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Worms & Co

Newcastle on Tyne, 11th July 1918
Messrs Worms & Co. - Paris

Dear Sirs,
French scheme. We reply to your special letter of the 6th inst. and note with interest all you write.
In writing as we did about "pooling" you will remember that we made this observation as regards the position of the exporters here, and went on to say that it would do nothing to relieve the position of the importer in France. We understand that the resolution from Cardiff which was put to the Central Executive at the last meeting in London did not emanate solely from the position as described by Mr. Miral but was also induced by the very unsatisfactory position caused by increasing Admiralty Shipments. We have not yet seen the minutes of that meeting but we have seen an abstract of the minutes in which it is stated. "These resolutions were considered and the Executive approved thereof. It was agreed that the matter would be gone into and further considered by the Special Committee." This was appointed to deal with other matters such as freight on light coke and coal cargoes, evidently the same Committee has to consider the Cardiff resolutions. We believe it consists of two members from each district.
We do not expect to hear more about it for some time. We consider that the position of the importer in France is of the utmost importance to the exporter in England and that the latter for his own sake must do everything in his power to see that the provision in the scheme of keeping the trade in its normal channels is carried out. You will remember that "rules for dealing with authorizations by local Committees" (page 5 of the minutes of the Central Executive meeting of the 21st February 1918) were approved of by the Central Executive at that meeting. Up to the present we cannot find that any agreement has been come to with Coal Controller. If such an agreement is ever arrived at and if local Committees exercise properly the powers which they would then have we think it would largely meet the views expressed in your letter.
One other point is that of "New business". In Newcastle such authorizations are passed in favour of the holder of the authorization and we find that in the case of the Affréteurs réunis their business from here is practically all new business and it is practically for coke only.
We may say that it has increased enormously and new totals something like 25.000 tons per quarter which is authorised as a general rule, in small lots of 100/500 tons to numerous works in France which have never before taken supplies from this district.
We must admit that it is practically impossible to eliminate "Mushroom Firms" as they in most cases were shippers before the scheme came into force although they were not shippers before the War. They had commenced business before the introduction of any Control.
We are, Dear Sirs
Yours truly,

W. Torry