Frostburg mining journal., 1880-06-26
TO TIE MINERS OF ALLEGAEY
AND GARRETT COUNTIES.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR OF MINES FOR
ALI,EGANY AND GARRETT COUNTIES,
U,,crn,.pc Mn Tt1r n On 1891

FRCsTGURG, MD, Jurc 23, 1880. }
In my last | referred to the differ
ent modes Of ventilation that are now
in use for the purpose Of ventilating
our coal mines. You have therefore
had my opinion about these modes.
All are failures to certain extent, ior
contend where iire,lraught ia used
for ventilating purposes the furnace
ought to be large enough to keep the
current Of air ateady at AZ seasons OF
the year. And if it does not accom-
plish that, its construction and the la
Dor required for attending it are only
bills Of necessary expense upon the
exchequer Of the company owning it.
Another great evil connected with
the few ventilating furnaces in our
mines is, the moment the miners are
thrown idle that instant the furnace
man is thrown idle also, and during
that time the mine is allowed to fill
up with black damp from non-circu-
lation of air.
Ia all of our mines where pillars
are being drawn a furnace Of proper
dimensions ought to be run day and
night for the purpose Of carrying of
the black damp that is constantly ac-
cumulating FROM the broken strata.
| know Of no other method to keep
our mines in a healthful condition for
the men working therein as required
by law. The present modes lave net
accomplished this, and move, as a
miner of our coal-feld, that the words
in the eighth section of the law, "by
such modes as are now in use in the
coal mines of Allegany and Garrett
counties" be stricken out of the law
and this section OF the law be amend
ed so as to secure to the miners the
benefit of the spirit and the intent Of
the law by some othsr mode of venti
lation. | will Recommend it in my
annual report to the Governor and
would suggest to the miners Of the
counties the necessity OF backing up
that recommendation by their right
of petition. And in order to
strengthen both the Recommendation
and petition ALLOW me to suggest fur
ther, that each liise keep record of
the number OF mon thrown idle by
black damp or bad air and days lest
each month by the men employ ed
therein, and forward it to me and |
will embody it in my report TO the
Governor, and by this means we will
be able to put before the Legislature
such a table Of facts that will give
strength to my recommendation, and
Ilthat will wipe out all the sophistry
that has been laid before that honora-
jble bodys on the subject. | will be
lglad to hear from the humble9t miner
in the region in regard to any i'm
provement that ne may have to
| make upon this suggestion. For, rest
| assured, that it is only by cooperation
and united action that we can get the
| law amended. Therefore, it becomes
| the duty of every man in the counties
| to strengthen my report in regard to
this matter of furnishing me all the
data in his power, regardless OF
their party politics, as the republican
! miner needs as much fresh air as his
| brother democrat. The only way to
accomplish this is by pooling this is
\ sue and electing men at the ballot
box that have stood by your interests
at all times and under all circum-
stances.
I will recommend also that the law
\ be amended so as to infict heavy
punishment on all persons interfering
with or damaging the ventilation ap-
aratus in any OF our mines, such as