New-York tribune., 1903-01-04
BELGIAN COAL INDUSTRY
Origin ard Groscth Of PIT Mining
Production Of France and Belgium.

Brussels. Dec ~ (spec:an.-The recent discovery
of new coal fields IN the district known La
Csmpsre sr the Province OF Antwerp has drawn
attention 10 the present great Importance Of the
p5t coal industry in Belgium As MATTER OF
fact the provinces which row constitute the King
dom os Belgium have. from time iuluemoriai, been
famed Tor their rich coal mines According to
tradition. IL II 11e7 that fossilized coal was
first discovered II the neighborhood OF Liege and
PIT TO practical Use The English also claim TO
have been the first 10 discover pit coal but in
reality neither the Belgian nor English claims in
the matter are justified Il is absurd 70 pretend
that the discovery Of pit coal only dates from
the twelfth century. Tor history shows that it was
in among the ancient Greeks
The Belgians not only claim TO have discovered
pit coal. but also TO have given II the name
--houiIle' by which the substance is known to-day
in French speaking countries This is the origin
~ lhe term ''houiiie. according TO Belgian trad-
ton: In the twelfth century lived Liege
q POOR Blacksmith by the Of Eouillos. Thor
oughly worn o1t with the struggle for existence
re had made up his mind one day 10 put end 10
his lie. when old gray haired appeared
the blacksmith shop. FSouiIoS entered into
conversation with the stranger and conhded to him
his sorrows- It would be possible for him. he said.
10 live comfortably II charcoal were not so ex-
pensive but the high price OF this commodity took
away his profits = blacksmith.
Ny good friend responded the stranger. go
10 The neighbor1ng mountain. dig well into the
ground and yen viii discover a substance better
than charcoal for your forge"
Acting Immediately upon this advice Houiios
the spot named by the old man. gathered
some OF the earthly substance and soon discovered
that il took the place Of charcoal HouiIios in
formed his friends OF his discovery and pit coal
soon came into general in the district OF Ldege
The name ~hOuillos'' given TO the new sub
The tradition OF Houillos himself has been
faithfully maintained by the miners OF Liege. who
Tenerate his memory 10 this day
Fit coal. however. did not that time come
into general use as quickly as might be supposed
TIE real reign OF pit coal only dates from the
full wnrkIng order L1ege n 122S. and another
n the Belgian Province OF Aainaut in 122S. IN
France pit was first used Only the fourteenth
century. the earliest mine being worked IN 1920 at
Roche-la-Aoliere. while tie famous Amin mines
use as tuel during the hrst years which followed
The discovery OF coal * Belgium that the new
TeeHth century tAe Sorhorne st Paris excom-nuna-
Gated" pit coal being dangerous for the public
eeict even 1orbaoS olacksInIths from Using the
substance under penalty OF imprisonment The
AZ that time. Gne the need for coal was not felt
II in ia that the Anzn miners discovered
5he RTst realIy rlcn Eelns o. coa1 ne Anzln Mn
Gay by far the Oldest mining company in the world.
sand miners, The uotsl output from the mines be-
lT-g. on an average, 100000 tons a year
coal mining IL Belgium and France are interesting
II 1s15 the total production Of pit coal in France
5000 .-s, @ u a - SSss So +9{s 2-o5,c+io1 % rs e
s7e0OSo tons and 1853 100000 in 1s76 Z 600
Tons. In Belgium The total output of PIT coal has
increased from 5000 tons IN 1886 10 2e5@o0 tons IN
The fetal number Of miners employed IN the
French coal mines is 1880; Of these. lI550 are
eighteen: 5000 women. and 500 children between
the ages OF thirteen and sixteen OF the 13l 800
THE sun total OF their salaries Is $50 eoo0 francs
or an average wage Of 8 cents Gay per capita.