The Washington herald., 1909-01-03

As the beginning OF a general system
OF mining education. the Lehigh Valley
Coal Company has opened a school which
Is unlike any other yet attempted IN the
United States. II is at Lost Creek, an OBJ
scure village in the anthracite coal re-
gion OF Northeastern Pennsylvania
The new institution is a practical min
ing school-for the men who actually DO
the work. for the foreman, the miner. the
Iaborer, the driver, the doorb0y, and
every other toiler who helps in the pro
duction OF anthracite.
Only week or two after the company
announced its intention 70 establish the
school, the foreign experts, IN the report
they presented TO Secretary OF the IN
terror Garfield, recommended the same
sort OF plan for the whole country The
experts report said:
We are OF the opinion that the cause
Of both safety and efficiency in coal min
ing IN the United States would be great
" aided through the establishment and
maintenance in the different coal regions
OF special schools for the training Of fire
bosses. mine foremen. and inspectors
Opens Door to All.
The school az Lost Creek, however,
goes farther than this recommendation,
for It does not c0nhne its attention 10
superintendent. fo-emen. and inspectors.
but opens its door TO all the workers who
care 10 enter.
If the experiment proves suCCeSsful-ard
the large enrolment at the opening Is
hopeful sign-nOt only viii the Lehigh
Valley extend the system so as to cover
all It's territory. but II IS fairly certain
that other companies VIII follow suit and
carry The benefit Of instruction 10 every
section OF the anthracite region
One of the results Of such education
viii be n decrease in the accident roll.
The chief OF the department OF mines Of
the State CT P5unSyivania says in his
Official report, that a large majority of
accidents are due 10 the ignorance or
CareleSsDeSs OF the mine workers. and
this fact WAS what the foreign experts
had in mind when they made their rec
concentrations. another result VIII be
economy IN the production OF coal, a
smaller percentage Of waste.
In COmpauy's Old Office.
The school AZ Lost Creek is CHARTERED
Offices. Desks and chairs were put in,
electric lights were hung over. the desks.
maps and pictures were hung on the
walls A few days ago the official open
ing was held General Manager Warmer
came from WiIkesbarTe 10 help give the
school q send-off. State Mine Inspector
Lamb and H II Stock. editor Of Mines
and Minerals. were also on hand. These
three were the principal speakers. They
told the mine workers. who filed the
hail. what the aim Of the educational
scheme was and how important was the
cooperation OF the men themselves.
Throughout the anthracite region there
are youths BY the score who have the
ambition but not the means 10 obtain a
technical education. This school is in
tended for such as they Il VIII probably
bring out talent n many man who.
without its aid. would never know that
he was fit for a better job than the one
he already holds.
Instructor Is Supplied.
A regular instructor has been engaged
by the company 10 take charge on Ger
tain nights every week and help the men
get the greatest possible benefit out Of
the textbooks All the expense Of the
school IS borne by the COMPANY The
studies are carried on in connection with
the mining course OF the international
Correspondence Schools. an arrau5ement
having been made for those enrolled 10
obtain special rate for this instruction
by mail Periodicals devoted 10 mining
subjects are subscribed for and kent
ready for The men 10 read whenever tbev
VIII
L IS from these who attend the school
that the future superintendents and
Ioremen, and perhaps still higher o. .
hcials. viii be selected. A strict record +
VIII be kept and, from time % -1e. viii
5e forwarded 10 the general manager Of /
the company.
Men with Records Win.
When promotions are TO De made AZ
any Of the coIIieries in the vicinity Of the
school, che men who have the best rec /
ords Will stand the best chance.
In recent years the need Of trained /
mining men has become more. and mora
urgent This Is due to TIE steady IN
crease in coal production. 70 the crow 1
ing compieNity Of the physical dif7ru1- I
ueS 10 be overcome, and 10 the fact that
JEe EngLSn. German Welsh. and Irish /
miners. many Of whom had experience 4
IN the mines in Europe have given n1ace 4
10 SlaVs and Southern Europeans vino
nave had IS little experience with min
ING as tney have had with he F-rc1iS5, 4