Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-29
SCHOOLS FOR MINERS
Advocated by the Western Pennsyl.
vania Mining Institute.
KNOWLEDGE OF MINE GASES
Necessary to the Men Who Delve Below the
. Earths Surface.
AMENDMENTS TO TIE LAWS NEEDED

A theoretical knowledge Of mine gases is
an absolute necessity for miners. That this
can be given them day and night school is
needed in all mining localities Such was
the burden of yesterdays work by the
Western Pennsylvania Central Mining In
stitute in session at the Court House.
A large number of delegates were present.
Mine Inspector William Duncan read the
first paper. It was on the advantages OF a
slope over the shaft" He went into de-
tails on the subject and said the slope was
cheaper than shaft in the proportion of
three to FIVE Another paper was read on
the subject, "Does the present mining law
need revising" Many of the inspectors
were of the opinion that it did.
A resolution was adopted that the Chair
man, Hugh McMurray, appoint commit
tee of six, representing the operators and
miners, who will revise the present mining
laws The Chairman announced that he
would appoint the committee to-day.
Necessity for The oreticaI knowledge.
The next topic for discussion was, s'Should
. miner have theoretical knowledge of
mine gases?"
Inspector Duncan was the first speaker on
tho subject. Mr. Duncan held that every
man should have o theoretical knowledge
Of gas in mines A miner should know
how and what he Is surrounded with.
They are dependent upon one another for
their lives, and therefore they should care
fully study mine gas In Its various natures
Mr.. Steiner held theoretical knowledge
was all right In way but practical know
ledge was what was wanted. A man could
have head full Of theory and yet If sent
into the mine with lamp an accident was
likely to follow. Good sound theory and
good sound practice should go together, but
as between theoretical man and a practical
man MI. Simmer would take the practical
man every time.
An Ignorant Man 10 Dangerous.
Mr.. Jenkins thought all miners should
have theoretical knowledge Of gases in a
mine There arc so many men working in
a mine that they are compelled to depend
upon one another. II there Is mine with
500 men in 1t, and one man who, by theory,
knew the gases. that man was valuable,
and could likely save all the others, because
he could tell whether 1t was safe or not to
20 into certain part of the mine. The
speaker thought all miners should try and
get all the theoretical knowledge of gases
mine was dangerous man.
Mr.. Hopkins said it was all very well to
talk Of studying theory, but where is the
poor miner to get the chance? The object
of the operator has been and is to keep the
miners ignorant, because when the miner
becomes Intelligent he becomes kicker,
and when he reaches that point the operator
has no further use for him.
Children Working in tho Mines
The speaker continued that in almost any
mining district children could be seen at
work in the mines These children are
compelled to work because their parents do
not earn enough to keep them in idleness.
Mr.. jenkins thought both day and night
schools should be established in all mining
districts and the children instructed in the
theoretical knowledge of gases.
A resolution was finally adopted that
theoretical knowledge of gases was essen.
tial to all miners,
.sWhat are the relative advantages and
disadvantages of an exhaust fan over q
blow fan for ventilating purposes?" was the
next snbject for discussion.
Mr.. jenkins opened the discussion by
saying he could see no advantage the ex-
haust fan had over the blow fan. The
speaker contended that in forcing air into
the mine the pressure was increased and
the gas was therefore kept In the crevices,
as was the black damp. To use the exhaust
fan would mean to draw these things out
and send them into the rooms and passage
ways, thereby increasing the danger.
Steiner Favors Exhaust Fans.
Inspector Steiner held that the exhaust
fan will produce more air than the force
fan. In we'll systematized mine the ex-
haust fan was very much the superior.
Mr. King held that most fans are made SO
that they can be used as either force or
exhaust fan. In some mines force fan
was an absolute necessity while in other
mines the exhaust fan was necessary. The
question of fans all depended on the mine
and its conditions
The discussion was taken part in by
Chairman Evans, Inspector Keighley, Mr.
Harity and others. There seemed to be
about an equal division as to which was the
best fan.
The institute will meet again at 10 o'clock
this morning.