Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-21
WORK OF THE AFTERNOON.

-Everyb body Given a Show-Spirited De-
bate and RunninS Fire Kept Up-A
Long Meeting-What Was said.
When the institute reconvened at 1:S0
o'clock Mr.. Loutitt proposed that discussion
be limited to ive-mlnute speeches, but ten
was finally fixed as the limit, though In
spector James Black, of the Seventh district,
wanted the session devoted to discussion
between Messrs. Shaw and Foster.
Mine Inspector Duncan said that Shaw S
testing machine was a success as gas de-
tecror. but he was not enamOred by the sig
nal machine. He thought its operation was
not practicable, or would not be. He had
heard that in four months the machine had
made no report, and the pipes, he thought,
were too far away from the men interested.
He urged that proper ventilation and the
Davv safety lamp would accomplish all
needed.
Mr.. Shaw responded that when he put
pipes into a mine the superintendent had
the placing of them, and BE had no voice in
the matter. He said his instrument weighed
and measured more accurately than drug
cist'S scales, butwhen Superintendent ames
+. Beatty, after five months trial, in3orsed
1t. be got the cold shoulder and could scarce
get employment
During Mr.. Shaw's remarks, Mr.. Foster
replied that he had never indorsed the ma
chine and Mr.. Shaw retorted, You did,"
By this time the gas in the Court House
came near the ignition point, but the ex-
plOsiOn was prevented for the time being, a
delegate calling halt on personalities.
Good Humor Restored by Mr.. Welsh.
Vice President William Welsh restored
] l,,-. ~ ~ ba
rot pin his faith TO the machine, he would,
il rich enough, buy one and take it home
with him. 1t would certainly afford recrea.
tion in the nature of delicate experiments
P X. Adams, though deprecating per-
sonalties, wanted TO know if Mr. Watch
orn were a stockholder in the machine, and
was com orted by Mr.. Shaw'S statement
that he CWatchorn) hadn't a dollsr in it.
Nh Adams was disposed to be friendly,
but shrank from indorsing, and Mr. Shaw
mildly told Mr.. Adams that he
Shawl had not used certain statements as
crihed 10 him by AGams Mr.. Shaw had the
advantage of being able all the way through
10 give some severe thrusts in gentle way,
and was impervious to the most savage at
tacks on him, preserving his temper un-
ruffied and evidently satisfied that he would
come of fairly well at the finish.
Mr. Adams secuted the idea that either
operators or consumers would make the sac
rIlce necessary to insure safety. and said the
cost OF the system would come off the miners.
II . opposed the Legislature doing anything
iG the matter.
A Reply to Some of the Structures.
Mr. Shaw retaliated by saying that if
the Legislature found anything better
he hoped it would adopt it.
In reply to some of Mr.. Adams structures,
Nr. Shaw said he did not think it absolutely
necessary for him to use a pick or shovel as
passport to recognition by workingmen.
He said he began life on a salary of 81 %
week, and he didn't seem to think it dis
grace to have worked out OF that sphere.
James Blick made sort of semi-friendly
speech. He admitted that he had indorsed
Mr. Shaw's machine once on a time, but be
gave notice that he did not propose to in
dorse everything Mr.. Shaw might invent
Nr BlIck said he became celebrated as soon
as he gave his Endorsement; every news
PAPER in the country found it
out at once. He argued that it
would be impossible to use the signal ma
chine in case of trouble before the miners
had been blown to Canaan's happy land,
and ne then proceeded to shape the final
action of the session, which was arrived at
after columns of argument. Mr.. Blick was
not wanting law either, but fire bosses, and
he gave Mr.. Steiner an opening to fire an
other snot at "the numbskulls in Harris
burg"
Rubbed the Fur the Wrong Way
Finally, Mr.. Shaw rubbed some peoples
fur the wrong way by talking of the infiu-
ence operators were exerting. There were
several indignant protests, but Shaw smil-
lngly resumed his seat and awaited further
Il l. H. IL.
town, was registering an energetic protest.
Mr.. Steiner asked why the Columbus de-
liverance was not given more effect. He
said there were brains in the Columbus Con-
ventiou and it had endorsed the Shaw ap-
piiances.
N1r West hazarded the assertion that no
practical miners took stock on Shaw's
machines.
Mr. Steiner wanted to know if there had
been no practical men in the Columbus Con-
vention.
This finally brought out William Barker,
of Mansfield, who had been to Columbus
and was disposed to give Mr.. Shaw a show
for his white alley.
Mr. Shaw, from his vantage ground, fol-
lowed Mr.. West and cited history to show
with what apprehension great cities, among
them Philadelphia. had accepted the mod
ern water service system, gas lighting, etc.
After he had concluded the meeting be-
gan to get down TO its pomace.
Secretary Sedden offered the,following:
Resolved, That while we endorse Mr. Shaw's
instrument known as the inspectors gas test"
We are OF unanimous opinion that his machine
known as Shaw's signaling machine" is i'm
practicable in our mines, and that it ought not
10 be introduced as a means of safety to the
miners.
An An-Night Session Threatened.
The resolution threatened for time to
plunge the meeting into an all-night session,
and one after another said they didn't want
any automatic appliances which would
cause miners more peril by making them
careless.
Mr.. Steiner said he did not like to see
them jumping on Mr.. Shaw all the time,
and suggested some other diversion.
NJ. Blick moved to amend by striking
out the last part of the resolu lution.
This gave Mr.. Foster, of Scranton, an
other opportunity Tor a fly at Mr.. Shaw,
and he (Foster) urged that the whole reso-
luton be knocked out, as if part
were adopted it might be mis-
an Endorsement of Mr.. Shaw
and both his machines.
Mr.. Shaw-The author of that resolution
sits there, Foster, and knew he would De
here.
This reused Mr.. Foster, and as an invited
guest he demanded protection from the
meeting.
The proceedings were also varied BY Mr..
Sedden arising and claiming the paternity
Of the resolution, and no views as to its
maternity were offered.
Parliamentary Tactics Resorted To.
Then followed a parliamentary snsrl,