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THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

June 14, 1918.

applying it so as to ensure that the men should breathe
enough of the dust would have to be carefully thought
out; but there seems no reason why practical success
should not be reached, particularly if the existing
precautions against inhaling quartz-dust were
vigorously maintained. The less quartz-dust is
inhaled the less of the neutralising- dust will be
required, just as in the case of coal mines the less coal
and coal-dust is deposited along the roads the less
stone-dust will be required.

Experiments as to what other kinds of dust are
dangerous besides quartz have had to be postponed.
It had been found that the flue-dust which has been
used at some collieries for stone-dusting is a kind of
dust which is not readily eliminated, and would pro-
bably, therefore, be dangerous if inhaled without
admixture. It seems almost certain, however, from
what has been already said, that flue-dust, when
breathed along with coal-dust, would be practically
harmless. Even if a coal mine were stone-dusted with
quartzite stone-dust like that of the Transvaal mines,
it is doubtful whether much harm would result;
although such an experiment would hardly be justifi-
able.

The need for further experiments on the effects of
inhaling different kinds of dust, and on the condi-
tions needed for neutralising the ill effects on the
lungs, is very evident, but as the practical conclu-
sions which can be drawn from what has already been
discovered are both evident and important, it seemed
worth while to give the present summary. Observa-
tions of mining engineers on the effects of dust-inhala-
tion and the accompanying mining conditions in
different mining districts throughout the world would,
of course, be a most valuable help in guiding future
experiments and devising effective methods of prevent-
ing the terrible suffering and loss due to miners’
phthisis and fibrosis.

As far as coal mining is concerned, the results of
the investigation are fortunately very reassuring. So
long as the dust in a coal mine is not explosive, and
is not breathed in excessive quantities, it seems to do
no harm, and possibly even does some good.

MINING INSTITUTE OF SCOTLAND.

A general meeting of the Mining Institute of Scot-
land was held on Saturday, June 8, in the Heriot
Watt College, Edinburgh, Mr. D. M. Mowat (Coat-
bridge) the president, in the chair. The following
gentlemen were admitted to membership: Messrs.
D. Holmes, under-manager, Shettleston; W. G.
Lanyon, colliery manager, Larkhall; C. B. Scott,
under-manager, Hamilton; R. Spalding, colliery
manager, Prestwick; and J. Whyte, colliery manager,
Prestwick. Associate members: Messrs J. F. Gibson,
mining engineer, Airdrie; Wm. Miller, fireman,
Bellshill; C. Yu, metallurgist, 17, Dryburgh-gardens,
Glasgow, W.; and H. Parker, Coral Mbunt, Kirkin-
tilloch.

Representatives to the council of the Institution of
Mining Engineers were elected as follows: Messrs.
D. M. Mowat, Summerlee House, Coatbridge; J. T.
Forgie, Bothwell; J. M. Strain, Glasgow; R. W.
Dron, Glasgow; Wm. Williamson, Hamilton; J. Bal-
four Sneddon, Mid Calder; C. A. Carlow, Leven;
J. Barrowman, Hamilton; Jas. Hamilton, Glasgow;
Sam. Mavor, Glasgow; R. McLaren, Airdrie; H.
Johnstone, Glasgow; Thos. Arnot, Glasgow; and J. B.
Thomson, Hamilton.

Capital Charges Considered along with Current Expenses.

Discussion was resumed on the paper read at a
previous meeting by the president (Mr. D. M. Mowat)
on “ Capital Charges Considered along with Current
Expenses.” * *

