416 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. ________ March 3, 1916. tons per annum—that is, by rendering operative the provisions of the Dalbiez Act, and enabling Terri- torials in the armies to return to work in the mines. At present large numbers of such men are being held up at depots owing to the selfish disinclination of the military authorities to let men go. The French miners have shown a great spirit of self- effacement in this war. Complaints were read in Parliament from men immured in the depots that they were not being allowed to “do their bit” to get coal for their country; yet the workers in French collieries have agreed to demand no increases in wages and to abrogate all restrictions on output; they have also offered to welcome with open arms any Italian or other foreign workmen whom the Government may induce to enter the French mines. We confess that the picture on this side of the Channel is in striking contrast. Our last means is the increased utilisation of water power, which is now being closely investigated both in France and in Italy, and this is a movement from which not improbably will spring consequences impossible to foresee with clarity at the present time. In this and other respects the course of the experi- ment which France is now making deserves very close attention in this country, and it is not unlikely that the principle of the perequation may commend itself for trial in connection with certain of our staple commodities before the war is brought to a close. _______________________ The Committee on Public Eetrench- Administration ment has just issued its final and report. The impression that this Economy. report conveys at . first sight is that only comparatively trivial economies are practicable—-a conclusion that seems paradoxical in view of the fact. that in the last 20 years the Civil Service Estimates have risen from £19,000,000 to £59,000,000 per annum, and the total annual cost of Civil expenditure has increased from £32,000,000 to £90,000,000, or nearly 200 per cent. To those--and there are many—who believe that the world went well enough in those days, it will be difficult to prove that the nation is receiving full value for the extra expenditure. Of course few will deny that a proportion of this increased annual outlay is fully justified by results, but it is equally certain that much also is frittered away in bureau- cratic waste. There is no indication in this report of the total economy that could be effected without loss of efficiency, but the recommendations actually msr.de are rendered insignificant, for the sole reason that the most extravagant departments of the State were practically excluded from the terms of reference on the score, of the so-called political truce. It seems a pity that this Committee was not permitted to extend its purview over the whole range of State expendi- ture, and we do not approve of the apparent reluctance of the Government to submit the whole of its performances to the scrutiny of such well-known economists as the signatories to this report. Many of the recommendations are somewhat vague, and are more or less conditional upon the preservation of efficiency, which, of course, at once introduces an element of controversy as to their advisability. Thus, for example, the Home Office is chiefly criticised on the vote of over £167,000 for the inspection of factories and mines. Expenditure has materially grown in this department on account of recent increases in the staff. It is maintained that this increase is necessary, and no one will deny that under the complex legislation of recent years, and the multitudinous and often vexatious restrictions now in force, even a larger army of inspectors might be justified. The Committee, indeed, limits its recommendations in this case to the somewhat doubtful expedients of refraining from filling vacancies during the war, and reducing travelling expenses as far as possible. Considering the small number of appointments made annually to the inspecting staff, the economy that would be effected by keeping vacancies open would be small indeed if the war comes to its generally anticipated conclusion within a reasonable period. As for travelling expenses, these can hardly be greatly reduced without loss of efficiency. There is also, an item of £12,500 for the reports of certifying surgeons on accidents, now held to be of little value, and entailing, in all serious cases, a duplication of the reports made by the inspectors. The Committee on Accidents in Factories had previously recommended that these reports should be dispensed with, but, thanks to our methods of procedure, it will require legislation to effect even this most obvious economy. The above examples are selected as especially concerning the mining industry, but they are also