February 23, 1917.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

397

in. the hours now worked by the banksmen (12 daily), with
an adjustment of wages to correspond. The required 14
days’ notice to terminate contracts under the old conditions
was given by the management, and expired on Saturday
last. Two meetings were held, and requested the manage-
ment to meet a deputation, but as the manager wanted to
put the new conditions into operation, no agreement was
reached.

The rules respecting the formation >and procedure of joint
committees for the purpose of securing greater regularity of
work at the collieries in Northumberland are now being.
circulated by the county coal owners’ and miners’ associa-
tions. They provide that—

(1)	Where workmen are unable to work in their own
working places, such persons shall work in other places
where there are vacancies in -accordance with the custom
of the colliery. If no such places are available, and the
man in consequence has to go home, he shall not be
returned to the authorities as an absentee on that day.

(2)	Men prevented from getting to their work at the
proper time, due to the workmen’s train or car being late,
shall, on its arrival, be allowed to go to work.

(3)	All deputations shall be held at such hours when-
ever possible as will cause no loss of time to the members
of such deputations, or the men who appear with them.

(4)	All persons shall attend every day on which the pit
is working, unless prevented by illness or other reason-
able cause.

(5)	A district committee shall be set up, consisting of an
equal number of coal owners’ and workmen’s representa-
tives. If all members are not present, only an equal
number shall vote on each side.

(6)	The district committee shall meet as agreed upon for
the purpose of dealing with disputes which have arisen
under any of the local committees and any other busi-
ness, except in the event of urgent business, in which case
a meeting may be called on the representation of either
side to specially deal with the matter.

(7)	A local committee shall be established at each
colliery, consisting of an equal number (not exceeding
three each) of coal owners’ and workmen’s representatives,
to carry out these rules. If all members are not present,
only an equal number shall vote on each side.

(8)	The local committee shall meet at least once a fort-
night, and the management shall supply a “ time lost
sheet ” showing the names of the men against whom there
is a complaint, and the local committee shall decide upon
whom they shall summon to the next meeting.

(9)	The men who are called upon to appear before the
committee shall have at least two days’ notice given to
appear. Failing to attend, they will be dealt with in their
absence, and the method of giving notice to attend shall
be left to the committee at each colliery. Meetings are
to take place so that men may attend without losing time.

(10)	The local committee shall be empowered to impose
fines, and such persons so fined shall have the option of
signing a book for such fine to be deducted, or to be dealt
with by the management. If the first method is selected
by the workman, and he attends and works full time, as
defined by rule 4, for one month after the fine is inflicted,
the fine to be returned to him. All fines not so redeemed
to be paid over to some charitable institution to be
selected by the local committee. The amount of fines
shall be : For a first offence for which a fine is inflicted,
2s. 6d. per day of avoidable absence; a second offence, 5s.
per day. In the event of a third offence, the case to be
dealt with at the discretion of the management.

(11)	The local committee shall report to the district com-
mittee all cases in which they fail to agree.

(12)	Excuses for absence must be bona fide, and where
an absentee claims he was away owing to illness, a
doctor’s note must be produced if demanded.

(13)	Any official responsible for the workmen losing work
or failing to do his best to get work for them, shall be
reported to the local committee, who shall investigate the
circumstances, and, if the charge appears to be justified,
the case shall be reported to the central committee to
deal with.

(14)	These rules shall continue for the duration of the
war.

It is hoped to have -all the local committees appointed by
the end of February.

Federated Area.

The executive of the Yorkshire Miners’ Association met
at Barnsley on Monday, Mr. H. Smith presiding. The
dispute at the New Bossington Main Colliery was again
considered. The branches had unanimously decided in
favour of a ballot on the question of tendering notice. The
officials attended a meeting of the men .at the colliery on.
Sunday, and their suggestion that a further interview should
be held between the officials and the representatives of the
colliery company was accepted.

