The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1932-12-22
BALTIMOREANS PLEDGE
AID IN USING STATE COAL
Representatives of City Indus
tries Complete 2OO-MiIe Tour


timore industries and public institu-
tons, after completing a 200-mile
tour of Allegany and Garrett county
mining regions last Wednesday ad-
mitted their surprise at the high quail
ity of the coal, the modern mining
methods used, the general attitude of
the miners and pledged themselves
to continue to increase their efforts
in broadening and expanding the mar
kets for Maryland coal.
In the nature of a business and in
spection trip, the journey was ar
ranged by the Maryland Development
section of the Baltimore Association
of Commerce and special committee
of Western Maryland mine operators.
A stop was made at Blaine where
half the group, piloted by State Cor
poral Thomas Currie, went in a cara
van of automobiles to Vindex, Shall
mar and Kitzmiller, all in Garrett
county, where the Manor Coal Com
pany Wolf Den mines of Shallmar
Coal Company and the operations of
The Hamill Coal and Coke Company
were viewed. The other half of the
group remained on the train, continu
ed on to Kempton where the mines of
the Davis Coal and Coke Company
were examined. The train to Kemp
ton stopped at German where the
mine operation and tipple of the
Georgian Coal Mining Company was
inspected
Modern Mining Methods
The operation of the Davis Coal and
Coke Company at Kempton, one of
the largest in Garrett county and the
Upper Potomac reginon, is shaft
mine. The visitors were taken 416
feet underground in the cage where
methods of removing the coal from
the earth were explained. The mines
like all the principal operations in
Maryland are modernly equipped
throughout. Officials claim many new
improvements have been added re-
Gently, and 125 men are on the pay
roll. Here, as at other points in
Western Maryland, the mines are OPP
Grated only two and three days a
week. This is due to the lack of or
ders for coal, and the limited mar
kets under present conditions.
At every operation the guides and
reception committees warmly greet
ed the visitors and answered vol
umes of questions regarding mining
and economic conditions in the re-
spective communities. Observers say
the group from Baltimore were i'm
pressed with the quality of coal mined,
the nearness to the markets in Balti-
more and the modern and economic
methods now used.
Admire Spirit of Miners
One Baltimorean marveled at the
spirit and courage of the miners
throughout the entire region. He said:
at is remarkable how these people,
working only two and three days a
week, are able to exist, and how faith
fully they continue awaiting the time
when the mines will resume full time
operations"
One old miner, questioned regard
ing living conditions, said: "The COM
pany has reduced our rent, food prices
are not too high and when we are
unable to pay at the company store,
we are extended a limited credit.
When the company can no longer
carry us on their books, the Red Cross
helps u.s."
While living conditions appear con-
siderably below normal throughout
the entire region, and there are many
poverty stricken families, due to the
limited wage checks they receive, as
result of inactivity of the mines a
greater part of the time, the spirit of
these people, SO per cent of whom are
Americans, does appear undaunted.
In every instance where a miner was
questioned, his answer revealed con-
siderable optimism and faith. He be-
lieves in his country and believes in
his employer. He says "things are
getting better, and if Maryland buys
all the coal we can produce, we will
be able to live comfortably"