A MINER'S PAY
Before mechanization most miners were paid not for time spent, but rather for work performed. The miner was paid not by the hour, but by the ton of coal loaded or by the yard of rock or slate removed. Unlike coal miners of today, the miner of yesteryear had to furnish his own tools -- picks, shovels, augers -- and he even had to purchase his own explosives! Monobel and "jelly-bel" (Gelobel) were the most common explosives used in coal mining. These compounds contained flame-quenching chemicals, which made them much safer to handle and use than the old black powder used in early years. . Pay statements, such as the ones depicted here, offer us a glimpse into the life of a miner. ** 1917 ** ** February 15, 1937 ** Miners were, as a general rule, paid twice each month. Some of the most common deductions against a miner's earnings were for things such as house rent and "lights" and scrip ** 1940 ** Other deductions were for use of his mine lamp, "smithing" (tool sharpening and repair), explosives, and for the company doctor. O. A. B. or "Old Age Benefit" was an early name for Social Security. Curiously, income taxes were not reflected on early pay statements. Miners didn't pay income taxes -- they didn't earn enough money! ** Pay Envelope ** If there was anything left after all the deductions the miner received his pay in cash on payday in an envelope similar to the one shown here. Once all his deductions were made, it was not at all uncommon for a miner to receive little or no cash when payday arrived.
Before mechanization most miners were paid not for time spent, but rather for work performed. The miner was paid not by the hour, but by the ton of coal loaded or by the yard of rock or slate removed. Unlike coal miners of today, the miner of yesteryear had to furnish his own tools -- picks, shovels, augers -- and he even had to purchase his own explosives!
Monobel and "jelly-bel" (Gelobel) were the most common explosives used in coal mining. These compounds contained flame-quenching chemicals, which made them much safer to handle and use than the old black powder used in early years.
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Pay statements, such as the ones depicted here, offer us a glimpse into the life of a miner.
** 1917 **
** February 15, 1937 **
Miners were, as a general rule, paid twice each month. Some of the most common deductions against a miner's earnings were for things such as house rent and "lights" and scrip
** 1940 **
Other deductions were for use of his mine lamp, "smithing" (tool sharpening and repair), explosives, and for the company doctor. O. A. B. or "Old Age Benefit" was an early name for Social Security. Curiously, income taxes were not reflected on early pay statements. Miners didn't pay income taxes -- they didn't earn enough money!
** Pay Envelope **
If there was anything left after all the deductions the miner received his pay in cash on payday in an envelope similar to the one shown here.
Once all his deductions were made, it was not at all uncommon for a miner to receive little or no cash when payday arrived.