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

10 ANNUAL EEPORT OF TITE
duty, having a proper practical knowledge of their work, are ripe in years
and understanding, that few could be better qualified than they are. The
examining board exercised sound judgment in their selection, by giving
the miners the benefit of talent and competency rather than pander to par-
tiality and discrimination, that often follow in the wake of doners of official
position.
The candidates for the position of inspectors of mines were men of excellent
ability and stood very high in their examination, which was indeed
severe and just. Many of them acquitted themselves with an honorablerecord
before the examining board.
Mules and regulations for the government of the ivorkmen employed at the collieries
of the Philadelphia and Reading Goal and Iron Company in 1ST5.
I. At any time between the hours of six and se^'en o'clock in the morning
empty wagons will be furnished for the purpose of letting to the bottom
of all shafts and slopes the persons employed in them.
II. No empty wagons will be furnished either for the purpose of hoisting
•or letting down men between the hours of 7 A. M. and 12 M., and between
the hours of 1 and 5:30 P. M., unless by special instructions of the inside
foreman. The engineers and top and bottom men will be held responsible
for the carrying out this rule.
III. All persons employed by the day, either inside or outside, are expected
to work ten hours for a day's pay, or filty-eight hours per week for
a week's pay. Any persons working less than this will receive wages proportionate
for the time worked. The same rule to apply in all cases where
overtime is worked, unless by special agreement with the m'ming superintendent.
IV. In all workings where there is fire-damp evolved, and naked lights
used, no person or persons other than the inside foreman and fire boss must
pass the first check-door without the consent of the fire boss. Where nothing
but locked safety lamps are used no person other than the inside foreman
or fire boss will enter any of the workings until permitted to do so by
the fire boss.
V. All safety lamps must be handed into the lamp-house each evening
for inspection and repairs. Persons using safety lamps will be charged
Tvith the cost of repairing when ordinary care has not been exercised in
their protection.
VI. Persons not employed at the colliery are positively forbidden from
speaking to, or in any way interfering with, the employees during working
hours.
VII. All the rules and regulations of the ventilation laws to be fully enforced
by the bosses and workmen.
VIII. No workman is to be discharged except for incompetency, bad
workmanship, misconduct, drunkenness, or other good cause given by him.
By order of the superintendent of the company's coal mines and collieries.
The foregoing rules and regulations are conspicuously posted at the company's
collieries, warning their employees of the duty required of them to
observe and obey, and the compliance to which the company's agents
strictly enforce, which strongly tends to diminish accidents in and about
their collieries.
I give this information for effect, hoping it may come to the notice of
other employers, who may profit by this example and still aid in checking
the injuries that so often arises from non-compliance with the wise admonitions
pointed out in the ventilation law.