The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1909-01-14
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Deputy State Mine Inspector r. 6. !:
IaRue has written a third article On
mines. Mr. LaRue is one of the best
mine authorities In the United States
and presents his argument n q verys
lucid and simple manner: 50 that any;
one can understand. His last article
Is on Ventilation in Coal Mines. The
article reads: ~
"A great deal Is being written and q I
great many theories advanced at the \
present time in regard to mine ventii.S
alton. In my opinion, there is no ques
tion as to the amount of ventilation.
only where the amount is Insufficient
to meet all the necessary requirements
Of the mine. And this condition We
!; find in many mines. Mine ventilation
is question OF both & quality and 4
Quantity. one5is Just as essential for
the safety Of the mine as the other.
When we cease to violate natural law
i in the mines OF this and other ma
tions by ceaslng to yentilate them with
air at all temperatures produced by /.
so many sudden changes when we I
adopt a system In our mines by which
we will know no difference in the
mine between winter md summer.
when we adopt this uniform system In &
mines the discussions will forever
cease and We Will see the Importance
Of both quality and quantity Of at1nos- Il i
i phere in mines. am free to admit
that large volumes and high yelocities
Of cold air in mines are very danger.
ous. Many OF us have deceived our
selves by believing a mine highly ven-S
tilated In all parts, well tinl5cred,
thoroughly sprayed and the walls kept 4
washed and clean was safe In; almost e
every respect. But not SO. Since the !
Introduction OF electricity, mining ma.
chimes and high speed haulage5 in our J
mines, the elements OF destruction are !.
always present in the atmosphere
when the mine Is In operation. and S
all that is needed Is the initial: This
may be- n blown OUT Sslot, an over. {
charge shot, a small discharge Of gns. 4,
a small discharge Of powder or dyna-
mite, fired accidentally in the open, q \
short circuit OF the electric current
n heavy fall Of rock IN the pillar K
workings and many other Things. But
none OF these local disturbances will Z
produce general disaster in the mine j
in the absence Of dust in suspension &
! inthe mine. Is sS.3 u 81
Il get tired OF listening and reading Y y
about. blown out shots blowing up the 4
mine. It is false, 1t is all rot The 4
elements Of destruction are always I;
present In the atmosphere prior to-
and at the time Of the initial that pro;
duces the disaster. In the absence OF s;
combustion, in suspension, there can Il
be no flame. In the absence of flame.
there can be no destruction Of tho I
mine. Under a uniform temperature T-s5s
slightly above the natural temperature 4
OF the mine---there will be a natural
deposit Of atmospheric moisture that
Will produce a condition while main
tanned that will place the mine beyond I.
all danger from dust explosions. And
under these atmospheric conditions (
the larger volume OF air we have, the 4
greater Will be the amount OF mois-.
ture, and the safer 1t will be from q I
gas explosion. A mine cannot be dc
stroyed by "a gas explosion II higlly Il
ventilated in all parts and moistened y
10y atmosphere. a, Is Il 5
Thus You see the great Importance
|of both quality and quantity Of air in
mines. AS we study this subject Of \
atmospheric 5depositure Of moisture IN ::
Mines the great field OF thought VIII Y
broaden around us, and many thoughts i
will come 10 our minds. But let us
consider them carefully one at a time.
y Aside from the safety Of oil men
who work in the mines and the safety i
Of men employed should be the first
consideration at all times. vi (!