Avgust 2, 1918. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN 233 PRODUCTION OF OIL FROM CANNEL COAL. The committee appointed by the Institution of Petro- leum Technologists to obtain evidence in respect of the quantity of cannel coal and allied minerals available in Great Britain as a source of motor spirit, fuel oil, and other products, and to formulate a scheme for the utilisation of such supplies, has issued an interim report, sufficient evidence having been obtained from colliery proprietors and others to justify the conclusion that a very large amount of retortable material can be obtained for the production of oil in Great Britain. The raw material in sight divides itself into three classes:— (a) Non-caking material with a high yield of oil giving a residue of low value as household and steam raising fuel, but of considerable value for producer gas and other purposes; (&) Caking and non-caking material with a smaller yield of oil than (a), but affording a residue of great value for domestic and industrial fuel; and (c) Material of a variety intermediate between (a) and (b). As a result of tests carried out by various processes it has been established that a yield of between 15 and 80 gals, of crude oil per ton can be obtained from material existing in the British Isles. This crude oil can be refined to give at least 8 per cent, of spirit and 40 to 50 per cent, of fuel oil. The committee are satisfied that at least 10,000 tons per day of retortable material could be economically assembled for treatment provided the necessary facilities were given by the Government and the requisite labour were available. At an average of 30 gals, of oil per ton this would yield 300,000 gals, of crude oil a day or upwards of 400,0U0 tons a year. Much of this material has hitherto been mined, but not utilised; but if retorts were erected it could be, and the colliery owner would then be enab ed to pay the miner for the extra tonnage brought to bank. The residues obtained from caking material by low- temperature distillation will provide a considerable supply of clean fuel without smoke and of high calorific value. Those from non-cakiftg materials, high in ash, can be utilised, in a producer, for power gas and sulphate of ammonia, whilst those from non- caking coals, low in ash, can be utilised in the manu- facture of briquettes. The utilisation of these large quantities of residues should greatly facilitate the scheme for the generation of cheap electrical power. The technical advisers of the committee have carefully investigated several types of retort, and have every reason to believe that .certain of these will treat either caking or non-caking bituminous mineral so as to give a satisfactory throughput, whilst some will successfully recover the maximum oil content. The establishment of an industry for the low-temperature distillation of cannel coal and its cognates will afford many openings for the employment of unskilled surface labour. The committee strongly recommend, inter alia, that the Government should afford all necessary facilities to those who are prepared to find the capital and take the risk for the erection, at suitable centres, of plant for treatment on a commercial basis of the material known to exist; that an experimental station be established for erecting and trying approved retorts, and for testing the character, oil yield, and residual values of the raw materials. THE AMERICAN COAL TRADE. The Coal Age (July 6) reports that the production of bituminous coal is considerably above the average rate in the record-breaking year 1917. Even at this rate of production it appears that the mines will be unable to furnish enough coal to meet all needs, which serves to emphasise the fact that the demand for fuel is unprecedented. The strictest kind of conservation must be practised in order for the country to pull out on the right side. The Fuel Administration has perfected quite a few plans to cut out the wasting of coal, and not the least ambitious of these is the proposal to save several million tons of coal by effect- ing economies in power plant consumption. Plants which are prodigal in the use of coal will either have to reform or do without fuel. Another plan is to