> Miners, who were paid based on how much coal they dug, were seen as expendable. If one died in a rock fall, another could easily replace him with no additiona

> Miners, who were paid based on how much coal they dug, were seen as expendable. If one died in a rock fall, another could easily replace him with no additional cost to the company. But if a mule died, the owner would have to buy another one. Thus mules were considered more valuable to the mine than the men who did the dangerous work. This is an attitude I've seen in 90% of the bosses I've ever had. Workers were seen as easily replaceable, and therefore not worth a penny more than absolutely necessary.