Gilpin observer., 1908-01-02
COAL MINING ACCIDENTS.
Timely Report Just Issued by U. s. Geo.
logical Survey.


Nearly 1000 men were killed or in
jured in 1906 in the coal mines of the
United States, 2061 being killed and
4,SOO 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
exceed that of the preceding year
Notwithstanding this appalling ac-
cident 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 EN-.
ployed. The structural relations in the
principal coal districts of this country
are entirely favorable; the beds are
thick-four, five or six feet-they lie
in nearly horizontal positions, and they
provide nearly ideal conditions for min
ing. The mines as whole are not trou-
bled with fire damp to greater extent
than those of other countries. The
abundance and cheapness of timber in
past years should also have been fac
tors of considerable Importance in re-
ducing the number of accidents in
mines, fo- 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 20 reduce the number of mine
accidents in the United States to low
hSure. the statistics for the last fifteen
years show directly contrary results.
Coal mining in other countries has
been male safer by the adoption and
enforcement OF stringent regulations
for the mines, bat in this country it has
become increasingly dangerous each
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-producins
country. more than three times as
I many men out of each 1000 employed
being killed as in some European coun-
tries that are less favored by natural
conditions. In regard to deaths per
million tons of coal mined, the United
States not only occupies a position
worse than that of most European
countries, but is also showing an in
crease in the rate. whereas 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
I lished by the government than that
/ just issued by the United States Geo
| logical Survey as Bulletin No 333, en-.
/ tiled Coal Mine Accidents: Their
I Causes and Prevention" a preliminary
| statistical report by Clarence Hall and
7 Walter .. 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 .1une
I 10. 1907. transferring to the Geological
Survey :he general supervision of the
work of the coal mine inspectors In
New Mexico ard Indian Territory
In end ,avoring to carry out the sug-
gestions o. the secretary relative to
the improvement of mining conditions
and the prevention Of accidents in the
coal mines of the territories. a number
of examinations of the more dangerous
mines Of Indian Territory We're made
| by Messrs. Clarence Hall, Samuel San
[ ford and ROllin T. Chamberlin and
[ Prof. J. \. Holmes. the expert in charge
Of the techuologic branch. Other and
more extended examinations in both
Indian Territory and New Mexico have
been planned.
Meanwhile Mr. Hall and his associ.
ates have been investigating the ma
/ ture. extent. causes and results of a
number of disastrous coal mine eXplo-
sons in several of the states. These
studies have been carried on in con
nection with the general investigations
| of the waste and destruction of coal in
mining operations. In connection with
all these investigations. and with
view TO determining the practicability
of preventing coal mine explosions and
improving mining conditions, Mr.. Hall
with the assistance of Mr.. Walter o.
Smelling. and under the advice of Prof.
c. l.. Munroe, began an inquiry con
| corning the nature and extent of such
explosions and the methods employed
In the United States and foreign coun.
tries to prevent their occurrence
In response to numerous requests
for information on this subject, Messrs,
Hall and Smelling have furnished in
the bulletin just issued brief sum.
mary of the results of these inquiries,
Later bulletins will deal with other
phases of the subject
The authors point out that the in.
crease both in the number and serious
ness of mine explosions in the United
States shown in the past may be ex.
pected to continue unless most ener-
gctic measures are taken to counteract
the prevailing tendency. With the de.
pletion of the thicker and more favor.
ably situated seams of coal. thinner
and less regular seams must be
worked. This factor will undoubtedly
be of the greatest importance within n
comparatively few years and the nat.
ural result will be to increase greatly
the death rate. The rising price of
timber will have the effect of decreas.
ing the number OF props use and thus
increasing the chance of accidents
from falls of roof and coal, which were
the direct cause of fifty per cent. OF the
deaths in mines In 1906.
The varied nationality Of the miners
is also factor to be reckoned with.
At the Monongah mine. which was Wis.
tied by Mr.. Smelling just after the acci.
dent, signs printed In seven different