, Blackwell, New Hucknall, Newbiggin, Wharncliffe Silkstone, West Mickley, and Princetown, as well as being chairman of the Hardy Patent Pick Company, of Sheffield. He was 36 years of age, and leaves a widow but no family. The death has occurred at the age of 76 of Mr. Edwin Danks, Apsley House, Quinton, who for something like 40 years was identified with the industrial life of the Black Country. Mr. Danks was a boiler manufacturer, and was associated for a lengthy period with the firm of Messrs. E. Danks and Company, Oldbury. The death has taken place of Mr. Keir Hardie, M.P., at the age of 59. Deceased was born in Scotland, and at the early age of eight worked as doorkeeper in the pit. In the darkness of the mine while idle, from various reasons, he had on a slab of stone, smoked over by his miner’s lamp, scratched the characters by the aid of a pin, and thus became proficient in the art of shorthand. In his twenty-first year a mining crisis, in the shape of a revolt of the men against the horrible conditions which prevailed, found him ready. Better conditions were demanded by the men, and J. Keir Hardie was the chosen spokesman and leader. In those days there was only one method of dealing with the agitator —dismissal and blacklisting throughout the district. He became secretary of the Lanarkshire Miners’ Mission, and from this turned to journalism. Since 1900 he has repre- sented Merthyr Tydvil in Parliament. He took an active part in the early efforts to secure independent Labour representation in Parliament, and was chairman of the Independent Labour Party, and for a time chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party. Mr. John Maden, -who has passed away at a nursing home at Edgbaston, at the age of 63, was formerly well known >at Bacup, where he at one time resided, and was connected with a local colliery. The death is announced of Mr. Jethro Longridge, of Ventnor Gardens, Whitley Bay, who, prior to his retire- ment about four years ago, was for many years prominently connected with the coal mining industry in Northumberland. Mr. Longridge, who was 66 years of age, was manager of the Burradon and Coxlodge Coal Company’s collieries for upwards of 20 years, and had charge of the Hazlerigg, Burradon, and Killingworth pits. He was a much-travelled man and, a number of years ago, was entrusted with the work of sinking and opening out some new mines in China. It is interesting to note that the father of Mr. Longridge (Mr. W. Longridge) and Mr. Thomas Hepple were both sinkers and partners, and were together associated with the sinking of many pit shafts in the North of England. About the last of their work was the sinking of the present Busty shaft at Pelton Fell, in 1872. The death is announced of Col. Thomas Mitchell, of Newport, in his 88th year, who was well acquainted with the district when articles or iron, not steel, were its principal hardware export. He was associated with the old Abersychan Iron Works from 1840 to 1876 as principal accountant and cashier, his father being mill manager. The adjacent collieries were also connected with 'the works. He remained at the works when they were acquired by the British Iron Company, and again in 1852, when they were taken over by the Ebbw Vale Company. With the intro- duction of steel rails instead of iron, the works were closed in 1876, and later were dismantled. He was regarded as an authority on the South Wales iron trade, and wrote exten- sively on the subject. The system of door-to-door collection of union contributions was put into operation at three of the largest collieries in Fife, last week, and from reports to hand the results were considered satisfactory. At a meeting of the North Wales Joint Board, recently held at Wrexham, an application was read from the unions of the Lancashire, Cheshire and North Wales enginemen, stokers, surfacemen, and underground firemen, asking the employers to give their support to an attempt to abolish the present system of giving credit in public houses, which the unions consider is one of the chief causes of absenteeism among the men. The coal owners promise the unions that the application should have their fullest sympathy and support. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, September 30. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. There is no improvement in the West of Scotland coal trade, and business continues on a hand-to-mouth principle. Tonnage is scarce, and, combined with the delay in the granting of licences, is having a detrimental effect on business generally. Round coals are quiet, and the chief feature is the demand for treble nuts and the improvement in household sorts, owing to colder weather conditions. Shipments have not been so good, and the clearances for the past week amounted to 106,127 tons, compared with 129,691 in the preceding week and 123,534 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. 