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40 THE COAL TRADE BULLETIN.
DISTRICT MINING INSTITUTE HOLDS INTERESTING SESSION
AT WILKES-BARRE.
Over 200 men attended the opening meeting of
the Wilkes-Barre District Alining Institute held
in the Y. M. C. A. auditorium on October 7. Re­
tiring I'resident Thomas introduced II. G. Davis
of the II., L. ii W. Co.. the newly elected president,
who in accepting the office said in part:
"It is with a great deal of pleasure and some
fear that I stand before you to-night in the position
of president of this institute. | know that
you bear with me that I have succeeded a most
worthy person in this position. Mr. Thomas, our
retiring president, took bold of this institute
when it was in a tottering condition and built it
up as he has already told you, to be the greatest
mining institute of its kind in America. It has
reached a total membership of over 1,400 men and
boys in the city of Wilkes-Barre who are anxious,
I believe, and expect to improve their condition.
The object of this institute is my subject tonight.
Contrary to perhaps most organizations or societies
we have no declaration of purpose. It is
simply an organization that has been built up
like a mushroom, spreading itself in lifting up men
and boys of our mines.
"It is the aim of the institute to be just as
helpful as possible to every mining employee who
comes within the range of its activities. The
object of the institute is to discuss perplexing
problems with a view to being mentally helpful
to conduct classes in mining and for the men of
foreign speech, thus helping students of the
schools and members of the institute to develop
their latent abilities. The institute aims to promote
good fellowship and friendliness among its
members and between employees of the various
companies. In the institute the members are on
an equality regardless of position or office held
and the discussions are frank and free. Every
official of this institute is determined to do all
he can to help the young men and boys who have
the ambition and stamina to advance themselves
in the world.
"In reading the program for the year you will
note that the slogan of this institute has been
placed at 2,500, and let me tell you, my friends,
it is not an impossibility for us to secure 2,500
men and boys in this neighborhood who are willing
to come, provided AVC make these institutes
interesting and instructive to them. Here is the
opportunity of a lifetime. Men of years of experience
talking on practical questions give rare opportunity
to younger men who wish to learn. I
want to ask you to help to make these meetings
entertaining. It is our desire to start at 8 o'clock
and close at 9:30. One hour and a half is not too
long to sit here in these meetings. We will have
a question box, but we can not help the young
man or boy who has no desire to help himself,
but we are ready to assist those who have the
necessary ambition to better themselves. I shall
not dwell on this matter other than to say we
will if possible prove that we are here for the
benefit of the mining men and the men who wish
to help themselves.
1 know I have the support of the institute in
this regard. I had intended to dwell further along
these lines, but on account of the young man who
is going to entertain us having another engagement.
1 shall give my other ideas at another time.
You know I talk on the installment plan."
Thomas H. Williams, of the Kingston Coal Co.,
who has been one of the most loyal members of
the institution since its inception, and whose deep
interest in the welfare of men and boys has been
shown in the many welfare undertakings supported
by the Kingston Co., in speaking on the
topic, "How Can We Help the Non-English Speak­
ing Mine Employees," said:
"This is a question that demands considerable
attention, first, in the lessons that we can teach
them practically in mining; second, the aid we
can give them intellectually; third, the examples
we can show them morally.
"One of the most important factors, that applies
to officials and workmen alike, is discipline.
It compels closer attention to duty, and a more
strict compliance to the anthracite mine law.
There is more danger in the mining of coal than
any other occupation, hence the necessity to teach
all beginners the proper methods of mining. It is
surprising how soon they will copy from the experienced
man the improper method of doing
things in all the different occupations of mining.
It is necessary that the door-boy, driver, company
hand, miner and all the officials do their duty in a
workmanlike manner. Better work could be ae
complished and possibly many accidents avoided
if every man and boy impressed the other that
the mine law must be observed, and that to be
careless as a driver or a miner is an infraction
of the mine law. It is a well known fact that
the proper cutting of coal is really a lost art,
for it is left entirely to the action of the powder
and not the ingenuity of the man. How important
then that the miners use their best judgment
in cutting coal and caring for their places, and
traveling in and out from their work, so that the
laborer may have a good example to copy from.
This also applies in a great measure to the officials,
for they run unnecessary risks, and are reckless