COAL - Clpdigital.org

54 THE COAL TRADE BULLETIN.
pany men. Not having the time to devote personally
he does for the inspector what the latter
would like to see done for the mine foremen, he
supplies the main ideas and outlines in a general
way the line of proceaure. At nearly all the
mines specialized, men were employed in performing
day work that was only very remotely connected
if at all with a plan of development. The
men quite conversant with this feature were executing
it in a perfunctory manner. Various reasons
were alleged for their employment, some
meritorious, some were excuses so that certain
people could be accommodated. The most prolific
cause was the retention of a force which had
been engaged to perform some specialty, as installing
machinery, making side tracks, etc., after
completion. Lack of manly courage on the part
of mine foremen and superintendents to inform
the men at the proper time, is chargeable with
this state of affairs. In many cases men had
been impressed with the idea they were to be engaged
permanently as company men, the superintendent
and foreman taking great pains to have
that impression obtain until the work was done.
Then feeling they have perpetrated an injustice.
they are unable to muster the necessary moral
courage to offer them loading or digging. Thus
the wrong is perpetrated, the company paying the
premium.
At one of the mines a daily expense of $25 was
being borne, the inevitable result of the above
cause. Wishing to obliterate this suddenly, the
superintendent was invited to visit headquarters,
the damaging list was presented to his inspection,
natnrally his indignation was aroused and he
ostentatiously declared that no man living was
able to reduce his current expenses 25 cents much
less $25. In a quiet, incisive manner he was
told to return, avail himself of the foreman's
assistance in the matter, and to advise soon what
could be done toward a reduction of the cost. In
a few days the list came with an added 50 cents,
making the total reduction $25.50. If superintendents
would carefully scrutinize the list of day
men periodically with jealous care, questioning
the why and wherefore of every addition thereto,
such cases as the above could not possibly occur.
Superintendents should be so conversant with
their mines as to take the hiring of day men at
least, into their own hands. Where they are not
so familiar as this it is with considerable apprehension
of exposing their ignorance they approach
the mine foreman concerning the hiring of a new
hand. They would rather have the company
shell out than suffer humiliation even when
brought upon themselves by their own non-progressiveness.
Cases could be cited where tlie superintendent
only visits the interior work when i..e inspector
swoops down upon him, at intervals of months.
This is as unfair to tne mine foreman as it is
dishonest to the company. The indiviuual capable
of performing his whole duty knowing thit
no critical eye is upon him, or, doing it and not
expectant of a word of encouragement is a rare
bird. The superintendent himself performs his
duty none the worse for a little praise. There are
several other points of practical management that
might be profitably discussed and tnat could be
gleaned from the same source.
MIDLAND COAL CO. PLANS IN KENTUCKY.
The Midland Coal Co., of Chicago, incorporated
in Delaware, and capitalized at $750,u00, has an
important development project for Kentucky fields.
The company has purchased the Oregon & Kentucky
Coal Co.. which owned 590 acres of coal
at Earles, Ky., between Central City and Madisonville;
has acquired additional coal of 5,000 acres
in the Muhlenberg county field. It is planned to
open four drift mines, each having a capacity of
500 tons daily. This coal will be prepared in two
tipples, each having a capacity of 1,000 tons annually.
The Midland Coal Co. also owns the
Kentucky Midland railroad which is building a
line 30 miles in length from Central City to
Madisonville, Ky.
Low Round Trip Fares West and Southwest.
Special Home-Seekers' Excursions via Pennsylvania
Lines.
Any one may take advantage of the reduced
round trip fares for the special Home-Seekers'
excursions via Pennsylvania Lines, to visit points
in Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota. Missouri,
Montana, Nebraska, the Dakotas. Oregon, Washington.
Texas and other sections in the West and
in all states of the South.
Stop-over privileges permit travelers to investigate
business openings. These tickets will be
on sale on certain dates until and including December
19. Detailed information as to fares.
through time, etc., will be furnished upon application
to Local Ticket Agent of the Pennsylvania
Lines, or J. K. Dillon. District Passenger Agent.
515 Park building, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Articles of incorporation have been issued to
the Paint Mountain Coal & Lumber Co.. of Fairmont,
W. Va., for the purpose of operating coal
mines, etc. The company is capitalized at $50,-
000, and was incorporated by A. C. Hawkins, of
Morgantown; J. C. Floyd and j. E. Lemley. of
Rivesville; C. Kelly, J. H. Martin, J. P. Ashcraft.
M. B. Bartlett and B. Hutchinson, of Fairmont,