1 Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Steam coal i 15/ -17/ 15/ -17/ 10/6-12/6 Ell 17/3-17/6 17/6 11/ -11/3 Splint 17/ -22/ 17/ -22/ 11/6-14/ Treble nuts ! 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 11/6-11/9 Double do 1 17/ -17/6 16/6-17/ 10/6-10/9 Single do i 16/ 15/6-16/6 10/6 IRON. There has been no new feature in the Scotch pig iron trade. Buying is very restricted, only small lots for imme- diate consumption changing hands. Large quantities of haematite are still being delivered to local works, but other qualities are slow to move. There are 72 furnaces in blast in Scotland, the same number as in the preceding week and five more than at the corresponding period in 1914. The prices of Scotch makers’ iron are unchanged, and are quoted as follow:—Monkland, f.a.s. at Glasgow, No. 1, 79s., No. 3, 78s.; Govan, No. 1, 79s., No. 3,77s. 6d.; Carnbroe, No. 1, 83s., No. 3, 79s.; Clyde, No. 1, 84s. 6d., No. 3, 79s.; Gartsherrie, 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 a trifle more active, but, owing to pressed sales, values have receded somewhat. Cleveland iron closed at 63s. lOd. per ton cash buyers, compared with 64s. 6d. per ton in the preceding week. The manufacturing branches of the trade are very active. Black sheet makers have abundant orders for the heavy gauges, and the price of 7% in. thick sheet is now <£11 15s. to <£12, with the latter figure nearer the mark. Makers of malleable iron products have plenty of work, and have from four to six weeks specifica- tions on hand. The demand is centring more in light than in heavy material. Prices are very firm, and “ crown’* bars are quoted <£11 5s. to <£11 15s. per ton, less 5 per cent, for home delivery. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. The position in the Lothians is less favourable, and a considerable amount of idle time is being experienced. Shipments for the past week amounted to 36,790 tons, compared with 38,588 in the preceding week and 57,773 tons in the corresponding week of last year. The prices quoted are still fairly firm, but these are reduced, in some cases, for prompt business. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Best screened steam coal... Secondary qualities..... Treble nuts ............ Double do............... Single do............... Current prices. 15/6 14/6 19/ -20/ 16/6-17/6 15/6-16/6 L’st week’slLast year’s prices. I 15/6 14/6 19/ -20/ 16/6-17/6 15/6—16/6 prices. 11/6 10/ 11/6 10/ -10/6 10/ -10/3 Business in Fifeshire is being conducted on a day-to-day principle, and the outlook is very uncertain. The licensing difficulty is being severely felt in this district. Clearances amounted to 57,011 tons, against 70,668 tons in the preceding week and 70,743 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current L’st week’s Lastyear’s Best screened navigation prices. prices. prices. coal 22/ -23/ 22/ -23/ 20/ -21/ 15/6 Unscreened do 20/ -21/ 13/6 First-class steam coal 17/ -18/ 17/6-18/6 12/6 Third-class do 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ 10/ Treble nuts 20/ 20/ -21/ 11/6-11/9 Double do 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 10/6 Single do 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 10/3-10/6 The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 199,928 tons, compared with 238,947 in the preceding week, and 252,050 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. N e wcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week, 101,963 tons of coal and 5,334 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, an increase of 11,643 tons of coal and 3,997 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 46,000 tons of coal and 3,055 tons of coke, an increase of 8,629 tons of coal and 2,004 tons of coke. The Blyth shipments totalled 45,793 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 8,659 tons. Thus, the total shipments from the three places amounted to 202,145 tons, a decrease of 16,229 tons when compared with those for the previous week and an increase of 17,614 tons when compared with those for the corresponding week of last year. The Paris, Lyons and Marseilles Railways are stated to have placed contracts for Welsh steam smalls to the tune of from 400,000 to 500,000 tons, at about 15s. per ton, f.o.b., and to have taken about 15,000 tons of through coal and 105,000 tons of patent fuel. The railways, however, are still enquiring for further quantities of local coal. The Altos Hornos Ironworks, Bilbao, which, as mentioned last week, have already contracted for from 125,000 to 150,000 tons of Durham coking bests for delivery over the first half of next year, are on the market for further quantities of similar fuel. The Norwegian State Railways are