fairly typical of the general tendency of the report. We will refer in particular to certain points which also have a bearing, although perhaps indirect, upon coal mining. The Board of Trade, for example, comes in for a considerable share of attention by this committee. If ever these recommendations fructify, the Board of Trade will suffer drastic reorganisation, with total abolition of some of its accessory branches. If we are to believe the signs of the times the Board of Trade, as now known, cannot much longer con- tinue to exist. There is a growing demand for a Minister of Commerce and Industry, and amongst the many changes now foreshadowed in respect to trade after the war, one of the most probable results will be the substitution of such a ministry in place of the heterogeneous conglomeration now posing as the Board of Trade. Under the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, it is suggested to curtail the activities of the Ordnance Survey, which we are inclined to regard as doubtful economy. This service normally costs about £200,000 a year. At the present time, it is concentrating its attention on immediate military requirements—a course with which everyone must cordially agree; but the Committee recommend permanent economies involving a reduction of staff and a slower rate of production of new and revised maps. Accurate topographical maps are an im- portant adjunct to mining activity, and the high degree of technical perfection of the maps of the Ordnance Survey is a source of national satisfaction. We should be absolutely opposed to any reduction in this staff of highly trained workers, but would rather see its activities extended still further, for topographical maps on adequate scales may almost rank as an index of civilisation itself. The Board of Education again deals with matters which concern every class in the kingdom 5 its cost has grown rapidly in late years, and doubtless many economies could be effected without loss of efficiency. Most people will approve of the Committee’s recom- mendation to raise the school age limit of young children so as to relieve the nation from the growing expense of dry nursing mere babes—a function which is absolutely distinct from education in its proper sense. The report covers a wide range of public expendi- ture, but appears to achieve little in the matter of retrenchment. If all the economies recommended or suggested could be carried into effect at once, it is doubtful whether they would cover more than the war expenditure of a single day. Nevertheless, being mindful, of the cumulative result of even small savings, we can safely say that these recommendations, so far as they go, deserve careful consideration. ___________________________ Coal Contract Dispute.—The Appeal Court last week dealt with an appeal of the defendants in the action Griffiths against ’the Isle of Wight Small Holders’ Society Limited, Newport, Isle of Wight. The action related to a supply of coal to the society. The plaintiff Griffiths contracted to supply Forest of Dean, Monmouthshire, and Staffordshire coal, and he sued in the Isle of Wight County Court for payment for certain coal ferried over from Southampton and landed at the Medina Wharf, Cowes. His Honour Judge Gye found for the defen- dants, holding that the delivery was not the article ordered, which he found was “ best screened house coal,” The delivery, said his Honour, was “ grossly and extensively ” coal dust; as to four-fifths, it was dust and rubbish. The Divisional Court decided there must be a new trial, to take place at Brighton. From this the society appealed. Lord Justice Bankes said it appeared to him from the correspon- dence that the coal was to have been screened on arrival at the Medina Wharf, where it should have been inspected by defendants. They were middlemen, and instead of inspect- ing, apparently they delivered at once to their members, and then declared, that they did not accept because their members would not. The Appeal Court delivered judgment in favour of a new trial. Lord Justice Swinfen Eady said that while coal had been, invoiced to the appellants at from 80s. to 34s. per ton, they expected to pay 22s. 6d. had this delivery been satisfactory, and in the end offered Ils. 3d. The county court judge had omitted to deal with the consequences of the defendants retaining what had been delivered. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday. March 2. _______ Scotland.—Western District. COAL. The tone in the west of Scotland coal trade continues firm, and values are still tending upwards. All round coal is in heavy demand, and smalls, also, are easily disposed of despite export restrictions. Shipments amounted to 92,375 tons, against. 92,800 in the preceding week and 133,596 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Steam coal. .............. Ell ....... Splint.... Treble nuts ............ ............ Double do. ............ Single do. ) 19/ -22/ j 23/ -23/6 I Current L'st week's Last year's prices. prices. prices. .) 19/ -22/ 19/ -22/ 16/9-18/ ,j 23/ -23/6 22/6-23/ 20/ -21/ 25/ -33/ 24/ -34/ 20/ -30/ ,i 21/ -21/6 21/ -21/6 i 20/ J 20/6-21/ 19/9-20/6 | 18/ -19/ 19/3-19/9 19/3-19/9 17/ -18/ s 19/ -22/ I 16/9-18/ 22/6-23/ 20/ -21/ IRON. Apart from a still further rise in values, there is nothing of fresh interest to report regarding the Scotch iron trade. Scotch pig iron is very strong. Haematite is moving away freely, and ordinary qualities are in good demand both on home account and export. Prices of makers’ iron are quoted as follow:—Monkland, f.a.s. at Glasgow, No. 1, 120s., No. 3, 115s.; Govan, No. 1, 113s. 6d., No. 3, 112s. 6d. ; Carnbroe, No. 1, 117s. 6d., No. 3, 112s. 6d. ; Clyde, Gartsherrie and Calder, Nos. 1, 127s. 6d., Nos. 3, 120s.; Summerlee, No. 1, 125s., No. 3, 120s.; Langloan, No. 1, 122s. 6d., Nos. 3, 117s. 6d.; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 120s., No. 3, 118s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1, 120s., No. 3, 118s.; Shotts, at Leith, No. 1, 127s. 6d., No. 3, 120s., per ton. The pig iron warrant market opened strongly, but towards the middle of the week the reported fixing of the maximum price of 82s. 6d. per ton for Cleveland iron caused a pronounced drop of between 7s. to 8s. per ton in price, and although the tone steadied somewhat thereafter, the closing price of Cleveland at 87s. Hd. per ton cash buyers showed a loss of 8s. 3/>d. per ton on the week. The manufacturing branches of the trade are still overwhelmingly busy, and deliveries of all kinds of material. are falling into arrears. Malleable iron makers are quoting £14 per ton less 5 per cent, for Crown bars for home delivery, and £13 5s. net for export, while their prices for mild steel bars vary from £16 10s. to £17 10s. per ton, less 5 per cent., for home delivery, and an equivalent for export. _________________ Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. Collieries in the Lothians district are exceptionally busy, and have practically no coal available under a month. Shipments amounted to 35,347 tons, against 25,494 in the preceding week and 29,073 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Best screened steam coal... Secondary qualities..... Treble nuts ............ Double do............... Single do............... Current iL'st week’s Last year’s prices. I prices. I prices. 23/6-24/ ' 23/ -24/ i 14/6-16/ 22/ -22/6 | 21/6—22/6 13/ -14/ 23/ -23/6 23/ -23/6 16/ -17/ 21/6-22/ 21/6-22/6 15/ -16/ 18/6-19/6 19/6-20/ 15/ The position in Fifeshire continues strong, and values all round are very firm. Government requirements appear to be fulfilled meantime, and the collieries are free to tackle arrears of deliveries. Most qualities are fully sold for some time ahead, and for any odd lots available heavy prices are being paid. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Best screened navigation coal Unscreened do First-class steam coal Third-class do Treble nuts . Double do Single do Current prices. 26/ -27/ 1 24/ -25/ i 27/6 18/6-20/ •! 22/6-23/6 ! 20/6-21/6 ! 18/6-19/6 | L'st week's prices. ' 27/ -28/ 25/ -26/ 26/ !19/ -20/ , 22/ -23/6 21/ -22/ 18/6-19/6 Lastyear’s prices. 19/ 17/ 13/ -14/6 11/ -12/ 16/6-17/6 15/6-16/6 15/ -16/ ______ The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 185,797 tons, compared with 170,686 tons in the preceding week and 220,830 tons in the corre- sponding week of last year. ________ ________ Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week, there were despatched from Tyne Dock 97,258 tons of coal and 4,120 tons of coke, a decrease of 7,067 tons of coal and an increase of 3,093 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 26,582 tons of coal and 9,265 tons of coke, a decrease of 16,769 tons of coal and an increase of 7,594 tons of coke. The Bly th shipments totalled 57,175 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 8,754 tons. Thus, the total shipments from the three places mentioned amounted to 194,400 tons, a falling-off of 21,903 tons when compared with the clearances for the corresponding period a year ago. When compared with the shipments for the previous week, the figures show a decrease of 4,432 tons. Business on the prompt coal market has been carried on very irregularly during the past week, and has been possible only at intervals. The market is dominated by tonnage considerations, and is, therefore, very susceptible to weather changes. Loading turns have been greatly upset during the period under review in consequence of irregular supplies of steamers, and many cargoes have thus be thrown on the market Otherwise, business would probably have been at a stand-