New-York tribune., 1918-02-18
Death Rate in Coal
Mines Is Highest
For Seven Years
STAFF Correspondencel

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17-During the
year 1917 1896 men were killed in the
coal mines, an increase of 40 over the
mining fatalities reported for the pre-
vious year, according to figures made
public by Secretary Of the Interior
Lane to-day.
The demoralizaton forced upon the
coal mining industry by wartime con-
ditions is said by the Bureau of Mines
to be responsible for this highest fa-
tallty record from accidents in that in
dustry during the last seven years.
AT least temporarily it gives a black
eye to the splendid efforts of the Bu-
reau of Mines in its campaign with the.
miners and mine operators for safer
conditions" said Secretary of the In
terror Lane to-day. Until the war
struck US there had been constantly
decreasing death rate, which was most
gratifying to the men of the Bureau of
Mines, as we'll as to myself. There had
been the utmost cooperation between
the industry and the bureau, and it had
begun to appear as if we had passed
those dlsgraceful days when human life
was cheaper than mine mule
Although the war has changed all
this for the time being, it is still our
duty to analyZe and see if we cannot
correct some OF the conditions. even
during the war, for a single life saved
IS not only humane, but a step toward
victory. The unfortunate toll of last
year IS undoubtedly due to the fact
tnat the industry has been speeded and
retarded spasmcdically throughout the
year.
There were the usual demand for
coal; the uncertainty of prices at the
mines; the failure at times of the
transportation facilities, and the chang
ing or markets to avoid long, unneces-
saly hsuls; the difficulty in obtaining
experienced men to offset enlistments.
the draft, and miners voluntarily re-
turning to their countries in Europe
to take part in the war
All OF these factors combined
against the best efforts of the opera
tors to produce coal in sufficient guam
t'les TO keep the country supplied with
the necessary fuel and also to have tho
safety conditions which We expect.
j.. The speeding up of the mines at
'lmes under the circumstances was
conduclve to high death rate. Mines
1ound themselves short of labor and
compelled to employ new and inexDeri-
enced men from other fields. Manv of
the experienced mine foremen and
safety engineers had either enlisted o..
pcen drafted into the army or OBJ
lalhed more remuneratiVe emplovment
elsewhere, with the result that less ex
peIenced foremen had TO be placed in
charge OF some of the workings. With
the exceedingly large demand for coal
IL was not possible for the operators
ana others concerned to give as much
attentlon to accident prevention at the
mines as IN recent years under normal
conditions.
mines which have not been able to
obtain an adequate supply of coal cars
nave been operated only part time
winch again is not conducive to safe
conditions. This has resulted in an
increase of certain dangers, especially
'hose due to gas. dust and falls OF
roofs, which would not obtain in the
case of the mines operating fun time
An active mine will ordinarily be kent
IN better condition than one operated
only part time.
The remedy, therefore, both for
Sufficient supply of coal and greator
safety for the man, lies in a continuons
steady flow of coal from the mines
without these over-straining bursts of
speed and these part-time operations
that led to neglect Of the usual precau
tions in the mine
II am satisfied. from what the in
dustry has done in the past. that this
year, with the bettering of the condi-
,lons over which the operators have
had no control, there will be a greatly
increased production of coal and with-
cut an unusual sacrifice of life. Given
TIE proper encouragement and co0pera-
ton: the coal mining industry will not
fail" - NV