A special meeting of the council of the Yorkshire Miners’
Association was held at Barnsley on Wednesday. The
report of the conference of the English and North Wales
Conciliation Board, regarding the application for an increase
of wages, was discussed. The men’s representatives asked
for an increase in the war bonus from 13-8 per cent, to 18-8
per cent., and the owners have offered to increase the bonus
to 18 per cent. The council, after discussion, referred the
offer to the branches for consideration. Mr. H. Smith,
president, said they were surprised at the coal owners
making such an offer after the modest request put forward
by the men. They believed that they would be justified in
asking for an increase of 15 to 20 per cent, owing to the
extraordinary increase in the cost of living—from 15 per
cent, to nearly 90 per cent.—since the last bonus was given.
The council learnt that soldiers stationed at Pontefract
Barracks were being conveyed to and from work at the
South Kirkby Collieries. The question had been taken up
at the Home Office, and, added Mr. Smith, “ I am afraid
if this is not stopped there is likely to be trouble.”

Scotland.

At a meeting of the executive of the National Union of
Scottish Mine Workers held in Glasgow, it was reported
that for some time past there had been considerable friction
over the employment of non-unionists in certain collieries in
Fifeshire, and a stoppage had been threatened by the union
men at several of the collieries. Some time ago the coal
owners in the county gave the assurance that they would
deal with the men who refused to become members of the
union. Subsequently, a stoppage was again threatened. A
deputation from the National Union met representatives of
the owners, and, as a result, arrangements were made which
it is expected will prevent, for the period of the war at least,
any friction or loss of time over the non-union question.

Notes from the Coal Fields.

[Local Correspondence.]

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

Pre-War “ Profits '' or “ Dividends ” : Some Comparative
Figures—New Coal Hoists at Barry Dock—The Ship-
ments of 1916—Novel Point in Compensation Case—
Restart of Cyfarthfa Iron Works — School of Mines
Praised.

In connection with the State control of coal mines, it may
be pointed out that in one case where the profits amounted
over a series of years to £469,000, only .£332,000 were paid
in dividends; in another case with £349,000, only £241,000
was divided; third, £81,000 profits, £45,000 dividends;
fourth, £66,500 profits, £32,500 dividends; fifth, £2,500,000
profits, £1,220,000 dividends. These will be sufficient to
illustrate the great difference between pre-war profits and
pre-war dividends, and when it became known that the
former alternative had been chosen, general satisfaction was
expressed.

No matter how wide the extent of Government control,
the system is not yet one of nationalisation. It is impera-
tive that, as in the case of the railways, the management
remain as it is at present, and that the control be chiefly
of sale, distribution, and price, rather than production,
although it is to be hoped that the new system will facili-
tate production by ensuring a better supply of labour; also
the retention of necessary men who otherwise might be
drafted into the Army.

At the Barry Company’s meeting on Friday of last week,
it was stated that the exports for 1916 were 10,489,734 tons,
as against 10,359,908 tons. During 1916, 3,990 vessels had
entered the dock, of a net registered tonnage of 5,231,551,
compared with 3,740 vessels of 5,019,827 tons during 1915,
an increase of 250 ships and of 211,724 in net registered
tonnage. Nearly 600 men had joined the Colours, in addi-
tion to several hundreds of casual dock labourers. The
chairman stated that when war broke out they had in hand
considerable works in order to extend traffic facilities,
amongst these being five new coal tips of most modern type,
increased hydraulic power, greater siding accommodation, as
well as a new -steam tug and additional rolling stock. These
works would have been completed long ago if normal con-
ditions had prevailed, and would have been productive of
revenue. Two new coal hoists had been completed, and the
sidings serving them brought into use.

At the meeting of the Bhymney Bailway Company, it was
stated that the tonnage for 1916 showed an increase of
171,745 tons over 1915. The total was 5,223,741 tons, of
which 3,041,125 were carried to Cardiff, 1,446,648 to Penrhos
Junction (for Barry), and 735,970 tons went to Penarth
Dock.

In a compensation case at Merthyr County Court, a man
who had been injured in 1913 when in the employment of
Hills Plymouth Company, subsequently worked for Messrs.
Crawshay Brothers. He had been paid compensation at the
rate of £1 a week. -Since then, he again had to give up
work; and the question was whether it was the result of
the original accident. The judge held that there had been
a second accident, probably due to strain, and said that,
under a new Act, the applicant would have to make a claim
in respect of the second case. He thought the law ought to
be altered so as to allow him to apportion between the
parties liable.

