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

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INSPECTORS OF MINES. 81
I am sorry to have to report that a majority of the accidents that occur
in coal mines are the result of recklessness of the workmen themselves, being
constantly inured to danger in following- their obscure occupation they
become so regardless of the dangers by which they are surrounded that for
the purpose of gaining a triiiiug convenience or advantage they will run
risks, at the sight of which men engaged at ordinary occupations would
stand appalled with fear. And it is only when their torn and mangled
bodies have to be recovered and conveyed through the gloomy caverns of
the mine that their comrades are awakened to realize the folly and perversity
of pursuing such a course of conduct.
Being cognizant of these facts I have concluded to issue an address
through the medium of the public press, of which the following is a copy :
Address.
To all coal operators, superintendents, bosses, miners, laborers, and all others
employed in and about the coal mines of the first, or Pottsville, district of
Schuylkill county
Gentlemen :—We have now entered upon the centennial year of the Declaration
of the Independence of these United States, and no true lover of
liberty can contemplate Avith indifference the immense advantages which
have been conferred upon mankind by the application of the principles
enunciated within that immortal document, and while we look back with
emotions of pleasure and gratitude lor the advantages which we ourselves
enjoy, from the action of the noble men who have lived and died before us,
such retrospection should be a lesson to us. ^Ve should be stimulated by
the glorious example there set before us to endeavor, in our day and generation,
to do what we can to alleviate the sorrows and sufferings and to
elevate, as far as possible, the condition of the masses of suffering humanity.
I am somewhat pleased to find, by comparison, that the number of serious
accidents which have occurred through the year now past is a little less
than for the previous one, but still the roll is a grievous one, and is rendered
still more so by the fact which I am compelled to admit, that more than
one-half of them could have been prevented if every person connected with
the occurrence had taken proper precaution to prevent them ; and now I
hope that all parties will try to assist each other in carrying into eftect the
-wise provisions of the mine ventilation act, as this terrible death-roll should,
can and must be diminished.
To the Operators:
I beg to suggest that during this suspension you have ample time to attend
to repairs, to get your air courses, traveling ways, ropes and machinery
all put in a proper condition to insure the safety and health of the
men in your employ. If you neglect to do this now and any accident
occurs, consequent upon such neglect, you will render yourselves amenable
to the law for all damages which the killed or injured persons may sustain,
and as you will have no just excuse to offer no other will be accepted tlie
;
law will be enforced against you, the rights of property are great, but hujnan
life is and must continue to be held sacred.
To Superintendents and Foremen :
The law makes it an important part of your duty to see that all the provisions
of the act of Assembly are carried into effect in each portion of the
collieries under your control. Your responsibilities are great; you have
to protect your employer's property, and also the lives of Ihe men under