The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-03-01
MINE INVESTIGATION.


As a result Of the investigation by a
commission Of three appointed under
authority of the present legislature to
determine the cause of recent coal mine
explosions the legislature is asked to
appropriate 81 900 for the expense OF
further investigations
The commission also makes the fol-
lowing accommodation pending the
completion Of further investigation;
l. That operators of dry mines should
keep them thoroughly wet
2. That great care should be used in
the placing of shots.
3. That no combustible matter be al
lowed in the tamping of shots
4. That squibs should be used instead
Ct fuse in firing shots
5. That in the future the fan should
be at least fifteen feet from the mouth
Of the shaft.
The commission appointed by Cover
nor Hoch to make this investigation
was composed of Archie Fulton, Jas. A.
Orr and Edward Barlow. Fulton and
Orr are mining experts. Barlow is q
university professor. The report was
presented to the house of representa-
tives this morning and 500 copies or
dered printed.
The commission says that it has lack
ed time to make the necessary investi-
cations. 1t reports that on February 20,
II went to Weir City, which was made
headquarters for the Investigations.
From February q to February rs, four
mines We're inspected in which there
had been six explosions since December
IS. 1908, and nine shot frers killed.
Thousands OF dollars worth of property
had been destroyed in these explosions,
and the loss from suspension of output
has been heavy.
It was found that in some of the
mines too much coal dust had been al
lowed to accumulate. Mine No. OF the
J. H. Bennett Coal company where in
an explosion on January 26 two shot
firers had lost their lives was found to
be in dangerous condition Mining laws
had been diSregarded- The shot hrerS
were warned of the dangerous condi-
lions, but decided to continue to work
in the mine at their own risk
The commission visited one of the
Devlin mines on Feb. "a where two
explosions had occurred on Feb
and Feb. 8, in each of which two
shot firers were killed. The report
says:
''Timbers for several hundred yards
were swept out of the entry, and
charred coal adhering to the walls
gave evidence of the awful heat and
flame that must have prevailed at the
time of the explosion. Both of the
shot firers had been burned and were
considerably mangled. The DeVlln
and Miller company is making every
such an event. Since the explosion a
steam pipe has been placed in the
entry and in addition to watering the
roads steam is allowed to circulate
time of shot firing
The report discusses at length the
causes contributing to explosions 1t
is found that a well prepared shot
may throw fire and start the trouble.
Poorly prepared shots, however, are
held to be a more frequent source of
trouble. Windy" or blowout shots
also make trouble: inferior powder |
and dynamite mixed with powder; ex-
cessive use of powder. and insufficient |
tamping are all mentioned as sources /
of trouble. Combustible gases are
likely to make trouble, also coal dust
1t is found that explosions rarely &C.
cur in wet mines. Cold weather also
contributes to the frequency and vio-
lence Of explosions
The commission recommends that
rules be made regulating the placing
of shots, and requiring the use OF
squibs in firing shots. 1t is claimed /
that shots should be fired slower, even
if it prevents a miner from getting out
so much coal. 1t is also suggested I
that the mine. if dry. should be thor
oughly wet with hose.
The most radical recomm endation is .
that the present method of shot firing
be entirely abandoned, and all shots
fired by electricity from the surface of !
the ground. It is claimed that this
would not involve any net increase in /
the cost of producing coal.
The proposed new commission for I
an additional investigation is to be t
composed of five men; one miner, one /
operator, one chemist, one mining en-
gineer and one person not engaged in /
mining.
1t is proposed that the commission I
be allowed sixty days for the investi- |
cation except the chemist and mining I
engineer who shall be allowed sixty |
days additional for making expert
ments at the rate of So per day each. I
The proposed commission also want a T
stenographer. 500 for books, 5000 /
for apparatus and s1,40O for railroad /
fare and incidentals.
BILLS PASSED BY SENATE.