Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1871-12-02
Inspection Of Goa. Zines.

Under this heading, the London Tunes, of
Nov. It'll, publishes an claboratA report, of
which the following are prominent cx-
tracts:
"The Inspectors of Coal Mines report a
large production of coal in Great Britain in
1870 They compute that IL, S75, 725 tons
were raised in that year. The 901 deaths
by casualties in and about the mines in
1870 were in the ratio of one to every 49,
900 tons of coal raised. The number of
male persons employed is computed at $780,
1874, being one to every 1922 tons raised !;
and one in every 354 of these persons was
killed. The lives lost were--1SJ by explo-
sions of fire-damp, All by falls of coal or
roof. 129 in shafts, 1856 from miscella .eous
causes underground, and so by accidents ut
the surface 1t is the first year sinces 1865
in which the lives lost in and about the
mines have been less than thousand, and
we must go further back than that to find
so manv tons of coal raised fJr every lfc
iost Nevertheless tie list Ct accidents Is
as one OF the inspectors says. discredtahle
and it would be startling to see it divided
into two classes, so that all might see and
know how Il ge number of men perish d
in their work through want Of reasonable
care and caution on their part
"A very large proportion of the accidents
in shafts are attributable to carcicssness.
But falls of stratifed material ar, the worst
peril. The owners find props, but the men
too often omit to set them in time or to set
4 sufficient number. Mr. Hgson mentions
fatal fall, and says that the man had set
one prop only, and 81 it is generally; three
more p ops would have sagcd his life
"Of so many cases which have come
under Mr.. Wynnc's notice fully half the
falls of roof are ow 'ng to the carelessuess
Of those who are in Charge of the workings,
an | who instead of seeing that the root
be lropped up as soon as the coal fall, al
low them to be loaded up, intending that
then, the work being DONE the roofs shall
get support. But the fault may be in the
officers or may be in the men, and it is nee
cssary to secure the cooperation of both
in exercising care and caution. If there he
one defective link in the chain it will break
the carelessness of one man may destroy
scores of lives"
"On the question whether boys should be
prohibited from working in the mines un-
boys kept too long from work acquire idle
habits. Mr.. Baker, inspector for South
Stahordshire, &c, considers that to prohib.
it boys from working in mines until the
age Of fourteen, or even twelve is open to
grave objections. Miners, like sailors can
hardly he too early initiated into the spec
ial calling to which they are dcstined.'-
Besides if other occupations were open tc
them earlier, they might be put to these
and there might thus be a serious hindranct
to the supply of trained golfers. He says
that with system of compulsory cduca
ton the boys intended for our future col
Tiers would be able, as rule to read anC
write well at the age of ten years. 1t i:
stated that at present boys are not taker
underground in the thick mines until they
are twelve, owing to the unwillingness o
the managers to saddle themselves will
the responsibility of seeing fulfilled the cd
ucational provisions of the Mines Inspec
ton Act; but in the thinner mines it il
often found necessary to submit to this
and it is said the exclusion of boys unlel
twelve t ON these mines would cause prac
teal Inconvenience"
Mr.. Wardell believes that much is being
done by the miners themselves to promote
education, and in this they are cordial,
supported by colliery owners. Boys un
der twelve now working in mines undc
the present Act will, when they become
golfers, at any rate be able to roAi an,
write"
Mr.. Brough remarks that the late Mr.
Nicholas Wood advocated a curriculum
for "vicweis" at Durham or some othel
University. Mr.. Brough suggests tina
some such mode Of study is desirable
The scientific knowledge so valuable ans
necdful to those who have to direct opera
tons underground cannot, he says, be OBJ
tanned in grammar schools and private cs
Establishments; but there might be college
career of but moderate length, in which
practice might be included. Continental
mining managers, to certain extent, h
auds, possess the great advantage Of thi
higher order of education; and the valu,
of it in this country would quickly mani
fest itself in the improved condition ant
comfort of our mines, and, indeed, Of al
our industries.