The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1891-08-06
THE COAL MINES.
CONTINUATION OF A Urea
TISE ON THEIR MANAGEMENT
THE WILLIAMS PRIZE ESSAY
An Experts Views Regarding
Ventilation, the Use Of Lamps
and a Discussion on the
Dust Theory.

The Herald to-day presents 70 its
readers the second and last part of tne
treatise prepared by Division Superinten-
dent John l.. Williams, of town, for the
prize competition arranged by The Pits
5prg Times on the best means for avoiding
mine disasters.
OF the 272 papers submitted on the sub
ject but four were recommended for pub
LEGATION by the committee and below is
published the second part of Mr.. Williams
paper, which was one of the four;
PART lL-LAMPs.
In a gaseous mine the miner carries his
life in his hand. He is defenceless and
open 10 be carried into eternity without the
slightest warning if not provided with a
good and reliable safety lamp, a lamp that
has been subject to the seyerest tests and
has stood them. There are lamps in use
that can tie relied upon, as far rs construc-
ton and principle are concerned. The
lamp should be protected from too high a
velocity of air, as danger is imminent when
the fame piercos the gauze. 1t is not al
together from a defective lamp that mine
disasters have originated, but from the care
less and Indifferent use made of them. In
the first place, the lock OF the safety lamp
should be so constructed as to defy a person
to temper with it that woG}uot lead to
detection. But a greater evil exists when
illi.erate and inexperienced persons are
engaged who really do not know the dau-
ger Chat envelops them. Here is The point
Chat should be pressed home. The miners,
as a rule, are an educated class, but it can
not be disputed that there are a number of
miners who need educating ia the little
duties and responsibilities that daily attend
the full, practical and safe execution of
their work. Where blowers Of gas are ex-
pected suddenly or have occurred, o safety
lamp should be provided that would surely
ba ~extinguished by The presence of gas in
side the gauzs. Any one found to have
tempered with his lamp should be instantly
dismissed. and prosecuted according TO law,
VENTILATION.
This is no doubt the most important
feature of 9 successful mine. By the word
successful, l mean the mine which is prac-
tieally free from all disasters that can be
ascribed to the insufficient circulation Of.
air. II is almost as impTaoticable to float g
boat without water, as 70 imagine that II
gaseous mine can be successfully operated
free Of disasters without the aid of a sound
system of ventilation. Very often the
quantity Of air to circulate through d new
mine is arrived at and based upon mathe-
NAUTICAL differences or theoretically, which
Is not always reliable. 1t is desirable
sometimes to take into consideration the
condition Of adjacent mines, worked under
similar circumstances. Whenever such a
basis is taken to work upon, care should be
taken to allow, sufficient margin. The
ventilating power should be augmented.
Then there are no risks. The fan engine;
should be regulated to meet different con-
ditions, as it is not always policy to have
too strong q current of air. The miners
comfort commands our every considera-
ton. l know Of instances where the ven
tilsting current is SO strong that it inn
~pregnates the eyes and nostrils with dust,
making it very uncomfortable. Expert
ments are numerous when, even afteE
watering the roadway, the current has
been so strong, together with the natural
heat Of the mine, as to make it impossible !
to keep the dust down.
DUST THEORY.
The theory advanced in support of the
argument that coal dust has been known to |
originate an explosion, l give no c~redence.
All my experience proves to me that the
explosion is only aggravated, intensified
and elongated, which is sufficient to impress
upon us the importance of paying particu-
lar attention to the matter of keeping the
dust down. BY sections of pipes laid down
the whole length Of the main roadways,
with jets at regular distances, the water is
thrown out at regular intervals, and thu
the rosdwsys are always kept damp. The
distribution Of air into splits cannot be too
highly approved of, as each section of men
receive an adequate quantity of pure air,
and it is not charged with the air that men
have inhaled in other sections of the mine.
Each split of air is carried direct TO the
return and then TO the upcast. Cases very
often occur where explosive gases exist in
small quantities, that the miner is provided
with a safety lamp to detect the presence
Of gas in his own working face, where it
sometimes. generates while be might be
called away for Il few minutes at a time.
The fire boss examines during his prescribed
time, This practice Of giving a miner a
safety lamp together with his naked light
sis absurd" That is where explosive gas
is found.