The Washington times., 1909-09-25
FAKE DISASTERS
TO TRAIN MINERS
Red Cross to Instruct Coal
DiggerS in First-Aid
Work.

The American Red Cross Society will
inaugurate shortly hirst-aid-to-the-in-
jured contests IN tine mining districts
/ OF PENNSYLVANIA with the idea OF broad
euing the scope Of the contests in case
the first event, that is to be held at
Wikesbarre, Pa, on October 20. is con-
sidered success. The contests will be
held between competing teams from the
different mining companies throughout
Pennsylvania with the idea Of having
men on the ground i'm case of mine ac-
cidert who will be competent to give aid
to shOse injured il explosions or &C ve-
ms or I'm other accidents that might &C
cur in coal shafts
Artificial explosions, after which there
will be a pretense that several men have
been overcome by gas and injured by
falling timbers. will be fea- ure of the
drills. AT least six companies, consisting
or six men each viii take part in the
contests, and after the fake" explosion
tie contestants wiz go to the aid Of the
injured and render assistance. Those
bRndaging the wounds in the most
efficient manner and administering res
toratives in the quickest time VIII be
awarded prizes for their skill.
There will be three sets of prizes. A
handsome silver cup will be presented by
the American Red Cross Society TO the
team, composed of six men, performing
the services in the most satisfactory
manner. Medals of bronze viii be given
TO teams composed of less than six men
and to individuals for efficiency and Ger
titiCates VIII be given 10 others who per-
form the same services only In a less
efficient and less speedier manner.
Three army officers from the medical
staff, all Of whom are now stationed i'm
Washington, will act a. the judges IN
the contest, and Miss Mabei Boardman.
OF this city, will address the contestants.
Miss Bcardman Is a member Of the
executive committe OF the American
Red Cross and has always taken an aC-
tive interest in any events the society
has fostered
The board OF judges will be Major
Charles Lynch, who will act as it's pres
ident. now member Of the Surgeon
Generals staff; Capt. Charles r. Rey-
Barracks. and Capt. Howard II. Bailey.
who is stationed at Fort Myer.
The exercises that viii take up the
greater part Of the day, start at 10 a.
m and last until 4 in the afternoon.
The first event will be a fake" mine
explosion, when some Of the men will
pretend that they have ben injured and
will have 70 be hauled up the shaft tC
be cared for by the men giving aid.
The second event viii be an exhibition
drill by boys team. The tl,ird
VIII De a contest between IN tlNlOudiS IN
dressing wounds" the fourth between
teams of two men each in giving first
aid TO the injured, and the fifth will be
between teams of three men each, and
the last event will be the contest he
tween full teams consisting Of six men
each. These contests. It is expected, will
be held annually and the winning, team
wiz have to win three times in success
sion before it can claim the silver cup
to be presented by the Red Cross So
ciety.
Although this is the first contest o.
this kind. the American Red Cross has
ever given, IL Is said that should IT prove
q success that next year the society may
extend the contests TO other Etates, and
later on, should u prove practicable. the
contests may be held by teams repre-
senting other industries