950 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. May 10, 1918. upon production. If this clause became operative immediately after the war, it would, at one stroke, neutralise all the efforts of the Minister of Recon- struction to accelerate the productive energy of the nation. We cannot see how Dr. Addison could consistently give his support to Clause 10. Neither can we imagine any situation more ludicrous than that which would arise if one member of the Government should be bent on diminishing the out- put of our staple products, while another was busily engaged in erecting a great organisation to increase it. The plain truth is that there are times for all things, and just now is certainly not the time to consider the withdrawal of 25 per cent, of the labour from our staple manufactures for two days a week. The temporary surrender of Clause 10 is demanded also in the interests of the Education Bill itself. No doubt Mr. Fisher would be the first to acknowledge how inadequate are the teaching staffs of our schools even under our present unsatisfactory educational system. This defect cannot at once be remedied. It will be many years before the teaching facilities in our schools will be in a position to supply .the requirements arising out of the Bill. Only by degrees can these shortcomings be made good. It would, therefore, be sound policy to proceed by stages, and not to . attempt to carryout on paper'a scheme that cannot be realised in practice. Even if Clause 10 were passed as a part of this Bill, it would not be really effective for some years. There would be no substantial educational gain in with- drawing young men from their business occupations for the purpose of dallying with scholastic learning. But this must inevitably happen until the school- teaching staffs have been suitably reconstructed. The matter, in short, is a business man’s question, quite as much as that of the pedagogue. The former may take too materialistic a view when contrasted with the spiritual enthusiasm of the latter, but the mass of mankind, after all, is more body than soul. THE LONDON COAL TRADE. Thursday, May 9. The market has been exceedingly busy during the past week, and unfortunately the quantity available for house purposes has been very short. On the open market prac- tically' nd free coal has been offering, and merchants and factors who have had a few trucks of contract coal avail- able have been besieged with orders. In numbers of cases collieries have returned orders sent to them and refused to put any more on their books while the demand is so strong. Recently the cold weather led to an unusual increase in the consumption, and although the Controller has not at present given any special permission to pick up coal on the ground, most merchants have been compelled to resort to this plan in order to keep pace with the public orders. Some little time ago the permission to lift some of the present stocks in hand was promised for the early spring, but nothing has yet been done, and it may be that the necessity for keeping as much in hand as possible for next winter will defer the necessary permit. As a rule, at this season of the year, the demand for house coal is very much reduced, but there is no sign of any change in the market at present. Steam coals are particularly scarce. The seaborne market had a good supply for the time of the year. This week, however, has" fallen below the quantity for the preceding week. Eighteen vessels arrived in the river for Monday’s market, as com- pared with 47 on the corresponding Monday of last week, and 14 for Wednesday last. Gas coal contracts are still considerably in arrear, and as supplies are reduced it is becoming more and more a question of how it will affect the London buyers. The majority of the London gas works report a fairly good quantity of gas coke in hand, but the difficulties of distribution militate against its general use. If the coke can be “ fetched ” there seems to be an abundant supply, and new regulations have been issued for an increased use of coke for domestic pur- poses. There has been a good deal of discussion lately on the London coal market with reference to the margin allowed by the Controller in the retail prices. Many of the merchants find, to their cost, that the margin between the actual cost prices of the coal at their depots and the price at which they are bound to deliver the coal is fully absorbed by the extra costs entailed by the recent advances in cartage and carmen, loading and screening, to say nothing of the increase in the hire of coal wagons and cost of repairs, so that the returns at the end of the year have proved a very heavy loss in many quarters. Some movement is on foot to bring this to the notice of the Controller, with a view of arranging some adequate concession, to meet the matter. Some of the provincial towns hear London have suffered considerably from the shortage of coal, and it is reported that Northampton has been without coal for the past few days. A special appeal has been made to the Coal Controller to allocate 1,000 tons of household fuel for immediate use from his list of emergency coal. Durham coal is now coming forward by rail to the London gas works in fairly good quantities to compensate for the steamers withdrawn. From Messrs. Dinham, Fawcus and Company’s Report. Friday, May 3.—Owing to the scarcity of supplies the seaborne house coal market was quiet and no sales reported. Cargoes, 10. Monday, May 6.—Although the weather was somewhat milder, there was a good enquiry for seaborne house coal, but the supply was very limited, and no cargoes on offer. Arrivals, 18. Wednesday, May 8.