904 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN May 11, 1917. concerned with, the natural causes of industrial fatigue, the relation of output to hours of work, the comparative efficiency of the various systems of day and night shifts, the causes and conditions of lost time and the natural incentives that conduce to the production of the best results. These are the questions which are discussed in the report now before us. The committee dwells primarily upon purely physio- logical principles ; and it is clearly demonstrated that industrial management, if scientific and therefore economic, cannot ignore the fundamental doctrines controlling the efficiency of the human machine. One of the practical difficulties that necessarily arises is the true test of fatigue. How is the works manager to discriminate between real and assumed fatigue ? The committee finds that true fatigue may be recognised by diminished capacity directly, and by an increased frequency of trifling accidents indirectly. In this connection attention is drawn to the report of the British Association Committee at the Manchester meeting last year. The method of accident frequency, however, is not easy to apply. In the coal mining industry attempts have been made to establish a connection between fatigue and the incidence of accidents, but without any clear conclu- sion being reached. But the matter certainly deserves closer study than it has yet received. The committee finds reason to maintain that in respect to true scientific management England is behind both America and Germany. It has found an amazing want of agree- ment in this country upon the most elementary problems of labour management. This indictment deserves the closest attention on the part of our captains of industry, and the reproach, so far as it has any real basis, must not be allowed to continue. We are convinced that the shortest remedy will be found, as stated above, in the more general recognition of the existence of a science of work. It is not possible to refer here to the details of this voluminous report, in which the principles of the science of work—chiefly manual work—are clearly set forth. Especially worthy of study are the observations respecting piece rates, which have been so fruitful a cause of friction between employers and men. Several systems of piece rates are described, and the principles upon which they are based are explained. These should certainly be brought to the notice of the trade union leaders, some of whom seem to act upon the assumption that piece rates are arbitrarily fixed without any principle whatever except that of attempting to take an unfair advan- tage of the men. The systems of Halsey, Emerson, Weir and Gantt are illustrated in detail. It is true, however, that a piece rate system suitable for the engineering workshop is a different matter from a tonnage rate suitable for the coal miner, in which the difficult question of abnormal places must always remain a stumbling block to any rigid mathematical basis of calculation. On the whole, the committee have done well in emphasising the great importance, to the future of British industries, of the recognition of the appli- cations of science to management; and not the least of the benefits that may accrue from this recognition is the fact that it affords a common ground upon which employer and employed may meet for their mutual benefit. Industries based upon these prin- ciples, and liberated from socialistic cant and false economic doctrines, have little to fear from foreign competition. Finally, what is urgently needed at the present time is the earnest co-operation of the trade unions and employers in the study of the complexities of the human machine, and the best method of making use of it. This will need a renunciation of many old and obsolete doctrines. Miss E. D. Proud, in her well-known book on Welfare Work, states that she has encountered opposition from the trade unions in regard to the improvement of industrial conditions on the score that it would tend to make the workers content with their lot, and would thus promote industrial peace. That, we may submit, is exactly what is wanted for the work of reconstruction that is ahead. There will be plenty of room for the trade unions to take their part in this work ; for the worker himself must be educated to the view that scientific organisation has nothing to do with the so-called exploitation of labour, but is concerned rather with giving the workman a chance of doing justice to himself. Mr. William Walmsley Simpson, of Winkley, Whalley, Blackburn, colliery proprietor, who died on January 8, left unsettled property of the value of <£88,519. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, May 10. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. Exports have decreased still further, but industrial demands are fairly well maintained, and a good day-to-day business is being done. Despite the falling turnover, values are comparatively firm, holders evidently being determined against further concessions. Shipments for the past week amounted to 70,292 tons, against 103,727 in the preceding week and 117,989 tons in the same week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Steam coal Current prices. 