The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1907-02-21
In Stuart Coal Mine. Says J. o.
Brooks In, bis Report to Iegisla-
tive Investigating cemniittee. 81

Brooks OF this city given to the com
mittee appointed by the state iegis-
lature tot investigate, the cause OF
the disaster.
:. As a witness Mr.. Brooks gave en-.
pert testimony which will be intalu.
able to the members of the commits.
sion in making their report tb the
Legislature. He submitted lid re.
port to the committee and 9as then
questioned by Attorney Geidral c.
w. May. attorney for the cohmittee
Hon. c.. w. Dillon. counsel for the
White Oak Fuel Company. and each
member Of the legislative committee
He announces in the frat lines OF
his report that he accompanied the
Investigating committee 70 Stuart
and spent Monday. February III in
and about the mine Mr. Brooks
made two descents and attempts to
visit what is supposed to have been
the initial point of the explosion. On
the first occasion and DESCENT In the
forenoon he was accompanied by
Chief Mine Inspector Paul. Deputy
Inspector Absalom and Company In.
spector Pinkney.
In the evening OF the same day he
made the second descent into the
workings OF the mine accom- anfei
by Mr.. Dixon, president of tile com.
pany. and Deputy Inspector Earl
Henry. Regarding the ventilation Of
the mine during these two attempts
to visit the initial point Of lhe ex
plosion, Mr.. Brooks states In fhis re-,
port that while the natural ventiia-
tion appeared good he was informed
that the fan had not been running
for several days and one entry was
stopped with water thus tntcrrupting
the current OF air. The party were
unable to reach the initial point OF
the explosion. but went In a distance
OF from 1900 to 1900 feet from the
shaft on each occasion. when gas was
detected in such quantities. As In the
Judgment Of the party, rendered 1t
unsafe to proceed further
In reference to the cause Of the
explosion. Mr.. Brooks states iu his
report that "as to the cause OF the
explosion. from my examination. RI
am satisfied OF the following facss:
First, that the Stuart mine was q
we'll laid out and properly worked
mine. supplied with all necessary
machinery. including yentilalins ap-
paratus, and in every way vas in es-
cellent condition Immediately prior
to the explosion.
Second, that the explosion was OF
gas and not OF dust. The mine is a
very dry one in the party which I 7ts-
tied and the usual amount ot dust
was visible in and along tho ensrtes.
but the dust showed no trace OF COM
bustion, not even the extremely dne
dust, adhering to the side Of the en-
tries ana props. II dust had partici-
pated at all In the explosion there
would have been evidence Of the fact
in the shape OF charred particles Of
dust.
u the explosion was os gas. is
believe. With te tan running foe sew
eral days. the gas which caused the
explosion might have come from a
pocket of gas Unexpectedly tapped IN
mining or from the failure 10 keep
closed some door direetins The ven
tilating current. 1t may have been
caused by naked lamp. blowout
shot or the breaking ami short cir
cutting of an electric wire Eot be
Ing able to get to the inttiH point
was unable to formulate a theory
either as to the cause of the nccumu-
| lation or the cause of the ignition.
am satisfied l did no. reach the
initial point because the direction in
which timhers. doors. e'c were
blown showed 1t had It's origin fur
Their back Than the farthest noiut we
reached.
Mr.. Brooks closed his report to the
committee in referring to NE legis-
lation that would be necessary to
prevent recurrence OF the miulus
disasters. He says:
AS to the fourth point viz. what
further legislation is necessary in or
der to prevent the recurrence OF sim
liar disasters. beg to say that have
had the honor of being one OF the
commission appointed By the COVER
ner of this state to consider and re-
port as to what additional mining
legislation, If any, should ID. recon-
mented to the Legislature now in
session for securing improved aud
safer conditions in mine, Ia shis
state.
This commission but recently COM
pleted its work and made report TO
the governor accompanied By several
bills. the passage of which was re-
commended. think now. as
tbouvbf ubon cIonod tho ranart