April 5, 1917.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

685

as to how best to proceed. Messrs. Henry Rowan
(Cowdenbeath), Hugh Waddell (Tranent), and John
Rodney (Polton) also took part in the discussion, and
spoke generally in favour of the suggestion for the estab-
lishment of a bureau in connection with the association.

In presiding at the annual meeting of the United
Collieries, Mr. Montague F. Maclean said that with
regard to the State control of the coal mines, his first feel-
ing was one of regret that such control was found neces-
sary. One assumed that in taking this action, the Govern-
ment were not satisfied with the performance of the coal
trade during the war. He was of opinion, however, that
the trade had done its best. If, however, the control was
going to facilitate transport, and prevent overlapping, then
it might prove useful. He regarded the future as bright
for his company. Some of their collieries, it was true,
were becoming exhausted, but they had still laTge tracts
of virgin coal. There was every prospect that the output
of coal would be increased in the future.

At an inquest in Dunfermline concerning the death of a
coal cutter machineman in Townhill Colliery, the evidence
showed that the coal cutter, which was of the disc type,
was being forced into the face without a “hole” or cut
being made for the disc. The “ stell ” tree forcing the
machine against the face broke, and the machine kicked
out, the deceased being caught by the revolving disc. Mr.
David Scott, manager, stated that they had been in the
habit of making disc holes, but in the particular level
where the accident took place it was difficult to make disc
holes owing to the presence of water. In reply to a repre-
sentation of the owners, Mr. Masterton, mines inspector,
said that his assistants and himself were in the habit of
calling the attention of managers to the want of disc holes,
and he had no doubt, if the war had not interfered with
ordinary legislation, they might have had a regulation
enforcing the use of such disc holes.

LABOUR AMD WAGES.

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

The Federation executive met on Saturday and received
a deputation from the Welsh Town Planning Association.
The executive resolved that all the districts of the Federa-
tion should be advised to co nect themselves with the
association, and to appoint representatives upon its
governing body.

Permission was given by the executive to the workmen
at Llanerch, Blaensychan, and Varteg Viponds collieries in
Monmouthshire to tender notices on the non-unionist
question; and similar permission was given to workmen of
the Tirdonkin Colliery in the Swansea area. The executive
will bring up at the next meeting of the Conciliation Board
the question of supplying hous ecoal at workman’s rates to
the wives of soldiers and sailors.—Arising out of the under-
standing with the Government in regard to wages there
was an understanding that only trade-union labour would
be employed at the pits ; and the allegation now made on
behalf of the men is that some colliery managers are not
adhering to that understanding.

An arbitration under the Board of Trade into disputes ,
arising at by-product works of Monmouthshire collieries
has taken place in Cardiff. The arbitrator (Mr. McKenzie)
has given his award in cases affecting the Ebbw Vale
works, and has compromised between the men’s claims and
the employers’ offers. Other disputes related to Blaenavon
works and to Risca.

A joint deputation of employers and employed in the
South Wales iron and steel works, representing those
interests wherein the wages are regulated by the sliding
scale, had an interview last week with the Committee on
Production in London.. The men’s representatives desired
to have a new scale of wages during the time that average
prices are above the maximum in the agreement; and the
suggestion was that the rate should be 1 per cent, for every
shilling above the maximum. The deputation included
Mr. Frederick Mills and Mr. Howell Jones (of Guest, Keen
and Nettlefolds) for the employers ; and Mr. Stephen Davies
(vice-chairman of the Wages Board), Mr. D. Hammon and
Mr. A. Davies (Dowlais), Mr. Carter and Mr. A. Evans
(Ebbw Vale), Mr. Jenkins (Cardiff), and Mr. Batty
(Cyfarthfa) represented the men, together with Mr. Tom'
Phillips (employers) and Mr. William Williams (workmen),
joint secretaries.

It has been since decided by the committee that variation
in the wage rate, advance or reduction, shall be 1 per
cent, for every shilling in the combined average net selling
price above the previous maximum of <£6 10s. per ton for
steel rails 20 lb. per yard and upwards ; and steel tin bars
f.o.t. The percentage to be paid in respect of the
ascertained price now before the committee to be deter-
mined in accordance with this scale, which will remain in *
operation for the period of the war, and shall afterwards
be subject to three months’ notice on either side. It is
provided in the award that the sliding scale agreement of
July 1915 shall not be deemed to be affected.