—There was no alteration in the seaborne house coal market—ready demand but short supply. Arrivals, 14. The Berry Hill Collieries, Stoke-on-Trent, and the New Haden Collieries, Cheadle, Staffs., will trade in future under the name of John Slater Limited. The awards of the Council of the Institution of Civil Engineers for papers read and discussed during the session 1917-18, include a Telfourd Premium to Mr. G. Blake Walker. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, May 9. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. In the Scotch coal trade generally there is a falling-off in output, and with the possibility of a further comb-out of miners the position is likely to become more difficult. In the West of Scotland demand for all classes of fuel is more than sufficient to absorb output. Export business shows a little improvement, owing to better supplies of tonnage. Shipments for the week amounted to 88,387 tons, against 101,216 in the preceding week, and 67,233 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Steam coal prices. prices. prices. 27/6 27/6 18/ -24/ Ell 26/6-28/ 26/6-28/ 28/ -30/ 19/ -21/6 Splint 28/ -30/ 18/ -31/ Treble nuts 23/ - 23/ 23/6 Double do 22/ 22/ 22/ Single do 21/ 21/ . 20/ IRON. The situation in the Scotch iron trade continues to be one of extreme activity. All descriptions of material are eagerly wanted for war purposes, and after these demands are satisfied practically nothing remains for distribution either for home consumption or export. The call for pig iron is very insistent, and with most grades in short supply makers are dividing up the orders so as to cover the greater number of consumers. Home prices are unchanged, and export values are particularly firm, despite an absence of business. Approximate prices are as follow: —Monkland and Carnbroe f.a.s. at Glasgow, Nos. 1, 140s., Nos. 3, 135s. > Govan, No. 1, 135s., No. 3, 130s. ; Clyde, Summerlee, Colder 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 call for finished iron also shows no abatement. While makers are loth to lose their hold on Indian, New Zealand, and South American markets, the home demand is such that exports are meantime out oF the question. Tube makers are fully employed, and producers of nails and spikes are doing a good business in ordinary sizes. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. As in other districts, the collieries in the Lothians are falling behind with deliveries. Local and Admiralty requirements are large enough to account for outputs. Shipments were 18,997 tons, against 17,720 in the following week, and 19,169 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b Leith. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Best screened steam coal... prices. 26/6 prices. 26/6 prices 23/ -23/6 Secondary qualities 25/6 25/6 21/ Treble nuts 23/ 23/ 23/ Double do 22/ 22/ . 21/ Single do 21/ 21/ 19/6 Fifeshire collieries are fully engaged both foV day-to-day and export orders. The Fife coal masters have increased the price of third-class large coal for export to neutrals by 2s. 6d. per ton and for other qualities large coal and washed fuel an additional 2s. 6d,, making the difference in the latter 7s. 6d. per ton over the prices for France and Italy. Shipments amounted to 37,391 tons, against 44,310 in the preceding week, and 27,986 tons in the same week last year. . Prices f o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Best screened navigation coal Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. 29/ -31/ 29/ -31/ 30/ Unscreened do 24/ -25/ 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/ The prices quoted are applicable only for business for France and Italy; for other orders 2s. 6d. per ton or more for all Fifeshire and Lothian coal, with the exception of second-class Lothian large coal. The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 144,775 tons, compared with 163,246 tons in the preceding week, and 116,388 tons in the corre- sponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-on-Tyne. COAL. The feature of the week’s market has been the great and growing pressure for supplies of best Bly th steams, and the manner in which this description of fuel has hardened in selling value so far as neutral customers are concerned. Most of the production of steam , coals has, of course, been taken up on official account, on which account all the collieries have been working at full capacity, leaving little surplus of coal for the satisfaction of other consumers. During the week, 10,000 tons of best Bly ths were sold for June-July shipment to neutrals at 37s. 6d. per ton; later, several lots changed owners at 42s. 6d.; at the time of writing, there is practically no Blyth coal obtainable by neutrals for loading before July, and the quotation has advanced to 45s. Second-class steams are scarce, and firmly held at the recent advance of 2s. 6d. per ton. Steam smalls are more enquired after than was recently the case, and, although in quite large supply, are well maintained at the recent rise of 2s. 6d. Bunkers are distinctly firmer, although quotably unaltered on the week. (Last week, the quotations of these coals were given as from 29s. upwards,, instead of as from 26s. 6d. up, the correct figures). Gas coals are very strong, with the output readily absorbed on official and home account, and very little offering for neutrals at the 2s. 6d. increase. Coking coals and smithies are almost unobtainable for other than home consumption. Households, too, have an excellent home market. Cokes are mainly taken up for inland consumption, and are fully firm for other destinations. We learn that the contract to supply the Norwegian State Railways with 16,000 tons of Northumberland and/or Durham best steams, delivery to stipulated ports over June-July, has been re-allotted, the original contracting firm having, it is said, signified its inability to carry through the business, in face of the recent advance in quotations, at the scheduled figures. The order has now been equally divided between two local exporting: firms at 2s. 6d. above the scheduled minimum figures, plus the usual 5 per cent, commission. