Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-20
UNDERGROUND PERILS
The Mining Institute Discusses the
Danger of Oil and Gas.
STRONG RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
Advantages and Evils of Lig hting Diggings
by Electricity.
END OF AN INTERESTING SESSION

The Western Pennsylvania Mining In
stltute commenced business promptly yes
terday, and after discussion adopted the re-
port Of the committee appointed to express
the sense of the body on the subject of bor-
ing oil and gas wells through coal mines
with present precautions against danger.
The committee found as follows:
WHEREAS, We members OF this institute,
having a practical knowledge Of mining
and the dangers connected Herewith, view
with alarm the imminent dangers to which
the lives of the miners employed in the
mines of Western Pennsylvania are con-
stantly exposed, owing to the careless man
ner in which oil and gas wells are being op-
Grated in connection Herewith; and,
Whereas, Where such wells where gas and
oil are being produced are standing men
ace to tho lives of all employees in the mines
and will make the occupation of mining so
hazardous as to virtually destroy 1t, and
mining properties also, and,
Whereas, From late observations it has
been fully demonstrated that notwithstand-
Ing the assertion of the Oil operators and
their experts, oil in dangerous Quantities is
now escaping into the mines through the
solid strata a considerable distance, and If
Oil Will Penetrate the Solid Strata,
gas will do the same. thereby showing the
liability of filling the mines with highly
dangerous elements at any moment; hence
the necessity of immediate action
being taken by all concerned in
mining to avert the proable loss of life.
While We do not wish to antagonize the
business OF the oil operators, yet their busi-
ness should be so conducted as not to jeop-
ardize the lives of the miners nor destroy
the business interests or property OF other
classes of our citizens. Therefore be it.
Resolved, That we, the members of this
Institute use all honorable means to secure
such legislation as will remove the danger
to life and destruction to property, arising
from the operating of such gas and oil wells
and we recommend that committee of five
be appointed at this meeting to suggest
remedies for the working of the mines.
To Obtain the Best Results,
The comparative advantages of natural
and artificial drainage were discussed and
the concensus arrived at was that the best
results would follow draining as nearly &C.
cording to the natural flow as possible.
The advisability or non-advisability of
lighting mines by electricity was next dis
cussed. Inspector Blick, while admitting
that there might be much gained BY using
electricity, said great care should be exer-
cised that proper precautions be taken to
guard against explosions. Electric light
would not show the condition of the
air, but it would show cracks in the roof
and in this way would tend to safety. On
the other hand, fall of roof would be
almost certain to be followed bv an ex-
plosion if it let free large volume of gas.
Secretary Sedden thought electricity
would be a good thing if proper precau-
lions were taken to keep the air non-explo-
sive, as the atmosphere would be healthier
for breathing, but he agreed with the sug-
yestion of President McMurray that in the
event of the use of electricity the air might
be allowed to become impure, whereas by
he use of the common lamps its foul condi-
ion is made apparent
Feature Sure to BE Disastrous.
James Clayton said electric lighting