26 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. January 4, 1918. from September 17. This increase of price was ' understood to be a result of the rise in wages alone, and took no account of the increased cost of pro- duction arising from other causes. Attention should also be directed to a distinct innovation in this case in regard to the principle upon which miners’ wages had formerly been regulated. This was the award by the Controller of a flat-rate increase per day of Is. 6d. to workers over 16 years of age, and 9d. to youths below that age. The effect of this was to add something like £20,000,000 to the annual wages bill. It will be remembered that the Miners’ Federation had pressed for an increase of 25 per cent, on the current wages of all men and boys, and the flat-rate increase finally allowed cannot conveniently be expressed in percentage figures, since both tonnage rate and day wage are involved. A feature of the past year was the passage through the House of Commons of the Mines Control Bill, which embodied an agreement between the Controller, on' the one hand, and the Mining Association, as representing the colliery owners, on the other, with regard to the financial aspect of Government control. This Bill guarantees to the collieries the pre-war rates of dividend, together with 6 per cent of any excess profits that may be made. This is contingent upon maintenance of output, unless for a satisfactory reason. Collieries are, therefore, called upon to surrender 95 per cent, of their excess profits, in place of the 80 per cent, claimed under the Finance Act. The extra 15 per cent, is not to be appropriated by the Treasury, but is to be paid into a special fund for the purpose of compensating those collieries which may be unable to earn their pre-war dividends. The idea is that the sum thus obtained will be sufficient to enable the guaranteed pre-war dividend to be paid to all collieries without encroaching upon the Exchequer. The scheme is ingenious, and it will be interesting to see how far 15 per cent, of the excess profits made by the more prosperous collieries will balance the diminished earnings of those which have been less fortunate. It should also be noted that coke ovens and by-product plants are outside the pro- visions of this Bill, which has still to pass through the House of Lords. One important result of the year’s experience, which the Government has now gained, of the intricacies of the coal trade, is that there is a fuller recognition of the colliery owner’s position, and a more sympathetic attitude with regard to his difficulties and responsibilities. Apart from the efforts of the Coal Controller to secure a more economical adjustment of transport facilities, calculated to effect an annual saving of 700 million ton miles, there has also been devised a scheme for the better utilisation of wagons, yrhich has involved some encroachment upon the rights of private owners. In the case of seaborne coal, difficulties of tonnage and high cost of freight have shown no amelioration. It may, in fact, be safely affirmed that whatever local deficiencies have been experienced during the past year in home supplies these have been due almost wholly to transport conditions. The production of the collieries has been well maintained, notwithstanding labour shortage, and the output would have been greatly increased— Mr. Walsh puts the figure at 26,000,000 tons—if avoidable absenteeism could have been eliminated. On the whole the past year has probably been one of the most strenuous and anxious times that colliery managers have ever been called upon to meet. The provision of house coal was by no means the chief difficulty. The enormous growth of munition works requirements has led to an abnormal demand for steam nuts, and the rapid extension of by-product coking plants has absorbed enormous quantities of coking slacks, which have, in many cases, been obliged to be procured from unaccustomed sources, throwing still greater strain upon an already over- burdened transport. Coupled with these conditions there have been considerable restrictions in the export trade, and although we propose to defer consideration of this branch of the coal industry to a future occasion, it is scarcely possible to dissociate it entirely from our present purview. Not only have there been restricted exports, especially to neutral markets, but changes have taken place in the customary channels of export fuel. Thus the exclusion of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire coals from Hull has thrown an additional demand upon South Yorkshire. Export restrictions, also, have seriously affected the anthra- cite pits, the output from which has been considerably curtailed. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, January 3. ________ _____________________ Scotland.—Western District. COAL. Business in the west of Scotland coal trade shows little change. The market has been quieter owing to the holidays. Outputs generally are well taken up, but there is no difficulty in meeting all requirements for home con- sumption, whilst the export demands are also easily dealt with. The shipments for the week amounted to 133,147 tons compared with 99,034 in the preceding week and 92,439 tons in the same week last year. Prices f .o.b. Glasgow. