The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-12-31
IN WHICH CLASS ARE YOU?
FRON O7EER PENS
HUNTING AND FOOrBALL.

HUNTING AND EONpIBAIl1.
Thirteen men were killed while on
brief open season. That is the num-
Der of young men killed in football in
the whole country this year, or as
many PennsylvanianS as have died
from this cause in a century. These
figures are offered not to prove that
football is without a certain amount of
risk, but to show that all human occu-
pations are accompanied by some dan
gers. The law of averages is a remark
able one. 1t indicates that about a
year from fortuitous causes and if one
class is lacking the other supplies the
deficiency
Parents who are afraid their boys
will be injured or killed playing foot
ball may be encouraged by the fact
that 1t is proved to be one of the most
innocuous of sport. The danger from
death or severe injury in any college
sport is not anything like so great as
that Of being run down by an auto
mobile or trolley car. Human life is
precious and must be conserved.
Science has done much for those who
err in certain directions. but it has
nothing to offer those who suffer from
pure accident.
All of which means that what is
needed by young and old is simply a
modicum of common sense. 1t is not
to be forgotten that the mother who
kept her boy homs from school be-
cause he dreamed he had died was an
actual mourner a few hours later be-
cause he fell off the roof. Let us all
act sensibly with courage. faith and
proper caution. Those who take the
most pains to escape accidents are apt
to be the worst sufferers, but it is GER
tain that boyish sports are not danger
Gus compared with the most ordinary
avocations of adults.-Philadelph In
quirer.
PREVENTING MINE EXPLOSIONS.
The disaster at the Little Hutton
|colliery, near Bolton, England, with it's
long death list, raises again the ques-
ton as to the possibility of science ever
putting an end to mine explosions.
Mining problems have been studied for
years in England. yet there still occur
these dreadful explosions, taking hum
dreds of lives. just as in this country.
It must be possible, Of course, to pre-
vent them, and it may confidently be
believed that science will sometime
find the way.
Much hope is held out by the state
ment made few days ago by Pro-
fessor Chamberlain, of the University
of Chicago, who declared that govern
ment experts have made a discovery
which will prevent large explosions. He
says that experts connected with the
bureau of mines have found that tun-
nels and shafts can be sprayed with a
mixture of shale dust and water to
give them a coating which will make
the coal dustproof against fire and, to
some extent, prevent the rise Of much
of the gas that makes explosions pos
sib1e. 1t has been abundantly proved
that ventilation alone will not prevent
explosions, as accid ents have occurred
in mines which are we'll ventilated.
Very strong air currents stir up coal
dust in the passages. The shale mix
ture dries like paste or thin plaster
and makes q coating which holds the
dust down so that air currents which
are needed to force out gas that &C
cumulates will not fill the tunnels with
coal dust. which burns in an explosion.
Buffalo Express.