Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-12-21
OVER 500 SLAIN SINCE
FIGURES WERE ISSUED
FINDINGS or GOVERNMENT DE-
RARTMENT WILL be USED IN
FORMULATING PLANS TO MIN
IMlZE DANGER IN MINES
Washington Bureau,
of Ottumwa Courier,
Washington. D. G.. Dec, 20.

4sVcouluSIOu u. Va DoC,, GOs
The coal mines of the United States
are killing three times as many men
per 1000 employed as tnose of most
European countries.
In the last seventeen years, 22,84O
men have given up their lives in the
mines of this country. AS many vio-
lent deaths have occurred in the
mines during the last six years as
during the preceding eleven years.
The number of fatal accidents each
year Is now double that of the year
1895.
In 1905, e,s61 men were killed or.
injured In the mines, the killed num-
bering 2,061 and the injured, 4,SOo.
These terrible facts have been
CLEANED by government experts act
ing under orders from Secretary Gar
: field of the interior department to in
vestigate the nature and extent of
mine accidents particularly those re-
sulting from explosions and also to:
make. suggestions as to how mining
conditions may be improved and acci.
dent prevented. s$E
The secretary's request for inforina-
ton was sent to George Otis Smith,
director of the geological survey, last
June, who placed these Investigations
under the technologic branch of that
organization. Carrying out the sug-
gestions.
Joseph "A. Holmes. chief of the tech
nologic branch. Clarence Hall, ex-
plosives expert, and others made a
number Of examinations of the more
dangerous coal mines Of Indiana ter
ritory. In addition, Mr.. Hall and his
assistant, Walter o. Smelling, have in
vestigated the nature and causes of a
number of disastrous coal mine explo-
sions in several of the states.
The conclusions of the experts are
found in bulletin issued today in
Coal mine accidents; their causes
and preventions."
The statement of Mr.. Holmes in the
bulletin that an increase in the num-
ber, and in the seriousness of mine ex-
plosions may be expected to continue
has already proven fateful, for since
the words were written. the country
has been startled with the news of
four mine explosions costing nearly
600 lives. The first explosion occurred
in Pennsylvania, in the early part of
December and cost thirty-two lives
Then followed the Monangah mine dis
aster of West Virginia, with loss of
nearly 400 lives. and the explosion in
Alabama the other day with sixty-one
lives lost. Following this was the Sec
ond Pennsylvania disaster. with an
other heavy death loss.
Mine Explosions Increasing.
MIR. Holmes. in summing up the sit
uation, says:
The figures given in this report
Indicate that during the year 1906
nearly 1000 men were killed or injur-
ed in the coal mines of this country,
and that tne number of these acci-
dents caused directly or indirectly by
mine explosions has been steadily in
creasing. 1t is also indicated that this
increase has been due in part to the
lack of proper and enforceable mine
regnlations; in part to the lack Of re-
liable information concerning the ex-
plosives used III mining, and the condl-
tion under which they can be used
safely in the presence OF the gas and
dust encountered in the mines; and
in part to the fact that in the develop.
ment of coal mining not only is the
number of miners increasing, but
many areas from which coal is being
tafen are either deeper or farther
from the entrance where good ventila-
lion is more difficult and the danger
Gus accumnlations of explosive gas
more frequent.
The increase both in the nun oa1
and in the seriousness of mine explo
sions in the United States during past
years may be expected to continue un
Z less through Investigations made in
the United States such as nave proved
effective in other coal producing coun
tries, Information can be obtained and
published concerning the explosives
used, the conditions under which they
may be used safely in the presence Of
coal dust or gas, and the general con
ditions which make for health ant
safety of coal mining operators. Such
infoUnation obtained through con,
Drehensiye and impartial investiga
tions. may serve in this, as in Other
countries. as an intelligent basis botf
for legislative enactment and fol
agreements among persons associatet
with mining operations.