The days of the illiterate miners are passing. The younger, the oncoming generation of miners, must by law have attended school through the age of 16 in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia and Kentucky. Other improvements were made. Today there are strict child labor laws, and these are enforced. Company-owned and controlled educational facilities belong to the past.
Improved transportation means better opportunities.
And although illiteracy is still a problem in the United States, the children of the coalfields are no longer set apart. Used under License.