The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-09-17
COAL MINING.

A system of pneumatic haulage un-
der ground was introduced in one of
the mines of Coke Bros. & Co., at
Drifton a year ago and has been so
successful that several other collieries
are to he fitted with it. The firm aban-
dCned the small locomotives for haul
ing coat under ground, because the
vapor had tendency to loosen the
top" or roof of the gangways and
various chambers throughout the
mines. 1t also rotted the pine timbers
used for legs" collars" and laggings,
and caused the top to cave in frequent
ly, entailing large Losses. Electricity
and gas were abandoned because either
was liable to ignite the Fas in the
underground workings. The first new
air locomotive was built a little over
a year ago. and is the invention of
Philadelphia man. With the exception
Of a huge boiler or tank, the construc-
ton of the air is like the steam locomo-
tive, and it is propelled in the same
manner The air tank is not unlike
the steam boiler of an engine, and Is
carried in the same position, thus do
ing away with n tender. On account OF
it's pointed head it is better able to
cut it's way through the heavy air of
a mine, attaining a high rate of speed.
The air is supplied by an air compress
| sor located on the surface. The air
| is pumped through two fiVe-inch pipes
| into the mine at a pressure of SEQ
pounds per square inch. One of these
pipes runs to the bottom of the slope
and the other to the end Of the un-
derground workings These pipes
serve as a reservoir for the air. At
the erds of the lines and along the
route of the locomotive are stations
where the air tank of the engine can
be reflled when exhausted; eXhaus-
ton occurs frequently and without the
station pumps the engine would be
useless.
An important and quite unlooked-for
| result of the late strike of cCal miners
in the Cardiff district is the opening of
new markets for American bituminous
coal Invasion of the British field by
coal produced in West Virginia is de-
scribed by an English coal trade au-
thority as appalling" and ii is pre-
dicted that within few years America
viii have outstripped Europe in the
production of coal, just as we have al
ready outstripped it in the produc-
ton of pig iron and steel. The cost Of
taking out soft coal is being lessened
every year a fact due to the introduce
ton of machinery, and in measure to
the employment of cheaper labor, the
latter rendered possible by the former.
1t is stated that West Virginia coal
can be delivered in English waters at
q total cost of IS. Cd. to 9s per ton,
against 9s. Cd. to los. for Welsh coal.
1t looks as though the veXatious prob
lem involved in the ovcrproduction of
bituminous might soon be solved by
the opening of new markets in quarters
hitherto deemed impossible of exploit
alton. 1t is not unlikely, moreover.
that when soft coal shall have acquired
a foothold on British soil, anthracite
also can be marketed there to advan-
tage, although the difficulty of induc-
ing the very conservative British pub
lie to change to a new fuel should not
be underestimated. In this connection
the fact may bc noted that the mining
interests of this country. as we'll as OF
Great Britain, have been invited Ia
submit proposals for furnishing 100000
tons of locomotive coal to the Brazilian
Central railroad. The coal is to be
similar in character and quality to the
Welsh coal, which is virtually the same
as that mined in West Virginia.
President Workman, of the German
Lloyd Steamship company, recently
said that thousands upon thousands OF
people who annually cross the Atlantic
for pleasure and business generally
seek the pleasure of the open decks In
pleasant weather, but find that pleas
ure marred by the offensive fumes
and dirt resulting from the use of sof
| coal. This fact has been forcibly i'm
pressed upon the management, and az
the North German Lloyd caters to th'
comfort of it's patrons they are con
templating the use of anthracite Goa
exclusively on their ocean liners. The,
are now building eight passenger yes
sells, each Of which will be equal L
the largest and best now in service
and these will with the others whel
the change is made use anthracite coal
; Every miner is hero, for his lif