Lecturing in the Engineers’ Institute, Cardiff, on the sub-
ject of the relationship between industry and commerce,
Principal Griffiths, of the South Wales College, spoke appre-
ciatively of the work.of local coal owners, who, he said,
had spent £40,000 on the building and equipment of their
School of Mines. This he considered to be a notable example
of co-operation between science, industry, and education;
and he believed that the school would become the leading
School of Mines in the country. Emphasising the value of
university training, Principal Griffiths said that Lord
Bhondda, who has attained such a distinguished position
both in the coal trade and public life, had told him that his
success was due in no email degree to his university career.

In reference to the shortage of coal in some of the schools
in South Wales, Mr. Finlay Gibson states that the respon-
sibility for want of coal does not rest with the colliery com-
panies. The Coal and Coke Supplies Committee for South
Wales made arrangements with the educational -authorities
for the necessary supply, and only one complaint has been
forwarded to him of failure to comply with these arrange-
ments.

The action of the South Wales delegates last week in
repudiating the agreement between the Home Secretary and
the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain has been severely
criticised, even amongst the men themselves—the outstand-
ing point dealt with being that the delegates had had no
mandate from the lodges to make any such repudiation.
That conference, it is pointed out, had been called only to
receive the executive committee’s report from the deputation
who saw the Home Secretary in regard to the “combing
out ” of the mines. The Bight Hon. W. Abraham expresses
himself strongly regarding the matter.

At a meeting held at the Bedwas Collieries, Mr. Hubert
Jenkins, the agent, said the delegates who were responsible
for the rejection of the proposal at last week’s conference
were voicing their own opinions, and not the opinion of the
coal field. Did they think that the miners of this coal field
were going to falter at a time when the Allies were about
to deliver a decisive blow at Prussian militarism ? At other
meetings, equally strong denunciations have been heard, but
the Merthyr miners apparently take a contrary view, for a
resolution was carried which approved the delegates’ action,
and declaring a belief that the objects of the war could be
attained by negotiation. Delegates were instructed to vote
in the resumed conference for ‘ ‘ bringing the war to a speedy
and honourable termination.” In the Bhondda there was
division of opinion, but the majority decided to support the
executive; and a similar resolution came from the Pontypoo]
area.

On Monday the adjourned conference was resumed in
Cardiff, there being a large attendance; and after an address
by Mr. V. Hartshorn, who explained what steps had been
taken to safeguard the interests of the miners, a discussion
followed. Subsequently a card vote was taken, when, by
1,828 to 1,309, it was decided to approve the action of the
executive and the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain in
arriving at an understanding with the Home Secretary. On
the show of hands, 165 voted for approval -and 120 against.

Mr. William Lewis, under manager at Nixon’s Colliery,
Merthyr Vale, who recently retired after 47 years’ service,
has been presented with an illuminated address and a gold

watch by the officials and workmen in appreciation of his
services. His daughter was the recipient of a silver tea and
coffee service.

In the Neath Court, the 53 summonses against the Main
Colliery Company, also against certain officials and work-
men, were -again dealt with. The magistrates decided that
the summonses against the company and general manager
should be dismissed, but the manager was fined £16 on the
summonses for allowing “ ruffing,” and £5 for not exer-
cising personal supervision over the horsekeepers. Two men
were fined £10 each, and one man £16, for ill-treating the
horses by causing them to work in an unfit condition.

Two colliers were charged -at Tredegar, on Monday, with
stealing £104 belonging to the Bhymney Valley district of
the Miners’ Federation. One was the secretary, and the
other was the treasurer of a lodge. It was stated by the
prosecuting solicitor that defalcations had been going on for
12 months, and the magistrates were asked to deal with the
case in such a way as to give security to the rest of the
miners in South Wales. Whilst entries had been made on
the membership cards as to payments received, no entries
had been made -in the books. Defendants pleaded guilty;
and sentence of three months imprisonment in each case
was passed.

In answer to an allegation by one of the miners’ leaders,
an official letter has been issued which states that the pre-
sent cost in South Wales of producing large coal -at the pit
mouth is about 24s. per ton, of which labour absorbs 17s. 9d.
There are royalties, transport, taxation, and marketing to
be met out of the balance before profits can be realised.

