Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1895-03-16

10 loubu tne DIX lOOt VEN, t1e smaller veins
which contribute toward the 20 feet of the
deposit referred to appearing here and there
in the formation, in strata hardly thick
enough to warrant mining during the ex-
istence of the larger one.
The United States geological surveys and
those made recently by the different COM
panies now in operation have placed the
yield of coal per acre at a much higher figure
than was supposed possible 25 years ago AT
that time 1000 tons was considered an ex-
celent result, but to-day the improved
methods of mining have so mninized the
waste common to years gone by that yield
of 10000 tons of Big Vein coal has been
demonstrated and is regarded as an average
figure Throughout the region. The Big Vein
coal markets OF this country, and has held its
own against all competitors.
| The Journal next quotes from the
first annual report of the Bureau OF
Labor Statistics:
The fact that the mine owners of Allegany
county are required to pay employees the full
| amount of their wages in the legal tender Of
the United States and any contract between
parties to the contrary is void, is strong
factor in making the miners of this region IA
prosperous and contented people. The legal
days work in the region is 10 hours, be
| ginning at I O'Clock in the morning, but
miners can contract to work longer hours
such time to be paid for as overtime. NJ
premium is put upon laZiness and the result
is that the miners of Maryland rank ahead
of workmen engaged in many other voca,
tons.
AS matter of fact, there is no re-
gion in the world where miners are as
well protected III all respects by law as
here. Indeed, the lac cannot 90 ang
further In that direction. To ask any
thing more of law than is already
granted is equivalent to miners con-
ceding that they are infants and still
need parental care.
There is, therefore, less excuse for
striking In this coal region than in any
other in the world. All the agitators
in chrstendom may rave otherwise,
but this fact stands secure and un
snakable in the convictions of every
honest man who understands the
situation.
But the report goes on
The miners of Allegany county are fond Of
| reading and many of them have collected
good libraries, while the number of news
papers and magazines distributed through
the other counties in the State having abou
the same population. Churches are we'll at
tended and supported, and the great majority
of the miners are members ofvarious societie:
and orders of a beneficial character. Much
of the leisure time in the evenings is spent il
| the lodge room and here the men have many
opportunities to argue questions and practc,
the art of speechmaking. This training j:
valuable, as has been proven in the halls o
| legislation, when some Of the ablest repre-
sentatives have come from the mines o
Maryland. The miners take an active in
terest in political questions and generally
exercise care in the selection of their repre-
sentatves and vote intelligently on the ques
tons of the day.
AT a miners meeting, however, one
blast from Noble Order fog horn OF
put him out ~ confuses all his read
ing. doubles up his intelligence and
knocks his cart of speech making
into the middle of next week. He will
face death in the mine day after day
but the charge of "blackieg' drives
him to the shelter of his roof until it il
safe to again Incur the real dangers
which overhang his calling.
The next paragraph is one of inter
est to those gentlemen who frequently
inquire-'how long is the coal suppl,
to last 9''-
been paid to the small veins of the region
their value must not be overlooked Wha
is known as the "Four-Foot Vein is next the
Big Vein and lies about 800 feet below it
There are good opportunities of mining this
vein, as in places it is 60 feet above water
level. The six. Foot Vein lies 100 feet be
low the -Four Foot Vein," and only part OF
|
about 27,00O acres of coal are contained in
these two veins. According to an estimate
made in 1854, the big Vein contained
354 1913, 1888 tons of coal, the 'Six-Foot Vein
contained IA, 100000 tons aud the -Four
| Foot Vein" 'I5I.O0OO00 tons. The total ship
ments from the region to the end of Decem
| Der, 1894, have amounted to 70, 425. S63 tons
| This amount deducted from the estimated
number of tons contained in the field would
leave l,507, AIS 305 tons. While it is prob
able that with improved machinery the out
put can yearly be largely increased. it is safe
to predict that several generations will live
and die before the vast storehouse of wealth
in the Allegany mountains will be depleted
Then again as to its quality:
According to the test made in 1874, it was
found that a bushel of coal from the Georges
the same amount from any other region in
the country. The reason is: 1t contains
enough bitumen to make it readily in
| tiammable and does not deaden with eac /
fresh addition, thus lessening the amount o.
steam until the combustion of the fuel takes
place. 1t has enough carbon to maintain 9
uniform heat for a long time, and is com
parativelv free from sulphur. For smithine
purposes it is invaluable and finds market
all over the world 1t makes a bright fire
and gives out steady heat
Iu its sketches of towns, however