THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. March 28, 1918. 648 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ment work for the sake of maintaining as far as possible the maximum output with a seriously- depleted working staff. It has been acknowledged, we think by the Government itself in official publica- tions, that the maintenance of output has not been secured without some amount of ingenuity on the part of the management in pushing on the working of the more easily-got coal. There has been a tendency to concentrate on the most favourably- placed seams. Before the passing of the Coal Agreement Act, this was done upon purely patriotic grounds, but since that measure became law the position has been further aggravated by the fact that the profits retainable by the coal owners depend upon the maintenance of output. Thus, the collieries are now driven by self-interest to pursue the same policy as before. But, as Mr. Russell points out, this means picking the eyes out of the mine. By abandoning work upon the less accessible seams there is a grave danger that these may not after- wards be recoverable, and thus these seams may become a loss to the nation. Even at the best it will be a costly business in many cases to resume the working of these abandoned seams. No one will pretend that the collieries can ultimately escape the penalty for the methods adopted under the stress of war. These, methods were only justifiable as a purely temporary expedient, and that they have in some cases already been pushed too far will probably not be denied. We can imagine that many colliery managers have by this time reached a stage of no little anxiety for the future of the pits under their charge. There must come a time when development work cannot prudently be further delayed, and in some cases that limit has already been reached, or at any rate it is perilously near at hand. It is just at this critical time that the Controller sees fit to control the internal management of the pit. It is, of course, quite possible that there is no intention of delaying any necessary development work. But how is the urgency of this matter to be decided at the Holborn Viaduct Hotel ? Every case must stand upon its merits, and no one in the world will be competent to decide without an inspection of the pit—not of a cursory or perfunctory character, but one which will involve an intimate knowledge of the circumstances, such as only the mine manager can possess. There is reason, therefore, to fear that Mr. Russell’s anticipation of friction and delay is too well founded. It would be unfortunate if anything should be done at this juncture to impair the future life of any pit, and we are sure that Mr. Calthrop would be the last to desire such a contingency to arise. After the war the demand for coal will be more urgent even than it has been of late. A shortage of coal output would do more to hamper the work of recon- struction than anything that can be reasonably expected to arise. Mr. Russell, therefore, has per- formed a public duty in putting forward his views, and we hope and trust that the matter will be seriously considered before mischief results. It is not, of course, necessary to dwell upon the Coal Controller’s point of view, which is perfectly obvious, and needs no comment. But it should certainly be possible to safeguard the financial responsibilities of the Government without running the risk of retarding any work a colliery manager may deem necessary for prolonging the efficiency o his undertaking. __________________________ THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Wednesday, March 27. ______ Scotland.—Western District. COAL. In all districts in Scotland there is a shortage of supplies, due, it is said, to reduced outputs. Certainly consumers are finding difficulty in securing regular deliveries. Trans- port difficulties have not a little to do with the scarcity. In the west of Scotland industrial demands are fully main- tained, and all classes of coal are in eager request. The turnover in house coal also continues large, consumers evidently wishing to guard against a possible scarcity. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current IL’st week’s Last year’s prices. : prices. prices. Steam coal 27/6 ; 27/6 18/ -24/ Ell 26/6-28/ i 26/6-28/ 19/ -21/6 Splint ! 28/ -30/ i 28/ -30/ 22/ -31/ Treble nuts . 23/ 1 23/ 23/6 Double do.............. 22/ 22/ j 22/ Single do.............. 21/ 21/ ' 20/ ________ IRON. The Scotch iron trade shows little alteration from week to week. The bulk of the output is still on Govern- ment account, and with practically all material under supervision very little is available for ordinary use. In pig iron, haematite is off the market, except under high priority. Foundry iron is scarce, and some grades showed a tendency to stiffen during the past week, while there is also an upward tendency in values for export sales. Approxi- mate quotations are still round about the following prices; — Monkland and Carnbroef.a.s. at Glasgow, Nos. 1,140s., Nos. 3, 135s.; Govan, No. 1, 135s., No. 3, 130s.; Clyde, Summerlee, Calder and Langloan, Nos. 1,150s., Nos. 3,145s.; Glengarnock at Ardrossan, No. 1,140s., No. 3,135s.; Eglinton at Ardrossan or Troon and Dalmellington at Ayr, Nos. 1, 145s., Nos. 3, 135s.; Shotts at Leith, No. 1, 150s., No. 3, 145s. per ton. The activity at the malleable iron works is incessant in both the iron and steel departments. Here also prices show a tendency to appreciate owing to increased oncost charges, while in the meantime export sales have been completed as high as .