The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-04-16
on
ACCIDENT LIST
IS THIS STATE
Few Fatalities in Mines and
These May be Farther Re-
ducedby Co operation.

BLUEFIELD, April 16.-L. Blen-
kinsopp. mine inspector OF the eIey-.
enth district, has furnished the sub
Joined article regarding the mining
pared with other states. Mr.. Bien-
kinsopp is, Enthusiastically, looking.
out after the miners in his district.
His article is as follows:
The FOLLOWING is q com partson with
other states as to fatalities in West
Virglnit per 1000 for the year l9lS:
Kentucky, so; Illinois, 2.O6; In
diana, 3 .oS; Wyoming, 3.24; Tonnes
See, 3.43: Pennsylvania, (anthrScite),
3.55; Ohio 3.62; Washington, 3.62;-
Pennsylvania (bitumtnops). 3.69;
Utah, 5.31: West Virginia. 4.55;
Montana, 5,31,; Georgia and North
Carolina, 6.67; Alabama, 6,74; Coli
Alaska and California, 27.03; New
Mexico, 69.25; for the entire country,
1872.
1 wish to say that the eleventh dis
trict had in 1913 an average or .
which has fallen to an average. Of 5,
The possibility of reducing fatal acct
dents in the eleventh. district will be.
due to good Discipline In all mines,
and the foreman and his assistants
should teach men to look outfort them
selves first, aud the other fellow al
all times, how to test the roof now
to pull down loose slate, how. TO pre-
pare and set tinhers. To teach the.
men it is better to be safe than sorry,
its better to wait for a day in safety
than to spend the rest OF his life a
cripple, better TO take a lot of time
setting additional tim Der and pulling
down loose slate than to spend a FEW
minutes under fail while the res
cuers are getting him out a timber
set before the roof starts to loosen is
worth more, than a room fUll after
wards. Timbers should be the most
plentiful thing about o mine.
Ventilation Needed.
a mine foreman should see that
each place is we'll ventilated so when
a miner fires a shot he will be able
to see the roof in a reasonable time.
This will prevent accidents from falls
of roof which cannot be seen in a
smoky place. Safety always. Dust
will explode. Do not allow 1t to ac-
cumuIate. Clean it. up and load u
out and until 1t is removed keep 1t
wet. A dry mine is a dangerous
mine. When coal dust will not stick
in the hands give it more water, or
turn steam on. Wet 1t down. Don't 4
depend on hearsay-go and see your
self. Use the universal danger sig
nal to mark date at face. Discipline, |
instruction and constant vigilance
4
prevention.
The foreman who neglects to visit
each working, place according to law
and oftener and regularly, and give
the miner and other employees the
benefit of his knowledge and training.
deserves reduction to the ranks, and
it will inevitably be his lot as re-
suit of. such neglect.
Must Be Strict,
Carelessness in mining means IN
jury / wish to say in conclusion 1t
is not my purpose to impose and
hardships on any operation, but we
are instructed by the department to
be strict and see that all carelessness
Is eliminated, It would surprise any
man TO go over the fatal and nom
fatal accidents that reach this Office
and analyze the reports and see the
careIessness. However, have faith
in the ability of every ofacial in my
district from the superintendent to-
the foreman. to do his duty and cover
the law and reduce the accident list
and help put West Virginia on base
of greater safety than any other state
in the union,
During 1912 there were 2,s47 free
schools In session in Chile, with an