With deep regret we record a terrible mining accident which
occurred in the Montagu Colliery at Scotswood. Thirty-eight men and boys were imprisoned by the sudden flooding of the View Pit. There seems to be no hope of rescue. The water rose rapidly and rescue parties were held back by poisonous gases. It is too much to hope that the miraculous survival of the im- prisoned miners in the Redding Pit at Falkirk can be repeated. In the House of Commons on Tuesday night it was stated that the mining casualty list had been rising slowly year by year. It was suggested that the list might be reduced by enacting that shafts should be sunk closer together so as to shorten underground roadways and lessen the danger of collapse. It was also suggested that old legislation, especially the Act of 1911, should be more strictly enforced. It was asked whether overmen could really give true reports without fear of dismissal and whether all the inspectors were Men of practical expe- rience. Colonel Lane-Fox, speaking for the Government, pointed out that the British casualty list was the lowest in the world. Inspection was competent and the number of inspectors had been increased. Committees were examining the two great dangers—water and explosion. We need say no more than that every decent person, whatever his political opinions may be, desires that care- fulness and ingenuity should be exhausted in making the conditions as safe as possible for the miners.
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