The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-07-14
MINE WORKING CONDITIONS.
Are To Be Investigated By U. S. Bureau
of Mines.


Washington, d. c., July 1.-THE
United States bureau Of mines is about
to investigate the conditions under which
miner works, believing that the un.
sanitary conditions which exist in some
of the mines as well as in some OF
the mining towns are factor in the
death rate among the men. 1t is init
mated that these conditions not only un-
necessarily cause the death OF miners
through disease, but they are often re-
sponsible for accidents which might not
have happened if the miners were in
perfect health.
The bureau has organized what is
known as the mine sanitation section,
in charge of j. H. White, engineer.
The bureau hopes to bring about prog
ress by appealing to the miner, the man
ager, and the owner, showing that all
three can assist, and how all three can
be benefited by good sanitary. condi-
tons. IL will reach the miner by means
OF illustrated lectures, moving picture
exhibits and pictorial circulars. These
will show how sickness and suffer
ing are spread by careless habits, and
will drive home the Importance of per-
sonal and household cleanliness. The
bureau will assist the managers by
pointing out glaring sanitary menaces,
and showing methods and costs of abate-
ment 1t will describe in bulletins COM
mon unsantary practices and show the
evils which follow in their wake. 1t
III Ii
tons and show the best methods for
their treatment.
Engineer White, in talking about the
conditions which exist in mining towns,
said to-day, "The mining town does not
grow, but is built at single stroke. The
effect of this is that the valuable les
sons learned by the 'try-out' method and
the profit gained by previous mistakes
do not exert their powerful influence,
so that the errors existing in one house
exist in ALL If one house is not prop
erly lighted, none of the houses will be
properly lighted; if few houses are
placed too closely together, all houses
will be similarly spaced; if there is con
gestion in one section, there will be
congestion throughout. OF course, one
could have learned from the experience
of other mining towns already built,
but this information was perhaps not
readily available and local conditions
modify each case.
Zone of the first investigations which
the bureau intends to take up is the
house problem with view of putting
before the miners the best practices and
the ones which have stood the tests of |
time.
'The company ownership is the most |
important factor entering into housing |
conditions. Every house reflects the |
standard which the operator wishes to
maintain. 1t is difficult to stimulate
personal pride among the inhabitants
and friendly rivalry is absent. How
ever, if improvements are introduced,
they are far-reaching and the tone of
The entire town is raised. so that one
house does not point the finger of scorn
1t its neighbor.
"The necessity and Importance of
water supply for the peo-
pie who were to get out the coal was
not given much consideration
n the past; in studying conditions with
| view of introducing public water
supply into town the cost of improve
nents and the age OF the town must be
,arefully balanced.
I'm limestone region pollution of
he water may come from miles away,
which makes the potential danger of
he well very great This may involve
he distribution Of drinking water in
,ottles throughout the town, the well
water being used for cooking and wash
ng purposes only.
"The Inconvenience due to the diff
ulty of getting water from the wells
nay be eliminated by establishing bath
at mine shafts so that the men
nay wash upon coming out of the mine.
'hese bath and change houses are being =
ridely introduced; in few states they !
re required by law. A public laundry ,
! great convenience for the women; !,
lgglng in several tubs of water. pre- ..
minary to doing weeks washing is
severe burden. Bath houses in or near
he schools for the women and children Z
re almost necessary accessories to the {
erfect well system. Wholesome and c
afe drinking water is essential to ex-
tence; its supply is one of the grav
st responsibilities accompanying com
any ownership"