i STEAM COAL - Clpdigital.org

2(5 THE COAL TRADE BULLETIN.
The year's coal production was increased by
the opening up of new mines and by the increased
output of other mines due largely to better railroad
facilities in supplying cars and the introduction
of many new mining machines. The
state was practically free from disturbances between
capital and labor, the inter-state agreement
between the miners and operators tending in a
marked degree to alleviate troubles of this nature.
The year, while not showing the marked increase
in point of output of 1902. produced 643,979 more
tons, the entire output. 24,573.266 tons, being the
largest in the state's history. Of this amount,
17,635,639 tons was lump coal, 2,682,000 tons was
nut coal and 4,255,627 tons was pea coal and slack.
During the year 86 new mines were opened, a
decrease of 19 as compared with 1902. During the
same period 42 mines suspended a portion or the
whole of the year, also a decrease of 19 over 1902.
The number of mines abandoned was 18, a decrease
of 30.
Permanent improvements to the number of 325
were made in the various mines of the state as
compared with the preceding year, showing an
increase of 22. These included 71 fans, a gain of
12; 56 furnaces, a gain of 6: 94 air shafts, a loss
of 4; 19 stairways and 49 second openings, a gain
of 12 in the latter; 9 ventilating baskets; 10 speaking
tubes in shafts and 17 safety catches or cages.
Machinery proved a great factor in increasing
the output of coal in the state, 14,560,931 tons
being mined from its use alone during the year
1903, the greatest production ever recorded from
this source of mining coal. When compared with
the preceding year a gain of 1,121.283 tons is
shown. It is interesting to note the important
part machinery has played in the production of
coal since it was first introduced into the mines
of Ohio in 1899; the tonnage for that year is
given at 900,000 tons, while the year 1903 records
a tonnage of over fourteen million tons. The
number of mining machines and motors in use in
the state for the year was 774, and were found
in 18 of the coal producing counties. But one fatal
accident occurred from the use of mining machines
during the year, and two from coming in
contact with electric wires. This may fairly be
considered a remarkable showing in view of the
number of machines in use.
While the output of coal for the year 1903 increased
643,979 tons, and the total number of
miners and day hands reached 41,396, an increase
of 3,975 over the preceding year, the time worked
did not compare favorably with 1902, and as such
the year was not as prosperous a one in dollars
and cents to the average mine worker. The immense
amount of machinery used in the mines
has done much to eliminate manual labor, while
on the other hand the number of miners is gradu­
ally on the increase each year, which has had a
tendency to reduce the amount of labor to the
individual. In view of these facts the mines of
the state practically worked only about one-half
time during the year.
The total number of mining accidents of all
classes reported during the year amounted to 574,
an increase of 42 over the preceding year. Of this
number 114 resulted fatally, 324 were of a serious
nature, and 136 were of minor consequence. The
number of tons of coal mined to the life lost was
215,555. or one life lost to every 363 persons employed.
Regarding the year's accidents the report contains
the following comment:
"The death rate from the source of mining coal
is becoming, in this state, alarmingly on the increase.
It would seem that all precautions and
admonitions issued both by the district inspectors
in their daily routine of work of visiting the
mines, and from rules and circulars issued by the
mining department were all of no avail, and that
while a number of the fatal accidents occurring
in the mines are attributable to the number of
uneducated and unskilled workmen employed, a
large per cent, of them occur to men well up in
years, who are thoroughly familiar with all phases
of mining, but who become criminally negligent
and careless of their own safety, when a little
precaution on their part would have rendered
their working place safe. Some of the accidents
recorded are purely unavoidable, and are caused
from unforeseen circumstances over which we
have no control. Unless some stringent means
are adopted whereby persons employed in the
mines can be compelled to use adequate and reasonable
methods of preventing fatalities, the number
is bound to increase as conditions which surround
mining in this age are such as to necessitate
the greatest care and vigilance possible on the
part of the persons employed, if they are to escape
uninjured.
"The fatal accidents occurred in 17 of the coal
producing counties, while accidents of all classes
were reported from 26 of the 30 counties in
which coal is produced. Jefferson county reported
27, a gain of 18. This county reported
more fatal accidents than any other county in
the state, and many more than should have occurred
if the proper kind of discipline was in
practice, and an effort made on the part of the
mine bosses to keep a vigilant watch over the
men employed in the mines, especially those of
foreign birth, a number of whom find employment
in the mines of this country.
"Falls of roof are accountable for 70 fatal accidents
during the year. More fatal accidents are
due to this cause than any other source in the
mining of coal, however, if proper precautions