The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-02-22


20 to work With the "Gordie" or Davy lamp
il is no longer much ssed.
Firing the gas, and transmitting an explo-
sive mixture into inexplosive csrbonic acid
and water, was, IN fact, the only means by
which fiery mines could be worked at all be-
fore the introduction Of the safety lamp;
and In the absence Of the men this process
could be carried ous at such intervals Of time
and space that the roof would be in no dam
ger. Every electrician knowe that by hav-
ing discontinuous lengths u wire it would
be possible simultaneously 20 generate q
number Of electric sparks in different parts
Of the pit The numerous electric sparks
could thus be made simultaneously to ignite
small volumes Of gas :; different parts OF the
works; or, instead Of the different pieces Of
wire being disconnected, they could simply
be united by thin pieces, which would get
red hot with the passage Of the electric cur
rent. The wires would, Of course, have to
be laid in rs high position as possible, az
il is well known that the light carburetted
hydrogen and defiant gases collect them
selves at the highest levels.
The cost Of executing the plan would be
comparatively slight especially ~ tho greater
portion ,of the wire need not even be II
ated aad the electricity would be cbr
generated n the mode suggested above. Int
great value Of the plan described-of course
supPosing it 70 be practicable. which no one
can either absolutely assert or deny before q
trial-would oe that il would utilise for the
purpose Of safety and economy the consid-
erable portion Of the "a hours that the work
ers are out Of the pit. To illustrate this
point, We may st ito that Mr.. Nixon, OF the
AE
most distinguished and energetic living
mining engineers ia the kingdo d, has been
good enough TO send Us pamphlet based
upon letter to the Mining Journal, dated
2lst Of November last, in which he advocates
double shifts Of men, as cOntrasted with the
single shit system. Mr. Nixon, before work
ing for % years in the Aberdare district or
South Wales, was educated as a viewer il
the Northumberland and Durham coal fields
la the collisrics Of the North OF England
there are two relays or "shifts' Of men
working seven hours each' With the single
shit system, as adopted in South Wales, in
order to do the same amount Of work there
10 large number OF men at one time in the
pit, and greater number OF people are hence
exposed 70 danger from explosion. II is also
obvious that the men are fresher, and that
Division and supervision of labor can be bet
Ter carried out. Amongst the numerous ad-
vantages in favor Or the doube-shift system.
Il IL also pointed out by Mr. N xon that "the
working places with the double shift are
never for an instant un0ccupied, and every
2remonitory indication Of danger from al
outourst OF gas, the giving way of the roof
lr falling OF the coal viii probably be OBJ
-erved and prepared for whereas With the
slngit shit the w0r6men lsave their places
sometimes ior Al hour or more and congre-
gate Tor dinner during which time gas NAV
nave been gwen vt ani accumulated on the
roof, CT coal ready TO fall.p lie states that
ne has known severe explosion attended
with gr==. less Sf life occur on the csI.iers,
return, from the ignitinS u gas given OF
during the abseEce or the colliers AZ dinner.
We may A. once say that Mr.. Nixon he's
quite convinced as " the value Y bis pro-
position, and We even feel inclined to ages
With his pfoPosA4 that ''the Mines inspection
Bull De ut once amended, and N clause added
that no eolliery liable to give off explosive
gases GOAL be worked, sxcept on the der5le
f~~rth@ra ny tfbEn. ~ At~shs ns.sseI
nme, ssems 10 as that system of ignitine
1ne nre-damp At in.ervas OF time and space,
wou'a greatly increase the safety OF the sin
- suit plan, and would even be useful
with double shIfts.-Eagineer.
OPENING on NEW CoLLlERY.-On Thprs-
day night, the WIngsrworth Coal Comnanv I
entertained heir workmen to supper In their /
scnoolroom, At NortawingfeId, near Clav
Oross, IN celebration Of the opening Of 4 new 7
coilieEy, situate on the Duke of DevonsAira's
estate at H..nvOod.
las ALskKs LocK-oJr In Sorr9 nvppv
sHIKE---Ihis unfortunate dispute stin con
tiaues and from all present apDe.rencas =
likely to 90 80. On Wedae-day evening ons
OF the iaI gest and most enthusiastic u,aepinys
q the iock outs yet hell took place n M |
Peoples Hal, C1urch GresIsy. NJ lanes
Hooper icSk-oat, and the lv.aI tr..s-.a~
IN The Guar. Mr.. Brown advised the mea -
be firm and that they would be supported |
as long as the lockout lasted.
THE Pottsville Miners Journal states that \
the coal trade has not been 90 unproftahIe I
IN Schuylkii county since 1861 As during \
1861, and declares the causes Of the decline
to consist IA the 5una fbout away to the
principal markets N Mes York. tha high
chargss on freight, and the difficulty of send. \
ing coal for want VI vessels. from PhiIadeI-
PhiA 10 Nv York IN the winter season
ukkAf NETTING 20 TAG MINERS oP III HAMILTON \
DtsrRicr--oa the evening of "Wednesday 4
last. very largo meeting Of the miners Of |
this distr ct was held in Mr., Keefe's Han. |
Mr.. Mcdonald, who had been invited. was
present and addressed them. The meeting
unanimously agreed 70 restrict their labor to |
Ss per day Al once. On Thursday, another !
meeting Vas held, At which nearly every man |
70 the district was present, when similar re- |
solutions were agreed on.