1900 - Coalmininghistorypa.org

160 REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF MINES. Off. Doc.
Widow and Orphans' Belief Fund.
A very important subject in the mining settlements of this district
is the question of how to provide for the relief of the widows and orphans
of men who have been so unfortunate as to be killed in or
about the collieries. Very true, some miners have been able to
provide for their families in case of death, but this is only true of the
few, while from information received it may be truthfully said that
the majority of the miners of to-day are not so situated, but leave
their families, in case of accident, in destitute circumstances.
I am pleased to state that many of the larger companies throughout
the district have beneficial funds, which have been established since
1883, and continued to the present time. Still, the individual operators,
for some reason or another, have given little or no attention to
this matter. The plan adopted between the Upper Lehigh Coal
Company and their employes is one that deserves the commendation
of all persons interested in mining. This would practically do away
with the unpleasant task of collections on the old
plan where the
tax was usually met by the few, while under the new plan the tax
would be a general one and not so burdensome. Through the kindness
of A. C. Leisenring, superintendent of the Upper Lehigh Coal
Company, I herewith present a copy of resolutions adopted by the
employes of that company, which I take great pleasure in approving
and recommending to the several individual operators and employes
who have not already adopted some plan or method of relief for the
widows and orphans.
Resolutions.
Passed by the employes of the Upper Lehigh Coal Company October
28th, 1898, concerning the fatal injury of any employe at the Upper
Lehigh collieries, viz: One half a day's wages shall be contributed
by each and every employe at said collieries, the company agreeing
to contribute fifty dollars.
Resolved, That in case any person, man or boy shall receive injuries
which shall prove fatal within six months of the accident,
the company wlil contribute fifty dollars, and there shall be contributed,
or paid by every man or boy employed by the Upper Lehigh
Coal Company, at the Upper Lehigh collieries, one half day's
wages, the same to be collected through the office, and paid to the
nearest relative, but not going beyond widow or child, father, mother,
brother or sister.
Resolved, That in case a man or boy shall be killed, we shall, in
order to fulfill the requirements of the first obligation, continue
operations until the day of the funeral, devoting one half of that day
to attend the funeral.