18/ -24/ 19/ -21/6 18/ -31/ 23/6 22/ 20/ L’st week’s prices. 18/ -24/ 19/ -21/6 18/ -31/ 23/6 22/ 20/ Last year’s prices. 30/ 34/ -35/ 38/ —39/ 21/ -21/6 20/ -20/6 19/3-19/9 Ell Splint Treble nuts Double do Single do IRON. Conditions in the Scotch iron trade are much the same week after week. Strenuous activity is the keynote in all branches, and works everywhere are employed to their utmost limit. Nevertheless, requirements continue to increase in advance of outputs. Most qualities of pig iron are in great demand, but more especially haematite for consumption at local steelworks. Shipment is almost negligible apart from Allied consumption, as few licences are now being granted to neutrals. Stocks amount to 3,398 tons, against 5,338 tons in December 1916 and 116,098 tons in December 1915. Scotch makers’ iron prices are still quoted as follow:—Monkland and Carnbroe f.a.s. at Glasgow, Nos. 1, 125s., Nos. 3, 120s.; Govan, No. 1, 122s. 6d., No. 3, 120s.; Clyde, Summerlee, Calder and Langloan, Nos. 1, 130s., Nos. 3, 125s.; Gartsherrie, No. 1, 131s. 6d., No. 3, 126s. 6d.; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 130s., No. 3, 125s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan, and Dalmel- lington, at Ayr, Nos. 1, 126s. 6d., Nos. 3, 121s. 6d.; Shotts and Carron, at Leith, Nos. 1, 130s., Nos 3, 125s. per ton. Malleable iron mills are as busy as ever, chiefly in the production of steel for war purposes. “ Crown ” quality iron bars are still quoted £15 5s. per ton net, for export, but much firmer prices are obtainable for prompt deliveries. Makers of black sheets are working at very high speed in the execution of orders for the heavier gauges required in connection with war work, and find great difficulty in keeping pace with the demand. The basis price is still round about £18 5s. per ton net, f.o.b. Glasgow. Other branches of the trade, and particularly the engineering section, have more work on hand than they can conveniently overtake. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. The coal trade in the Lothians is still in a depressed condition owing to the curtailment of the shipping busi- ness. Notwithstanding Admiralty orders and a fair local turnover, broken time is frequent. Shipments were 19,169 tons, against 20,464 in the preceding week, and 28,952 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Best screened steam coal... Secondary qualities Current prices. 23/ -23/6 21/ 23/ 21/ 19/6 L’st week’s prices. 23/ -23/6 21/ 23/ 21/ 19/6 Last year’s prices 38/ -39/ 36/ -37/6 24/ -25/ 22/ —23/ 21/ -22/ Treble nuts Double do Single do Conditions in Fifeshire are similar to those in the Lothians, though even less satisfactory. Collieries have difficulty in disposing of outputs in spite of a reduction in the working hours. Shipments were 27,986 tons, against 19,154 in the preceding week, and 61,123 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. Best screened navigation coal 30/ 30/ 40/ Unscreened do 25/ 25/ 35/ First-class steam coal 25/ 25/ 38/ -40/ Third-class do 20/ 20/ 35/ -37/6 24/ -26/ Treble nuts 24/ 24/ Double do 22/ 22/ 23/ -24/ Single do 19/ 19/ 21/ -22/ The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 117,447 tons, compared with 143,345 in the preceding week and 208,064 tons in the corresponding week of last year. -------- Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-on-Tyne. COAL. Shipments on official and contract accounts continue very brisk, collieries being well supplied with requisitioned and time-chartered tonnage, and likely to continue so for awhile. It seems likely that the present satisfactory con- dition of affairs will obtain for the whole month. Next to nothing is doing in the prompt coal market, the supply of “ free ” vessels available for charter by private exporters being exceedingly limited. Indeed, the number of vessels fixed in the local market during the week has been excep- tionally small. The vessels are not large ones, nor are the destinations far distant. However, collieries are, relatively, free from embarrassment in respect of continuity of employ- ment, and the mining industry has ceased to have that large amount of idle time which was, some weeks ago, so great a cause for anxiety. The ’ stocks of coal and coke offering to individual merchants for prompt or early loading are very small, and prices are tending upwards. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment show the following changes on the week:—Best Tyne steams are from Is. to 2s. dearer, the first alteration in price since the end of February ; Blyth seconds are from 6d. to. Is. advanced ; Tyne seconds are 6d. increased; smithies are stronger, with specials listed up to 30s. ordinary unscreened Durham bunkers are 6d. higher; and blast furnace coke is firmer. The forward market would be active were there any guarantee of tonnage supplies. Not much fuel is offering for delivery over any part of the present month, and prices are very stiffly maintained. Coke is in particularly active demand, and small supply and fully late prices are quoted for forward shipment. The contract to supply one of the Metropolitan gasworks with good second-class Durham gas coal is reported to have been renewed at the maximum price allowable under the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current L’stweek’s Last year’s Steam coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 30/ 30/ 55/ Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 28/ -30/ 27/ -28/ ) ,55/ , Secondary, Blyths 22/ -23/ 21/ -22/6 42/6-45/ Do. Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) ... 22/6-23/ 22/6 45/ Unscreened 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ 37/6-42/6 Small, Blyths 18/ 18/ 32/6-35/ Do. Tynes 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 25/ -27/6 Do. specials 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 32/6-35/ Other sorts:— Smithies 21/ 20/ -21/ 35/ Best gas coals (New Pelton or Holmside) 26/ 26/ 35/ -36/ Secondary gas coals (Pelaw Main or similar) 17/6-19/ 30/ -31/ 17/6-19/ 32/ -33/ Special gas coals 30/ -31/ 35/ -37/6 Unscreened bunkers, Durhams 17/ -20/ 16/6-20/ 32/ -35/ Do. do. N orthumbrians 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ 37/6-40/ 32/ -34/ Coking coals 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ 17/ -18/ Do. smalls 17/ -18/ 32/ House coals 27/6-30/ 27/6-30/ 1 45/ -50/ Coke, foundry 40/ -42/6 40/ -42/6 47/6-50/ Do. blast-furnace 40/ 38/ -40/ 47/6-50/ Do. gas j 30/ -32/ 30/ -32/ 26/ -28/ Sunderland. COAL. Dulness continues to be the portion of the coal trade. The market is devoid of feature, business being retarded, as usual, by the extreme scarcity of tonnage and the collieries being kept at work on requisition and limitation orders, with very little doing for neutral shipment. There is a little second-hand business doing in steam coal for this month’s shipment, at full market rates. Smalls are being produced in excess of the demand, and are going into heap. Bunkers are slow, owing to restricted shipping movements. Gas and coking fuels are quiet but fairly steady. Coke keeps fairly strong. Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current L’stweek’s Last year’s Gas coals:— prices. prices. prices. Special Weat gas coals 27/6 27/ 37/6 Secondary do. House coals:— 18/ -18/6 18/ 32/6 Best house coals 30/ 30/ 50/ -52/6 Ordinary do Other sorts:— 23/ 23/ 42/6-45/ Lambton screened 28/ -28/6 28/ 52/6 South Hetton do. 28/ -28/6 28/ 52/6 Lambton unscreened ... 17/6 17/6 33/ South Hetton do. 17/6 17/ 32/6 Do. treble nuts 21/ 18/6 21/ — Coking coals unscreened 18/6 32/6 Do. smalls 16/9-17/ 17/ 30/ Smithies 21/6 21/ 35/ Peas and nuts 22/6 22/6 37/6 Best bunkers 18/ 18/ 37/6 Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 16/6-16/9 16/6 32/ Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 41/ 40/ 47/6 Teesside furnaces) ... 28/ 28/ 28/ Gas coke 3!/ 31/ -32/ 25/ * Unobtainable. Outward chartering is practically at a standstill, and nothing of importance to record. M i d d I esbrough-on-Tees. COAL. The general situation in the fuel trade alters little. Continued heavy enquiry for fuel is reported, but it is not entertained to any extent, so far as foreign business is concerned, chiefly because of difficulty in putting it through, the situation being dominated by the tonnage question. Many collieries are working better, and among merchants there is a disposition to look more cheerfully ahead, though reason for regarding prospects as improved is obscure. Less effort appears to be made just now to purchase for Scandinavia, due to the fact that considerable quantities of fuel arranged for in the past have yet to be delivered to those countries. Best Durham steam coals remain at 29s. to 30s. Bunker coals are in quiet enquiry, with a sluggish trade moving, and prices are easy at 16s. 6d. for unscreened Durhams, 17s. to 18s. for better kinds, and 20s. to 21s. 6d. for special qualities. Business in gas coals is quiet. Best Durhams are 25s. to 26s., and seconds 16s. to 18s. Smithies keep at 20s. to 23s. Coking coal continues to be well taken up at prices varying from 18s. to 19s. 6d. for unscreened kinds. The export trade in coke is not great, but a heavy demand for home use prevails. Local needs are very con- siderable, and though supply is more than ample, fixed maximum prices are maintained, average blastfurnace kinds realising 28s. at the ovens, and 30s. 6d. at the ovens being quoted for qualities low in phosphorus. Foundry coke is in the neighbourhood of 41s., patent oven kinds are round about 38s., and gas-house products are put at 30s. IRON. May allocations of pig iron to inland customers have been on such a liberal scale that practically all applications have been met, and with facilities for distribution much improved by the better truck supply, heavy deliveries during the present month to buyers here in Scotland are assured. Export trade keeps quiet, due to the tonnage situa- tion. For home consumption No. 3 Cleveland pig, No. 4 foundry, and No. 4 forge are all quoted 92s. 6d., and No. 1 is put at 96s. 6d.; whilst for shipment to France and to Italy No. 3 is 102s. 6d., No. 4 foundry 101s. 6d., No. 4 forge 100s. 6d., and No. 1, 107s. 6d. The East coast haematite branch of the staple industry presents few new features. Production threatens to be further reduced by the transference of more furnaces from the manufacture of haematite to the output of Cleveland pig.