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

INSPECTORS OF MINES. 55
sonal safety is concerned, their habits from youth in the school of the mine
strikes one not accustomed to it with astonishment, to behold these youths
execute the great amount of labor delegated .to them to perform, and with
what little evidence of fear they evince in its execution, and how well it is
done is surprising.
The more mature persons who are employed in and about the mines, and
from whom much better conduct might be expected, are often found to contain
a portion of a disobedient element, as far as their personal safety may
be concerned, both fearless and independent, daunted by no amount of danger,
which they hazard with admirable courage. We don't charge this
class with a guilty intention of evading the law or the regulation of the
mine, but with undue impatience in their hurry to get through with their
work, jumping at risksome advantages that too often prove fatal in the end.
District Inspectors.
The offices of inspectors of coal mines and collieries for this district are
happily supplied with men of excellent ability, who have been identified
with mines and mining from their youth. They have the practical and educational
training that becomingly qualifies them for the position and its
arduous duties 'devolving upon them to discharge. And it is gratifying to
know that fatal accidents are diminishing under their direction, as will be
seen by referring to our statements of fatal accidents embodied in this
report.
Their best efforts are often made the subject of criticism with vacant
minds and less favored persons, who are sure to be identified with the abuse
of the mining law themselves ; but this class are fortunately few, while the-
better judgment and discretion of the thinking masses prevails. In con-^
nection with the labors of the inspectors, a proper compliance with their
mining law by the miners themselves is the great source from which the
power is derived that will surely diminish fatalities in our mines ; and the
next source to be looked to is a stringent code of mine regulations given
to men that is sure to enforce them as done by police. The wail of the
widows or cry of the hundi'eds of orphans, nor would the funeral cortege,
that so frequently moves to pity the sympathizing community, be a daily
spectacle to be heard or seen.