Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1909-06-22
The Vast Coal Fields of
th Wales Likely to
~ Operations After
Jdns 90.
'HsST A0UR ACT THE CAUSE
Basis for Working Under a
But Not Yet Ready.
New System Gone Into

LONDON, June IA grave situa-
ton has arisen In South Wales
which threatens to eventnate in a
general stoppage of WORK In this
vast coalheld On July lat. Notices to
terminate contracts Of service on
June S0th were dispatched frsm the
Coal Owners Association yesterday,
AMI they will be handed to the min
srs this evening. Over 1900 men
are affected In Glamorsanshire and
Garma rthenshire. The srouble has
isen Indirectly owing to tie miners
eight hoars ct. xhISh Cones into
operation In the coal nelds on July
let For some time Representatives
OF the employers aad OF tho ws;;o,kk.
man In South Wales hae boon in con-
sultation with a Wow TO Q new basis
Of working under the hour syst ,rn.
These associations are not yet coa-
ciudsd. hut at the moment they wear
= very uaccmpromising aspect.
i a,hs main point az issue IL the
introduction into South Wales Of the
double shift. 1t is urged by the
employers that the operation OF the
eight hour act makes the sytem OF
double shifting essential In the coal
neid in the interests OF economic
working. Hitherto the method of
working in South Wales has been by
the single shift. the hours varying
from seven as what are known on
the short days, to ten on long days.
These irregular hours will now
give way to uniform eight hours
daily. IL is obvious that nnder the
new conditions a mine could y be
worked more economically on a sys-
tenn OF double shifts, that is. with
tive sets OF men working two sop
arate turns OF eight hours each.
The representatives OF the miners
object TO a double shift. mainly on
tho ground that IL would leave too
short an interval to ensure the safe
ty of the mine after shot-hring In
these fiery seams. The masters on
tho other hand contend that tho dou-
bic shift will In no way increase the
danger OF working. They argue that
II Will diminish the danger reduce
the damage to the roofs. and gener-
ally promote the efficient working
OF tho mines. The wOrkmen's rep
resentatives have suggested that a
sub-oOmpittes OF the Cancellation
board be formed before which every
colliery desiring to work under the
double shift system shouu submit
It's case and asree TO abide by the
sub-com mittee's decision. This
would enable the case OF every col
liery to be determined acyordfng to
les own special circumsta nces. The
prospect IN very gloomy one, not
merely for South Wales but for oil
coal users Throughout the country,
az. In view OF the recent decision OF
the Miners Federation OF Great
Britain, other coalfeljs might be
involved, II is earnestly to be hoped
that a conciliatory disposition will
be shown on the part OF both mas
ters and miners in order to prevent
a rupture. and all the eaIamitous
consequences that must follow I'm it,
train.
Admiralty agents have boon busy
at Cardiff this week chartering coai
for admiralty depoH on the south
coast. so far 81 vessels. represent.
ing q dead weight OF over 10000
tons have been taken up. The object
in this chartering Is believed 20 bs
to meet the navy requirements dur.
Tag the June msneuvers. ard second.
ly to accumulate large stocks at de.
pots in anticipation of o stoppase
in the south Wales coal field al
the end OF June.
i