The Washington times., 1918-03-01
DEATH RATE IN
COAL MINES TOPS
7-YEAR RECORD

During the year 1917 2."95 men
were killed in the coal mines. an in
crease of 40 over the mining fatsli-
ties reported Tor the previous year. &C
cording TO figures made public by
Secretary OF the Interior Lane.
The Generalization forced upon the
coal mining industry by wartime
conditions is said by the Bureau OF
N..nes to be responsible for this high
est fatality record from accidents in
that industry during the last seven
years.
~ least temporarily II gives
black e!o 10 the splendid efforts OF
the Bureau OF Mines in its campaign
with the mincri and mine operators
for safer conditions said Secretary
OF the Interior Lane today. Until
the war struck UP there had been a
constantly decreasing death rate.
which was most gratifying 10 the men
OF the Bureau Of Mines. as well S TO
myself. There had been the utmost
cooperation between the inGustry
and the bureau, and il had begun to
appear as il we had passed those dis
graceful DAYS when human life was
cheaper than a mine mule.
Efforts To Continue.
Although the war has changed all
this for the time being. it Is still our
duty TO analy-ze and see il we cannot
correct some Of the conditions. even
during the war. for single life saved
Is enot only humane, but a step toward
victory. The unfortunate toll of last
year is undoubtedly due to the fact
that the industry has been speeded
and retarded spasmodically through
out the year.
There was the usual demand for
coal: the uncertainty OF prices at the
mines; the failure at times OF the
transportation facilities, and the
changing OF markets to avoid long,
hauls: the difficulty in
obtaining experienced men to offset
enlistments; the draft. and miners
returning TO their coun-
tries in Europe TO take part in the
ar.
"A!I OF these factors combined
against the best efforts of tbs opera
tors to produce coal in sufficient
quantities to keep the country sup,
piled with the necessary fuel and also
to have the safety condi' 'ons which
we expect.
"The speeding up OF the mines q;
times. under the circumstances, was
conducive TO high death rate. Mines
found themselves short OF labor and
10 employ new and iney-
perienced men from other fields.
Many OF the experienced mine fore
men ana safety engineers had either
or been drafted into the
army or obtained more remuaeratlve !
elsewhere. with the re- /,
suit that less experienced foremen
had to be placed in charge OF some !!
Of the workings. With the exceed :
.ngly large demand Tor coal, IT was (
not possible for the operators and /
others concerned TO give az much at (
tention TO accident prevention at the
mines as in recent years under nor /
NAL conditions.
Mines which have not been able 10
obtain an adequate supply Of coal
;Ars have been operated only part
lime. which again Is not conducive 70
safe conditions. This has resulted IN
IN increase of certain dangers, eEpe-
;ialiy those due 10 gas. dust. and falls
Df roofs, which would not obtain In (,
he case OF the mines operating full
lime. An active mine will ordinarily
De kept in better condition than one
operated only part time.
STEADY Work u Remedy. 8
The remedy. therefore. both for . !.
sufficient supply OF coal and greater (
safety for tic man lies in a continu- !
)us steady flow OF coal from the l
mines. without these overstrainins /
bursts OF speed and these part time !
operations that led 20 neglect oC the /.
usual precautions in thc mine (
II am satisfied. from wha. the in
iustry has done i'll the past. that this /
'ear. with the bcttHrinE Of the cond!- /
ions over which the operators have
lad no control. there Will be a great
Y increased production Of coal and
Without an unusua! slcriiic" Of lie
iIveu the proper sucours cement ana
'O-opera tiOn, the coal mining INDUS