save the coal consumed in needless illumination. While busily engaged in conservation work, the Fuel Administration has not lost sight of the fact that production must be stimulated. If labour in the bitu- minous coal regions can be induced to work regularly and faithfully, there need be no serious shortage of fuel for all essential industries. The anthracite mine workers, on the other hand, though not lackadaisical and pleasure-seeking to the same extent as their brethren of the soft coal regions, are not great enough in number to produce the neces- sary tonnage of hard coal. The market is characterised by a strong demand in nearly every branch. Domestic stocking continues strong, taking practically every ton’of coal in dealers’ yards. With a higher percentage of domestic require- ments taken care of by summer storage, it will be possible to concentrate more generally on the indus- trial supply. Reports from Boston announce that the coal’receipts are far short of schedule. Coastwise shipping has caught up with the programme, and railroads have not been offered the tonnage they could have moved. Arrears since April 1 amount to 2,000,000 net tons bituminous. The 4,500 cars weekly quota from Central Pennsylvania all-rail yields less than 70 per cent., and a reduction is probable. On every side the situation is most complicated and difficult for local fuel authori- ties to supervise. With the programme from Washington changing from time to time, it is impos- sible to fix upon an adequate plan for proper distri- bution. No one is yet able to say what is “ protection ” for a preferred requirement. For the present the local mark is three weeks. A determined effort is being made to shut off domestic sizes of anthracite from manufacturers for steam use. The amount of this tonnage, especially that which has replaced coke, is surprising; but if all this is to be replaced in turn by bituminous, the query may well be raised, Whence will come the bituminous? After considerable work on the part of a committee of the Wholesale Coal Trade Association of New York, jobbers are to be allowed a margin not to exceed 35c. per ton on coal physically handled by them. This margin is to be added to the mine price of coal plus freight rate to tidewater plus war tax on freight plus demurrage plus actual harbour boat charges. PITWOOD ORDER. The Board of Trade has issued the following Order, dated July 29: — 1. For the purposes of this Order, Great Britain shall be divided into areas called pitwood areas of supply as defined in the First Schedule hereto. The expression “ pitwood ” means pit props, sawn props and timber in tjie round which is intended for use in mines. 2. On and after the 12th day of August, 1918, no person shall deliver, move or consign, or cause or permit to be delivered, moved or consigned, pitwood from one area of supply to another except under and in accordance with the terms of a permit granted by the Controller of Timber Supplies or by a person duly authorised on his behalf. r 3. From the date of this Order no person shall buy or sell, or offer to buy or sell, pitwood (whether in selected sizes or otherwise) at prices exceeding those set forth in the Second Schedule hereto; provided that the Controller of Timber Supplies by notice under his hand may from time to time alter such prices, and the prices as altered shall thereafter be the maximum prices at which pitwood may be bought or sold. 4. Where pitwood is sold for delivery into another area under a permit granted in accordance with para- graph 2 hereof, the maximum price at which such timber may be sold shall be the price prevailing in in the area to which the pitwood is delivered. 5. Home grown pitwood shall be sold invoiced and consigned separate and apart from imported pitwood. 6. Where pitwood is sold by weight in any area of supply other than No. *6, the price shall not exceed the equivalent price per 100 lineal feet based on the prices set forth in the Second Schedule hereto. 7. Infringements of this Order are summary offences against the Defence of the Realm Regulations. 8. This Order may be cited as the Pitwood Order, 1918. Note.