The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-11-02
EDUCATION OF
STATE MINERS
Through Cooperation Of Ex-
tension Department of the
State University.
tsrse,Al 70 me rrLaara4,

CHARLESTON, W. Va. Nov o.
mat the university extension work
S for the mining towns of West Virginia
is having Its effect upon both oper-
ators and miners is evidenced by the
announcement being rendered the
movement on all sides. The opera.
tors are showing their hearty coop.
GRAFTON In the educational uplift OF
their employees, and are sparing nc
! expense in the aid of the work. while
the miners themselves are displaying
an. interest that has exceeded expecta.
( Hons.
While the movement is yet in Its
organization stages, it is the intention
of the university authorities that II
shall spread to every mining camp in
West Virginia, that all may receive
1.-THE benefits.
Prof. Robert s. Gatherum, a mem
her of the faculty Of the state .uniyer.
sity. Is in charge of the organization
OF this work. and thus far has met
with decided success. He is practi.
cal coal mining man, having made his
start as trapper boy in the West
Virginia mines at the age of fourteen,
and for eight years welded the pick,
but with his ambition to save and
learn he was finally admitted to the
university, where he secured his edu-
cation as an engineer. No man could
be better fitted by experience and
practical knowledge to inaugurate
this work among the miners.
In addition to the moving picture
and practical demonstrations. and
the lectures and tests, to better ac-
quaint the miner with his work and
all safety rules, local classes are being
organized for those in each commun.
ity who aspire to higher positions. In
most instances this local instruction
will be in charge Of mine official
and every encouragement given to all
the men, young and old, to enroll In
these courses, and prepare for ad.
vancement. Provisions are also be.
ing made for separate classes for In.
struction in the common school
branches, to those who have been de.
MED the privilege Of ordinary educa-
ton. to which every man is entitled.
The latter classes will be conducted
by the Young Mems Christian Asso.
citation secretaries or the local school
teachers. the expense of which will,
in most cases, be borne> by the coal
companies.
And Furthermore, in addition to
..the work described above, there is
the chance that many of the coal
companies are going to offer the
miner boy in his night school work, OF
advancing to a stage where he can
enter the university. where tuition is
free to the residents of the state.
Such a class was organized at Glen
/; White last week, following Prof.
Gatherum's visit, which is being
heartily backed and financed by the
E. e. White Coal Company. The stu
dy course will be flexible. so that stu
dents not wishing to take the full
course may choose such combinations
of subjects as they believe to be best
for them individually. The course
will embrace reading, writing, arith.
metic. properties of mine gases, mine
ventilation, geology of coal, methods
of working coal mines. safety lamps
physiology, sanitation. etc. To the
employee who is ambitious to save
and learn this company will give fur.
Their aid to secure an education.
So great will be the influence OF
this work that many other coal com.
panies will show the same spirit Of
liberality in aiding in the education.
al uplift of their employees.