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Steam coal 27/6 27/6 19/ -25/ Ell 26/6-28/ 26/6-28/ 19/6-24/ Splint 28/ -30/ 28/ -30/ 23/ -32/ Treble nuts 23/ 23/ 23/6 Double do 22/ 22/ 22/ Single do 21/ 21/ 21/ with it. Despite bad times, the local miners show no disposition to abandon their festivals, and these have been duly observed. Next week, if there be no improvement in tonnage supplies, collieries and “ coalmen ” will begin to worry about it; but, at the time of writing, the holiday spirit is too much in evidence to allow more material con- siderations to bulk very largely. As to business done, outside of transactions for our Allies and selves, most of it seems to h-ive been for early shipment to Scandinavia, judging by the several vessels taken up for that direction. The Norwegian State Railways haye allotted their contract for the supply of 18,500 tons of Northumberland and/or Durham best steams to two Newcastle firms in the propor- tion of 9,000 and 9,500 tons respectively, at the usual scheduled prices, plus 5 per cent, for merchants’ profit. The coals are for delivery over February and March. Steams, gas coals and bunkers are plentifully on offer at minimum figures. Smithies, coking sorts and households continue to be well absorbed for inland consumption. There is a very strong demand for coke of all grades on home account, although export business is only slight, and the output is moving off rapidly at firmly maintained figures. In the quotations which follow, Durham special bunkers at up to 32s. 6d. per ton have been included, which accounts for the apparent increase in the price of this class of coal by 5s. on the week. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. IRON. The past year in the Scotch iron trade has been one of continuous activity. Business has been almost altogether controlled by war restrictions, and moved in well-defined grooves. The pressure on producers of hsematite has been particularly severe owing to incessant demands from local steel works, and with the output distributed by instruction from the Ministry of Munitions, the bulk of this material has been reserved for work of national importance. The fixed price of haematite remains at <£6 2s. 6d. f.o.t. makers’ works, but this figure will probably undergo an early adjustment in view of the higher price of coal. While the requirements of war made it necessary to maintain a steady supply of haematite and basic iron, the production of ordinary iron has not been neglected, and, while, statistics are not available, it is likely that the output will be the highest in the history of the. trade. The call for home consumption being so heavy, it has been found necessary to curtail shipments to Allies, and bring business with neutrals to a vanishing point. The foreign exports of pig iron in 1913 amounted to 107,000 tons, while for 1917 it was about 15,000 tons. Export prices are now very much inflated, quotations ranging from 135s. for No. 1, and 130s. for No. 3 to 150s. No. 1 and 145s. No. 3 per ton. A very strong demand has also been experienced for manufactured iron throughout the year, and with the majority of the iron works in Scotland "controlled establishments” war requirements have had first call on the output. Con- sequently, as in other departments, the export trade has dwindled to meagre proportions, and though <£16 per ton is the nominal quotation for " Crown ” quality bar iron, much higher figures are offered for guaranteed deliveries. Wages in the malleable iron trade have advanced by 10 per cent, during the year, and are now about 80 per cent, higher than in pre-war times. Engineers of all descriptions have also had a very busy year; while activities at the shipyards have been incessant. Everything points to a continuance of these conditions for a considerable time to come, though, of course, in war time the unforeseen is always cropping up. But, in any case, exceptionally busy times are promised for the present year. ________ _______ Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. Collieries in the Lothians have difficulty in keeping things moving, and the outlook is not too rosy. Shipments amounted to 15,964 tons against 17,759 in the preceding week and 21,445 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices Best screened steam coal... 26/6 26/6 26/ Secondary qualities 25/6 25/6 24/6 Treble nuts 23/ 23/ 25/ Double do 22/ 22/ 22/ Single do 21/ 21/ 19/6 Conditions in Fifeshire are now somewhat better, and though business is far from plentiful, less trouble is now being experienced in disposing of the output. Shipments were 21,570 tons against 22,920 in the preceding week and 46,875 tons in the same week last year. 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. 29/ -31/ 24/ -25/ 28/ 24/ 23/ 22/ 21/ L’st week’s prices. 29/ -31/ 24/ -25/ 28/ 24/ 23/ 22/ 21/ Last year’s prices. 