730

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

April 13, 1917.

fairly uniform, but it was not possible to establish a
correlation between the individual coal seams of the
various basins. During the deposition of the lime-
stones and the “ black metals,” the conditions in each
of, the basins must have been somewhat similar, and
it was reasonable to suppose that the basins were then
connected. This would point to uniform subsidence
over the whole district while these beds were being
formed, and was rather against the theory of deep-
seated cores. It was difficult to see how the rigidity
due to the supposed cores could have been alternately
operative and inoperative. Again, it was undoubt-
edly the case that the correlation of the coal seams of
the coal measures series could be established with a
reasonable degree of certainty. This fact would indi-
cate that in the coal measures period the subsidences
were more or less regular through the whole area of
the central valley, and were not affected by the sup-
posed cores. Mr. Ferguson had considered this aspect
of the problem, and had put forward an explanation
which appeared to be reasonable, but he (Mr. Dron)
was not prepared to agree that this explanation
covered the whole facts of the case, until he had an
opportunity to make a more detailed investigation than
was possible under the present circumstances. To his
mind, the facts pointed more to fluidity than to
rigidity along the ridges mentioned by the author.
That was to say, the ridges, instead of being supported
by rigid cores, might rather have been zones of more
or less fluid strata, which were being forced upward
by the weight of the accumulating deposits in the
adjoining basins. This feature was well known in
such great marginal areas as the West Coast of South
America. These scientific theories had a most impor-
tant economic bearing on the future of the Scottish
coal and iron industry. The development, or at least
the exploration of the carboniferous limestone series
of coals in the Clyde Valley area, could not safely be
delayed much longer. The great additions which were
being made to the iron and steel works in Lanarkshire
had made the early consideration of this question more
imperative. One of the most urgent requirements for
the future success of these works was the supply of
suitable fuel at reasonable cost. The Lanarkshire
splint coal, on which the Scottish blast furnaces were
established, was almost exhausted, and it must be
replaced by coals from which coke could be manufac-
tured. Whatever the reason might be, the carboni-
ferous limestone series in the districts to the north and
east of Lanarkshire contained coal seams, with coke
making qualities, such as were not found in the coa]
measures seams at present being worked in the Clyde
Valley. In the Glasgow, Cleland/Airdrie district out-
lined by the author, the carboniferous limestone coal
seams, which were probably of coking quality, were
lying at a workable depth. When collieries for work-
ing these seams were established in proximity to the
iron works, the whole value of the by-products and the
oven gases would be recovered in the most economical
way. If Mr. Ferguson’s explanation of the thinning-
out of these seams in the area between Lesmahagow
and East Kilbride was correct, the expectation of find-
ing them of good quality and thickness in the Clyde
Valley area was much enhanced. The only way to
settle this question was by a series of deep bores.
Hitherto one of the chief difficulties had been that the
coal field was divided among numerous small lease-
holders, and a combined scheme of boring had not been
practicable. This was clearly a subject which should
be dealt with by the State, now that it had become the
owner of all the collieries. In relation to the interests
which were at stake, the expenditure on the necessary
bores would be quite insignificant. During the last
three years there had been a great awakening as to the
duties and responsibilities of the State. As matters
now stood, it would be quite easy for the Government
to extend its operations of control so as to take posses-
sion of the deep seams in an area of about 50 square
miles-—an area which probably contained four or five
hundred million tons of coal. Having proved this
area by deep boring, arrangements could be made to
lease it out in large blocks on terms which would be
fair and equitable to the present owners. Considering
the amount of capital involved in the iron and steel
industry, and the importance of putting the fuel
supply of these works on a sound basis for the future,
it seemed to him that this was a subject which should
receive most earnest attention. Regarding . the
theories which the author had put forward about the
origin of coal seams, he (Mr. Dron) did not wish to
discuss the subject at this time beyond stating that,
in his opinion, sufficient evidence had not been put
forward to disprove the in situ theory.

Mr. James Black (Shettleston) said that the amount
of discussion that had taken place on this paper was
nothing like commensurate to its worth, and he trusted
the author would view the situation in its true perspec-
tive, and not consider the members of the institute
either unappreciative or ungrateful. The paper was
one which most of them were quite content to learn
from without feeling the least disposed to be critical.
Personally, he had studied the paper carefully, and he
had learned a great deal from it regarding the form
and structure of the coal fields of Scotland. The
geological investigator was often to a great extent
dependent for his calculations upon circumstantial
evidence; indeed, there was probably no other prac-
tical science in which conjecture was so frequently
requisitioned. The consequence was that unless the
investigator was a geologist of great experience, he
might end, in many cases, in formulating wrong
theories. The various theories advanced by the author,
however, were so forcibly and logically expounded as to
be almost incontrovertible. That part of his paper
which dealt with the deposition of coal in past years
was particularly worthy of- note, and his treatment of

the subject formed a striking contrast to that usually
given in the ordinary text-books. Two theories were
advanced, and both of them by eminent authorities,
to account for the deposition of coal. Mr. Ferguson
seemed to be a strong advocate of the drift theory,
because, as he explained, the in situ theory was only
consistent in a small percentage of cases. No doubt
the trend of modern opinion favoured that view to
which the author inclined. Mr. Ferguson had
undoubtedly contributed largely to the wealth of their
knowledge on the form and structure of the coal fields
of Scotland, and for a long time to come his paper
would form a standard work of reference on the
subject.

