to have good results produced through the mining laws of this Commonwealth, it is believed that the most feasible way would be to establish a Mining Bureau under the supervision of the Secretary of Internal Affairs.

Under the present law it is somewhat difficult to obtain reports from some of the mine Inspectors. The publication of the annual report of the department for 1895 has been greatly delayed by one of the Inspectors who failed to make his report within a reasonable time. Several letters were written him, calling his attention to the necessity for prompt action, and he was finally notified by telegraph that unless his report was received by a certain date the manuscript for the annual report already received would be given to the State Printer, without the data from his district. His report was soon after received, and is included herewith, though as a public official his negligence is deserving of censure.

Publication of Mining Laws.

At the session of the Legislature of 1895 a resolution was introduced on the 8th of February as follows:

"Resolved, if the Senate concur, that the Secretary of Internal Affairs be and he is hereby authorized to have published each year in his annual report on the mining industry, a copy of the laws regulating mining in both the anthracite and bituminous regions of Pennsylvania."

Pursuant to the requirements of this resolution the general mining laws of the Commonwealth are printed herewith for the information of the public.

MINING STATISTICS.

Anthracite Coal Region.

The total number of tons of coal produced in this region during the year 1895 was 50,847,104; in 1894, 45,506,179; in 1893, 47,179,563; in 1892, 45,739,373; in 1891, 44,376,180. It will be seen from these figures that the largest production was in 1895, there having been an increase in that year of 5,340,925 tons over that of the preceding year, and 6,470,924 tons over the year 1891. It will also be observed that from 1891 to 1894 inclusive there was but little change in the annual production.

Employes.

During the year 1895 the number of employes in the anthracite region was 143,605; in 1894, 139,695; in 1893, 138,021; in 1892, 130,197; in 1891, 123,055. It is somewhat remarkable that while the number of employes in 1894 was greater than in 1893, the production of coal in the latter year was much greater than in the former. This discrepency may have been caused by strikes or suspension of operations in 1894.

Fatal and Non-Fatal Accidents.

Among the 143,605 employes in 1895 there were 420 fatal accidents, and 1,075 non-fatal accidents. While the production of coal in 1895 was more than five millions tons greater than in 1894, the number of fatal accidents was less, being 420 as against 439; but the number of non-fatal accidents was greater, being 1,075 as against 919. In 1893 the number of fatal accidents was 445; non-fatal, 1,069. In 1892 the number of fatal accidents was 396; non-fatal, 1,023. In 1891 the number of fatal accidents was 427; non-fatal, 1,003. An analysis of the 420 fatal accidents in 1895 shows that 151 were caused by falling coal, 41 by falling rock, slate, etc. from the roofs of the mines, 28 from premature explosions of blasts.

The ratio of fatal and non-fatal accidents to the number of employes during the last five years was as follows:

These figures indicate that the conditions surrounding the mining of coal are now less hazardous than formerly. In other words the improved methods and the safety appliances and apparatus which the law requires, have contributed largely to the safety of the miner. A further investigation of the reports of the Inspectors shows that the number of tons of coal mined to each fatal and non-fatal accident was as follows:

These figures also indicate that the miner had greater freedom from both fatal and non-fatal accidents in 1895 than ever before.

Bituminous Coal Region.

The total number of tons of coal produced in this region during the year 1895 was 51,813,112; in 1894, 39,800,210; in 1893, 43,421,898; in 1892, 46,576,576; in 1891, 41,787,644. As in the case of the anthracite coal, the largest production was in 1895, that year showing an increase over 1894 of 12,012,902 tons, and over 1891 of 10,025,468 tons. It is somewhat remarkable that the production in the two regions is so nearly equal, although the increase has been larger in the last five years in the bituminous region.

Employes.

During the year 1895 the number of employes was 84,904; in 1894, 86,177; in 1893, 81,800; in 1892, 78,789; in 1891, 73,923. The most striking observation to be made in regard to these figures is that the $4,904 employes of 1895 produced upwards of 51,000,000 of tons, while the 86,177 employes of 1894 produced less than 40,000,000 of tons. This would indicate that strikes or suspensions of operations causing much idleness occurred in the latter year.

Fatal and Non-Fatal Accidents.

Among the 84,904 employes in 1895 there were 155 fatal accidents, and 419 non-fatal; in 1894, 124 fatal and 357 non-fatal; in 1893, 131 fatal and 346 non-fatal; in 1892, 133 fatal and 393 non-fatal; in 1891. 237 fatal and 314 non-fatal. An analysis of the accidents in 1895 shows that of the 155 fatal accidents 16 were caused by the falling of coal, 87 by the falling of roof, rock, slate, etc., 3 by premature explosions of blasts, 2 by explosions of powder, dynamite, etc., 5 by ex

plosions of gas, 1 by falling down shaft, 30 by being run over by cars, etc., and 13 from miscellaneous causes.

The ratio of fatal and non-fatal accidents to the number of employes during the last five years was as follows:

The ratio of fatal and non-fatal accidents to the number of tous mined was as follows:

These figures do not indicate the improvement in the conditions with reference to the freedom from accident that exist in the anthracite region, but while this is true, they show that there is greater liability to accident in the anthracite region than in the bituminous region. This is shown very clearly by the fact that in the former region, with practically the same production of coal, the number of fatal accidents in 1895 was 420 as against 156 in the latter region, and the number of non-fatal accidents 1,075, as against 419.

Production of Anthracite Coal by Counties.

The table herewith shows the quantity of anthracite coal produced in each of the counties named for the years 1891 to 1895 inclusive. Luzerne county still heads the list with 19,143,101 tons in 1895, an increase since 1891 of about 1,500,000 tons. The next largest producing county is Lackawanna with 11,859,382 tons. It will be seen from these figures that during the past four years there has been but little change in the production in this county. Schuylkill follows closely with 11,495,388 tons. Sullivan county produced the smallest quantity, to wit, 152,141 tons.

Production of Bituminous Coal by Counties.

The table herewith shows the quantity of bituminous coal produced in each of the counties named, for the years 1891 to 1895 inclusive. Westmoreland county heads the list with 10,325,245 tons for 1895, as against 7,605,867 tons in 1891. The next in production is Fayette with 10,124,541, as against 5,758,200 tons in 1891. These