DUVIN COAL COMPANY ISSUES STATEMENT REGARDING PLANS;

MEETING OF FAMILIES CONCERNED PLANNED AT EARLY DATE

	The following statement has been issued by F.V. Ruckman, president of
the Duvin Coal Company:
	"In view of the fact that the community generally, as well as the
immediate families of those who made the supreme sacrifice, has suffered from
the recent disaster at our mine, and all have manifested a friendly interest in
the ultimate outcome, we feel constrained to state publicly our present position
and our hopes for a solution of the problem confronting us.
	"Our creditors have been consulting and advising with us, and through
their profound sympathy for the bereaved families and consideration for our
determination to operate the property for the benefit of the unfortunate
dependents, they have arranged to furnish us a sum of money as will permit
operations to resume.  If the families immediately interested will co-operate
with the company in permitting the operation of the mine, a basis of monthly
installments to each of them can be effected and paid.  It is the honest hope
and desire of the officials of the company to pay every claim arising from this
disaster in full, and this will be done by them unless some ill-advised person
forces creditors to seek remedy through bankruptcy.
	"Officials of the company have operated the plant since 1933 with no
hope of personal recovery of money invested but it has served to give employment
to the community and to support families who have been loyal to our company
these many years.  We carried no compensation insurance, because in 1934 the
American Mine Owners Casualty Company went into receivership and we were forced
to pay on a monthly basis all claims then outstanding for which the insurance
carrier had been paid by us.  Every family caught by the receivership of that
company has been paid by us.  Such a burden made it impossible to carry
compensation which approximates $1800.00 per month.
	"To the hundreds of organizations, companies and individuals who have
assisted us in this disaster we extend our most grateful thanks.  We feel that
the community has known our operation so long and our conduct in dealing with
our employees so well, that all will join with us in making the program we have
in mind a success.  A meeting of a representative from each family interested is
proposed to be held within the next few days, at which time a detailed program
will be furnished them and explained fully."

The Providence Enterprise
Providence, Kentucky
Thursday, July 27, 1939
used with permission