£16 10s. per ton for crown bars. Black sheets are very active, particularly the heavy gauges. Exports generally are confined to Allied requirements. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. A satisfactory state of affairs continues in the Lothians. Local demands are largely supplemented by Admiralty demands, and collieries have few idle moments. Prices f.o.b. Leith.. Current Best screened steam coal... prices. 26/6 Secondary qualities 25/6 Treble nuts 23/ Double do 22/ Single do 21/ ’st week’s Last year’ prices. prices 26/6 23/6 25/6 211 23/ 23/ 22/ 21/ 21/ 19/6 The collieries in Fifeshire are also well placed at present— owing, in a measure, to an increase in the export turnover. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. Best screened navigation coal 29/ -31/ 29/ -31/ 24/ -25/ 30/ Unscreened do 24/ -25/ 25/ First-class steam coal 28/ 28/ 24/ 25/ Third-class do. 24/ 20/ Treble nuts 23/ 23/ 24/ Double do 22/ 22/ 22/ Single do 21/ 21/ 19/ ________ All prices quoted apply to French and Italian business only; for other orders 2s. 6d. per ton must be added. _________________ Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-on-Tyne. COAL. The steam coal collieries of the district have been fully employed during the period under review, mainly in the production of coals on official account. The gas coal pits, also, have been working with a great degree of regularity ___________________________________________________ Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. A Coalowner’s Complaint.—In a letter to the Times, Mr. W. Russell comments upon the Coal Controller’s directions that no expenditure upon development work is to be incurred or continued without his sanction. We quote the following remarks from the letter:—“The Coal Agreement, by making the profits retainable by the coal- owners depend on output, has created a tendency to concentrate on the most cheaply worked and most accessible seams; the policy of the Coal Controller as indicated by the instruction points to an aggravation of this tendency, and even if the instruction is modified to meet the opposition of the coalowners, it still stands as evidence of that policy. And where is it leading us ? It means picking the eyes out of the mines during control, and the abandonment in many cases of work on the less accessible and more costly seams. Some of the coal so left will never afterwards be recoverable, and to the extent that it is irrecoverable it is a deliberate waste of our great national asset. Such of it as can be recovered will only be got at a vastly increased cost. But the pursuance of this policy also means, I greatly fear, a shortage of output during the period of reconstruction after the war, when we shall want all the coal we can get for our industries, for that increased production in which so many see our salvation, for our European Allies, and for barter in exchange for food, raw materials, and the half-manufactured goods on which many of our indus- tries depend. Lack of foresight has been one of our failings during the war, and that is my excuse for a note of warning before it is too late.” 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:— I Smithies..............’ 25/ -33/6 Best gas coals (New Pelton or Holmside)! 25/ -27/6 Secondary gas coals | (Pelaw Main or similar); 23/6-26/ Special gas coals ...... 26/6—29/ Current .L’st week’sjLast year’s prices. I prices. I prices. 30/ -32/6 30/ -32/6 j 30/ 29/6-32/ 29/6-32/ 27/ -28/ 25/6-28/ 25/6-28/ 21/ -22/ 27/ -29/6 23 6-27/6 27/ -29 6 23/6-27/6 20/ -22/6 18/6-21/ 20/ -22/6 j 18/6—21/ j ! 20/6-23/ | 20/6-23/ 25/ -33/6 25/ -27/6 23/6-26/ 26/6-29/ 22/6 18/ -20/ 18/ 16/ -17/ 19/ -20/ 20/ -21/ 26/ 17/ -19/ 30/ -31/ Unscreened bunkers, Durhams 26/6-32/6 Do. do. Northumbrians 26/6-27/6 Coking coals...........; 24/ -27/6 Do. smalls ....i 24/ -27/6 House coals ..........; 30/ -32/6 Coke, foundry ...........' 42/6-45/ Do. blast-furnace...... 42/6-45/ Do. gas ...............j 35/ -40/ 26/6-32 6 26/6-27/6 24/ -27/6 24/ -27/6 28/6-32 6 42/6-45/ 42/6-45/ 35/ -40/ 16/6-20/ 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ 17/ -18/ 27/6-30/ 37/6-42/6 37/6 30/ -32/ although not so fully as have the pits of Northumberland. The bunker section does not show much animation, only official requirements imparting any life to it. Smithies, households and coking sorts are still moving off at a satis- factory rate for inland consumption. There is a good request for export, but such business is limited by the smallness of the available surplus and by tonnage shortage, to say nothing of licensing restrictions. Coke, too, is well absorbed, mainly on home and Allied account, the demand being fully equal to the output. On the wh/de the market is in a very sound condition at present. There seems no early likeli- hood of the diminution of the official demands for fuel, and collieries are at present well supplied with requisitioned tonnage, and are likely to be so all