MINING CONDITIONS UNDER CITY OF SCRANTON, PA.
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successful carrying out of any relief measures that are herein or may be hereafter suggested. Some facts that should be evident to all are that the prosperity of the city and of the community is to a large extent dependent upon the coal companies; that drastic laws or regulations that may curtail the mining of coal will necessarily react on the prosperity of the community; and that any ameliorating plans or compromises which it may be possible to effect between the city and the mining companies tend to prolong the life of the mining industry in Scranton and vicinity, and should be promoted.
It should therefore be the aim of all interested in mine-cave protective measures and of the companies operating the mines to adopt plans that will best conserve the welfare of all interested.
The expenditure for the work would of course be distributed over many years, the relief measures being applied at the points most in need of protection and as rapidly as proper arrangements could be effected and the necessary details, surveys, etc., prepared.
For the businesslike carrying out of the plans suggested it is recommended that a protective commission be established, consisting of not less than three nor more than five men, representing the city authorities, the school board, and the coal companies—this commission to have full and complete authority for the execution of the plans, and to be approved by the proper legal action. The commission should employ an engineer who should devote all his time to the service as active manager of the work.
THE REASON WHY.
The occasional mine caves or settlements in various parts of Scranton during the past years had long caused more or less public concern, until finally popular sentiment was brought to a focus by the settlement in Hyde Park, on August 29, 1909. This subsidence seriously damaged public school No. 16 and much other surrounding property; and, if it had occurred while school was in session, might have been the cause of loss of life.
Immediately following this event committees of councils, board of control, and board of trade took action in an endeavor to discover the immediate physical causes of the caving, as well as the legal responsibility therefor; and after much consideration, the former mayor, Hon. J. B. Dimmick, who was called in consultation with the joint committee, proposed the plan as set forth below and quoted from his final report, to wit:
To the joint committee of mine caves of select and common councils and of the hoard of
control, Benton T. Jayne, chairman:
Gentlemen: I beg leave to herewith make report of what I have been able to accomplish in pursuance of your instructions looking to the selection of an engineer to be employed by the city and the board of control for the purpose of making a study of