The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1913-11-15
ACCIDENT
In West Virginia Coal Miners
Increase Rapidly According
to Official Report.

to Official Report.
CHARLESTON, Nov 15.-Thas
there has been a rapid increase in
the fatal and non-fatal accidents in
the mines of West Virginia, has been
called TO the attention Of the coal
operators by Chief Earl Henry, of the
department. OF mines, in a circular
letter just issued to the operators.
This circular In part, says;
ut is true that the production OF
coal is increasing each year, but
from the rate we are going now the
production for this year is not in
creasing in proportion to the num-
Der of fatal and non-fatal accidents
We are having These reports, as n
general proposition, indicate that
the increased number of accidents
are due to the carelessness on the
part of the persons killed or injured
and to lack of discipline on the part
OF the employers, in enforcing their
rules, which they have to govern
their employees.
1T has been my observation, with
a possible few exceptions, in going
around the mines OF this state that
there are sufficient rules established
at the mines, but these rules are not
enforced, and we have but little to
say in the way Of suggesting rules
to govern your employees, thereby
preventing such accidents, but 1t is
the general lack Of discipline and
carelessness that Is increasing the
number OF mortalities to a point that
Is becoming alarming, and unless
something is done, we will be the lead
ing coal producing state in fatalities.
For the four months ending octo-
Der 81. 1918, the fatal accidents in and
around the mines of this state totals
112, which is an average of more than
one each working day, in that period
and the non-fatal accidents, during
the same period, have reached the
enormous sum OF $50, or practically
three per day making a total of 472
persons killed and injured in four
months. At this increased rate. the
number OF accidents this year Will be
far in advance of any previous year
in the history of mining in West Vir-
ginia.
Startling Statistics.
81 have before me statistics for the
various coal producing states from
January !, 1913. to August 81, 1918,
inclusive of fatal accidents, but / do
not have before me the data covering
the non-fatalities, and wish to quote
below, for your information, figures
from view of our neighboring states,
on fatal accidents during the four
months period referred to:
Illinois .................... lOI
Indiana .................... Az
Ohio Observation-Disclosures. 12i
Pennsylvania anthracite -. 444
Pennsylvania bituminous -. $50
"You will note from the above that
with the exception of Pennsylvania,
that this state in the last four months,
is, with one exception. greater than
In eight months in the other states re-
tferred to.
~ wish to draw your attention to
Section 10 of the mining law, which
reads in part:
THE mine foreman or his assist
ant shall visit and examine each work
I ing place in the mine each alternate
day, while the miners~of such places
and every working place be secured
an devery working place be secured
I by props and timbers whenever nee
essary. to the end that such working
7 places shall be made safe
81 would advise that a system OF
signs be put up along the roads. where
workers are likely to travel marking
the way with an arrow pointing to the
direction to the nearest exit, whether
1t be the principal mine mouth, man
shaft or travelling way. This sugges-
ton is made to prevent workers from
going astray and 1t is especially
needed in the event any trouble
should occur, by way of local explos,
ions, mine fires, or any other disasters
either in or outside of the mine. that
would necessitate calling the men out
The dust problem is also one thai
should be given constant attention
and the humidity in the mines should
also be carefully watched, especially
at this time of the year and not less
than ninety-fve per cent relative hu,
Nudity should be maintained at al