The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1908-01-11
INQUEST

eighth, one-tenth. one-twentieth. one
fortieth. one-sixtieth. .pne-eightieth and
one one-hundredth inch meshes. Three
per cent. Of the cuttings passed.
through the one one-hundredth mesh.
ed screen this the witness considered
as dust and the witness thought that
the velocity OF air in mines Nos. and
8 would only take up the finest In sus-
pension. Had ventilation been restor
ed Immediately after the explosion the
entire mines would have been en-
veIoped in flames. 1t would take
more than rs seconds for the runa-
way trip to run down No. 6 slope.
David Victor Recalled.
David Victor was recalled to indi-
cate the method rracticed in ventilat-
ing the mines. He was asked If the
hermetic sealing of robbed portions Of
the mines was a safe practice. The
witness did not think so. as gases
might break through the sealing. The
company ventilated the robbed por-
lions instead of sealing them.
George Peddicord was recalled and
identified the pressure guage record
at No. 6 as the one he took OF. These
records were offered in evidence and
will be part of Mr.. Peddicord's evil
dence-
Earl Powell. who made a copy of the
morgue record. was recalled and iden-
tilted his report. The report was Of
fered in evidence as a part of the
witness testimony.
Testimony of ]. c. GasEiIl.
First the company had one inspec-
tor. The work increased and other
inspectors were appointed. When
these men report to him and he in
turn makes recommendations for the
development of the mines to the su-
perintendent of the mines and they
are supposed TO have these recommen-
dations carried out and to see that his
men do carry them out. The mine
foreman where there are fire bosses
make out one report signed by both.
Where there are no fire boss the mine
foreman makes the report The re
ports are made by daily. Reports of
the mine foremen OF Nos. 6 and 8 were
handed the witness and he identified
them. The pressure guage records are
delivered to the general superintend-
enrs office daily. The records of De.
cember Q. 3. 4 and were exhibited
IN court.
Mr.. LaRue's report of the mine was
good. This report was made on oc-
tober and 8. No. 6 report was as
follows:
Ventilation good. coal dust. none:
roof and timbers good. gas and after
damp. traces of gas: doors and brat
tees. good; machinery and appliances,
good; electrical wiring good; danger
Gus practices none discovered. oil used
good. ingress and egress good.
These reports were offered in evil
dence ana were admitted as a part OF
Mr. GasSilfs evidence. Two letters
were read one which Mr.. Gaskill
wrote 10 Mr.. E. '. Bryne' assistant
NINE inspector OF tne First district
Vi west virginia inspector LaDues
predecessor. where the witness ex-
pressed desire 70 use the SAFETY lamp
ana tne reply "neFe Dir. Brine stated
mat tne mines operated by the Fair
mont Coal Company did not come IN
aer tne provision OF the law requiring
tne use OF SAFETY lamps and that the
MINES might De operated with the open
ramp inc record OF 'tne' test OF tho
IAN at NO. . was onered in evidence
ana was ADMITTED. The witness did
not Kno" OF any one being burned by
any previous explosion.
w. Il. Bailey on Stand.
~. II. Bailey was the next witness.
He resides In the State Of Delaware.
He was assistant general superintend-
ent OF the Fairmont Coal Company