The President said that with reference to Mr.
Dron’s fan problem, he agreed with that gentleman’s
conclusion that it was better to put down a smaller
fan at the beginning and to delay the installation
of a larger fan until a later period. In connection
with the size of pipes under certain conditions and
circumstances, Professor Louis had furnished an
interesting formula which gave much the same result
as he (Mr. Mowat) had arrived at in his rough-and-
ready way. Mr. Russell had emphasised the import-
ance of getting an early return for the money invested
in the enterprise. Generally speaking, one would
say that money invested in the coal trade and mining
was more or less subject to curious fluctuations. It
was perfectly true that they should aim at securing
a return for invested money in mining as speedily as
possible, but, of course, it was often not difficult to
secure that return as an outcome of what appeared
to be fortuitous circumstances. Personally, he would
rather see a colliery catching the turn of the tide
in this latter way than pushed for all it was worth
at times when there was hardly a chance of making
a profit at all. One ought to be ready to take the
fullest advantage of the turn of the tide when it
came. Subject to that proviso he was in agreement
with what Mr. Russell had said, and he quite appre-
ciated the example Mr. Russell had furnished of the
effective foresight which had been shown in dealing
with an iron ore problem in which he was interested.
In reply to Mr. J. Hamilton, he was quite conscious
when he wrote the paper that the value which he
had placed on one electrical horse-power was a point
likely to be attacked. He knew quite well in calcu-
lating the monetary value of frictional losses that
to place a value of £60 on one electrical horse-power
was to leave himself open to a great deal of criticism.
Perhaps he could not state definitely how he arrived
at that figure, but he could explain to some extent
what was in his mind at the present time, and what
doubtless was in his mind at the time he made the
calculation as to the factors which were to be kept
in view. In the abstract he was disposed to agree

* Colliery Guardian, February 15, 1918, p. 328.

that probably £100 was a fairer figure to take as
a basis of value than £60, because, while one colliery
manager might be justified in accepting the value
at £20, another would be equally justified in regard-
ing £120 as a value. Much depended on the particular
set of circumstances and conditions applicable to each
case. He did not quite agree with Mr. McLaren as
to the importance of making provision for pumps on
a liberal scale. Nowadays things were different from
what they were long ago, and he did not think it
was necessary now to make provision at the outset
for the maximum size of pumps. There were certain
elementary points which must be kept in view. For
example, it was desirable to provide for the maximum
requirements in the size of pipes, but it did not neces-
sarily follow that the maximum requirements in
regard to pumps should be provided at the outset.
To-day there was infinitely more flexibility in the
application of power to mining operations than
formerly, and certainly it was much easier to aug-
ment power at any point in a colliery than was pos-
sible in bygone years. He was sorry if he left the
idea in the mind of Mr. C. C. Reid that he was advo-
cating the parsimonious management of mines. All
he had desired to do was to impress upon the mining
community the importance of treating each problem
as a concrete rather than as an abstract subject.
Some exception had been taken to the observation
that if shafts and fittings largely outlived the life
of the colliery they became monuments to the want
of foresight of their creator^. If the Slamannan coal
field were to be worked over again, no one would
dream of sinking rectangular or circular shafts lined
with brickwork for such a purpose. The shafts at
Slamannan were temporary shafts, and served their
purpose, which did not last long. Frankly, if anyone
had been responsible for expensive and elaborate
fittings on these shafts at Slamannan, he would not
have got much credit for it to-day, now that the
collieries were exhausted. Mr. Riddell had pointed
out that the manager’s great difficulty was to predict
beforehand what the requirements of a colliery were
likely to be. He appreciated that difficulty, but at
the same time it was well to keep in view that the
mechanical difficulties of putting down more units
and adding to units of power in a colliery did not
lead now to the unfortunate results they possibly did
many years ago.

The discussion was closed, and the president
awarded a vote of thanks on the motion of Mr.
J. Balfour Sneddon (Mid Calder).

Stripping and Re-lining a Shaft at Cowdenbeath, Fife.

The discussion was afterwards taken up of the paper
read by Mr. Henry Rowan on “ Stripping and Re-
lining a Shaft at Cowdenbeath, Fife.” *

Mr. Richard Kirkby (Wemyss) said it would be
interesting if the author could give them any idea
how long he thought the cage shoes were going to
run. Mr. Rowan might be able to state if there were
much wear and tear of the rail guides, and what his
views were in regard to the upkeep of the shoes.

Mr. James Morton (Fordell) said he had been
rather interested to hear that Mr. Rowan definitely
decided that he preferred to use rail guides. He
should like to know if the author lubricated the rail
guides, and if he had any views to give the members
in relation to the effect of water on the rail guides.

