The Oskaloosa herald., 1902-01-30

Thomas Bullock.
j. e. Flewelling.
DIR. Muir.
John Werner, State Mine Inspector.
John Aday.
Matt Aday.
Jap Timbrell, Mgr Lost Creek Mine
A. A. Price.
John Lewis.
j. P. Wilson.
DIR. Day.
James Davey.
John Zaeber.
To Prevent Future Accidents
Much discussion is now heard upon
all sides concerning the cause of the
explosion and methods for preventing
a re-occurrence of the disaster. Some
have suggested that the entries Of
mines should be kept wet and that
means Of distributing water over the
floors should be devised. There is evil
dence that wetting does not prevent
disasters of this kind, but when the
flame is started only seems to add 10
the explosive properties of the dust.
Some dirt and dust is bound to gather
in the rooms in the slack and the
waste of mining. This is thrown back
in the unused parts of the room and
becomes oft times dry and dusty.
Sources of dust in the mine are num-
rous, whether caused by the travel
in the entries or the work of the min
ers in the rooms of the mine.
Miners and operators alike are at
a loss to name a means of preventing
the explosions. At the Cleveland,
Iowa Mines, in Lucas, a similar ex'
pIosion occurred some time ago in
which two or three lives were lost.
The miners and operators then took
it upon themselves to seek protection
against a re-occurrence of the explo-
sion and six professional shot firers
were employed. 1t was the duty of
these men to go from to room
after the shots had been prepared and
the man had left the mine. This W IS
about three years ago. Three of the
men thus employed were killed as the
result of their labor, two were injured
in the work and incapacitated for work
and but one of the men has been free
from accident. This would seem to
bear out the statement of State Nine
Inspector that the hiring of shot fir
ers only lessons the fatality by lessen
ing the number of men in the niue
at the time of shot firing.
Verner,Snpi"Ion
John Werner, of OskaIcosa, mine in
spector for the Second District, who
was called to Lost Creek to examine
into the cause of the explosion, finds
no fault with the condition of the
mine. In reply to a question as to
how similar disasters may be averted
Mr. Werner said:
an the states of Missouri and Kan
sas. l believe shot irers must be eta
ployed to fire the shots after the min
ers have quit work and left the mine.
The mining laws of these states make
the employment of the shot irers
mandatory. l consider legislative &C.
ton in this regard of doubtful value.
1t alone has done little and will do
little to remove the danger attending
the firing of shots in coal mines. 1t
simply cuts down the number Of ia
talities. If the coal of Iowa can only
be produced at an imminent and ever
present danger to the lives of the
miners or shot firers, coal mining In
Iowa should cease. 1t should be dis
continued unless some way a be pro-
yided to insure the men in the mines
some reasonable safety. This safety
in my Judgment can never be secur-
ed by legislative action. There can
be no relief unless the matter is TAX
up by the miners and operators Of
the state and these parties most inter-
ested agree upon some plan to bring
greater security and protection 20 life
and property.
Omitted and prompt action is needed
and / suggest that a commission be
appointed composed Of the best in
formed and practically experienced
miners of Iowa and a committee OIL
operators and mine inspectors. The
manner of mining coal by blasting
must be changed materially. 1t is
useless to hunt for relief at the out
skirts. 1t is useless to adopt mea-
sures that may have a tendancy to les
SEN the disastrous effects of these x
plosions. The evil must be attacked
in its most vital spot. and in order to
get good and lasting results, the earn
est cooperation of all parties interest
ed must be given. The dread Of inn
pending disaster now existing among
the miners OF this state must be re-