first consideration. It is made a duty of every man to know absolutely at all times the dangerous situations and the hazards connected with operations wherein he may be concerned, and to be governed accordingly. Either he must remove or report any situation that he considers unsafe. "Committees have been appointed from the ranks of the workingmen at some of the mines for co-operation with the employers in this matter. As an example I am submitting, by permission of the Inland Steel Company, with this report a copy of their instructions and rules which they have issued in pamphlet form. "Yours very truly, "AUGUST SWANSON, Mine Inspector." CROW WING COUNTY, 1915-16. "We find that a normal increase in production and shipment of ore has taken place. "It is gratifying to note that the considerations and provisions appertaining to the welfare and safety of the workingman, the real 'producer,' have consistently kept pace with the growth of the industry. "During the past fiscal year I made 146 inspections, and I am pleased to say that each was made an occasion of unobstructed observation, courteous treatment and subsequent good willed efforts and endeavor on the part of. the operators to make any possible improvements that I have suggested, even voluntarily submitting plans for reducing the aggregate injuries and suffering. "My report of last year told of hygiene and sanitation, upon which vast improvements have been made. "The only conclusion to draw is that, having done all in their power toward preventing fatalities and injuries, the operators must not be placed in the light of wilful parties to whatever casualties have occurred nor the blame laid entirely at their doors. "Thus we conceive from the detailed individual reports of the fatalities, of which there were six, that any additional efforts to prevent the actions of the victims, which brought on their deaths, would be impractical, not to say, absurd. Obviously, men must learn to be more vigilant. "During the year the Bureau of Mines has sent to our range the official rescue car. All the men were advised to visit this car and avail themselves of the best instructions and information to be given in plain comprehensive language. 'First aid' was the dominating feature. Many attended these lectures, but because of the transient character of range laborers much is left to be desired. "The increase in shipments is 710,109 tons. "There were six fatalities during the year, one per 279,766.16 tons of ore mined. "Respectfully, "AUGUST SWANSON, TABLE 1. SUMMARY OF MINE STATISTICS-ST. LOUIS COUNTY-1914-16 TABLE 2. AVERAGE WAGES-MINES OF ST. LOUIS COUNTY 1914-15 -1914-16 1915-16 |