1900 - Coalmininghistorypa.org

434 REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF MINES. Off. Doc.
Of those who were killed or seriously injured, I
find that 47 per
cent, were citizens of the United States, 44 per cent, were aliens,
while 9 per cent, were under the age of twenty-one years.
Sixty-five per cent, of the accidents occurred from falls of coal
and roof slate, twenty-two per cent, by mine cars and thirteen per
cent, from miscellaneous causes.
As a result of accidents, ten wives were made widows and sixteen
children left fatherless.
The condition of the mines, with some exception®, is very fair, yet
I have had occasion, on some visits to complain as to the insufficient
ventilating power provided, as well as its location, also as to
the time of starting and stopping the fans to provide a lawful amount
of air, and its distribution in the mine, but I am glad to say that in
most instances some improvement was found during the latter part
of the year, by erecting fans where furnaces were formerly used,
and in cleaning up airways and giving more attention to the details
of ventilation.
There are a few mines in the district that generate explosive gas,
4
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which is evolved more abundantly as the workings penetrate
deeper into the earth, demanding larger volumes of air to dilute and
carry off for the safety of those employed therein. The law provides
for the careful inspection of such mines by competent persons, and
as the demand is increasing yearly for such men, it was found necessary
to hold a special examination during the month of June, when
twelve persons received fire boss certificates.
The usual statistical tables are included in the report, some of
which I was unable to provide in the report for the year 1899, having
been unfamiliar with the district at that time.
I have also included a description of the accidents, also a brief
description of the mines in the district, together with a list of improvements
made by the Shawmut Mining Company.
Respectfully yours,
ELIAS PHILLIPS,
Inspector.
Summary of Statistics, 1900.
The figures denoting production, shipments, etc., are short tons.
Number of mines in the district, 75
Number of mines in operation during 1900, 74
Nubmer of tons of coal produced 8,199,027
Number of tons shipped 7,138,760
Number of tons used in the manufacture of coke 815,478
Number of tons used for steam at the mines 192,975