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current L’st week’s | Last year’s Steam coals:— prices. prices. 1 prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 30/ -45/ 30/ -35/ i 30/ Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 29/6-34/6 : 29/6-34/6 ; 28/ -30/ Secondary, Blyths Do. Tynes (Hastings 25/6-30/6 25/6-30/6 22/ -23/ or West Hartleys) ... 27/ -32/ 27/ -32/ 22/6-23/ Unscreened 23 6-30/ 20/ -25/ 18/6-23/6 23/6-30/ 18/ —20/ Small, Blyths 20/ -25/ 18/ Do. Tynes 18/6-23/6 16/ -17/ Do. specials Other sorts:— 20/6-25/6 20/6-25/6 19/ -20/ Smithies Best gas coals (New 25/ -33/6 25/ -33/6 2!/ Pelton or Holmside) Secondary gas coals 25/ -30/ 25/ -30/ 26/ (Pelaw Main or similar) 23/6-28,6 23/6-28/6 17/6-19/ Special gas coals Unscreened bunkers, 26/6-31 6 26/6-31/6 30/ -31/ Durhams Do. do. 26/6-35/ 26/6 upwds 17/ -20/ N orthumbr ians 26/6-30/ 26/6 upwds 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ Coking coals 24/ -30/ 24/ -30/ 24/ -30/ Do. smalls 24/ -30/ 17/ -18/ House coals 28/6-35/ 28 6-35/ 27/6-30/ Coke, foundry 42/6-50/ 42/6-50/ 40/ -42/6 Do. blast-furnace j Do. gas | 42/6-50/ 42/6-50/ 40/ 35/ -40/ 35/ -40/ 30/ -32/ Sunderland. COAL. The market maintains a strong tone, and this week’s prospects are good. There is no falling off in the requisition demand for steam coals, and the neutral enquiry is also good though little coal is available for export. Hence collieries take a firm view of prices for the near future, and higher figures for neutral shipment are almost certain. A)1 qualities of coal are in full request both for home consumption and export, and special manufacturing qualities are particularly strong. Bunker coals now find a fair outlet, and the best kinds command 30s. for neutral shipment. Coke is quietly firm, with 50s. still quoted for beehive and foundry qualities for export to neutral countries. Foundry coke for home consumption and gas coke remain unchanged, otherwise schedule prices are unaltered. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. Coal is in good demand, and there is something of a ‘•'squeeze ” in the market. Fear is expressed that difficulty in meeting needs will be greater in the near future. Official absorption is heavy, particularly for steam coals, and demand for neutral shipment is large, with very little prompt fuel to spare for that purpose. Many merchants are now paying attention to forward supplies for neutrals. For best steam coal delivered to neutrals up to the end of July 40s. is offered, and in some cases as much as 45s is asked. Good Durham bunkers are in better request at about 3Us. Coking coals are well taken up. There is an excellent demand for coke on home account and rather more enquiry is made on behalf ,of neutrals. Average blast furnace kinds readily realise 33s. at the ovens ; qualities low in phosphorus are 35s. 6d. at the ovens, and foundry sorts are 38s. for home use, whilst for shipment to neutrals up to 50s. is asked for both furnace and foundry descriptions. IRON. A substantial home business in Cleveland pig iron has been recorded recently, but most of the May buying has been completed under the liberal allocations, and so there is now something of a lull. Supply of trucks being much better, home deliveries promise to be heavy this month. The wagon situation still leaves much to be desired before all demands can be met, and with a view to relieving the pressure on the railways effort is being made to ship iron to Scotch, Welsh and Irish ports in small coasting steamers, notwithstanding that cost in freight is much higher than railway rate. Export transactions are few and small. Shipments to France are made regularly through official channels, but little tonnage is available for export to Italy. 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 114s.; whilst No. 1 is 99s. for home use, and 119s. for export. Supply of East- coast haematite is sufficient to meet all essential home needs, and to leave some iron over for shipment, but cargo space is most difficult to secure. Mixed numbers are 122s. 6d. for home use, 147s. 6d. for export to France and Italy. Manufacturers of finished iron and steel are busy and prices are very strong. Output of shipbuilding material is now very ample. Cumberland. Mary port. COAL. The market is in a very firm condition. Collieries are now unable to spare more than 2,000 tons weekly for export. Production is still very much below normal, although it has improved slightly in some parts of the district since. Demand, even on local account, is now very much in excess of the supply. Landsale is a fairly reasonable trade. Gas coal is in steady request, and some local users are now making arrangements for their contracts for the ensuing year. . Locomotive fuels are firm, and bunkers are in brisk demand. The shipments for April amounted to 18,820 tons compared with 21,983 tons for March and 12,080 tons at the corresponding period of last year. Coke makers are busy.