LETTERS TO THE EDITOR COAL MINES
Sm,—Mr. J. L. Hodson's article seems to me to be very fair, and you may like to know of the impressions of a Bevin Boy coming fresh to the pit.
1. I am sure that the only way to improve production is the introduction of more machinery. First, more conveyors throughout the roadways, with the tip-end at the bottom of the shaft. This would do away with tub trains and the many accidents they cause by breaking loose on inclines, derailing and starting unexpectedly, thereby catching one's hand. It would do away with the miserable Bevin Boy whose job it is to jump on a passing train, on a sharp curve, and lean his full weight outwards in an endeavour to stop the train derailing itself. It would do away with haulage cables, which have been known to break and cut a man in half. My pit could use more undercutting machines, and this would save labour, so precious in these days, and also lighten the physical effort required to cut the coal.
2. The Ministry of Fuel and Power might employ men of experience as Public Relations Officers to explain things to the men from the national point of view, such as the importance of output; the wisdom of saving, income-tax and what a vital part they play in the national economy. Most miners are proud of doing a real man's job, and these wou'd be no harm in telling them so.
3. If boys are to be attracted to the pit as a career, it will have to be made more attractive. The pay in most jobs is good, but there are many amenities which might be added. At present we work six shifts a week of 8 hours each, strenuous work on the knees, sometimes in the wet, and a!ways in damp, humid Conditions. At it,5oo feet the temperature is about 8o degrees F. It does not seem unreasonable to suggest a five- shift week with two days' rest. The miner suffers from lack of sunshine, and a few more hours in the daylight is going to keep him fitter and happier.
4. Owing to the temperature and continual bending, several of my friends get digestive trouble and pimples. Our snap, eaten on the job, consists of sandwiches and a cold drink. Why could not a mobile canteen, on the vacuum principle, be brought along the road to serve hot meals and hot drinks?
5. Also a little more sympathetic medical attention for minor things, with free ultra violet lamp in the bath-house to compensate for lack of sunshine, would be welcome.
These few improvements would go some way to breaking down the barrier between owners and miners, which undoubtedly exists today.
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