1898 - Coalmininghistorypa.org

No. 11. SEVENTH BITUMINOUS I51STRICT. 455ae(inaiiit('d witli tlie condition of the mines, or to iindcitake andcomplete needed imitiovements; in fact the constant change of foremenis the main reason why the condition of Hie mines is nearlyalways fonnd Ix'low the standard of other large oi)ei'ations locatedin the same neighborhood. I visit these mines frefpiently, hnt rarelyever find the same foreman iu charge on any two visits. HenceI otter snggestions or give instructions on one visit as to how necessatyimi»rovements should l)e made to give the best results with theleast cost, and when a return visit is made expecting to find previousdefects remedied, I often find the conditions about the same as beforeand a stranger in charge, with no knowledge of previous arrangements.Under a system of management of this character no oneother than the owner has any permanent interest in the property andI am not surprised when I find sanitary requirements imperfect andthe l)usiness of operating the mines unprofitable.The North Western and Boon mines are both in need of more powerfulventilators to produce the adequate amount of air. I havemade representations to both firms on the subject, and received assurancesthat the matter will receive attention. During the formerpart of the year the ventilation in the Summer Hill mine was inadequate,but they have now provided a new and powerful fan. Ihave not visited the mine since this fan was put in motion a fewweeks ago and know nothing of its ca])acity from personal observation.A new shaft mine has been opened at Hill Station. The coalat this point being about 150 feet below water level. As yet the workingsare only advanced forward a short distance from the shaftbottom, but Hie coal is of excellent quality. Nearly all the minesin this section of the district generate explosive gas.Mines Situate along the P. C. & Y. R R.There are ten mines located along the above railroad, one of whichhas been idle for the past two years, the other nine have been operatedsomewhat irregularly during the past year, and three of thenine are now closed and will likely remain inactive until the openingof the lake trade in tlie spring. With one or two exceptions 1 havenot found much cause for com])laint in regard to the managementor condition of the iibove mines in matters relative to healthfulnessand safety duiing the past year. At the Lake Superior mine theventilation during the summer months was rather below the requirementsbut they have ])romis