But Progress Has Been Made

101 years ago today, a mine explosion occurred in one of the Mines in Black Diamond, WA.  16 miners died in the explosion, five bodies have never been recovered.  The men who went into the mines were not particularly well looked after.  After all most were immigrants or African Americans and none really had much of a voice outside their union (if there was one).  Add to that, places like Franklin, Selleck, Ravensdale, Cumberland and Black Diamond were fair from places of affluence and not easily reached 100 years ago.  So even though mines in 1910, were more dangerous and unforgiving than ever, the state Inspector of Mines could, after the Black Diamond mine explosion, note that improvements had been made, such as raising the minimum age to work in the mines from 14 to 16 and an eight hour work day.  Miners were really just cogs in the machine, the magnates and mine owners lived in cities of influence and had access to the politicians, whereas the miner was a replaceable.  After all another boat load had probably just arrived at Ellis Island.