North of England.

The statement in the quarterly report of the Durham
Enginemen’s Association that the concession of an eight-
hour day for the Northumberland firemen was contingent
on a reduction in basis wages, has evoked a correction from
the officials of the Northumberland Colliery Enginemen’s
and Firemen’s Association. The majority of the firemen,
they state, had 3s. per day, and received an advance of 2d.
per day, with a reduction in some cases of 27 hours per day.
The 3s. 8d. mentioned in the Durham report was not a fixed
county rate, but was given for extraneous work at certain
collieries. Since the agreement was entered into, the
union officials have made local arrangements at numerous
collieries, and in this way advances have been made in
firemen’s wages of 3d. per day in some cases, and of 4d. in
others, making the wage from 3s. 5d. to 3s. 6d. per day.
Locomotive men’s hours were reduced from 11 to 10 per day
without wages being lowered at all.

According to returns which have reached the Northum-
berland Miners’ Association, 43 Northumberland steam coal
pits worked an average of 3’5 days per week during last
month, and 22 house-coal pits of the county worked an
average of 4*876 days per week, mak ng a general average
of 3*97. In February, 42 steam coal pits worked an average
of 4*36 days per week and the house-coal pits 5*086, or a
general average of 4*059 days per week. It will be observed
that the March record of employment shows a marked

deterioration even as compared with the very unsatisfactory
figures for February.

The accountants’ ascertainment of the average selling
price of Northumberland coal at the pithead for the three
months ended February 28 shows the price to have been
15s. ll*17d. per ton, as compared with 17s. 7’29d. per ton in
the previous quarter, a reduction of Is. 8*12d. per ton,
which, according to the sliding scale supplementary agree-
ment, justifies a reduction of 13 per cent, in the county
miners’ wages. It is stated, however, that, following on
the miners’ decision, arrived at three months ago, to
oppose any further wages reductions so long as the cost of
living remains so high, the Miners’ Federation took the
matter to the Board of Trade as a general question of
national application, and that the Board of Trade and the
Coal Controller agreed that there should not be any
reduction in wages consequent upon the fall of prices in
any district without the sanction of the Coal Controller,
arrived at after consultation with Miners’ Federation and
the miners in the district affected. Therefore, it is
expected that miners’ wages in Northumberland will
remain at 120 per cent, above the basis of 1879.

The council of the Durham Miners’ Association has
decided, on the proposal of the Chopwell Lodge, to instruct
the agents to approach the Government, through the
Miners’ Federation, in order to seek to have the county
rate of wages paid to all men and boys employed in or
about the mines who may be laid idle through the want of
tonnage. On the motion of Hetton, it has been decided to
seek to establish a county rate for all classes of under-
ground workmen “ working wet,” such rate to be in addition
to their ordinary wage. It has been agreed, on the proposal
of Marsden, that the owners should be seen at once and a
demand made for not more than six hours to constitute a
shift for any class of underground workmen who are called
upon to work at week-ends in the period between twelve
noon on Saturday and the shift of the same class of work-
men for coal drawing on Monday or the ordinary shift of
such class preparatory for coal drawing on Monday, and,
further, that the demand should provide that the pay for
such -week-end shifts should be equal to time and a-half
pay. Felling’s proposal, that the association should
make itself responsible to pay compensation to local
officials who might meet with accidents while discharging
their duties as servants of the association, has been
carried. The executive committee pointed out that this
proposal would greatly increase the liabilities of the
association by asking it to pay compensation to local
officials who might sustain accidents while doing local
lodge work. In the past the association had held itself
responsible for paying compensation to checkweighmen or
any man who might have had an accident when engaged on
work of the general association. If a man was summoned
to any meeting by the head office and met with an accident
the association held itself responsible for his compensation,
but the present resolution would make the association
responsible for any accident that might happen to local
officials while doing purely local lodge work. It has been
agreed, on the motion of Ludworth, to seek to have a basis
wage, together with hours per shift, fixed for lamp cabin
men. St. Hilda’s motion, that the owners should be met
with a view to having erased the age limit or clause of
21 years, which debars putters over that age from partici-
pating in the coal hewers’ rate of compensation in case of
accident, has been agreed to.

