Local Mining Culture and Digital Humanities Methodologies Main Menu The Hearl Maxwell Collection and Mining in the United States A overview of the Maxwell Collection, with in introduction into the exhibit. Why does it matter? A defense of the exhibit, and its thesis into the entirety of the research. Effects of World War I A description of the economy that followed the end of WW I and the difficulties that were faced. Corpus Text Analysis Wherein the body text is analyzed and patterns begin to develop. Issues on the National Level A description and analysis of the issues facing the local workers from the national level. Constitution for Work Environment A description and analysis of the Constitution put in place in District 14, and the significance thereof. Timeline A Timeline of events starting from the mine worker's strikes to the eventual donation of the Hearl Maxwell Collection to Pittsburg State University Why does it matter? -- Revisited Wherein the arguments of the rest of the exhibit are brought together and put together into a functioning thesis. Gallery A gallery of the media used within the exhibit.

Concern for the Workers

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Aside from the shifting focus from the entirety of Kansas into the union that took place within the dialog of the collection, there is also a general concern for safety that permeates across the Maxwell Collection. Contained within the documents is a book dedicated to the safety of coal mine ventilation for the coal mining operations, particularly the district in which Maxwell was an officer of.




This book details safety precautions that are in place to protect miners against any kind of gas leaks. In this period of time there were great strains between unionized coal mine workers and non-unionized workers. Their dedication to safety never faltered, however. In fact, Kansas District 14 rebelled against laws put into place during the early 1920s that would allow for shut down and wage differentials between unionized and non-unionized workers. 

As summarized by the Environmental Caucus website, "In another state, Kansas (District 14) the officials of the United Mine Workers of America are trying to force the members to live up to the award and agreement. The Kansas miners struck against the Industrial Court Law, regardless of the sacred contract above mentioned, and the head officials of the union furnished strike-breakers. At the same time the organized miners of Illinois (District 12) assessed themselves to support the striking miners of Kansas, that is, they assessed themselves to fight their own national officers, who also declared the assessment illegal."

In other words, the workers of Kansas rebelled against the imposed ability of the national officers to mandate wages and close down "non productive" mines. The national officers even sent in strike-breakers, which were workers who would work at places that were under strike, which makes the strike useless. Kansas and its districts were in the minority against the oppressive national officials. In addition to the strike against the national officers, the District itself also put into effect a constitution for their own workers.

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