The President, touching upon the views the author
had expressed in relation to the drift and in situ
theories, said he did not altogether endorse Mr.
Ferguson’s conclusions on that point. It did not
appear to him that the rate of subsidence was so
uniform in the carboniferous limestone series as in the
coal measures series. Further, it was rather difficult
to imagine that drifting could take place to the extent
Mr. Ferguson suggested, without destroying the
uniformity in the seams.

Mr. J. A. Masterton, H.M. inspector of mines,
enquired whether this paper would remain open for
further discussion.

The President having replied in the affirmative, the
meeting terminated.

BOOK NOTICES.

The Mining Manual and Mining Year Book, 1917. By
Walter R. Skinner. 960 pp. 8^ in. x 5|in. London :
Walter R. Skinner, 11-12, Clements-lane, E.C.; and
Financial Time's, 12, Coleman-street, E.C. Price, 15s.
net.

The present issue of this useful manual is the 31st
consecutive yearly issue of a publication which has
long been recognised as the standard reference work
on mines. It is pointed out in the preface that the
war, widespread as are its consequences, has only
indirectly affected the operations of mines known to
the British public. As might have been expected,
from the Treasury restrictions on company promotion
during the war, there have been but few new mining
flotations during the past year. A useful principle
followed by the compiler has been to keep continually
in touch with a company from its birth until its
demise. To maintain this policy, but at the same
time to avoid the work becoming unwieldy, the supple-
mentary index (which is separated from the index
proper and placed at the end of the book) fulfils a
valuable function. The supplementary index con-
tains the names of those companies which, although
still in existence, have either ceased to be of public
interest, or are in too dormant a state to justify their
inclusion in the body of the work. By turning to
that one of the previous volumes set opposite the
respective names of such companies, sufficient infor-
mation for most practical purposes can be obtained.
Thus, while full particulars are supplied in the 1917
edition of the Mining Manual and Mining Year Book
of 1,710 companies, the supplementary index, with its
reference to earlier volumes, covers no less than 2,286
additional companies. By a glance through the two
indices, an executor or a solicitor engaged in winding-
up an estate is able with the least possible labour to
ascertain whether old mining scrip represents a pro-
perty still in being, or whether the mine may be
assumed to have gone into liquidation or been struck
off the register of joint stock companies. By this
ingenious plan, each Mining Manual preserves its
utility even after the issue of a new volume; and a
file of these yearly volumes becomes a valuable store-
house of information, which, instead of being buried,
as so often happens in the case of many out-of-date
annuals, is always readily accessible. There are no
important innovations in this year’s production, which
retains all the valuable features which, as a result of
long experience, have been from time to time initiated.

The Mining Manual and Mining Year Book has
become a recognised indispensable work of reference
for mining engineers, stock brokers, mine managers,
bankers, mining investors, solicitors, and everyone
interested in the mining industry. It contains par-
, ticulars, alphabetically- arranged, concerning 1,710
companies operating in all parts of the world—gold,
diamond, silver, copper, tin, iron, and other mines,
collieries, exploration and mining investment com-
panies, with supplementary index giving the names
of private, dormant, or companies that have ceased to
be of public interest. The particulars of each com-
pany include’the directors and other officials, date of
establishment, seat of operations, description of the
property, purchase consideration, plant erected or in
course of erection, present working results, ore
reserves, details of capital, calls, dividends paid, and
the financial position as disclosed by the accounts, also
highest and lowest prices of the shares for the last
four years, and the latest price. Crushing returns
and gold outputs from the principal mines are given,
showing tons treated monthly, results obtained, and
yield per ton, also annual yields. There is also a com-
plete list of directors (3,925) and secretaries (890),
with their addresses and descriptions, and names of the
companies with which each particular director or
secretary is connected. In addition to this, the work
contains the names and addresses of 1,040 mining and
consulting engineers, mine managers, and agents, with
names of the various companies in which they are
referred to throughout the book; the nature of their
connection with such companies can be ascertained by
turning to the companies mentioned. Finally, atten-

tion is called to the dictionary of mining terms. The
use of technical phraseology in mining reports is a
frequent source of trouble to the investor, but by refer-
ence to the dictionary of mining terms the full mean-
ing of each term can be grasped, and the progress of
mine development intelligently followed. The dic-
tionary, which contains 437 mining terms, is the most
up-to-date, and for its scope the most complete glossary
published.

An appendix will be found also in the Manual con-
taining the latest registrations of new companies and
other particulars completing the information in the
body of the work to within a few days of publication.
The style of the book is too familiar to need further
description.