30/ -33/6 25/ -27/ 27/6-29/ 22/ 23/ -25/6 22/ 21/ ________ All prices quoted apply only to French and Italian business ; for other orders 2s. 6d. per ton must be added. The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 170,081 tons, compared with 139,719 in the preceding week and 160,757 tons in the corresponding week of last year. ________ _______ Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Neweaetle-on-Tyne. COAL. After heavy official requisitioning before Christmas, accompanied by a correspondingly large arrival of tonnage, wherein these commandeered cargoes might be transported, circumstances which greatly added to the briskness of colliery operations and considerably improved the regu- larity of employment thereat, the demand fell away and business became exceedingly dull. This state of things is less grievous at this particular time of year than it would have been locally at any other period in the 12 months. Christmastide and New Year are both celebrated to the full in this district, and the output from the collieries in both counties is so much curtailed during the last week in December and the first in January that a comparatively small amount of shipping is all that is requisite to deal Steam coals:— Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) Secondary, Blyths ..... Do. Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) ... Unscreened __.......... Small, Blyths ........ Do. Tynes........... Do. specials........ Other sorts:— Smithies............... Best gas coals (New Current | L’st week’s| Last year’s prices, j prices. I prices. 30/ -32/6 j 30/ -32/6 j 30/ 29/6-32/ 29/6-32/ I 29/ -30/ 25/6-28/ | 25/6-28/ ’ 24/ -26/ 27/ -29/6 i 27/ -29’6 I 24/ -26/ 23 6-27/6 i 23/6-27/6 ! 20/ -22/6 20/ -22/6 i 20/ -22/6 I 18/ -19/ 18/6-21/ ! 18/6-21/ 17/ -18/ 20/6-23/ { 20/6-23/ 20/ -21/ 25/ -33/6 ,1 25/ -33/6 Pelton or Holmside) Secondary gas coals (Pelaw Main or similar) 23 /6-26/ Special gas coals ... f ~~ Unscreened bunkers, 25/ -27/6 : 25/ -27/6 i 23/6-26/ j 26/6-29/ 26/6-29/ ! Durhams, 26/6-32/6 26/6-27/6 j do. ; Northumbrians; 26/6-27/6 26/6-27/6 | Coking coals..........’ 24/ -27/6 / 24/ -27/6 ! Do. smalls....I 24/ -27/6 : 24/ -27/6 | House coals ............ oo n oo la no l£i °° c ’ Coke, foundry .... Do. blast-furnace ...... Do. gas ........ Do. do. 20/ 25/ -27/6 18/ -20/ 30/ -33/ 17/ -19/ 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ 17/ -18/ ' . 28,6-32/6 ’ 28/6-32,6 ! 27/6-30/ ,’42/6-45/ 42/6-45/ \ 40/ -45/ J 42/6-45/ ; 42/6-45/ i 37/ -39/ 35/ -37/6 | 35/ -37/6 | 32/ -34/ Sunderland. COAL. The market conditions are not appreciably altered, but, if anything, there are slightly better prospects for this week, as the supply of prompt boats is slightly fuller, and the weather conditions permit of normal transport from the pits to the docks. The general export enquiry is very dull, and business is still largely confined to requisition shipments of steam coal and to deliveries of industrial fuels by rail for the home market. The enquiry for coke is well maintained, both for home consumption and export. Bunker coals and steam smalls continue weak spots in the market, plenty of both classes offering at the schedule prices. For the rest values are fairly well held at the usual official figures. The Norwegian State Railways contract for 18,500 tons for best Northumberland or Wear special steams at buyers’ option has been secured by local merchants at schedule prices, plus 5 per cent., shipment to be made during February and March. Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current L’st week’sfLast year’s Gas coals:— prices. prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals 29/ -32/6 29/ -32/6 30/ Secondary do. 25/ -27/6 25/ -27/6 20/ House coals:— Best house coals 32/6 32/6 30/ Ordinary do 30/6 30/6 24/6 Other sorts :— Lambton screened 31/ -32/6 31/ -32/6 - 28/6 South Hetton do 31/ -32/6 31/ -32/6 28/6 Lambton unscreened ... 26/6 26/6 18/ South Hetton do 26/6 26/6 18/ Do. treble nuts 22/6 22/6 31/6 Coking coals unscreened 27'6 27/6 18/6 Do. smalls 27/6 27/6 17/6 Smithies..... 27/6 27/6 20/ Peas and nuts 27/ -28/6 27/ -28/6 24/6 Best bunkers 27 ,'6 27/6 19/ Ordinary bunkers 26/6 26/6 18/ Coke:— Foundry coke 42/6-45/ 42/6-45/ 40/ Blast-furnace coke (did. Teesside furnaces) ... 28/ -35/6 28/ -35/6 28/ 33/6 Gas coke 35/ -40/ 35/ -40/ M iddlMbrough-en-T«M. COAL. So far as can be ascertained, the fuel market is unaltered. The better kinds of gas coal are' well taken up, as are coking sorts, but small steams and bunkers are lifeless. Best Durham gas coal is 27s. 6d. ;second quality, 26s.; and Wear special, 29s.; whilst steam smalls range from 21s. to 23s.; unscreened Durham bunkers run from 26s. 6d. to 27s. 6d. and coking coals command round about 27s. 6d. Continued considerable demand for coke for local use is reported at 38s. for foundry, 33s. for average blastfurnace, and 35s. 6d for qualities low in phosphorus. For shipment to Allied ports both beehive and patent oven coke keep at 42s. 6d., and for export to neutrals 45s: is the price. Gas house coke for export is quoted 39s. and upwards. IRON. Business is on a very limited scale. Home quotations of Cleveland pig are unaltered, but export prices have been lowered. For home consumption, No. 3 Cleveland pig, No. 4 foundry and No. 4 forge all stand at 95s., and for shipment to France and to Italy these qualities are now selling at 114s. as against last week’s quotation of 116s. 6d. Relief to the stringency that has prevailed in the east coast haematite branch should be felt very shortly by the steady increase of production of basic iron. Home customers continue to receive supplies adequate to minimum needs, but exports keep small. Mixed numbers