Report of the Bureau of Mines of the Department of Internal Affairs of ...

Official Document, Nd. 10.
EIGHTH ANTHRACITE DISTRICT,
(SCHUYLKILL, COUNTY.)
Pottsville, Pa., February IG, 1898.
Hon. James ^^'. Latta, Secretary of Internal Affairs, Harrisburg, Pa.:
Hir: I have the honor of herewith presenting my annual report as
Inspector of Mines of the Eighth Anthracite District, for the year
ending December 31, 1897.
The total production of coal for the year was 4,.306,222 tons, which
The
IS 66,375 tons more than the total production for the year 1896.
shipments, including the local sales, was 3,851,377 tons,- which is
79,715 tons more than the shipments for the year 1896.
The number of fatal accidents during the year was 38, which is 8
less than for the year 1896.
In addition to the usual tabulated statistics, I send a brief description
of the principal improvements that have been made and are being
made at the collieries. I also send a description of each of the fatal
accidents, which, I think, is an important part of a report of this
character, as not only the general public can see how the accidents in
and about the mines occur, but also should a few copies fall into the
hands of those directly engaged or interested in mining, it might be
the means of preventing a repetition of many of the accidents.
The general condition of the majority of the collieries in this district
is satisfactoiy. There are a few exceptions which, while they
are not in a dangerous condition, could be greatly improved.
As it has been said in previous r(»ports, the large companies, and
many of the individual opeiators are taking advantage of every iml^rovement
which conduces to the safety of
their workmen and the
properties under their charge, and they are anxious to prevent accidents,
for, aside from the misery which they bring to the victims and
their families, they are the source of great loss and annoyance to the
owner and superintendent at the collieries where they occur. Yet, with
all the extra precautions, accidents will occur as long as anthracite
coal is mined, for, with the greater depth attained and the extension
of the workings on the heavier dips below large areas of abandoned
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