The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-07-16

Luzerno regions, under the corporations, were
moro extensive than those ~ the other regions,
but since the accession of the Philadelphia and
Reading Coal and Iron Company, tho largest 81
them all, this order OF things IA undergoing
change. Several enterprises already undertaken
by this company are on gigantic scale, ana
more are promised. The greatest among these
Is the Pottsyiile shaft THIS has been sunk TO a
depth Of 1869 feet where II lands on the Pfim-
rose vein. Thence tunnel Is driven through
the Holmes, the Rough, the -Four Font and
Seven Foot veins to the Mammoth. In It's cree
ton the greatest care has been observed to Sc
cure safety and durability. Its cost Is c1lcu-
lated nj two end half mill ions ~ dollars before
n pOund OF coal can he shipped TO market. IL
Will constitute the deepest coal shalt ~ Amer
lea, and the amount % coal 70 be mined rom "
VIII not bs tess than l00,0O0oO tons, ana may
reach twice that amount. The shipments from "
whon completed will be from two TO three hum
ss sons s6 net FROM to-
900 per snnum. No other mining Interests
promise such vast and lasting rosults. by II az
transportation and interchange OF commodities
~ well as neoessaries are accelerated, and the
households of tho country are furnished a
Gratifying as are ali these results, there IA 10
one feature connected with this industry that
appeals To the heart OF the Dhilanthropist-we
mean the fearful number OF casualties constant
" attending mining operations. Tue figures are
.ruy apys'ng. ,no nue.
while ne ut the same time breathes the foul afr
and noxious gases, and nnaies the 1ne dry dust
tend to shorten his life by bringing on asthna a
and the miners consumption and kindred dis
eases. 1t IL, however. OF direct accidents that
we propoae TO speak here These come a many
forms. Tho Official report OF 1879 enumerates 70
different forms. The same report. which is the
latest accessible, shows the total number OF ac-
cidents to have been 16S, Of which go resulted
In the loss q life, leaving Ito widows and $40
orphans. OF the 5B injured, large number Will
he crDples for life. Compared with the coal
shipments these casualties stand as follows
Every 2J.SB tons Of coal shipped represent one
accident ihere was one death 10 every 5000
tons, one widow to every 1854 tons, and one
orphan To every 46,2i3 tons. There was one ac-
ddent for every 81 persons employed In or about
the mines. resulting rs follows one death 20
every ~ employees; one person injured more
or less severely, but not fatally, TO every ~ en-
pioyed. These figures are appalling especially
when contrasted with those Of England, where
mining Is naturally surrounded with greater
dangers, wing to the depth OF the mines. To a
total number OF 4ls.Oss persons employed there
but l.O80 have lost their lives or one out Of 3yi
and there was but one death TO every n6,iOo tons
Ii true that the Legislature. according Ia
| the wishes OF the miners. adopted ventilation
law for the better regulation OF the mines ,whch
had been worked with a view OF putting IN little
ana yet getting out much ; nut as seems to be
the almost universal rule these DAYS, the Offices
OF mine inspectors. who were to execute the
Law, were created moro for the omolumouts and
political influences than for any pra 'tica benen-
cial results. L1tterly these offices have become
entirely useless In the Schuylki region. be.
cause the company being both op ratOr and
chased With he exeentine that law because II 4
for the benefit OF the company. Gs well as the
mine workers. In addition to those humane
devices we have another that will form tho start
ing point TOR n great corporate undert king III al
Will. II tho advice OF MIR. Hewitt Ia adopted
peacoaOy solve the great labor problem. and
elorify the second century OF our national ex
istence.
THE PERMANENT RELIEF FUND.
As early a. 1862 MIR. Charles Parrish, then Of
the Wnkesbarre Coal Company. now OF the Lee
high aud Wikesbarre, conceived the plan OF
establishing permanent rehef fund. He In
vted the men Ia the employ OF the company 10
GIVE one days labor In each year toward the
fund, to which the comp ny would add one day
proceeds OF all its mines. The management OF
this fund vs. In the hands OF a beard Of trustees
composed OF one man elected by the men OF
each division under the company The money
Is left IN the keeping " the company, which pays
interest thereon. m case of the accidental
death OF a member $50 Ia paid for funeral ex-
penses. Three dollars week for the space of
one year ts paid to the widow OF the deceased, II
she remains single so long. ard 81 per week
for each orphan child under IL years OF age
Every man injured receives 80 per week
during his disability, and each hoy under six
teen years Of age receives 81 per week durnE
his disability. This proposition was at nrst un-
favoribly received by the men, but grad ualiy
they entered into the spirit OF IL. as Is SHOWN by
tue following accounts Of the fund up to the
clOse Of l-1I