the week. As to April, steams and gas sorts are offered only sparingly at firm figures. Some delayed details of the allotment of the Danish State Railways’ contract for steam coals are to the effect that 50,000 tons of Aitken coals were taken, 40,000 tons of Lochgelly, 10,000 tons of Bridgeness and 10,000 tons of Bannockburn, being 110,000 tons in all. Sunderland. COAL. The coal market has opened with a good tone, and the prospects for this week are fairly bright. Tonnage on requisition account is arriving steadily, and the steam coal collieries are busy and have well-filled turns on their books. Moreover, some little enquiry is developing for neutral shipment. Gas coals are in rather better request, and coking and manufacturing fuel brisk, but bunkers are still variable, only the better qualities being in demand. Coke is well supported, with a full home demand and fair ship- ments going forward. Prices remain as usual at schedule figures all round. Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current L’st week’sLast year’s Gas coals:— prices. 29/ -32/6 prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals 29/ -32/6 i 24/ Secondary do. 25/ -27/6 25/ -27/6 ! 17/ House coals:— Best house coals 32 /6 32/6 30/ Ordinary do 30/6 30 6 23/ Other sorts :— Lambton screened 31/ -32/6 31/ -32 6 28/ South Hetton do 31/ -32/6 31/ -32/6 28/ Lambton unscreened ... 26/6 26/6 ; 17/6 South Hetton do ' 26/6 26/6 ; 17/ Do. treble nuts 22/6 22/6 ! 21/ Coking coals unscreened 27/6 27/6 ; 18/ Do. smalls i 27/6 27/6 i 17/ __________________ Smithies i 27/6 27/6 j 27/ -28/6 ; 20/ Peas and nuts 1 27/ -28/6 22/ Best bunkers 1 27'6 27 6 ; 17/6 Ordinary bunkers J 26/6 26/6 i • 1 16/ Coke:— 1 1 42/ Foundry coke 42/6-45/ 42/6-45/ Blast-furnace coke (did. 28/ Teesside furnaces) ... ' 42/6-45/ 42/6-45/ Gas coke : 35/ -40/ 35/ -40/ 31/ Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. A better tone characterises the coal market. Collieries are stated to be generally satisfactorily placed, and a fair amount of business is passing. To nage supply has improved, and enquiries on behalf of neutrals are reported to be slowly improving, whilst licences are being issued rather more freely. Official absorption is larger. Home demand for gas coal continues considerable. Wear specials are 29s., best Durham gas 27s. 6d., and seconds 20s. A little more trade is doing in bunkers. Unscreened Durhams range from 22s. 6d. to 27s. 6d. Coking coals are not in great request, but they still command round about 27s. 6d. As to coke the home demand continues strong, and the position in connection with exports is reported somewhat better. The very adequate supply has no apparent detri- mental influence on values. Average blastfurnace quality is 33s. at the ovens, low phosphorus kind 35s. 6d. at the ovens, and foundry description 38s. for home use; whilst for export both furnace and foundry coke remain at 45s. f.o.b., and gas house product varies from 38s. to 48s. f.o b. IRON. Quietness characterises the market at present so far as Cleveland pig is concerned, but the inactivity is not due to any falling-off of pressure for iron. Demand for all descrip- tions is as heavy as ever, and maximum rates are readily paid for any qualities that are available for sale, but the discontinuance of issue of certificates for this month’s allocations of foundry iron has stopped business. The authorities have taken this action because sales already made under the March allotments cannot be fully carried out. Contracts may be cancelled on rather a heavy scale. Exports to France and It Uy fall short of what was looked for this month. For home consumption No 3 Cleveland pig, No. 4 foundry, and No. 4 forge all stand at 95s., and for shipment to France and Italy these qualities are quoted 114s. No. 1 is 99s. for home use, and 119s. for export to the Allies. Conditions are less stringent in east coast haematite, the situation having been relieved by the larger use of basic iron and scrap in the manufacture of steel. It is also cheering to hear of prospects of increased output. Supplies to home consumers are maintained at a rate that meets all essential needs, and rather more iron is available for disposal abroad. Nos. 1, 2 and 3 are 122s. 6d. for home use, and 147s. 6d. for shipments to France and Italy. The huge output of manufactured iron and steel is taken up for Government requirements and for shipyard needs. ________ ________ Cumberland. Mary port. COAL. The Cumberland coal industry remains very firm. At the moment local needs are almost big enough to tax resources. Since last week two of the larger collieries, which give employment to upwards of 1,000 men, have been idle for three days, owing to a dispute, but the matter has since been settled. Production is not quite so large as it was a week ago. The demand for house coal is well maintained. Engine fuels are in steady request, and gas coals are in firm demand, but no supplies are available for outside districts. The shipping trade is busier than ever, but the amount of Cumberland coal available for export is gradually growing less. So far this year the tonnage to Ireland shows a big increase compared with the correspond- ing periods of 1916 and 1917. Prices of all sorts are unchanged. Current quotations are as follow:—