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'This miner has just completed loading a mine car of weighing net about two and one-half tons, and is waiting for a locomotive to come along and take it out and give him another empty car. An industrious miner will load about six and sometimes eight of these cars in one day. This is a wooden mine car that is now being rapidly replaced by steel mine car equipment. The number of post shown in this picture indicate again the immense amount of timber required to conduct operations in a safe manner.'

1. Loaded Mine Car

'White Oak preparation begins when the machine leaves and the miner is ready to shoot down his coal. The shooting inspector on the left has not only located the hole for the miner to drill, but instructed him as to what angle he must bore his hole to contain the necessary explosive used in dislodging the coal from the seam. The "kerf" made by cutting machine is plainly visible in this picture and you will note the cutting or "bug dust" have been removed before the coal is shot. The length of the auger used by the miner and the width of the bit which determines the size of the hole bored, is also carefully regulated.'

2. Miners Preparing to Shoot Down Coal

Crowds gather to watch miners participate in Safety Day exercises.

3. Safety Day Is Important

Miner sitting in between posts that hold the roof of the mine up. 'Safety First is stressed in every possible way at White Oak mines.  Note the posts to protect this man at his labor.  He is waiting for another mine car so he can clean up his working place and make it ready for the mining machine crew who will cut it during the night, ready for him to work tomorrow.'

4. Safety Posts

Group of people with instruments. 'Many NRC towns had own orchestras.'

5. New River Coal Company Employee Orchestra

Group portrait of the New River Coal Company band in uniform standing on steps.

6. New River Coal Company Band