enquiring for about 70,000 tons of steam coals, for delivery over the ensuing six months. Tenders are due in on October 2, and it is anticipated that business will result on an f.o.b. basis, with shipment as opportunity offers. Durham gas seconds have been sold for shipment over the rest of this year at 16s. 6d. per ton, f.o.b. Quantities of patent coke for export have been sold at about 26s. per ton, f.o.b., for delivery over the first half of next year. Good enquiries for foundry coke for export are in circulation, and, licences permitting, there is promise of a substantial business developing in this commodity. The Paris Gasworks are “ feeling ” the market for next year’s supplies, and are stated to be prepared to contract if suitable arrangements, chiefly as to price, can be made. Business for best Blyth steams, for delivery over the first half of last year, is offering at 18s. per ton, f.o.b., but is regarded as highly speculative. However, although collieries are somewhat chary of com- mitting themselves so far ahead, the offer is regarded as very fair and may lead to business. Owing to tonnage difficulties, it has been possible to pick up odd cargoes of good coking coals for early shipment at 16s. 6d. per ton, f.o.b., and it is stated that quantities have been offered at, even, 15s. 6d. for prompt shipment. However, the prices at which the Altos Hornos contract was arranged—18s. to 18s. 6d. per ton, f.o.b., for delivery over the first half of next year—shows the real strength of this class of fuel, apart from transitory transport difficulties. Licence difficulties continue to exercise a profound influence on the tenor of the market. In some directions, the War Trade Committee appears to have been a little more generous—two or three permits for shipment to Sweden having been granted, for instance—but, speaking generally, no greater liberality in the issue of licences is manifested. Coke merchants complain that their business is being very much hampered from this cause at present. Such changes as have occurred in spot prices this week have mostly favoured sellers. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment have varied as follows, on the week:—Best Blyth steams are stronger ; Tynes 6d. dearer; Blyth smalls 6d. to Is. down; specials stronger; gas seconds 6d. dearer; unscreened bunkers, Durhams, firmer ; Northumbrians favouring sellers; coking smalls 6d. increase ; coke, foundry, 2s. lower; and blast- furnace Is. higher. Other descriptions of fuel are unaltered. The steam coal market is very steady, with supplies well booked up. The scarcity of tonnage, now accentuated by the withdrawal to home waters of the Greek mercantile marine, is, however, a very detrimental influence. Gas and bunker coals are well taken up. Other descriptions of coal are quiet. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. i Current L’stweek’s Lastyear’s Steam coals :— I prices. prices. prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 18/ 17/6-18/ : 13/ -13/3 Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 17/ -17/6 16/6-17/ 12/6 Secondary, Blyths 16/ 16/ 11/ Do. Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) ... 16/ -16/6 16/ -16/6 14/ -15/ , 11/ -H/6 Unscreened 14/ -15/ 10/6-11/6 Small, Blyths 11/ —11/6 12/ i 8/9- 9/ Do. Tynes i 11/ 11/ 8/3- 8/6 Do. specials ■ 14/ 13/6-14/ ! 9/ - 9/6 Other sorts:— 1 Smithies i 16/ -16/6 | 16/ -16/6 11/3-11/6 Best gas coals (Newl 1 Pelton or Holmside); Secondary gas coals; 19/ ; 19/ 12/6 (Pelaw Main or similar)' 16/ -17/ j 16/6 11/3-11/6 Special gas c Dais Unscreened bunkers, 20/ ; 20/ 12/6-13/ Durhams 15/ -16/6 14/6-16/6 10/9-12/ Do. do. i Northumbrians 14/6-15/ 14/ -15/ 11/ -11/3 Coking coals 15/6-16/6 ! 15/6-16/6 11/ -11/6 Do. smalls 15/ -15/6 i 15/ 10/6-10/9 House coals is/ -19/ ; 18/ -19/ 15/ -16/ Coke, foundry 27/ -30/ / 27/ -32/ 20/ -21/ Do. blast-furnace 25/ -26/ i 28/ -30/ | 25/ 18/ Do. gas i 28/ -30/ 11/6-12/3 Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 61,755 tons of coal and 575 tons of coke, as compared with 61,085 tons of coal and 550 tons of coke for the corre- sponding period of 1914, being an increase of 670 tons of coal and of 25 tons of coke. The better tone previously recorded in the coal market is maintained, the collieries have fairly filled turns for a week ahead, hence prices are steady to firm. It is, however, impossible to look further forward with any degree of certainty. Best steams are in moderate demand at steady prices. Best gas have shown less buoyancy and secondary qualities are without material change, both coking and bunkering sorts are steadier. Households repeat their last quotation, and there is a steady trade for smithy and peas. Foundry and gas coke is steady at late prices. For forward shipment there is no pressure to operate, both buyers and sellers preferring a