Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-08
Our MAIL pOUCH.
A Method Of Making Mines Safe for Those
Working in Them.

A Method Of Making Mines Safe for Those
Working In Them.
To the Editor OF The Dispatcni
Will you permit an humble old miner,
through the columns of your paper, to put
few pertinent questions to men of science,
mine inspectors, and, in short, TO all men inter-
ested in coal minesf VIII men of science exert
themselves and do the one-hundrecth part Of
what is possible, practicable an economical TO
prevent the recurrence of such awful calami-
ties as that which has been exhibited to the
reading public for the last 20 days? VIII
brave hearted, sympathetic miners who forget
themselves and all that is dear to them ON
earth, while working TO rescue their fellow
working men, support the men of science, and
will the great coal operators. from point OF
economy, study the remedy that will herein
propose7
invite contradiction and criticism, when
say that if three sides of the return air course
known to exist. were studded and covered with
sheet iron or tin plate used for roofing, ninety
per cent of the danger Of explosions would for
ever be abolished. Eighteen and one-half out
of every 20 parts of the power now used in ven
tilatlng mines are wasted or lost by the resist
ing force Of friction. Air being material
body, 900 cubic feet OF 1t weighing about ~
pounds as 1t moves along constantly rushing
against the ragged sides of the hewed coal
entry, given volume Of it will come in contact
with an area of surface many times greater
Of the same entry. II the sides were sheeted
with a smooth surfaced material, then the fric-
ton would be decreased and the velocity or
motion of the volume Of air travelling In the
excavated works would be increased In the
same ratfo-and motion is great power.
Fourteen and one-half pounds Of atmospheric
pressure on the square inch OF surface OF the
earth. by little calculation, will give us in the
aggregate 81, 200 pounds Of natural pressure, In
the mouth Of an ordinary coal mine entry, OF
5x5 feet.
Here we see the immense natural pressure of
the elastic. vital air trying to follow the honest
toilers into the bowels of the earth where cir
cumstance compels them to work in dark,
dreary little world, planned and regulated by
man. And 1t is nothing else but the ignorance
of man or his culpable neglect of duty that OBJ
structs that essential element Of health and
safety from reaching its destination to sustain
life and expel dangerous elements.
Men of science and great knowledge, when
they have means, should have the courage to
keep unobstructed channels for this destroyer
of life and property to escape. The heroism
that will save life and property In the future Ii
better than the heroism that will avail nothing
for the living or the dead. God and His hand
maid. Nature will assist science when her vo-
taries do their work well. TIE deadly fire damp
will have to leave the mines when science does
her work WELL and future generations, as well
as the present will worship at our shrine. No
puny device of man. such as the Davy lamp or
mathematical instrument that will measure
the least allowance of fresh air that man can
subsist on. will form safe substitute for the
safety of property. or the healthy existence of
the coal miners, who are the first cause OF our
manufacturing progress and largely of the
wealth of our cities.
The remedy propose would not in the end
add any extra cost to the mine owners. Hop
ing that some man or men, whose name and
standing In society would lend weight to the
subject will consider my suggestion,
am respectfully yours, A. L,
PITTsBURe, July T.