Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-30

an Accumulation of Fire-Damp Caused
the Explosion-An Appeal for Better
Protection.
-sFECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPATCH.l
SCOTTDALE, PA, Jan. 29-President
John IS. Rae and Secretary Robert Watch
oru, OF the United Mine Workers, are of
the opinion that the Mammoth explosion
was FASTENED bv the accumulation and igni-
tioE O: tire-damp, and denOunce as absurd
the idea OF an explosion of u pocket of gas.
This evening the following appeal was
addressed to Governor Pattison and both
branches OF the Legislatures:
SCoTTDALE, Pa, Jan. 29.
% His Eycci'ency, Robert f. Pattison. Governor
Of Pennsylvania. and the Honorable Bodes
the oeuaie and House Of Representatives, greet
Standing as we do by the open graves of our
brothers. whose lives have been suddenly and
violently taken in the frightGul Mammoth dis
aster, our hearts bleeding and torn while we
witness the mtermcnt of the fragments OF what
have but recently been bodies OF our comrades,
we hear the orphans wall. the widows despair
ing cry. and feeling our helplessness, as we do
most keculy.we appeal 10 you TO come to our aid.
Many Kind appeals for aid have been issued,
and 10 all the generous souls who respond we
feel the deepest gratitude, but while
we fully appreciate the timely succor
which comes with true American prompt
ness and generosity, we are fully
part ot a Charitable public Is rot all that is
necessary. We accept these offerings most
gladly. but we appeal to Gour ENceliency and
TO sEe honorable members Of the Senate and
House Of REPRESENTATIVES, TO come TO our aid
and throw around our craftsmen the strong
protecting ann of the great Keystone State, of
which We are DroCd 70 be citizens. whose secret
hidden treasures we cueeTfully delve and dig
n exchange Tor our Gaily bread.
'.'reveuriun Is better thar cure" is an OLD
axiom, anu We -rmly believe it was never more
sIututul than IN Our case. over 10000 of our
brothers QallY enter the respective mines of
Tie ~td-C. and IN addition TO the hardshipS in
CIdeut 10 working under ground they are in
many instances in constant danger of meeting
rAe same tate that has shocked the
cn-l-e Commonwealth and the country.
Many Of the mines in this region
ate eZCCp IOnAlly dangerous, and as the work
Ioc5 @-e extended the dangers are multiplied,
ana n" present methods TO protect life and
property are altogether inadequate and FIRE.
quelttE Hurel:ai'iC. The defects III our mining
LAWS make II difficult To locate responsibility,
and Il a. 10 be feared that certain amount OF
car"I,>sEe>s IS the result.
IN tu!s aouT of our sorrow, face TO face with
the dangers ard misery to which our craftsmen
are exposed. we Invoke projections for the help
less and the suffering. We have just learned
with pleasure Of the prompt actions taken in
-hr appointment OF = commission TO Investigate
chis matter. We would respectfully suggest
that ia addition 10 tie testimony of experts the
testimony OF those OF long experience be taken.
Theories Sometimes need correction.
Hoping that such measures Will be devised as
VIII bring greater safety to the wUrkmen of one
of the Creates industries Of this great Common.
wealth. VIC ale, in behalf OF the miners of Penn
syly4nia, your obedIcnt servants,
JOHN B. RAE,
Master Workman anu President u. INV. of A.
HoBEET WATCHOSN,
Secretary aud Treasurer L. NJ. w. OF 5.
PETER WISE,
Deputy Master Workman.
Z. u. PARKER,
Secretary