The President said he had intended asking the
author the same questions in reference to the lubri-
cation of the rail guides and their probable length
of life. One point that particularly interested him
was the method adopted for keeping the pit open
for ventilation and rendering it safe whilst sinking
was proceeding.

Mr. H. Rowan, in replying to the discussion, said
that Mr. R. Wilson had asked whether they had any
other means of diverting the return air than that
described in the paper. They had not, but certainly
if they had been in a position to do that it would
have simplified the work considerably. He had to
admit that the forcing of the air through narrow tubes
did reduce the general ventilation. Of course, it was
a matter of calculation to determine the length of
tube of this diameter through which one could pass
. air usefully. In reply to Mr. Riddell as to the ad-
vantage of filling the whole tubed space with ashes,
he had to explain that the work of stripping was
found to be quite satisfactory, and the only reason
for using ashes was to break the fall of the debris
on the permanent scaffold. The number of bricks used
was 507,000, and in addition they made use of 300
tons of cement and 900 tons of sand. Of course, a
large quantity of this cement and sand was used to
fill up the spaces behind the brickwork. The enclosing
of the cavities in the shaft was a much more costly
operation than that in connection with the other parts
of the shaft. The greatest height to which the brick
pillars was carried was 36 feet. He could not defi-
nitely answer the question put by Mr. Kirkby in
regard to the wear and tear of the rails, as sufficient
time had not elapsed to enable him to form any
opinion. At No. 7 pit, Valley field, however, the rails
had been in use for some years, and six months ago
there did not appear to be any appreciable difference
between those rails and others that had never been
in use. The shoes, which were of soft iron, did wear
somewhat rapidly, but the cost of them was cheap.
So far as lubrication was concerned they had done
nothing in that way. At Valleyfield the pit was wet
throughout, and water had had no deleterious effect
on the guides so far. As he had explained, the guides
were examined very minutely six months ago.

The Education (Scotland) Bill.

A long and interesting discussion followed on the
paper read by Mr. Wm. Jarvie (Bothwell) on “The
Education (Scotland) Bill.* A summary of the views
expressed by the various speakers in the course of
the discussion will be given in our next week’s issue.

*	Colliery Guardian, February 15, p. 331.

*	Colliery Guardian, April 12, 1918, p. 743.

Notes from the Coal Fields.

[Local Correspondence.]
South Wales and Monmouthshire.

Brokerage Question Settled—Retailers’ Prices—Purchase
of Colliery Undertaking—Development of Swansea
Technical College—Housing at Mar gam—Compensa-
tion Case—Discrepancies in Combing Out.

The question of coal exporters’ one-third of the 5 per
cent, brokerage on freight has been settled as a result
of conferences with the Controller. That official had
directed that this should be paid over to the colliery
owners by whom the coal was supplied, but against this
direction there was strong opposition. The settlement
arrived at is that with regard to France and Italy the
exporters are to retain all the brokerage, giving 50 per
cent, of the commission (not exceeding 6d. per ton) to
the colliery owners supplying the coal. As regards other
destinations, the exporter is to give the coal owner the
brokerage and to retain the commission.

The retailers of Cardiff have made application to the
local committee that the price of best coals sold in quan-
tities of 2 cwt. and under shall be 2s. 2d. per cwt. in-
stead of 2s. OJ-d., and the factors apply that prices shall
be fixed for anthracite and for special coals sold in bulk.
These matters will be decided at a meeting next week.

Mr. D. R. Llewellyn, of Aberdare, vrhose interests in
collieries have been steadily extending during recent years,
has, it is announced, with other gentlemen in the South
Wales coal trade, taken over the Ynisarwed undertaking t
in the Neath Valley near Resol ven—a concern which has
at the present time a daily output of about 1,000 tons,
working both the No. 1 and No. 2 Rhondda seams. The
taking is between 4,000 and 5,000 acres in extent, largely
unworked as yet, and adjoins immediately the area which
was formerly held by the German Syndicate known as the
Whitworth concern. It is believed that Mr. Llewellyn
has the intention to sink to the lower measures, which as
yet have not been worked at all; so that when this is
carried through the present number of men employed
(about 800) will be very largely increased. In addition to
Mr. Rees Llewellyn and Mr. W. M. Llewellyn (both of
Aberdare) Mr. Seymour Berry, who is director of several
colliery companies in South Wales, will join the board of
the new undertaking; as also will Mr. Merritt, of Cardiff.
The sales agents will be Messrs. J. Llewellyn and Merritt,
of Mount Stuart-square, Cardiff.

