The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-11-21
IN IMPORTANT MINE RULE.
Division Superintendent Scott Has Ordered
Several Removals.
A STEP TO PROMOTE SAFEGUARDS.
Men Who Cannot Understand and Speak
the English Language Cannot Hold Re
sponsible Mine Positions What Mine
Inspector Stein Thinks.

| No little interest has been aroused iu this
district by the announcement that Division
! Superintendent George Scott, Of the Phila- /
delphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company, has .
given orders for the discharge of sixteen .
| Hungarians, Poles and Lthuauans who are .
now engaged as irgmeu and helpers in the |
boiler houses of colieries in the vicinity of .
Mahanoy Plane The interest manifested .
here arises from the fact that Mr., Scott /
recently assumed personal jurisdiction Of
many of the compauys collicrics in and about
Shenandoah, as well as those IN the Gilbcr-
ton valley, and it is believed that his system
of reorganization will be felt here within
short time, although it is stated that if there
are any changes locally they will not be as
many in the same line as at NIahauoy Plane,
because but comparatively few Poles, Lithu-
anians and Huugariaus hold positions as
fremen at the collerios in this vicinity.
1t appears that the action taken by Super
intendent Scott is not based upon any prciu-
dice against nationality, but is taken purely
as safeguard against accident. Mr., Scott
has made careful investigation and satisfied
himself that the men to be discharged are
not sufficiently reliable to hold the responsible
position of fireman in boiler houses. 1t is
claimed that the recent boiler explosion at
the Ceutalia colery, in which several men
lost their lives and others were injured, was
, due to the employment of foreigners who
could have averted the accident had they
possessed a more Intelligent idea of their
duties. There is no dispute about the
industry, faithfulness and anxiety Of the
, people in question to perform their
t duties well, but it is claimed that Ignorance Of
a the English language prevents these people
. from acquiring knowledge of their duties
r which the positions and the safety of the
. many people employed about colleries de
Z mand. Their ignorance of the language
Y prevents them from fully understanding the
4 instructions given them and disaster fire.
quently follows.
Y 1t is said the system Of reform will not be
r restricted to boiler houses, but will be carried
r to the breakers, jig houses scraper lines,
t shafts. slopes ahd planes aud all other places
where machinery is involved and wherever
men are found who are in positions which re-
quire them to have hand in the operation
l. Of machinery and they are only able to re-
# ceive instructions by signs, or through in
4 terpreters. they will he removed and men
II vino understand the English language will
il be- put in their places. That there will he a
L general sweeping of Poles, Lithuanians and
z. Hun-arians from the positions referred to is
not to be expected. The rule will not apply
h to those who have acquired sufficient
5 knowledge of the English language to enable
10 them to intelligently receive instructions and
It make known what is required. A mine
official said to-day ''The movement is a good
one. | find some men among the casse,
W affected do not receive it very fayorably, but
X when it is properly considered no one
irrespective of nationality, can complain, as
it is for the benefit of all the many thousands
Iof la, M i'm "A
a about the mines'
t. Upon being interviewed by reporter on
n the subject to-day Mine Inspector William
al Stein said 1T has been my experience
f. throughout my inspection district that many
m foreigners have been killed and manned on
account of being ignorant of the dangers
that present themselves, in not being able tC
oil fully understand how boilers ought to be
t. treated There are many who cannot un.
derstand what the foremen say and, there
. fore, cannot be considered qualified to taxi
VI important positions either inside or outsid,
g Of mine In many cases the foreigner
IL who never before worked in or about the
III mines are great source Of danger to thei
'p fellow wOrkmen, because where gas is gen
Grated they often get burned themselves, "a
ne well as causing the burning OF those work
III ing near them. know of a great many o
r them, however, who are good workmen anC
III some of our best gangway miners belong t,
y the foreign element | believe that head
al and bottoms of shafts, slopes aud plane
ne should be manned by intelligent English
ne speaking people, and none but the best eX
Ill perenced should be employed in boie
houses and about breaker machinery, and il
connection with all their departments. .
have known Mr. Scott many years and any
at steps he may take to remove workmon from
& boiler house, or other place of work, at an!
d. of the collicres in his division is done witt
re "a view to protect life and property"
NJ
y THIS WILL MAKE Ynn WANT