Denaby Miners Carting Scheme – Visitors to “Ferry farm.”

January 1926

Mexborough and Swinton Times January 29, 1926

Denaby Miners Carting Scheme.
Visitors to “Ferry farm.”

Since 1918 the miners at Denaby and Cadeby have taken into their own hands the carting of home coal, and have built up quite an elaborate and efficient organisation for the purpose. With the aid of a loan of £2,000 from the colliery company, which they have repaid in a little over two years, they have provided themselves with a fleet of carts and cars. And they have also acquired 13 acres of land near the river at Conisborough on which they store their equipment and grow the food for their houses.

The fame of their enterprise has gone out, and last Saturday Ferry Farm was inspected by representatives of a good many branches of the Yorkshire Miners Association, who are anxious to know the possibilities of applying the schem generally. The visitors inspected the little farm, the vehicles, and the horses, and were given all the information they desired, and gathered for themselves information of the working conditions of the Home Coal Carting Committee Staff.

Arrangements for the visit were made by Mr A. Roberts and. T. J. Gregory the secretaries of the Denaby branches of the Y. M. A. and the visitors were conducted round by Mr Tom Hill, the chief organiser of the scheme and president of the committee. The visitors were much impressed with the completeness of the arrangements and the great care taken of the horses, which are certainly splendid specimens. In addition to delegates from Y. M. A. Branches there were present there Mr Herbert Smith, president of the Miners Federation and the Yorkshire Miners Association, Mr Hamilton Fyfe the well-known journalist (editor of the Daily Herald), Mr J. Hall, financial secretary to the Yorkshire miners Association, Mr Tom Williams, and officials of the collieries.

Mr Herbert Smith’s Blessing.

Following the inspection, a dinner was held in the Miners Welfare Institute. Mr Herbert Smith presiding. Mr Smith heartily commended the scheme was being carried out so efficiently by the Denaby and Cadeby collieries Home Coal Carting scheme which he said, was, a very creditable one and could hardly have been carried through to successfully without the cooperation of the Management of the Collieries, who had taken a “long view” in this and in other matters; they had, in fact, giving a very good lead to their side of the industry. He wished the undertaking a great success.

The Scheme

Mr Arthur Roberts explained the scheme in detail, mentioning that the committee had paid a tribute to the enthusiasm and their organising genius of Mr Tom Hill, and said that great credit was due to the five men who started the scheme.

In 1918 the company them £2,000 at 4%., and this loan was repaid in five months. The scheme was started because some men felt that the price for the carting of the coal was too high. They began in June, 1919, with 11 horses and nine carts. The serious breakdown at Cadeby in 1920, and the long stoppage in 1921 were unfavourable factors but they worried through, though at one time they were £2000 on the wrong side.

They purchased Ferry farm, with 13 acres of land and two houses, and the debt on that property was now £600. They then acquired motor lorries to speed up delivery, and they now have six of these. Their workmen were all trades unionists, the Carter’s were paid seven and sixpence a week more than those working for private contractors (with sixpence a day extra for chain horses), and their motor lorry drivers got five shillings a week more than the union rate. Boys were paid three shillings a day at 14, rising on a regularly ascending scale until they were 21. The committee were constantly studying to introduce improvements in delivering and to reduced the price of carting.

“Applied Socialism”

Mr Tom Williams, MP, say they had here in interesting local example of applied socialism, and he was glad that there was a general demand for information about it. The scheme could not have succeeded with out the cooperation and goodwill of the colliery officials, but on the other hand the company had gained by their enlightened attitude. He was especially struck by the humanitarian conditions under which the enterprise was carried on, and he noticed that the no driver was allowed to carry a whip. They had proved that it was profitable for workmen to look after their own business, and that given the responsibility they could carry it. He commended the scheme to all enquiries.

Mr J. Hall, financial secretary of the Y. M. A., Said he had been greatly impressed by what he had seen.

 

“The Brightest Spot in England.”

Mr H. C. Harrison, general manager of the collieries, said he was proud of the scheme and of the general disposition at these collieries for the workmen and officials to cooperate unselfishly and wholeheartedly. Many years ago Denaby might have been a black spot. It certainly was not today – it was the brightest spot in South Yorkshire and therefore in Great Britain. (Laughter and applause.)

Everything depended on the spirit in which their problems were approach. No firm would be successful that did not look well after its men and its plant. This scheme had been a triumph of organisation, and Mr Tom Hill deserved the chief credit for that.

One effect had been that their workmen got there coal cheaper than other workmen in the district. He would be pleased to help all he could (Applause.)

Mr Herbert Smith remarked that Mr Harrison was “a young un,” but he “knew his way about.” When he made a bargain he carried it out. (Hear, hear.)

Mr Hamilton Fyfe said he had been very interested in what he had seen. It was an excellent example of their “Cooperative Commonwealth” in practice.

Denaby in the Van.

Mr Herbert Smith, commended the colliery company for their readiness to improve conditions. And as far as possible, while maintaining industrial efficiency on their one hand, to do what they could to ensure the happiness and well-being of their workmen. He referred to the proposal now being discussed for granting an annual week’s holiday with pay. “What Denaby and Cadeby does today,” he said, “England will do next year.”

Mr Harrison said the holiday scheme was “in the melting pot.” And he did not yet know what would pile out of it, whatever it was it would again be the result of cooperation. Anything that would benefit the workmen they were prepared to consider, and in considering such matters they realise that one of the best wisest friends they had was Mr Herbert Smith (applause)

Tom Smith (formerly MP for Pontefract) propose a vote of thanks to the committee for their hospitality.

Doctor. L. Bradman, of Mexborough, seconded.

The five original trustees of the scheme, Mr T. Hill (president), Mr G Dobbin (Treas); Mr G. Smith (secretary) Mr W. L. Worsley and Mr G. Starr, are still acting.