Swansea Technical College Committee considered drafts
of a petition and charter for their new institution, which
will, in addition to the establishment of chairs in mining,
metallurgy, engineering, chemistry, etc., have lectureships
in economics, modern languages, and other subjects. In
order to meet requirements submitted by the Royal Com-
mission on University Education, provision is made to
transfer the Grammar School buildings and site, and also
to provide salaries of £500 to £650 for professors, £300
to £500 for independent lecturers, with smaller sums for
assistants.

Swansea Harbour Trustees met on Monday, and the
chairman, when pointing out that the revenue account
for April still showed a loss, remarked that comparisons
with preceding periods were useless because circumstances
were so different. They could, however, look with confi-
dence to the future, seeing that the Board of Trade had
acceded to their application for power to increase the
shipping rates by 50 per cent. They would now be able
to arrange with the other dock authorities of the Bristol
Channel as to the date when the increase should take
effect and to what extent it should be made. Another
satisfactory feature was that there was a better supply
of shipping. May was a good month, and last week there
was an increase of 40,000 tons. They had therefore every
reason to be confident as to the outlook.

The Margam Council discussed on Monday a reply from
Messrs. Baldwin Limited, who are largely extending their
steel works and colliery enterprises in that district, as
to the provision of housing accommodation for the work-
people which will shortly be required. The reply stated
that it appeared to the company that housing was a
matter for the attention of the Council, and that any
assistance the company could give would be willingly
rendered, though beyond that they did not propose to
take any action. The surveyor was instructed to prepare
plans.

At the Abergavenny County Court on Monday a case
was heard against the Blaenavon Company, a haulier
suing for compensation in respect of a crushed hand. He
had received 25s. per week compensation until January 22,
after which date he recommenced work. Part of the
colliery was closed down subsequently, and he received
notice, and therefore went away. But the under-manager
stated that he would not have been one of the men weeded
out if he had stayed at the colliery because he was an old
workman. The judge gave a decision in the claimant’s
favour, holding that he was entitled to compensation after
March 30—this to be at the rate of £1 per week.

On Sunday a mass meeting of miners was held at
Llantwit Vardre, near Pontypridd, at which it was unani-
mously agreed to make a levy of 4s. per head in aid of a
fund for alleviating distress occasioned by the stoppage
at Tredegar.

A question has been raised as to the comb-out of miners
and the manner in which different collieries have re-
sponded to the call for the specified quota. It is alleged
that whilst the majority of lodges have honourably
carried out the arrangements made, and have given both
their first and second quota of men, there is a minority
of lodges which have not done their duty. Inasmuch as
it is supposed that the number of men required from the
mines as a whole has now been reached, there is a risk
that those who have played the waiting game have a
distinct advantage over their more loyal fellows, and the
Federation executive is called upon to take up the ques-
tion and so ensure an equitable distribution of the burden.

Northumberland and Durham.

Stockton Retailers’ Prices—Mutual Aid Association’s Pro-
gress—Criticism of Electrical Trusts—Charge Against
a Treasurer—Relief Fund Chairman.

The Retail Coal Prices Committee reported to the June
meeting of Stockton Town Council that it had received
official advices that merchants must exercise the greatest
care in dealing with current orders, and that in no case
must more than a month’s requirements be delivered, so
that an even distribution of the available supplies might
be maintained. The committee was asked to safeguard
the supplies of coal to the poorer classes. Where an
applicant’s stock of coal in hand exceeded a month’s re-
quirements, orders for further supplies should not be
executed until the stock was reduced to a month’s supply.
In cases of private consumers who had habitually ordered
truck loads, owing to residence in a country house or
to cartage being performed by themselves, or to excep-
tional difficulties arising out of delivery, orders for truck
loads might still be executed in quantities not exceeding