The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-27

20 days, in the month"; and that the regu-
lar professional or business man works
26 and 30 days. he can easily understand
the profit to the laborer in coal mining.
The price scale at this mine is 5IA cents
per ton.
In equipment, the Marvel mines are
strictly up to date Electricity is the ex-
elusive motive power. except as to the
hoist which is propelled by steam.
The electric plant at Marvel is worthy
Of special notice Besides furnishing
power. 1t lights the roads and streets of
the town. the houses of miners, the Of
fiees, stores and public halls
A splendidly constructed system of
water supply is provided. From bold
spring of pure clear mountain water, one
and half miles distant, the supply is
pumped into stand pipe or resorvior on
a hill top in the center of the town and
with strong force is furnished every
house. also fire plugs. which are sys-
tematically arranged, with hose carts
each several hundred feet.
Particular attention is given sanitation
at Marvel. Devoted to this service are
the regular garbage men and carts, who
have no other avocation, and thus daily
rounds make cleanly streets and prem
ises. Excellent health is well preserved
by energy and caution applied and there
is never a case of malignant fever at
Marvel.
Schools Well Provided
Schools at Marvel are well provided for
cfildren of both races. The attendance
is 200 whites and 100 colored. At its own
expense the company has erected a large
and imposing two-story school building,
with four class rooms and an assembly
hall 52xs0 This building cost the COM
pany 5000. The heating equipment which
n /, L..
steam coil. The five foot mine fan at
tached furnishes so cubic feet of air per
minute to every child. The hall men,
toned above is to be used for dancing,
lodge and social gatherings and for
basketball This building is painted inside
and out, and is strong and modern. -Four
teachers are employed. A feature OF this
school is the night class composed of
young men who are miners
A new school building for colored pupils
is In course of erection, to cost the COM
pany $4,000. This school is to be modern
and well equipped. Two teachers are
employed These schools are run for nine
months of the year at a cost of $1,000 per
annum and the state and county fund
supplies only about $500 of this amount.
A real modern and up to date audi
torium is an ornament to Marvel. This
building Is arranged for and used for
-
ture shows and concerts. 1t is supplied
with regular opera chairs and seats 700
people.
Modern roads or streets have been con-
structed throughout the camp and to
some distance beyond and exhibit samples
of what can be done in road work.
C0mmissary a Model
The commissary is model. mercantile
establishment screened throughout and
famed by electric fans. Different de-
partments are In evidence, each under the
supe ryision of expert statesmen, and sales
women. The meat market in the rear
with its screened protection against flies
and filth, its cooling fans and refrigera-
tors is worthy of imitation
The houses of the employees, so neat and
attractive, are rented at the following
prices per month"; and water furnished
each free of cost:
Four room houses ........ .$6.75
Three room houses ...... $50
Two room houses ...... 3.75
Six room houses ........ 900
Twenty-Five cents per electric light per
month"; without limit to hours, or amount
burned, is furnished the miners homes
and most of them use this cleanly and
economical convenience.
B. f. Roden is president and was the
founder of this great mining camp His
skill as mining engineer and his good
taste as a builder and constructor is
strongly in evidence. Mr. Roden. is his
own manager of this vast enterprise and
is always on the ground with his OBJ
servant eye and managerial skill. c. c.
Bowman is vice president and E. c. Kill
lam secretary treasurer.