The wages committee of the Northumberland Miners’
Association has had under consideration the problem of
irregular working of the bounty collieries, largely in con-
sequence of tonnage shortage and the uneven distribution
of business amongst the pits. The committee has decided
to seek an interview with the coal owners, to ascertain if it
is not possible to arrange for a more equitable distribution
amongst exporting collieries of such business as there is to
be done. The committee proposes also to bring before the
coal owners the question of the comparatively small share
of French business coming to Northumberland by com-
parison with the considerable volume of French trade done
at the Bristol Channel. It is to be feared that, on both
points, the committee will find that the coal owners are
almost as powerless as the miners themselves to change the
general course of trade.

Scotland.

Workmen at the collieries who have reached the assess-
able limit are pressing for the introduction of duplicate
pay sheets, so as to be able to check the figures given by
the colliery offices as their earnings. For the same reason
men employed by contractors are asking for pay sheets
At several collieries men employed by contractors are being
paid through the colliery offices direct.

The question of excessive quantities of foreign material
being sent up with the coal is causing some trouble at
Shawstonhead Colliery. The management imposed a
severe fining scale, but on the union complaining, the
matter was reported to the Home Office. Both sides agreed
to refer the matter in dispute to the Chief Inspector of
Mines, who has now issued his award, under which the
contention of the union is upheld.

A dispute has again arisen at Midton Colliery. The
miners were being paid day wage rates and on a day’s
notice the company substituted ton rates, which the men
consider too low. A difference of 9d. per ton exists, and as
a settlement could not be arrived at, the colliery is at a
standstill.

Iron, Steel and Engineering Trades.

The following intimation has been made to Messrs.
James C. Bishop and James Gavin, joint secretaries of the
Scottish Manufactured Iron Trade Conciliation and Arbi-
tration Board, by Mr. John M. MacLeod, C.A., Glasgow : —“ In
terms of the remit, I have examined the employers’ books
for January and February, 1917, and I certify the average
net selling price brought out is <£14 3s. 0*9d. per ton.”
This means an increase in the wages of the workmen of
2| per cent.

Col. Brotherton, chairman of Brotherton and Co. Ltd.,
chemical manufacturers, has purchased Mersey Chemical
Works at Bromborough Port, New Ferry, Birkenhead, for
£135,000. The works, which have an area of 36^ acres,
were German-owned at the outbreak of the war. They
were sold by auction at Liverpool, under an Order from the
Board of Trade, with the stipulation that they must be
continued as a dye-producing concern.

COAL, IRON AND ENGINEERING COMPANIES.

REPORTS AND DIVIDENDS.

Consolidated Signal Company Limited. — The directors
have declared in respect of the half-year ended 16th ult.
an interim dividend on the preference shares at the rate
of 6 per cent, per annum, less tax.

Edinburgh Collieries Company Limited.—The report
states that, including £17,050 brought forward, and after
making provision for excess profits duty, etc., the profits
amount to £125,128. The directors have written off
£30,000 for depreciation, and recommend a final dividend
of 12^ per cent, on the ordinary shares, making 17^ per
cent., free of tax, for the year, leaving £30,153 to be
carried forward.

Great Western Colliery Company Limited. — An extra-
ordinary general meeting of the company was held in
Bristol for the purpose of confirming the resolution to
divide each £5 share into five shares of £1 each. The
resolution was carried.

Otis Steel Company Limited.—The directors announce a
dividend on the common stock at the rate of 10 per cent,
in respect of the year to December 31 last, to be paid on
July 1, 1917, to holders on record at the close of business
on June 1 next.

Scottish Wagon Company Limited.—The report states
that the revenue account shows a balance a £18,345. The
directors recommend a dividend of 7 per cent., less tax,
for the year, that £3,500 be carried to reserve fund, raising
it to £70,500, and £1,147 carried forward.

Wilsons and Clyde Coal Company Limited.—Interim
dividend for the half-year ended February 28 last at the
rate of 7 per cent, per annum on the preference and Is.
on the ordinary (both less income tax), subject to con-
sent of Controller of Coal Mines.

