Reports of the Inspectors of Mines of the anthracite coal regions of ...

T6 Reports of the Inspectors op Mines. [No, 10
between the slip R and the mouth of the cross-cut, that I noticed, and
yet there were timber stood as marked M under said good roof; whereas
from slip R to the face, some thirt3'-eight (38) feet, which had dangerous
looking slips, and a weak pillar, near cross-cut, only seven and a half feet
thick, there were no props. I had previously given notice to each mine
boss in my district, that any case of this kind occurring, it would be my
bounden duty to bring the matter before the court, by prosecuting the
miner under section nineteen, and the boss under section eight, of the
ventilation law.
I have become satisfied in my mind long ago, that fifty per cent, of the
accidents from falls of roof and sides, could and should be avoided, and
that fifty per cent, more timber used in our mines, when properly placed,
would be the means of saving twenty-five per cent, of the class of acci-
dents just referred to.
To any one who knows anything about proper timbering, it is proof evident
in examining most of our mines that the mine bosses either do not know
or understand that branch of mining, or they have very little pride in
seeing things done in a proper and workmanlike manner, if it was only for
the sake of the appearance of the same ; but competent managers know
that timber well stood, are worth two or three times as much as if improp-
erly^ and carelessly stood.
A written description of these timber, how they have been stood in many
of those mines, could not very well be made to convey a proper idea of
the same. The only way a proper idea could be had is by either seeing
them in the place, or otherwise have them drawn by an artist such as Nast.
I think, however, that in a year or two more, much of this evil will be cor-
rected. If it were a rule to pay for timber, much of the complaints here
made would soon not be heard of, as the cause would be removed.
Accident No. 31.—Morgan D. Davis, a miner, working in Warrior Run
colliery, on the 28th day of November, was so seriously injured by a piece
of slate from roof falling upon him, that he died from said injuries the same
night. He and his partner were in the act of timbering, and having found
the prop a trifle long, were cutting it shorter, when the said piece fell, strik-
ing Davis and resulting as above stated.
Accident No. 32,—David T. Jones, a miner, working in the Avondale
colliery, on the 3d day of December,was killed, instantly, by falling of a piece
of coal upon him, while in the act of mining out a piece of coal previously
loosened by a blast. Jones was evidently disappointed in the condition
of the coal overlying the bench he was mining out, as a large piece flew
over the said bench and caught him as he jumped back, as he supposed far
enough to escape from the piece he was working at with his pick, with the
above sad result.
Accident No. 33.—John Hughes, a miner, working in the Henry colliery,
on the 5th day of December, was killed by a fall of a small piece of rider