Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1880-05-15

vartageously from this mine before
the pillars are drawn. I wonder why
such eagacious and shrewd business
man as he is does not lease this prop
eriy to this company? The improve
ments Of this company are of the most
substantial order. b
MAYA general Holiday. Mines
all idle. the miners attendi 6 meeting
at Knapp's meadow to hear address
from Hon. Charles Fl. Li:chman, Ct
Massachusetts,, On the labor question:
MAY S.-Offcial business required
nv presence in Frostburg.
MAY lO.-Visited Potomac mine OF
the Potomac coal company. This
mine is connected with the Cumber-
land and Pennsylvania railroad by
trsmroad II miles long, operated by
a locomotive. A long incline plane
extends from the mouth of the mine
down to tie upper end of the tram
road. Arrived at mine, the scales
were inspected and found all right.
The men are we'll supplied with tim
Der; air is good excepting lower held-
ing, which is ahead Of the air-ways.
Pound two or three rooms with air dull
and little smoky. | think these lie
fects could be remedlel by driv ng
cross-cuts. Found remarkably h,avy
grades in this mine, there being an
interior incline plane 1900 feet long,
running through the workings Of the
old Barton mine, which operates like
a charm. Taking into consideration
the difficulties the superintendent has
had to encounter, this nina is in first
rate condition.
MAY ll-Sevem a. m.-hscended
the plane of tn, oil Dolmold mine of
the Maryland coal company. THIS
mine had been idle the dav previous
on account of the black damn. Ar
rived at the face Of the headln1 found
that she miners could hardly keep
lights owing to the damp A few
miners are employed Eere, there being
only pillar on each side of the hea l.
inL. There is no return for the air.
They profess to draw the black damp
through the waste l 700 feet by fur
mace located at the back of the mine.
Rather novel theory OF v, initiation.
The Savage mountain mine, belong
ing to the same company, was filled
with the came gas, so that no m ners
could work. A lew men are emf Logged
in this miae. The miners in these two
(old Detmold and Savage mo ntain)
mines ara asked to work only wlen
the air is good. The output from
both is only l40 tons per day.
If there is an example wanting in
the Georges Greek coal field to prove
natural ventilation Of mines a failure
it can be found in these two mines.
But the present management do not
consider themselves responsible for
this condition of affairs, claiming that
it is on account of a creep, or set, that
took place in the old Detmold mine
some years ago.
Next visited the Kingsland mine
belonging to sa ne company. Found
this very extensive mine; the air
passable, and m IN supplied with all
necessary timber. Headings are well
timbered and tracks in excellent or
der. Visited each room and, from tie
manner with which tbc rooms are
timbered, I Judge the miners here
employed are practical men. | was
.pilet to the same furnace that is
supposed to draw the damp from the
old Detmold mine, protesting, as they
do, to ventilate their three mines with
this furnace, which, in my judgment,
is entirely too small for the work it is
designed to perform. Returning from
tt g mine | assembled by stairway an
air-shalt leading to the g.. ice.
Qaery-Will any superintendent,
BOSS or miner, of cur coal region,
please let me know what the "present
mode of ventilation" is that is now
required by our mining law?
My thanks are returned to all whom
/ have met for courtesles extended at
the mines above named.
Very respectfully,
THOMAS Brown,