Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-03
FOR SAFER MINING METHODS
INVESTIGATIONS MADE BY Elk.
PERTS THROUGHOUT WORLD.
Special Thought Is Now Being De-
voted to Rescue Work in Con-
nection With Disasters.

Since the colliery explosions at Cour-
rieres and the more recent disasters in
the great mines of this country there has
been a great demand everywhere for safer
mining methods.
The cry upon both the continent of Eu-
rope and in the British Isles, according to
Consul Maxwell Blake in a report from
Dumferline. Scotland. has been loudest in
support of an effort for some kind of
organized rescue work in connection with
mine disasters
In Austria and France provision Of res
cue apparatus in mines is made COM
pulsory. In Germany it is optional, but
has been voluntarily adopted. In Rus
STA the law provides that where over fifty
men are employed in a mine the colliery
must have rescue corps trained to work
in irrespirable gases and that the number
OF men in each corps must be equivalent
TO per cent of those engaged in the
largest pit or shaft work, and that the
number of completely equipped sets OF
breathing apparatus at each colliery must
not be less than three.
The British royal commission on acct
deHts In mines which sat last year made
the following statement: We have con-
sidered whether 1t would be desirable to
make provision of any rescue appliances
compulsory. and we have come to the
conclusion that sufficient advance has not
been made in this country to justify such
a course at present.
Breathing Apparatus.
The question as to proper breathing ap-
paratus to be used in mines has also been
the subject of much discussion. The
pneumataphore is worn about the chest
and is said to be trustworthy for about
two hours. In this appliance the ex-
pired air passes through chemical COM
partments. after which it is regenerated
and breathed over again. 1t is said to be
ill-adapted for laborious exertion the
helmet appliance being preferable under
such circumstances. This apparatus is
operated on the same principle as the div
ng helmet. the air being supplied through
flexible tubes by means of pumps. The
helmet also is said to possess imprac-
ticable features. its use Is declared to
be unsafe for any distance over 2ON yards
from fresh air.
In both England and Scotland several
rescue stations have been organized in
connection with experimental galleries de-
vised for the purpose of training Golfers
in the methods of effective rescue work
in the event of explosions. pit fires and
all other underground accidents
In Scotland a mining college Is being
built because of the deSrability of offer
ing the working miner opportunities for
more intelligent knowledge of his work.
There will be included a convalescent
home and hospital corps devoted to am
Dulance work.
Suggestion Of Scotch Owners.
In a recommendation offered by Scot
fish coal owners association. after in
vestigating the subject of rescue stations.
it was advised that a central station be
equipped with sufficient number of res
cue apparatus. kept constantly ready for
use, as well as at least five appliances
at each separate colliery. within the dis
trict of the central station; that tele-
phonic communications be directly estab-
lished with these outlying collieries: that
at least thirty men in each colliery. all
of whom thoroughly know the mine. be
regularly instructed in the use of the
various appliances provided, and that the
central station shall be in charge of only
expert operators.
According to estimate the cost of
such a station, exclusive Of apparatus. is
estimated at $1,000 and an additional
$1,000 per annum for maintenance
Experts everywhere are working upon
rescue apparatus with view of bringing
it to higher state of efficiency Rapid
improvement is being made in some quar-
tiers, and according to the belief of many
the day is not far distant when mining
will be carried on with comparative