Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-01-17

The introduction this week In the
lower branch Of the Legislature Of two
bills relating to the handling OF eX-
plosIyes and prohibiting the use Of
storage magazines underground In
metallilerous mines has aroused a wide
discussion among mining men, one
bin ls by Representative Brink and the
other by Representative Jarrett The
latter bin is the handIwork Of State In
spector Of Coal Mines Conner Thomas
and is a carefully drawn document,
The recent explosion In the DAILY
West mine at Park city which resulted
IN the loss Of "a lives and the destruc-
ton Of large amount Of property has
no doubt led to the present move In
that case the powder magazine was
situated on the l,2OO foot level and
the cause was as usual-carelessness
Who It was that was careless win pro-
lably never be known as he was swept
into eternity at the same time with
his innocent fellow workmen,
UTMOST SAFEGUARDS.
The opinions Of several persons whose
business is mining, and who are faml-
lar with the handling Of explosives has
been solicited and are herewith given
and they all agree on one thing. ami
that is, whether powder be stored UNI
derground or on the surface, it should
IN every possible way be sateguarded
Former Congressman n. +. Slngiser, Of
Idaho, who Is now operating the Ameri-
can Flag at Park City and who has had
over quarter Of century's experience
IN mining says, that underground mag
aznes can be so constructed and taken
care Of as to make them no more dan
gcrous than those on the surface. In
such cases they should be placed IN
parts Of the mine as far away as pos
slble from where the work Is being
done and where the mine has been
worked out What Is more important
still is the employment In the care
ard handling OF explosives Of only
trusted and experienced employees, I'M
der careful supervision. II this were
done the danger would be reduced TO
minimum
supt w. l.. Goodsel Of the Goodsell
Mining company is outspoken and em-
phatic against underground magazines
ard fayors only those on the surface.
UNDERGROUND MAGAZINES.
capt b. Tlbbey who for AZ years has
followed mining as miner, boss, fore
man, superintendent and manager.
underground and above ground, Ia
various parts of the world. and whose
opinion Is worth a great deal, Is OUT
spoken in favor Of underground maya
zines and says they should all be UNI
derground and In charge Of one man
who neither smokes nor drinks, nor
wears nails In his shoes He should be
closen with a special view TO fitness
ard should receive extra pay. Capt
Tibbey says that powder can be kept
at a more equable temperature under
ground II should be stored IN maya
hines wen ventilated and they should be
constructed in crOss-cuts away from
tie active workings The caps should
DO kept az distance from the powder
lie does not favor old men IN taking
care Of and handling explosives mas
much as they grow careless with years
Rubber shoes should be worn and the
et;ictest kind Of supervision should be
exercised over the powder man.
The captains objections 10 surface
magazines s danger by lightning
strikes. h0boes, children. fires acct
dental or intentional and malicious mis-
chief which has caused several dlsas-
trous explosions which are referred 10
below. He says that the way maya
zines are constructed now they have
iron roofs, iron doors, locks etc, all
of which attract lightning In
case they are on the surface they
should be built Of adobe and have dirt
roofs and wooden doors. During all the
many years the captain has had charge
of mines and FOR II OF them he was IN
charge Of the famous Parrott mine In
Montana he has never had an accident
from explosives.
IN MOUNTAIN SIDE.
Judge j. r. Mcconnell Of the Raven
Mining company says the construction
OF a magazine al their mine was well
considered and theirs was built in the
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