—Applications for permits under paragraph 2 are to be made as regards England and Wales to the Controller of Timber Supplies, 80, Newman-street, Oxford-street, W. 1, and as regards Scotland to the Board of Trade (Timber Supply Department), 1, Queen-street, Edinburgh. FIRST SCHEDULE. Pitwood Areas of Supply. - Mine Fields and Area of Supply. I. Scotland.—Whole of Scotland with the excep- tion of the counties of Kirkcudbright, Dumfries-shire, Selkirk, Roxburgh, Berwick, but any colliery in Dumfries-shire may draw pitwood from within a radius of ten miles of any Dumfries-shire colliery. II. Northumberland and Durham. — Kirkcud- bright, Dumfries-shire, Selkirk, Durham, Roxburgh, Northumberland, Berwickshire, Yorkshire N. Riding, Cumberland (east of the L. & N.W.R., from Penrith to the Border). III. Cumberland.—Remaining portion of Cumber-, land, Westmorland (west of the L. & N.W.R.), Furness district of Lancashire. IV. —Yorkshire, Derbyshire , Notts.—Yorkshire (excluding N. Riding), Derbyshire (excluding portion south of Trent), Notts, Lincoln, Norfolk, Suffolk. V. Lancashire, Cheshire, N. Wales.—Westmor- land (east of L. & N.W.R.), Lancashire (excluding Furness district), Cheshire, Flint, Denbigh, Anglesea, Carnarvon, Merioneth, Montgomery. VI. South Wales and Pembrokeshire.—Cardigan, Pembroke, Brecon, Monmouth, Devon, Dorset, Rad- nor, Carmarthen, Glamorgan, Cornwall, Somerset, Wilts (excluding portion of Somerset and Wilts, within 10 miles of Somerset collieries), Berkshire, Hamp- shire (including I. of Wight). VII. Somerset, Gloucester and Bristol.—Portion of Somerset and Wilts, within 10 miles of any Somerset collieries, Gloucestershire, Hereford (south of line drawn from Ledbury to point where Radnor, Brecon and Hereford meet). VIII. Stafford, Warwick, Shropshire, Leicester, Worcester, Kent.—Stafford, Hereford (north of line described in VII.), Worcester, Oxford, Middlesex, Sussex, Essex, Bedford, Huntingdon* Rutland, Shrop- shire, Warwick, Bucks, Surrey, Kent, Herts, North- ampton, Leicester, Derbyshire (south of the Trent), Cambridge and Isle of Ely. SECOND SCHEDULE. Maximum Prices of Home Grown Pitwood. England and Wales. (a) Pitwood area of supply No. 6. : — Pitwood delivered on rail at mine sidings or, failing rail connection, at mine premises, 60s. per ton for hardwood, and 65s. per ton for softwood. Pitwood from Ireland, similar prices delivered ex ship. Hard- wood shall be sold, invoiced and consigned separate and apart from softwood. (b) Pitwood areas of supply Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8: — Pit props cut to lengths delivered on rail at mine siding or, failing rail connection, at mine premises, per 100 lineal feet: 2J in. tip under bark, 12s. 6d.; 3 in., 16s.; 3| in., 24s.; 4 in., 32s.; 4| in., 39s.; 5 in., 47s.; 5J in., 55s.; 6 in., 63s.; 6J in., 72s.; 7 in., 80s.; 7| in., 90s.; 8 in., 100s. For larch only, cut to lengths as above, these prices may be increased by 10 per cent. These prices are subject to the usual monthly account, less 2J per cent, discount. The Home Grown Timber (Prices) Order, 1918, shall apply to timber in the round over 8 in. diameter at tip under bark. Scotland. (c) Pitwood area of supply No. 1: — Sawn props cut to length, delivered on rail at mine siding or, failing rail connection, at mine premises : — Lengths. Up to 2fft. Price per 100 lineal feet. ... 6 0 Up to 3 ft. ... 7 6 Up to ft. ... 9 0 Up to 5 ft. ... 11 6 From 5 to 6 ft. ... 13 0 Up to 6 ft. ... 15 0 Up to 6 ft. ... 20 0 Up to 7 ft. ... 24 0 Sawn props. 4f in. quartered or 2 in. ... square or equal in. quartered or 2| in. ... square or equal 5f in. quartered or 2| in. ... square or equal in. quartered or in. ... square or equal 6| in. quartered or 2| in. ... square or equal 7f in. quartered or 3| in. ... square or equal 8| in. quartered or 3f in. ... square or equal 9| in. quartered or 3f in. ... square or equal Short round props any length not exceeding 7 ft. delivered on rail at mine sidings or, failing rail con- nection, at mine premises (lengths over 7 ft. may be sold at the rate hereinafter provided for long pitwood), per 100 lineal feet: 2| in. tip under bark, 8s. 6d.; 3 in., 13s.; 3J in., 17s. 6d.; 4 in., 22s. 6d.; 4| in., 27s. 6d.; 5 in'., 33s.; 5J in., 40s.; 6 in., 47s.; 6J in., 53s.; 7 in., 61s. Permanent stationary mills situate at