The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1910-12-23
CASUhLl|ES|N STATE
LABOR DEPARTMENTS REPORT
RECORDS 1858 ACCIDENTS
-MANY FATAL.
STARTLING FACTS BROUGHT OUT
Mines Responsible for Largest Num-
ber.-Cause and Effect Set Forth
Families Unpro-
vided For.

which were fatal, occurred in Mime
sofa during the year ending July 81,
1910, according to a report completed
by Don d. Lescohier, special agent of
the state labor department under the
direction of w. E. McEwen.
Besides this number there are 60
fatalities and 1,400 accidents, which
occurred on railroads bringing the
total number up to 312 fatalities and
1888 accidents. The largest number
of accidents occurred in mines, where
SO fatalities were reported. Railroad
ing comes next with GA fatalities, and
then numbering with So, general con-
tracing with 81, public utilities with
10 and agriculture with II.
Of the 1888 accidents outside of
the railroads 10 caused total disability,
fate in many cases worse than
death. Three per cent of the acct
dents resulted in the loss of some por-
ton of the body. In 469 cases bones
were broken or fractured. Nearly g.
500 injuries were reported as Crush
ed" bruised" or MANNED" The
majority of these were Of a serious
character. Besides these there were
284 burns and scalds, 1893 injuries to
the eyes, and 60 internal injuries re-
ported.
Causes Assigned.
The principal causes of the acct
dents were inexperience, callousness to
danger, fatigue, youth, and the speed
inO nf tho ahinorxr ir+x
per cent of the persons injured had
worked less than one month and II
per cent less than one week. Many
reports revealed that the workmen
were injured either because they did
not know how to perform their work
properly or were not aware of the
danger which surrounded them.
Nearly 13 per cent of the men in
jured had been at their work more
than five years. Two explanations are
given for these accidents. The dan
gers peculiar to an industry such as
moving trains on railroads and falling
rooms in mines are dangerous alike
to the experienced and inexperienced
workmen. Moreover men who have
been accustomed to a danger become
careless.
More than II per cent of the in
jured were under 81 years of age. The
report says that boys between II and
Fl are characteristic for their Gu
riousness, thoughtlessness and rash
ness. which is mainly responsible for
their injuries.
Comparisons Are Made.
A comparison of fatal accidents for
each 1000 men employed in the Min
nesota mines with those in other coun-
tries show that there are four fatal
tiles in Minnesota to one ir France or
Belgium, three to one in Holland or
the United Kingdom and two to one in
Germany. The fatal accident in Min
nesota, however, has been decreasing
during the past few years, falling from
7.25 per 1000 men in 1906 to 4.O5 in
1910.
In the study of mine accidents in
Minnesota, the report makes analysis
of the methods and processes of min
ing used in Minnesota, describing the
system in considerable detail.
One of the important chapters in the
report is the result of the investigation
on the employers liability" The
Investigation covered 81 fatalities.
complete and permanent disablements
SO partially permanent disablements,
DO serious but temporary disablements
and 1875 minor accidents.
Homes Affected.
The 81 fatal accidents investigated
occurred in % industries. Thirty-nine
of the men killed were married and
had 118 persons dependent upon them.
No child was considered dependent
who earned SIS week.
In IL cases the heirs received abso-
lutely no compensation or aid from the
Industry, not even funeral expenses.
In five cases three received some COM
pensation, but less than the funeral
expenses. In nine cases the funeral
expenses and doctors bill were paid.
In 81 cases the family of the deceased
was not compensated for the loss of
their Wage-earner. The income was
taken away and no substitute offered.
In eight cases where compensation ex-
ceeded funeral expenses it did not ex-
coed $500. In three cases the compen-
sation was from $501 to $3.50, and in
two cases from $3.50 to $1,000. Five
families were paid from 500 to $1,000,
three families from $1,000 to $4,000,
two were paid $4,000 and four from
$4,000 to $685..
Fifty per cent received no compen-