The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-01-15
DAWSON ON NINE DISASTERS.
RaPs COrOners jury Investigating
First Lick Branch Explosion.

/ SPECIAL 70 Tho Washington Herald.
/ Charleston, W Va, Jan. 14-ReferTing
10 the rhine disasters in West Virginia
during the past Two years, Gov. ". ". o.
Dawson. in his biennial message, raps
the coroner's jury which held the mine
/ operator bIameless in the Lick Branch
explosion December Is, and says in part.
7 had hoped we would get through the
year without another serious disaster;
but, on the 18th Of last month, an ex-
plosion occurred IN the Lick Branch mine
in Mcdowell County, owned by the Poca-
hOnt2s Consolidated Galleries Company,
whereby fifty men lost their lives.
The coroner's jury rendered q verdict that
the cause Of the explosion was not
known. but which declared none OF the
mine people blameworthy. Just how the
jury could arrive at that result IS a lit
tie puzzling. II the cause OF the disaster
was not known It would seem impossible
10 know that no one was to blame for it..
The fact IS that Investigations by cOro-
ner's juries into mine disasters rarely
amount 10 anything
That the appalling loss OF life and the
great destruction Of property occurring
in this country, and especially in West
Virginia. in connection with the mining
Of coal, can be very greatly reduced there
can be no doubt whatever. The cause OF
the large loss OF lie in West Virginia
cannot be charged to want Of efficiency in
the department OF mines
THE remedy is very largely IN the
hands Of the owners OF the mines. II
they were responsible for the loss OF life
they would take mere care IN employing
properly equipped supeTintendents at the
mines and take more pains 10 see that
these men did their duty. They would
not allow shooting Of the solid snd other
such dangerous practices. The effect OF
the decision OF our Supreme Court Of Ap-
peals, that when the operator Of mine
employs a fire-bcss who IS supposed 10 be
a competent man, the operator is not
chargesble with his negligence. ought 20
be overcome by statute; or else the en-
pIovment OF the men who are 70 have
charge OF the mine should be supervised
by the State
IF the operators were pecunisrily
responsible for the loss Of life IN the
mines they would have their mines IN
s11red. and the insurance companies would
irauRurate a system OF safeguarding
against such loss in an effective way,
because they would refuse 10 insure OF
10 keep insured a mine which die not
observe proper rules and regulations and
was not kept in fl condition. That most Of
these accidents are preventable. and that
the loss Of life and property can be very
greatly reduced, there IS no shadow OF
doubt: but this result cannot be obtained
by State inspection alone.
"A superintendent OF a large coiliery
OF this State has urged me 10 recon-
mend 10 the legislature the enactment OF
a law which viii prohibit any one taking
intoxicating liquors to or IN a mine or
offer the same 10 any one employed about
mines while on duty; and that viii pro
hibit any. superintendent, or other person
IN authority OF engaged IN any duty abOu.
a mine. and any miner, from drinking
such liquors OF being under their il
fuence, while on duty. or al work in o.
about a mine He says he has had twenty
years experience IN mine Superintendent
believes that whisky Is the cause OF the
majority Of mine accidents; that he has
tried 70 prevent the practice, but cannot
do so in the absence Of law prohibiting
IL The statement OF this gentleman
strikes me as well worthy OF considera-
ton"