The Washington herald., 1908-01-09
WILL PROTECT LIVES
Mine Operators Hope to Stop
Accidents.
INITIAL STEP TO BE TAKEN
of Association VIII Prob
ably Be Considered at Meeting I'm
Washington To-day-Proposed 10
Have OrEaniza tiOns Il, Each State.
Mr.. Neil Robinson Presided.

Operators representing some Of the
largest holdings of bituminous coal in the
Eastern States, Will, probably to-day at
a meeting Ia this city take the initial step
in the effort to prevent the recurrence Of
such distressing mine accidents as have
startled the country in the last few
months.
1t was announced last night by Mr..
Neil Robinson, of Charleston, W. Va, who
was yesterday selected as temporary sec
retary at a meeting OF these operators,
that an association will likely be formed
to-day, which will have as one of its OBJ
jects the seeking Of remedies to prevent
such accidents In coal mines.
The sOft-cOaI Operators.
AT the meeting yesterday 1t was prae-
tcally decided that the soft-coal opera
tors OF each State should form an ass0cia-
tlon for their respective States II an as
.socIatlon comprising all these State organ
iZations is not made to-day, it is likely
they will arrange 20 have their permanent
committees get together with officers Of
the United States Geological Survey for
the purpose of considering remedies for
the accidents in mines.
There were about seventy-fye of the
leading coal mining operators of West
Virginia, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and other
Eastern States present at the meeting,
which was held in the Offices of Maj.
William \. Page, president Of the Vir-
ginian Railway. in the Metropolitan Bank
building.
The session lasted almost the entire
day. and in addition to the operators.
members OF the United States Geological
Survey, and also members Of Congress
from coal-mining States, were present TO
discuss the serious problem of the pre-
vention OF accidents in the mines. Mai
Page was chosen as temporary chair
man, and will act to-day, while Mr. Rob
nson will act again as temporary sec
retary.
As To the Coal Output.
Speaking of the meetings yesterday. Mr.
Robinson said:
The coal output Of the United States
has assumed such vast proportions that
the total tonnage for the year 1907 viii ap-
the production Of Great Britain In con-
sequence OF this increased output and
the necessarily larger number of mines
producing. there has been an increase in
the number of men employed
Many of the mines Of this country
owned by large corporations are natu-
rally handled with great skill and almost
unlimited money has been directed TO the
introduction Of every known system oI
ventilation and mining Notwithstand-
ing the care that has been exercised. ar
cidents Of a serious nature have Occa-
stoned alarm frequently in the last year
and a half.
Aside from the general fact that the
majority Of accidents have been caused
/ by gas or dust nothing is known about
I the prime origin OF the trouble. Appar-
emily there are causes or conditions
which have never been encountered here
tofore by the operators.
Careful study of Subject.
THE United States Geological Survey
/ has been giving careful study to the sub
/ ject and tests Of the power OF explo.
/ sive gases and dust are now under way
and will be continued as long the limited
! appropriation Of the survey will permit.
THE purpose Of the meeting was q
/ bring together practical operators fr0r
/ various States to confer with the mem
/ bers of the United States Geological Sur
f! vey. hoping thereby to bring about a free
/ interchange OF ideas. opinions. and sug
! gestions of the best means Of preventing
I accidents in mines, which have been do
/ termined. If once the cause responsible,
for the accidents is defined. the remedy
can be easily applied. Many interesting
/ views We're expressed at the meeting anC
another viii be held az 10 o'clock to-mor
/ row.