Dear Phil,

Without wishing to make an issue out of it whatsoever, and, whilst actually 
understanding what is really meant by the statement, it is actually wrong! - 
factually or literally is open to some debate with openmindedness! It doesn't 
matter actually what industry is spoken of, since people die in every one of 
them or any, whether by the act of participation in, or as a result of. To 
single out mining as a killer is an easy task, yes, mercury ore mining was (& 
is), a risky act of industry, and obviously many have died in it's extraction 
- many have of course died in it's general use as well it must not be 
forgotten, let alone the pollution/destruction caused by it in many parts of 
the World. Coal miners must not think they are the only ones who suffer: the 
Kinnaird Commission of 1890's stated that it was considered in Cardiganshire 
that once a lead miner in certain parts of that region reached the age of 30 
he was, quote, "not worth the snap of a finger". It must also not be 
forgotten that the wages paid to same were considerably more than agriculture 
in many regions of Britain, and in fact the miners lot (in income), was 
indeed a lot better than than many other industries - indeed the chemical 
industry of those times was rather fraught....... let alone it's final usage. 
I site the case of the Weardale lead miners, who, whilst possibly being 
'lucky' - though it was actually common in many areas - also had a field to 
keep a cow or two, maybe a few sheep, & a pig, etc., etc., did in actual fact 
do quite well in diet. Agricultural workers however were in total poverty, 
and depended nearly always on 'charity' of the employer. The mill worker was 
totally dependent on the mill owner. So who was actually worse off? Miners 
have always been regarded as getting a bad deal, when in fact their wages 
have always been higher than other industries, their working conditions of 
course have been bad in many cases, but no worse than the agricultural 
industry; both had/have to work in wet conditions, both have had to work long 
hours, but the latter has always worked for less and has had a far worse 
deal. Yes, certain mining camps around the World have had intolerable 
conditions to contend with, but many made fortunes out of them or at least 
made something out of it: those who undertook the treck and the conditions 
did it of their own free will, and could afford to do so - even as a gamble - 
whereas there were many who wished to do so but could not. Yes, there were 
non mining people who joined in the various rushes, but on analysis they 
could afford to do so - even if it meant they had to sell everything. Miners 
the World over - and I mean those who actually do the digging - have been 
known for a higher intelligence than their counterparts in other occupations 
- they have to be: the habit of the gambler is within all those involved in 
mining, whether it be the miner or the employer, they are always 
'looking/searching' for riches. Someone siting blood being spilt in mining to 
make a point really must look far more generally, since there are many others 
who have suffered a far worse fate. Regards,   Bernard


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