The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1909-01-13
Ventilation 4 ]
!. Vine q !
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.AQuee.st:f; on. OF
Duality i 1: |: J |! \
Quantity

$1,000
$1,000. ].
Deputy State Mine Inspector r. g.
1aRue has written . third article on;
mines. Mr.. 14aRue Is one II tne: best
mine authorities In the United States
and presents his argument III a very
lucid and simple man er! 80 that any
one can understand. His last article
is on Ventilation in Coal Mines. the:
article reads: Y:
A great deal Is being written md o
great many theories advanced at the
present time il, regard to mine ventil.
alton. In my opinion, there Is NO ques-i
ton as to the amount OF ventilation.
only where the amount is insufficient
to meet al the, necessary requirements
Of the mine. And this condition we.
! find In many mines. Mine ventilation
is question OF both quality; and:
quantity. One lis Just MS essential for
the safety OF the mine as the other.
When we cease to ivlolute natural law
In the, mines OF this and other ma,
tons by ceaslng TO ventilate. them with
air at all temperatures produced BY /
so many sudden changes, when We ]
adopt a system in our mines by which
we will know no difference in the
mine between winter ind summer
, when we adopt this uniform system in /;
mines tine discussions will forever
cease and we will see; the Importance
Of both quality and quantity Of at1nos-i /
, phere In mines. | am free to- admit !
that large volumes, and high yelocities
Of cold air in mines are very danger
Gus. Many OF us have deceiv Ell our--
selves by believing; a mine highly yen-i,,
tilated In all parts, Well tin,bcred,
thoroughly sprayed and the walls kept
washed and clean, was safe In almost
every respect. But not SO. Since the {
Introduction OF electricity, mining ma.
chimes and high speed, haulagej in our !
mines, the elements OF destruction are \
always present in the atmosphere
when the mine Is In operation. and !
all that is needed is the initial. This
may be n blown out shot an over
charge shot. n small discharge Of gas,
a small discharge OF powder or dyna.'S5;
mite, fired accidentally in the. open, a Z
short circuit Of the electric current
n heavy fall Of rock in the pillar
workings and many other Things. But.
none OF these local disturbances will 4
produce a general disaster in the mine I
In the absence Of dust in suspension +
! in[the mine. Ss.;5,5t &
/ get tired OF listening and reading +
about. blown out shots blowing up the (
mine. It is, false, It is all rot. The !;
elements Of destruction are always
present in the atmosphere prior To
and at the time Of the initial that pro
duccs the disaster. In the absence OF 8
combustion, in suspension. there can 4
be no fame. In the absence of flame.
there can be no destruction Of the /.
mine. Under a uniform temperature. &,
slightly above the natural temperature /:
OF the 1nine-there will be. a natural /;
deposit Of atmospheric moisture that !;
will produce a condition while main
taned that will place the mine beyond 7.
all danger from dust explosions. And
under these atmospheric conditions Z
the larger volume Of air we have, the 1
greater VIII BIO the amount OF mols-
ture, and the safer it will be from q 1
gas explosion. "A mine cannot be de-:
stroyed by gas: explosion ii higlly /
ventilated in all parts and molstened Z
BY atmosphere. 4 "
Thus you sec the great Importance
OF both quality and quantity OF air In
mines. AS we study this subject Of !
atmospheric depositure Of moisture Ia j
mines. the great field Of thought will \
broaden around us, and many Thoughts 1
VIII come 10 orr minds. But let us
consider chem carefully one at a time.
4 Aside from the safety Of all men
who work in the mines and the safety i
OF men employed should be the first
consideration at all times. i3