The National Alliance of Employers and Employed held
a meeting in Cardiff on Sunday, and amongst those who
approved the scheme for co-operation were Mr. B. O.-
Sanderson (chairman of the local Ship Owners’ Associa-
tion), Mr. Clatworthy (president of the Coal Trimmers’
Union), Mr. Gilbertson (chairman of two Conciliation
Boards in the steel -and tin-plate trades). As an outcome
of the meeting, -a committee representative both of masters
and workmen in the district was elected.

Three questions of peculiar interest came before the Con-
ciliation Board at Cardiff on Wednesday. A letter was
read from the Controller of Mines stating that 3,000 men
from the South Wales mines were -required to act as tree
fellers in order to provide timber for the mines; and the
Board decided to appoint a committee of five from each side
in order to deal with this question. It is stated that the
men thus released from colliery employment will not become
liable to military service.—A similar committee was
appointed to deal with the request of the workmen that pay-
day at the collieries should be altered from Saturday to
Friday.—The third question was as to medical examination
of men discharged from the Army and seeking re-employ-
ment. From the owners’ side, it was argued that such an
examination of the men was necessary in the men’s own
interest before they were entrusted with certain classes of
work; but the miners’ representatives contended that it was
not necessary to subject to medical examination all men
who had been discharged from the Army. This matter was
also referred to a committee of five from each side.—Several
disputes came before the Board, and these were referred to
joint representatives, as is customary.

The new chairman of the Taff Vale B-aiilway Company,
elected -at the meeting of shareholders held on Wednesday,
is Mr. G. B. Forrester, of Billiter-street, London. Mr.
Forrester is a director of the Albion Colliery Company, and
is connected with other South Wales undertakings.

At Hills Plymouth pits, near Merthyr, on Tuesday, more
than 50 per cent, of the men examined by the medical board
were found to be fit for general service in the Army; and in
the Pontypool district -a still higher percentage has been
recorded.

The -improvement in the harbour of Llanelly, which has
been so marked for months past, and will enable vessels of
much larger tonnage to approach the coal wharves of that
port, still continues ; but it is now reported that a breach
has occurred on the spur of the south wall, about 50 ft.
in extent. The breach, however, is not likely to affect the
general progress of the harbour improvement.

The board of management of the South Wales Miners’
Provident Fund is applying to the Court of Chancery for
directions to its trustees—-who are Lord Plymouth, Lord
Merthyr, and Lord Tredegar. Certain events having taken
place, the court is asked to decide what benefits are to be
paid out to persons entitled to a share in trust funds.
To-day (Friday) has been fixed for the hearing of the appli-
cation.

Northumberland and Durham.

Ambulance Fund—Miners' Association Finances—Mining
Operations and Pipe Breakages—Contributions to War
Loan—Colliery Officials' Mutual Aid Association—A
Compensation Case.

Shilbottle Colliery has been laid idle because of damage to
the shaft caused by a fire.

Mr. Wm. Straker, secretary of the Northumberland
Miners’ Association, has been invited, and has agreed, to
serve on the Advisory Committee under the Controller of
Coal Mines.

With the co-operation of the local iron masters and coal
owners, there is every probability of a big contingent of the
Durham Volunteer Begiment being raised at Birtley.

Through their association, the Northumberland miners
have now contributed £4,552 towards the Dennis Bayley
Fund for providing motor ambulance convoys at the from.
In addition, several of the large mining centres in the
county have contributed motor convoys.

The Dawdon lodge of the Durham Miners’ Association is
asking that, owing to the collieries in the district having
worked short time for the last 12 weeks, the Education
(Provision of Meals) Act, 1906, should be put into operation
in the district.

Mr. T. Beed, of South Shields, has sent Mr. Adair, secre-
tary of the Durham Aged Mine Workers’ Homes Associa-
tion, a donation of £25 “ in admiration of the courage of the
miners in following a calling at all times hazardous, as well
as for their striking patriotism in rallying to the Colours.”

Whilst B. Chisholm, 65, deputy, .was following his
employment in Ashington Colliery last September, a prop
sprang out from its position, and hit him in the side, incapa-
citating him. He died last week. A post-mortem examina-
tion, however, established the fact that death was due to
acute tuberculosis, and not to the accident. The coroner’s
jury returned -a verdict in accordance with the medical
evidence.

A plea that wet weather made small variations -in the
weight of coal sacks possible was successfully raised by
John Garbutt, coal hawker, who was charged at West