The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-15
DIR. Holmes Makes Report of
Disease and Mortality in
Mining Fields
DECREASE is SHOWN
IN THE DEATH RATE
Recommends That Mine Bureau Be
Given Money to Carry Mine Acct
dent Investigations in Fields
in Larger Measures

| Washington, January 14.-One miners
life is snuffed out with every $4,000 tons
of coal mined in the United States. In
1867 when the federal bureau of mines
was beginning it's work, the ratio was
greater One life was given with every
| 1000 tons. DR. Joseph A. Holmes, di-
rector of the United States bureau of
mines in his annual report today to Sec
retary Fisher, attributes the decrease in
| the mortality to the federal governments
work in the mining fields, and points out
how the enormous death list may be still
further reduced.
While much remains to be done, nclud-
ing a broad extension of the investigation
oe accident and rescue work so that it
will include metal and other mineral
| mines as well as coal mines. Dr. Holmes
shows that whereas there was an average
Of 6.93 men killed for every 100000 tons
of coal mined in 1907, this number de-
creased steadily to 6.05 in 1908, to $40 the
next year, 5.66 in 1910 and 54s in the
| calendar year 1911. The figures for the
year just closed, it is estimated, will
show further decrease in the death rate.
Death Rate High
The death rate in the metal mines of
the country is nearly as high. he de-
.clares, as in the coal fields, averaging
more than three men per 100 emploed
the death rate in the quarries is larger
| thar it should be. averaging far more
than that in foreign quarries; and the
same is true in metallurgical plants. He
recommends therefore, that the bureau
be given money to carryits mine accident
investigation into these other fields in
larger measure than the limited appropri-
ations so far granted have allowed.
The enormous annual loss In mining and
preparing coal for market, the huge
waste of natural gas, as well as lack OF
efficiency and waste In the metal min
ing Industries, are mentioned by Dr.
Holmes. This extravaganza of natural
resources, he asserts, should be checked.
Pioneer educational work, temporary
in character" is the way in which the
director refers to the mine rescue and
first aid work among the more than 5CJ. :
600 miners in the 1900 mines of the coun-
try. Ultimately this must be taken care
Of. he says, by the coal mining companies
through the training and Organization OF
miners at each of the larger mines or
groups of mines. He states that already
a number of companies maintain rescue
stations at their own expense. The CHIEF
purpose of the bureau of mines is to train
miners in first aid, mine rescue and fire
fighting methods; and he adds that dur
ing the year more than 10000 miners have
attended the lectures and demonstrations
given from the mine safety cars; more
than 1900 additional miners received train
ing sufficient to enable them to partici-
pate in actual Ioine rescue work, and
more than twice that number have been
added to the list of miners trained In Grst
aid practice"
Diseases Among Miners
Health conditions in and about mines
should be investigated in the opinion OF
DR.. Holmes. Preliminary inquiries, he
says. have indicated the prevalence of
tuberculosis and the presence of hook
worm as miners diseases In several differ
ent localities in the United States. Ii Is
important that this work should be ex-
tended rapidly, because of the fact that
the health conditions, as well as the risk
of accidents, may be Influenced by condi-
items susceptible Of easy improvement.
THE large and continuous influx of for
eigners into the mining regions of the
United States MAJ bring to an Increasing
extent the hoo,Sworm and other diseases
that exist in mines in parts of certain Eu-
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