Devils Lake inter-ocean and Devils Lake free press. (Devils Lake, Ramsey County, N.D.) 1905-1909, 1908-01-03
.PRlETENT ACCIDENTS
Timely Report on Greater Safety to
Coal Miners =, =

Nearly 1000 men were killed or in
jured in 1906 in the coal mines of the
United States, 2,O61 being killed and
| 4,800 injured. In the first seventeen
days Of December of this year about
500 lives were lost, and the total death
roll for 1907 will probably greatly ex-
coed that for the preceding year.
Notwithstanding this appalling ac-
cfdent list, it is very doubtful whether
the natural conditions in any other
country in the world are so favorable
for getting out coal with a minimum
amount Of danger to the workmen
employed. The structural relations in
the principal coal districts of this
country are entirely favorable; the
beds are thfck-4, s, or feet-they
lie In nearly horizontal positions, and
they provide nearly ideal conditions
for mining. The mines as whole
are not troubled with fire damp to a
greater extent than those of other
countries. The abundance and cheap
ness, of timber in past years should
also have been factors of considerable
Importance in reducing the number
OF accidents in mines, for the use of
Sufficient props to support the roof and
sides need not have been prevented by
excessive cost.
In spite Of all the natural conditions
tending to reduce the number of mine
accidents in the United States to a
low figure, the statistics for the last
fifteen years show directly contrary
results. Coal mining in other countries
has been made safer by the adoption
and enforcement of stringent regula-
lions for the mines, but in this country
it has become increasingly dangerous
leach year. Considered In regard to the
number Of men employed in the coal
mines, the United States occupies a
less favorable position than, any other
coal-producing country, more than
three times as many men out of each
| 1000 employed being killed as in some
European countries that are less fav-
ored by natural conditions. In regard
to deaths per million tons of coal
mined, the United States not only oc-
cupies position worse than that of
most European countries, but is also
howing an increase in the rate, where.
as every other country is showing a
decrease. ....~,
In view of these conditions and OF
; the two most recent horrible disasters
/ no more timely report was ever pub
lished by the government than tina,
= just issued by the United States Geo
q logical Survey as Bulletin No. 1888, en-
{ titled "Coal-Mine Accidents: thei,
: causes and prevention a preliminary
J statistical report by Clarence Hall and
Walter Q. Smelling, of the technologic
i branch of the survey. This report is
the direct result Of an order; from the
Secretary Of the Interior, dated June
10, 1907, transferring to the Geological
Survey the general supervision Of the
J work Of the coal-mine Inspectors in
New Mexico and indian Territory;
n endeavoring to carry out the sug.
! gestions Of the Secretary relative to
the improvement Of mining conditions
and the prevention Of accidents In the
coal mines Of the Territories, a number
! OF exams nations of the more danger:
Gus mines Of indian Territory were
made by Messrs.$ Clarence Hall, Sam:
uel Sanford, and Rollin T.. Chamberlin,
and Prof. u a. Holmes, the expert ii
: charge Of the technolo logic branch.
s Other and more extends examine
81 tions in both Indian NJ Territory and
d New Mexico have been planned. Mean.
4 while. Mr.. Hall and his associates have
J been Investigating the nature, extent
/. causes, and results OF a number Of dis
astrous coal-mine exp osions iii several
!. LOT the states hey began an inquiry
concerning the nature and extent 81
such xplosions and the methods EN-.
!. ployed ID the United States ana foreign
countries 20 prevent their occurrence.
J. II response to numerous requests
I. Tor informat ion5 81 this subject, Messrs.
4 Hal Hall and Smelling have furnished III
the bullet Just issued ID brief sum
mary OF the results Of these inquiries.
s i, Later a bulletins iii deal with other
phases of the subject. ..s
y n. The authors point out that The in
Grease both Al the number and serious.
iinsaso Iaine plosiol, la the United
& States shown IA the past may be 81
9 spected "a continue unless most ener-
q getic Measures are AIKEN to counter
act The prey iIing tende ncy. with the
n dep1etion of the thick i and mora
VI faaY'lorabl situated seams 81 coal, thin,
liner and less regular seams rf,I,ss IA