Hayward’s Percentage and Discount Tables. By J. G.

Hayward, l per cent, to 30L per cent.; with an addi-
tional table for 40 A per cent, for colliery use. 4^in.
X 4^ in. Part 1, 6d. net. Ditto, Parts 1 and 2,
including Percentages of the Maximum and Minimum
Wage, Is. net. Newport (Mon.) : Southall and Com-
pany Limited.

These tables are well known as aids for the calcula-
tion of colliery wages. The 40^ per cent, table has
been inserted particularly for the use of colliery offi-
cials and employees. It is an additional advantage
that the percentages of the maximum and minimum
wage have been certified by Mr. C. E. Parsons, char-
tered accountant and official auditor of the Miners’
Federation. To provide for the 7J per cent, for lamps
which is given in some collieries, an additional number
of tables have been inserted. Pay clerks will find
their calculations greatly simplified by the use of these
tables, which are thoroughly trustworthy, and excel-
lently printed in black and red. The tables are
capable of being used beyond the given range by the
simple process of addition.

THE AMERICAN COAL TRADE.

A sharp break has occurred in bituminous price.-]
(says the Coal Age of March 31). Supplies are suffi-
cient to meet immediate requirements, but there is
still enough uncertainty to cause uneasiness. Along-
side Boston the quotations for Clearfield coal is 8 to
8*75 dols., and for Cambridge and Somerset 8-50 to
9 dols. f.o.b. Pocahontas and New River are quoted
at 5-50 to 6 dols. f.o.b. Norfolk and Newport News,
Virginia, for spot coal, and 10 to 10-50 dols. on cars
Boston or Providence for inland delivery.

Following the settlement of labour troubles, prices
in Philadelphia declined to 5-75 to 6 dols. for Georges
Creek Big Vein and South Fork Miller Vein, 5-25 to
5-50 dols. for Clearfield (ordinary) and Somerset (ordi-
nary), and 4-50 to 4-75 dols. for Fairmont mine-run
and slack.

Baltimore reports a comparatively light demand.
Quotations at the mines for delivery to the trade are
about as follow: Georges Creek Tyson, 4*75 dols.;
Somerset, 4-25 dols. ; Quemahoning, 4-50 dols.; Clear-
field, 4 to 4-25 dols. ; Freeport, 4 dols.; Fairmont gas,
three-quarter, 4-25 dols. ; run-of-mine, same, 4 dols. ;
slack, same, 4 dols.

An improvement in car supply and general trans-
port has affected prices at Hampton Roads. Contract
prices for Pocahontas and New River run-of-mine for
the year beginning April 1 range from 3-25 to 3*50
dols. per net ton f.o.b. mines. Two colliers, “Ulysses”
and “Achilles,” are being converted to oil burners.
The Palmer fleet of schooners, well-known in the coal
trade, is said to have been sold for 500,000 dols.

The full summer discount of 50c. is now allowed on
anthracite domestic sizes, greatly to the surprise of
the trade. The Philadelphia quotations for shipment
in April are as follow:—Egg, 3-65 dols. ; stove, 3-60
dols.; nut, 4 dols.; pea, 2-30 dols. Following the usual
practice, the discount will be eliminated at the rate of
10c. per month until the full winter circular is in
effect, as follows:—Egg, 4-15 dols.; stove, 4*10 dols.;
nut, 4-50 dols.; pea, 2-80 dols.

With all prospect of severe weather past, the dealers
here practically cancelled all their orders for the pre-
pared sizes, such as egg, stove, and nut.

Freight rates are 55-20 to 62-40 dols. for West Coast
of Italy and Marseilles, and 27-60 dols. for Spanish
(Atlantic) ports.

Spot coke is weaker, owing to better supplies, but
furnaces are not obtaining all they need.

A movement is on foot to suggest to the Coal Controller
that all coals should be sold by their colliery name, and
not as Derby brights, or house coal, or cobbles, etc.

Coal Controller and Merchants’ Profits.—At the request
of the Controller of Coal Mines, a meeting was held on
Wednesday at the Cannon-street Hotel, E.C., under the
auspices of the Railborne Coal Factors’ and Wholesale
Merchants’ Association, to consider the agreement with
the Board of Trade as to the margin of profits. Three
definite allegations had been made before the meeting to
the effect that colliery companies are charging more than
the recognised 4s. advance on pre-war prices; that factors
and merchants are passing coal through the hands of two
or more persons, and the recognised Is. 6d. per ton extra
has been thereby increased very considerably; and that
coal usually sent to London has been diverted to shipping
centres, in order that the higher prices permissible might
be secured, thereby robbing the London area of its legiti-
mate quantity of fuel. Mr. George Rose (Myers, Rose and
Company), president of the association, presided, and there
were present nearly 120 members of the association and
outside merchants, representing the leading wholesale
houses. A resolution was unanimously passed confirming
the basis of agreement with the Board of Trade, and
deciding that the existing margin of profits shall be main-
tained during the continuance of the war.