The Washington herald., 1907-05-13
MOVE TO SAVE LIVES
Coal Miners Will Profit by
Federal Experiments.
PLAN TESTS OF EXPLOSIVES
Fuel Division of Geological Survey
Arranges station for Trying Out
Methods of LeSsening Horrors OF
CoIlieries-Based on Results In Eu-
rOpe-Miniature Mine to Be Used.

Determined endeavors to stop the ap-
paIling sacrifice of human lives in the
coal mines of the United States are 10 be
made at once by the fuel division of the
Geological Survey, thus supplementing its
efforts to lessen the waste Of fuel in min
ing operations.
Plans have been drawn for unique
experimental station at which tests of
the various dynamites and powders used
in blasting coal will be made with a
view TO accurately determining their safe
ty IN the presence of the deadly fire.
damp and perhaps equally deadly coal
gas. Explosives of all sorts will be
hurled by means of a mortar into a man.
moth boiler-plate cylinder, which has pre-
viously been filed with gas. and the ef-
fects will be carefully noted. If ignition
fails after severe test, the explosives
will be known as permissible explO-
sives. and their use will be urged upon
the mine owners Of the country.
In addition there will be important ex-
periments in rescue work. 1t is declared
that in serious gas explosions in mines
hundreds of lives could be saved were it
possible for the rescue party TO enter
Immediately after the accidents. As II is
now the deadly fire-damp often holds the
men back for hours while their comrades
are slowly being suffocated or burned to
death
Can Go Into Thick Smoke.
In their investigations so far. the gov
ernment experts have found an apparatus
in Europe, which. when worn by the
members Of a rescue party. enables them
to enter any place where there is gas.
At the experimental station, a miniature
mine will be filed with dense smoke and
practical demonstrations in the saving
of life with this apparatus VIII be made.
a definite location for the experimental
station has not yet been selected, but it
is probable that the station will be in the
Pittsburg district.
we intend to begin the erection of this
station within a few weeks" said J. A
chief of the Technologic Branch
Of the Geological Survey. There seems
TO be no end TO the gas and coal dust ex-
plOSions in mines. Instead of growing
less. these horrors appear to be multiply
ing.
From our investigations so far the
United States is behind Europe in safe
guarding the lives of the men in the
mines England and Belgium have had
for years splendid experimental stations.
and in these countries there are but few
casualties In the mines. The Belgian
mines are notorious for the presence OF
fire damp. yet that country has enjoyed
a wonderful immunity from these terrible
explosions.
Permissible Explosives.
As a result Of the experiments I'm Eng
land there are a number of permissible
explosives and these must be used by
the miners in the blasting of coal. and
no others. They also have IN England
what is known as the limit charge,
which must not be exceeded on pain OF
severe penalty
officials Of the Geological Survey have
been watching with considerable dismaJ
for some time the frequently recurring
accidents in different parts Of the coun.
try. Some Of the recent mine explosions
in one State, West Virginia, are as fol.
lows:
Red Ash, March s. 1900 100 Killed
Rush Run. March Is. 1906 "A killed
Blueield Coal Dale Mine, January I, 1906, 2
killed.
Paint Greek, Detroit Mine. January Is. 1905. Il
killed.
Fayette County. iaral mine. February 8. 1905. 2
killed.
Philippi Century Mine. March g. 1876. IS killed.
Fayette County. Stuart Mine. January g. 1907. s.
killed.
Fayette County. whipple Mine. May 1. 1907, 2
killed
Clarence Hall. explosive expert for h,
government, who has charge of the plans
for the proposed experimental station
recently returned from England and Bel
gium, where he examined the stations
there. In these and other European
countries, the mine owners, the miners
the government, and the manufacturer,
Of explosives. all cooperate in the eff0r
to prevent the dreadful explosions. Tn,
results Of these experiments go TO show
that large number Of the explosion.
in coal mines are due to coal dust rathe
than gas.