NEW COMPANIES.

Forth and Clyde Coal Company Limited.—Private com-
pany. Registered in Edinburgh. Capital, £15,000 in £1
shares. To carry on the business of coal merchants, ship
owners, etc. Subscribers : T. Petrie and J. H. S.
Templeton.

Happerheld and Willans Limited.—Private company.
Capital, £12,000 in £1 shares. To take over the business
of wharfingers, stevedores, dock, colliery, and railway
siding owners, railway and shipping agents, etc., carried
on by J. Clements and E. Keene at Great Western Wharf,
Newport, Mon., as Happerfield and Willans. Directors :
J. Clements and E. Keene (both permanent).

Johnson (Joseph) (Durham) Limited.—Private company.
Capital, £250,000 in £10 shares. To take over the busi-
ness of colliery owners and brewers carried on by the
owners of Hamsteels Collieries at the Hamsteels Colliery,
Durham, and by the firm of Joseph Johnson at the City
Brewery, Durham, and the Western Brewery, South
Shields. Agreement with J. Burgoyne Johnson, Eleanor
J. Robertson, and the said J. Burgoyne Johnson, J.
Robertson, and E. J. Pearce (the, last three as trustees).
J. Burgoyne Johnson, is permanent governing director.

Kethley Main Coal Company Limited. — Private com-
pany. Registered office, 123a, Judd-street, King’s Cross.
Capital, £1,000 in £1 shares. To take over the business
of coal merchants, colliery agents, and coal factors carried
on by A. Penny and W. Jones-Lewis, at 123a, Judd-street,
King’s Cross, and elsewhere, as the Kethley Main Coal
Company. Directors : A. Penny and W. Jones-Lewis.

Midland Mining and Trading Company Limited.—
Private company. Registered office, 23, Hagley-road,
Stourbridge. Capital, £10,000 in £1 shares. To take
over the business of a timber merchant carried on by
A. C. J. Wall, at Stourbridge, as the Midland Trading
Company, also to carry on the business of dealers in pit
props, etc.

Mills and Knight Limited.—Private company. Capital,
£50,000 in £1 shares. To take over the business of dry
dock owners, repairers and builders of ships, internal com-
busion and electrical engineers, boiler makers, etc., carried
on by the executors of the late G. S. Knight at Nelson-
road, Rotherhithe, and Fountain Dock, Bermondsey, S.E.,
as Mills and Knight. First directors : A. G. S., F. W., and
J. M. Knight.

This list of new companies is taken from the Daily
Register specially compiled by Messrs. Jordan ana Sons
Limited, company registration agents, Chancery-lane, E.C.

By Order in Council, finder the Defence of the Realm
Act, where, with a view to increasing the supply of coal,
it appears to the Board of Trade that it is expedient that
any railway, tramway, or other facilities for transport from
a colliery should be provided, the Board may take posses-
sion of any land, and construct and maintain thereon such
works as may be necessary for the purpose.

French Government’s Coal Scheme.—The coal problem
is being dealt with by the French Government from the
standpoint of transport facilities rather than of the pro-
duction of fuel itself. M. Loucheur, Under-Secretary for
Armaments, has drawn up a scheme dividing France into
three zones. The first zone constitutes the country south
of a line drawn from Bayonne through Dijon to the Jura,
and will be supplied solely by the central and southern
mines. The importation of foreign coal into Marseilles
will thus cease. The second zone will comprise the regions
east, with Paris and the zone of the Armies, as far as a
line drawn from Limoges through Rouen, and will be fed
by the Nord and Pas-de-Calais mines not in the enemy’s
hands. There remains the third zone, extending to the
coast line, the Channel and the Atlantic, which will receive
British and, perhaps, some American coal. Th’s will
greatly ease the transport shortage, and the question is
now whether each zone can be sufficiently supplied by the
mines assigned. The State will take possession of the coal
at the pit mouth and port, and will become the sole vendor,
and there will be but one price for each category. The
prime object of this redistribution is to ensure supplies to
war workshops, railways, etc. Civilian needs come last,
and it appears probable that domestic consumption can
still only be supplied to the extent of two-thirds. Coal
tickets may be resorted to. The scheme includes the lay-
ing up of big reserve stocks against next winter.