The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-18
MANY STRIKES AND ACCIDENTS
Inspector Bryan's Report ON Indian
Territory Coal Mines

Inspector Bryan's Report ON Indian
Territory Coal Mines.
ut will be noted" says Luke W. Bry-
an. mine inspector for the Indian Terri
tory. in his annual report to the Score
tary OF the Interior on the condition OF
the coal mines in the Indian Territoiy y.
that the coal industry for the pas year
In the Indian Territory has felt the slim
illus of progress and prosperity in the
| past year.
| Some new companies have been organ
lied. but the larger proportion of coal has
been produced by the companies which
have for several years past operated in
this Territory, and these, with one excep-
| tion, have increased their output
| The total output for the year shows an
increase OF about 80 per cent. A few OF
the operators have perfected l:as under
the present rules and regulations. and
| some arc operating under old contracts
| with the Indian tribes. but the large.
| number have applications pending for
leases which will be perfected when the
prescribed regulations are complied with.
! Inc regrettable increase in the num-
per Oh accidents for the current year ha,
been a source Of anxiety, and have made
| close Investigations of all cases in order
that the cause. might be ascertained and
preventive measures taken against future
accidents. II possible. One cause of in
creased accidents Is the fact that a largo
proportion Of the older and more skilled
miners having been on strike during the
whole OF the past year has compelled tn,
operators to employ to a considerable ex-
tent less skilled labor. The total output
OF coal for the year has increased oves
the preceding year about IS per cent,
while the accidents have increased in a
greater ratio. Many hew slopes and
SHAFTS have been sunk. and tn s. perhaps.
mas been one u the causes Of increase.
I am bound to say that in my investi-
cations l have rarely found that any
action that might kave been taken by tbs
operator to prevent the accident has b,en
neglected, but that all reasonable preoau-
tions against such accidents have bs.u
used An analysis Of the accidents shows
the first and principle cause of accident
to be by falling roofs. Of which there
nave been twenty-seven during the past
year, eleven Of which have te n a nd d
by fatalities. The roof of the mines in
the Indian Territory Is an argillaceous
shale. which, when dry. appears hard and
hrm, but when subjected to mois ure rap
idly disintegrates and Stacks causing
heavy falls to take place. Exposure 10
moist air will in very short time trans
form this apparently hard substance first
into a dust and afterward into sticky
mud.
ut is during the hot summer and fall
months that the moisture in the air sinks
into the mines. causing the roof t.
sweat as 1t is called. and becoming a
source Of great danger and expense IN
the dry winter months, when the mois-
ture in the air seeks the outside, leaving
the air within the mine devoid of mois-
ture. the subtle volatile coal dust pr
meates the mine and becomes tn. source
OF danger from explosions. to which tn,
Indian Territory mines have been s,
often subject Therefore it must be con-
sidered that in this Territory a special
cause of danger Is existent at all seasons.
In addition to the other numerous risks
incident to the business and inseparable
from the operations Of ccal mining.
The coal of this region Is peculiarly
we'll adapted for the manufacture OF
coke. its coking quality being of the best.
The total production of coke in the in
dian Territory for the past year is 1850
tons"