Bo’ness, Grangemouth and South Alloa at the date of this Order may charge an additional 15 per cent, on the above rates for sawn and short round props manufactured at and delivered from such mills in area of supply No. 1. Long pitwood delivered on rail at mine sidings or, failing rail connection, at mine premises, in 7 to 14 ft. lengths (10 to 12 ft. average), price per 100 lineal ft. Diameter at tip under bark: 3 in., 18s. 6d.; 4 in., 26s.; 5 in., 35s. Long pitwood of above average lengths for delivery to England under permit may be sold free on truck at stations in area of supply No. 1 at prices not ex- ceeding for 3 in., 16s. 6d.; 4 in., 22s. 6d.; 5 in., 30s. per 100 lineal feet. The above maximum prices for sawn props, short round props, and long pitwood are subject to the main- tenance of the present maximum 10s. per ton railway rate for pitwood in Scotland, and in the event of any alteration therein, the prices shall be subject to re- adjustment to the extent to which such alteration affects the freight cost to the sellers. All species of timber, except beech, to be accepted, but the main supply shall be from coniferous timber. Terms net cash on month account. The Home Grown Timber (Prices) Order, 1918, shall apply to timber in the round over 7 in. diameter at tip under bark. SECOND SCHEDULE. Part II. Maximum Prices of Pitwood Imported from Outside the United Kingdom. Pit props cut to lengths, delivered on rail at mine sidings or, failing rail connection, at mine premises, per 100 lineal feet: 3| in., 48s. 6d.; 4 in., 62s. 9d.; 4-J in., 74s. 9d.; 5 in., 88s. 3d.; 5J in., 108s.; 6 in., 129s. 6d.; 6| in., 149s. 3d.; 7 in., 176s. 9d. Terms 2J per cent, discount on usual monthly account. Pitwood imported from France, Portugal or Spain, delivered ex ship at South Wales ports, 60s. per ton for hardwood and 65s. per ton for softwood. Proposed Blast Furnace and Steel Works In Holland.— A scheme has been proposed for the establishment of a blast furnace and steel works in Holland by the joint action of the Government and private enterprise. A com- pany will be formed with a capital of 25,000,000 gulden, of which 7,500,000 gulden will be supplied by the State. It is intended to stimulate the imports of ore and to produce pig iron. The steel works will produce shipbuilding material and machinery, and according to estimate they will have a capacity of 150,000 tons a month. The. coke ovens attached to the blast furnace plant will be equipped for the recovery of tar, ammonia, and other by-products. The Coal Situation in Western Canada.—Mr. Grant Hall, vice-president of the Canadian Pacific Railway Com- pany, has issued a statement in regard to the coal situa- tion in Western Canada. As the Fuel Controllers say that the prospects for a supply of anthracite coal are not different from a few months ago, he urges Canadian users to heed the warning. At one time the Canadian Pacific Railway Company helped out the domestic coal deficiency by means of the stocks on hand, but on those occasions there was no abnormal demand and no doubt of supplies from the United States. Consumers now owed it to themselves to consider the outlook seriously and get in their supply, thus relieving the tension on railways and mine owners, but most of all on themselves. Wages Nearly Doubled in the Iron and Steel Trade.—The half-yearly meeting of the Board of Conciliation and Arbi- tration for the Manufactured Iron and Steel Trade of the North of England was held at Newcastle, on Monday, Mr. J. Reay (Stockton) presiding. A substantial balance in hand was reported. The report recorded advances in wages and bonuses amounting to 25 per cent, for time workers. The chairman, moving the adoption of the report, said that advances granted since the last meeting brought the total to 92J per cent, since the outbreak of war. As to the next half-year, he behoved there would be plenty of work for all, and the difficulty would be to find the men to do it. The large majority of their men were working well and regularly. Mr. T. B. Pugh, vice-president, said he honed in future, despite the talk of Whitley councils and other reconstruction schemes, they would be allowed to continue settling their differences without Government interference.