The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-10-16
'H|[[HOUSE ISSUES
 WARNING ID MINERS
Explosions More Liable to Oc.
 cur in Winter
MINES BECOME VERY DRY
Also Cautions Men Against Use of Dynamite and Urges Discharge of Anyone Taking Thf. Explo-
 sive Into Mine

James dillhouse, chief mine inspector, in regard to the proper ventilation of mines in the winter months and the reported smuggling of dynamite Into the mines.
 In his letter Inspector Hihouse states that 1t is a well-established fact that In the winter the cold air absorbs the mois- ture, and has a tendency to cause ab- normal dryness in all parts of the mines. He chargesthe superintendents and other mine officers to watch their ventilation closely. He also suggests that any per- son caught carrying dynamite Into the mines be discharged. The letter fol- lows:
 ITO Mine Operators, Mine Superintend-
 ents, Mine Foremen and Miners:
 'T feel that it Is my duty to issue a word of warning.
 "The winter months are approaching. and 1t is well known by all mining men that there is more danger of explosions in the winter than in the summer, which Is explained by the air containing much less moisture in the winter than in the summer; therefore, instead of the air taking moisture into the mine, 1t takes It out. and 1t goes without saying that if moisture Is not added by sprays, sprink- ling, etc, during the winter, the mines will become very dry, caused by the air taking the moisture out I do not want to be understood that 1t Is not necessary to add moisture during the summer months, but 1t is not necessary to add as much moisture during the summer as in the winter. In winter the air is much colder and contains less moisture than in the summer; therefore, after 1t en- ters the mines 1t becomes warmer and takes up the moisture, thus robbing the mines of moisture. So it is understood that moisture should be added to the air by the use of sprays. sprinkling, etc., which will be distributed throughout the mines by being deposited on the roof. walls, gob and floor. It can be deter- mined when there Is sufficient moisture by visiting all working places and ex- amining the roof, walls, gob and floor. and when moisture is not found there is not Q sufficient amount of moisture in the air, and more sprays should be added and more sprlnkling and watering should be done. This means of rendering the dust harmless is practiced throughout this district, but 1t is not amiss to call attention to the fact that close attention must be given to such matters in order to see that the rules and regulations are closely observed Dust in large quanti- ties should be loaded out before shoot Ing.
 Proper Ventilation
 ''All mine superintendents and mine foremen should see to 1t that the mines are properly ventilated and an accounts lation of gas prevented. All mining men know that this problem has been thor oughly threshed out, and should under stand their duties, etc. In properly ven tilated mines there Is no danger of a gen. eral gas explosion affecting an entire mine, but 1t must be understood that from local gas explosion in a dry and dusty mine there Is great danger of dust ex- plosion which will affect the entire mine, and very likely kill all persons and mules in the mine. Therefore, 1t behooves us all to put forth our energy, intelligence and power to prevent dry mines, which can only be accomplished as I have out lined
 T call attention also to the fact that windy or blown out shots will cause dust explosions in dry and dusty mines; there fore, 1t is just as essential to keep a mine thoroughly moist when there Is no gas as when there is gas.
 Explosives in Mines
 "As to explosives used in the mines in this district will say that 1t is well known that dynamite is prohibited. There are men in the district who smuggie 1t fin. knowing that 1t is prohibited It Is the duty of the mine foreman, when a miner Is caught taking dynamite into a mine to discharge him, and N should also be the duty of miners, knowing of others taking dynamite in the mines to report them. It is very painful to me indeed to hear of such violations of the rules as taking dynamite into the mines There is no law by which the inspectors can have anyone punished for the viola ton of such instructions as they might issue along this line; therefore, 1t be- hooves the operators, superlntendents and mine foremen to see to 1t that such in- structions are strictly compiled with. know that such violations of instructions are being committed almost daily. l hear that when miners -are caught com hitting such violations they treat 1t as a joke, instead of as a serious matter There were no men near the shots. ported to me during the past 30 days, and no doubt there Are many cases that are not reported There was one man killed recently by a premature explosion, there- fore miners should be cautious in tamp- ing holes and drilling or cutting out shots that fall.
 ''The use of two different explosives in the same hole Is practiced in some of the mines and I want to call your at- tention to the fact that this is very dangerous and parties in authority should see to 1t that explosives are not used in this manner. Complaint was made tc me not long since that at certain mine short fuse, or what is commonly known as skinner backs are used. At this mine on one occasion the mine foreman cautioned party not to use these short fuse or skinner backs and shortly after wards the party fired two shots with short fuse, which caused blown-oui shot, by not having sufficient tamping and as a result nearly all of the brat tices in that heading were blown out There were no mean near the shots therefore no one was injured. and but for the wet condition of the mine there would have been dust explosion, which would have caused the loss of many lives.
 There have been some serious and ia tai accidents in the past month caused by miners and laborers riding out of thu mines on loaded cars This practice should be discontinued. I should no think such practice would be allowed al well regulated mines, and I am of thu opinion that the officials do not know of it. When the legislature convenei the mining law should be amended pro yiding for the necessary punishment fo violation of rules, committed by both th' miners and operators.
 '.There has been great improvement II the way of ventilation in the past tw' or three years. with the exception of tw' or three mines, and 1t is to be hoped tha these mines will be brought up to stand ard in the shortest time possible
 trusting that you will so conduct you -. 4ia,,u 4f, ro,,rh the winter that a sin