The Advocate and news., 1898-02-16
Miners Ask for Justice.

The following communication from
the miners of Weir City is self-explana
tory:
8 Weir City, February 1, 1870 Hii
Excellency, Governor John w. Leedy
Topeka, Kas. Dear Sir: The recent
mine disaster at Chicopee, Crawford
county, Kansas, In which three EN-
plOyees were hurled into eternity, re-
calls to our minds the terrible mine ca
tastrophes at Fleming, January II, 1887
FrOntenac, November 8, 1888, and al
lkrebs, /. t., January z, 1892. All OF
these disasters demonstrate the criminal
negligence of the management Of cor
pOrate officials and their utter disrc-
gard for law and human life.
In Investigations into the cause of the
above explosions, 1t has been proven
beyond any reasonable doubt that large
accumulations Of dry coal dust in mines
where great quantities Of powder are
used in blasting coal are common, far
greater Is the danger of am explosion
In such mines than in those where coal
is mined on the clear and where little
or no powder Is required In the produc-
. llUn VI NOdl. DGDlub lAllD lOANS-SOll
planned of agent of destruction and vol
atile matter floating In the air, there are
other causes that have been pointed out
from time to time as being equally dam
geTOus as dry coal dust and volatile
matter, Among them are: the employ
ment of inexperienced miners, old and
defective methods of ventilation, the
simultaneous discharge OF many shots
the culpable indifference of mining Of
ficials relative to the existing dangers
In mines and the proper safeguards
which should be employed for the better
protection of all those working in the
mines. And the several mine inspectors
In Office at the time OF the disasters in
stead of discharging their official duties
and placing the guilt where 1t belonged
and recommending such amendments to
our mining laws as would act as preven-
tives against the destruction of human
life In the coal mines OF Kansas, have
I'm violation OF the oath of office, con-
cealed the facts in connection with the
cause or connection of causes which have
resulted in the horrible death or perma-
nent disablement Of 100 of our fellow
craftsmen; they have shamefulIy op-
posed, In public and private. such legis-
latiOn as would tend to avert the re-
Curence of mine disasters, and reduce
the number OF accidents to minimum
and to improving the sanitary condition
OF the mines, which would be equivalent
TO a new lease of the miners existence:
and with few exceptions the mine in
spectors of Kansas have been too stout
to feel the weight of their responsible
ties and too dignifled and diplomatic to
incur the displeasure Of the coal barons,
but have preferred to regard public
trust as a private snap" and to be hob
ItObbing with our capltalistiC taskmas-
ters.
In view OF these sad and painful events
which stain several chapters In bhe min
Ing history Of this State, we, the special
committee selected from local assembly
NO. 1923, Knights OF Labor, do most ear
nestly pray your Excellency to appoint
q, special committee Of Investigation and
Inquiry into the sanitary condition of
the mines Of the State and the existing
dangers that are constantly treateninR
the lives and safety of our miners. With
the appointment of commission of in
yestigation and inquiry, composed OF an
equal number of experienced miners and
coal operators whose Investigations and
Inquiries into the industrial conditions
OF the miners and the requirements
needed by them would enable them Ia
frame bill and have It submitted ia
the next general assembly and enacted
Into law, there would be entirely re.
moved many Of the causes Of explosions
In the mines; such law would act like a
safety valve on the physical and social
conditions of the miners and their fami.
Mes
We would respectfully remind your
Excellency that you are in large meas
ure responsible for State officers who
fail to discharge their official duties, and
we regret to inform you that the present
State Mine Inspector, Mr.. George T.
MCGrath has I'm orr INDIGNANT uyiIf,llv