The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1908-02-27
THE CAUSE OF
EXPLOSIONS
Discussed in a Clear and Concise
Manner by Our Mucklow Cores
pondent-Some Interesting In
formation.

so' t-AhoS ANGUS: Having be- |
Tore me the proceedings OF meeting OF |
coal operators OF West Virginia and 9th
eis, am nearly at n loss how TO look |
at 1t. Whether it was n meeting for |
serious discussion for lesseniny mine ex-
blossoms and saving life, or farce to
guli the public and miners. Intelligent
miners will look at it from the latter
point. Though the intention NAV have.
been good, III the first place what has
the geological surveyors to do with gases
given off in mines. However, Mr.. Page
states IL Is not from nn economic point
OF view which looks u credible view on
the face. Thought if he had said it was
from an economic point, as these explo.
slons were disastrous to life and prop.
erty, 1t would be to the writer's mind
tar more credible, as the cost would not
be SO great i'll maintaining n good Ven
tilation to dilute and render all gases
harmless. Now if the meeting had
grasped the bull by the horns, good re-
suits might have been achieved (instead
OF talking about coal dust explosions as
there never was such. Coal dust will
assist an explosion OF gas. What mean
by the bull are the following gases pro-
duced i'll mines which 1 will mention
(Alehtyl Hidride c. H. ~ (Hydride of
Ethyl c. ,, II. 81, Carbon Monoxidc
| c o., -(Carbon Dioxide c. o. p, (Hy-
drogen Sulphide II. ? 81, (Nitric Ok
idc n. o., water Gas H. o.. These
gases ought to be understood to know
their explosive force the deadly eff
fccts they have miners. Now, Mr..
Editor, some of the operators admit II
little gas. What do they mean by Il lit
tie? Can they explain when one vol
umc of gas mixed by 8 l-2 volumes of
air will cause an explosion of terrific
force when ignited, or l-2 volumes of
gas to one of air will act in the same
way? Hydride of Ethyl will give the
same results. The most ridiculous state
mcnt l ever read or heard OF was that of
having too much fresh air in mines. Hav-
ing seen lately report of great guam
| tity of air in Il mine where an explosion
occurred it equaled velocity of 27 feet
per second and heavy pressure backed
up by state inspector, and yet at the
face the velocity falls to feet per sec
ond, which will hardly carry away the
carbon produced by man and light, let
alone gases produced by breaking fresh
coal down.
Now, Mr.. Editor, if you find room
in your valuable paper, 1 would like you
to print the above with little added,
if you think it will be helpful in any
way to have these disasters brought to
the lowest point possible.
Admitting that the operators get the
best fans to produce ventilation, then
the air is not conducted right, or over
split, and hence we hear of bad results.
Now, Mr.. Tierney states that in the
old country they have schools to learn
these things. OF course 1 presume Mr.
Tierney means England. If so he is
right. The schools teach the miners the
gases and what part of the mine to seek
for them.
l want to say right here that the deep
eli they go for coal they will, for good
reasons, find more gas. These reasons
may explain another time.
Now in my opinion, if gas is found in
any mine safety lamps ought to be used
right away, and also IL shot-firer and
shots ought to be carbonise fired with
decorating cap, cable and battery, and
no shot ought to be fired if any gas was
found within radius of 20 yards.
A. MINER