Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1913-12-23
Review of Work Accomplished to De-
crease Number of Deaths Gives
States Honorable Mention.
SAFETY CAMPAIGN OF LAST
THREE YEARS RESPONSIBLE
Operators and Men Eagerly Cooperate
With Bureau of Mines in Putting
in Effect Reforms.


Washington, Dec. 23.-In review of
the work accomplished in the campaign
to reduce the number of deaths in the
mines of the United States, the Federal
Bureau of Mines today placed the states
Of Michigan and Minnesota in the hon
orable mention column.
The report, which deals with fatalities
in the metal mines of the country for
1912, shows that Michigan has reduced
its total of deaths in the copper and
iron mines from 1874 in 1911 to 90 in
1912; that Minnesota has reduced its
total deaths in the iron mines from 76
to 90 in the same period. The death
rate for every 1000 men employed in
Michigan was 424 in 1911 and 1926 in
1912; and in Minnesota 4.50 in 1911
and 3,02 in 1912.
The 3S less lives lost in Michigan
represents ! miner saved for every
1000 employed and the 90 less lost in
Minnesota represents IL miners saved
for every 1000 at work.
"The decrease in Michigan and Min
nesota in a years time are the most
remarkable we have ever encountered
so far" said DR.. Joseph A. Holmes,
the director of the bureau, today, "and
were largely due to an active safety
campaign during the last three years, 1t
is indeed gratifying to note that the
Lake Superior mine operators are meet.
ing with such marked success within so
short a time, 1t shows what may be
done in other states if the special eff
forts are made to safeguard all engaged
in the mining industry.
"I do not wish to be understood as
agreeing that the death rates IN Michi-
gan and Minnesota are as low as they
should be, or as low as they will event
ually become, but I do say that these
two states in the year have made more
real progress toward the desired goal
than others in the union, either in metal
mining or coal mining, and that much
credit is due the mine owners in. these
states for their activities in behalf of
safety.
"From the very first, the bureau of
mines has noted the friendly co-opera.
tive spirit between the operators, tho
miners, the state inspectors and the
bureau of mines, The aggressive, pro-
gressive spirit manifested by all persons
concerned, the desire upon the part of
the operators and the men to learn all
about the work of the bureau along
safety lines, the enthusiastic, kindly
greeting of the men of our rescue cars,
the eagerness of the miners to take the
prescribed rescue and first-aid training,
all those were sufficiently noticeable to
bring warm comments from the EN-
ployes Of the bureau. And the result
has been so fruitful in so many less
funerals, so many less widows made and
so many children who have their faith.
ers left to them. If there were les
son to the entire mining industry for
the year Just closing, | would point to
the remarkable record made by Mich.
igan and Minnesota.
The burenu S report on metal.mine ac.
cidents in the United States in 1912,
shows 66l men killed, 4,502 seriously in.
iured and 26,232 men slightly injured
cut Of a total number Of 169,l9 men
Employed.
The figures show decrease of "a
deaths from 1911, despite the fact that
Alaska with 2l fatalities in included
for the first time in the 1912 report,
The death rate for 1912 was 39l for
every 1000 employed as against 4,l9
in the year 1911.
/ The report on metal.mine accidents
'cmnlcteS the mortality statistics for
the mining industry for the year Of
1912 and shows in coal mining, metal
mining and quarrying, total of 1894
deaths for the year, with a death rate
of 3,92 as against 5000 in 1911 and a
rate Of 3.5s in every 1000 employed.