The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1909-12-03
aspRiMER5lN ExPuosIvEs.

In turtherance Of its efforts to re.
dnce the number Of fatalities in Amer
lean coal mines, the UNITED States.
Geological Survey HAS just issued a
primer ON explosives for the benefit
& Of miners and alb Others who have
anything to do with explosives The
which IS written In plain, nom
technical language describes how and
OF what explosives are made, the dan
gers In their use and how these may
he avoided or reduced to a minimum.
The assertion IS made by Director
George Otis. Smith, Of the United
States Geological Survey, that the Inn.
Gsforer use of explosives and TIE use.
of Improper explosives are RESPONSE
bic for considerable number of the
deaths In the, coal miles, many OF
deatl,s In the coal mines. many OF
causes. sjsSs % o.
Vigorous objection is made to the
use of black powder in any mine
where there is slanger of a gas or coal
dust explosion. In such mines the,
operators and miners are urged to use
the explosives that have been tasted
as the Mime Accidents station, at
Pttteburg, Pa, as being much less
dangerous In their action. InTestiga-
lions at this station have proved that
the lame from the explosion Of black.
powder lasts from LOCO to 1000 times.
as long as the flame from the newer
explosives and is therefore more like
Nv To ignite she gas or dust in these
mines.
sThe use OF explosives is increas-
sang hptf in Quantity and in the varie-
" 81 purposes 10 which they are ap-
pliel.' says Mr.. Smith. "Tliey are
nov made ait $50 plants in tlitforenff
parts OF the country and the proiuce
OF single year now approaches 5Oe,-
100000 pounds. OF ell tnis material,
There Is no such thing as sale or
safety explosive when DIN the hands OF
caseleas OF ignorant person This
statenent Is true whether considered
in connection with the transportation
OF nses OF these explosives in mining
I'M addition to THE large losses OF life
and property resulting from al tn'-
proper use OF explosives in mining inc
Srecsnt STATISTICS of the RniDwa5 Blu
:sreau for 1.-THE Safe Transportation OF
SBxpIosiyes nave shown more than 400
persons Grilleti and injured and over
So, Oo0, 900 worth Of property DESTROYED
irom accidents from this source. The,
.aact that through cooperative effort
under the wise supervision OF this
bureau during the three years OF tts
existence these losses have been re-
jsdUced to almost nothing. should en-
coinage the hope that similar coope-
s1atiye effort may likewise greatly re-
ducs losses OF life and property
dront the use ui explosives In mining.
.Tae large death roll OF American /,
mines is an oft RECURRING appeal to
HE miner and the management that
they cooperate in every possible eff
fort for greater safety. 1t may never
he possible llnster conditions suca as
exis: to-day to prevent mine aeet-
iIlents. d4ttle may be accomplished
in that direction 10y either the opera
doris or miners working alone, but en-
perience in all countries shows that
through hearty, determined eo-opera-
:tion OF the tow, these accsd ents may
he greatly redtIced., This will require
wise laWss and regulations basedaon
fact and experience. and the strlctest
possible tIesciplinea' Nt
Tne authors Of the bulletin are
Charles b. Munroe, explosives expert
Snd Clarence Hall, explosives sngi.