The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-30


 thing about the plant is in a thoroughly drst-class mess. Old lumber with project ing nails. iron scrap, grease and ma chinery conspire to trip, sprain or infect tho pedestrian.
 There are managers wi have the im- pression that 1t is an expensive luxury to maintain plant in a neat condition, and while they would like to have 1t they cannot afford It. This is a mistake. It will cost money to clean up an accumula- tion of fifth, representing the growth of years, but once done, an intelligent in- terested, persistent superintendent can keep house with lte current force. Under the latter method your plant is. quickly and easily examined for defects. Every thing is in it's right place, and the gem eral tone Is such that the morals of the entire organization is improved. Filthi- ness and indifference, instead of being virtues, become crimes.
 IL Is difficult to secure the cooperation of the men in matters of this character, although they realize that such measures a:e intended for their safety; and in or der that the plan may accomplish satis- factory results it is necessary to have the close direction of a responsible head.
 The Tennessee company has recently adopted the plan originated by MT Lynch, pr resident of the H. c. Prick Coke com pany. In this plan a committee of five men has been appointed at each mine known as the safety committee. These men spend day every two months, at the company's expense, criticising and re- porting any points which, in their judg- ment require the attention of the safety department. Excellent results have been obtained in this way. It is the old story of eternal vigilance is the price of safety"
 Mental Alertness
 We now come to the second clause of our speculation-mental alertness
 There is a more or less natural dispo- sition to criticise the ignorance of the miner. What about the ignorance of the operator who falls to make any effort to educate the miner in matters relating to his work?
 In comparatively small operations thus could be done by the superintendent and mine foreman. Great good could also be accomplished by the state mine inspec- tors. They come In contact with many minors, daily. and a word of instruction dropped by six competent inspectors dur ing every working day of the year should sooner or later result in much better informed body of miners.
 With the larger, operations, it would seem desirable to go further. A com. any inspector visiting the mines daily, C&n accomplish wonders in the way of instructing men regarding the mining regulation. Night classes, covering the principles of mining, conducted by the superintendent, mining engineer. or prof srably, by an instructor engaged solely for this work, could unQuestionably do a great work along these lines. The com- pany physician is usually available, and qi0nqI talks ny, hygiene would be of great value in main taining the health of the camps, and to the direct advantage of both miner and operator. sick miner is not earning anything for himself or family, and his absence from duty is not increasing the mine production.
 A miner possessing mental alertness will certainly have keener appreciation of the various company and state regula- tions designed for his comfort and safety He will win his coal with less personal oxertion. He will reduce his supplies ac- count, and give you & larger output and, a greater proportion of the lump grades
 Regarding the third requirement. of the specification, viz: that he be morally up right. This Is matter more properly falling within the influence of the church, The company could assist to the extent cf seeing that camp influences under tne1r dlreCt cOntrOl are or the proper character which, if not affecting the older miners. whose character or lack of character has been de veloped, would nevertheless have an iru- portant bearing on the lives of poys and young men who may later enter the mines. No matter how intelligent or how healthy man may be. he cannot long continue to spend his idle time in dissi- pation. Physical and mental powers wilt ultimately be affected, disqualifylng him for membership in a first class organiza- tion. nfs
 The fourth specification that he "be without a grouch," is one which is very largely in the hands of the operator. There are many matters which entitle 0 man to a grouch and which can and do lead to serious trouble if not corrected.
 First, miner will have a grouch if the commissary prices for provisions are higher for a given grade of material thsn that of the regular grocer doing the same
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