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

INSPECTORS OF MINES. 109
C M ]\I U N I C A T 1 N
To Ills Excellency, John F. Hartranft,
Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Sin :— In conformity with the requirements of an act of General Assenibl}''
of the Commonwealth, approved the third day of March, A. D. 1870, en-
titled "An Act providing for the health and safety of persons employed in
coal mines," I have the honor to herewith submit to 3'ou my report upon
the condition of the collieries in my district, and also the number of fatal
and non-fatal accidents that occurred during the year. These statements
are in tabulated form, with remarks on the cliaracter of the same.
I also am able to show the number of hands employed in and about these
collieries, the number and horse power of the steam engines and boilers in
use, and other matter in detail in their relation. I am pleased to be able
to inform your Excellency that the collieries are in much better condition
and are receiving better attention than was the case heretofore.
I earnestl}'^ desire a strict compliance with the requirements of the sun-
dry provisions of the mining law, both b}'' the superintendents and miners,
as with them it rests ; and they are the responsible parties for a large number
of these casualties that so frequentl}^ brings sorrow and grief to so
many firesides in our midst.
I do find a large number of our operators desirious of jnakiug the necessary
and safe improvements in and about their collieries. This they find to
be greatly to their advantage, besides the men will perform more work
when there is an evidence of security than when such is not the case. 1
do find the engineers and their assistants rapidly improving in their professions,
giving better
they had done before.
attention to steam boilers and machinery now than
I also find a marked improvement in the practice and knowledge of the
bosses generally, and in the system now adopted for mining and ventilation
of mines. That with ordinary precaution I will hazard the opinion that
at least one-third the casualties of the district could be diminished, which
would be a consummation devoutly wished for by all.
On the twenty-second of September the examining board re-districted
the territory which allotted to me all the collieries in Dauphin, (5,) all in
Northumberland, (30,) all in Columbia, (12,) and 9 in Schuylkill. In discharging
my duty I traveled 5,168 miles to and from these collieries and
attended 34 inquests. Thirtj^-eight persons lost their lives and 106 were
injured, leaving 13 widows and 49 orphans. The operators and miners
have my greatful thanks for courtesies and civilities, although my duties
shall be sternly discharged. With a confident hope I look forward for
better improvement.
I am, with great respect,
Your obedient servant,
WILLIAM HEMIXGRAY,
Inspector of Shamokin district.
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