The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-15
Three Have Already Been Els
tablished BY Bureau
ONE rs AT BIRMINGHAM
Six More Are to BE Established as
Well ms Perambu1ating Rescue
Cars for Service In
the West
BY SIDNEY EsPEY

rate that annually costs over $500 lives
from preventable accidents, rescue sta
tons under federal jurisdiction of the
recently Incorporated bureau of mines will
be established at various centers through
out the country. Up to the present time
stations have been established at Wilkes
barre. Pa, Huntington. w. Va, and Bir-
mingham. In addition. two perambulating
stations-railroad cars that have been
fitted up for the purpose-are to be located
in the west, one with headquarters In Bill
lings. Mont, and the other, possibly at
Denver. Later six more stations will be
established.
The aim of the bureau is to cooperate
with both the operators and the miners
In conducting Investigations, with the OBJ
ject of rendering mining operations more
safe. 1t will study the reasons for mine
accidents, seek preventative measures
and maintain rescuel stations which will
supply first aid to- the injured. Incl
dentally, 1t will become vitality interested
in an industry producing $1,000, 900
values yearly, with an approximate an
nual waste of more than $500, 900 900, or
nearly 100000 for every working day.
According to statistics gathered in for
eign countries the loss of human life is
to a large extent unnecessary.
Atlthe present time there are about 700,-
600 miners employed in the coal mines of
this country. 1t has been estimated that
about 3 per cent are killed annually in
preventable mine disasters. In accidents
occurring during the last 20 years an Of
fetal calculation places the number of
deaths at $4,000, while H. 900 women were
| widowed and over 10000 children made
fatheress. This deplorable condition has
been brought to public notice for num-
Der of years, but it was not until the
last session of Congress that steps were
taken to organize a bureau of mines to
deal exclusively with the subject Here
tofore the entire subject was handled
through the United States geological sur
vey, which was greatly handicapped in
giving the attention required. At the
last session of Congress separate bureau
was authorized and an appropriation Of
100000 made to carry on the work.
The first steps in carrying out the work
of this bureau will be to organize per-
manent rescue stations to render first aid
to the injured. The station will be in
charge of q practical miner, mine boss
and an engineer or superintendent. The
men are to be selected with care and on
account of their practical experience under
actual mining conditions. The station Is
to be equipped with all modern facilities
to be used in rescue work. as well as
complete hospital stores. Quarters will
be built for the station crew. In every
| station a full mining outfit will >be In
stalled, consisting of oxygen helmets, fire
| fighting apparatus, coal dust helmets, and
other necessities.
| From time to time miners will be in
| vited from the mines around the station
and special courses of instruction will be
given by the engineer in charge to all
who care to attend. 1t is planned to eff
feet an agreement between the operators
of the mines and the bureau SO that men
will be allowed to leave their employment
for week without loss of pay to "at-
tend school, at these rescue stations.
From this point the bureaus work is ex-
pected to be accomplished, when the
students" return to their respective en-
ployment, where like schools" will be
established and the propaganda of the
bureau disseminate among the miners.
Subtitle saving stations will be established
at the mines, where duplicate ife-saving
apparatus will be installed.
To make the service effective from the
beginning, the engineers or superintend-
ents will receive detailed instructions
from the bureau as to what Is expected
OF them. They will be required to keep
In close touch with the mines. and sec
that the men are thoroughly drilled at
all times, responding to calls for help
Immediately. The engineer will direct all
rescue work In time of accident and with
him will lie the responsibility for the
proper application of methods in conduct
ing rescue work.
At certain stated periods engineers from
the bureau of mines will visit the various
stations and act as inspector during the
course of the years work. The bureau
expects to keep in close touch with the
mines ALSO but more particularly with
a view Of establishing general CO.
operation for the benefit Of the mine own
ers and the mine operators.
1t will not have any police power, how
ever but will be able to enforce its reg
ulations through the laws of the state in
which the mine is located.
The principal work Of the bureau will
be to study the cause OF mine disasters.
Following an accident an examination of
the mine will be made to not only deter
mine the cause but II 1t could have been
prevented by human agencies Adequate
government supervision in foreign coun-
tries has resulted in greatly reduced IA
talities.
One of the greatest aids In saving mine
disaster victims, particularly those who
have been hemmed in by fallen roofs. or
walls. is the oxygen helmets. The geo.
logical survey has made a number of ex-
pertments with the helmet and found 1t
very practical. The bureau of mines will
attempt to carry the experiments a little
farther and cause all mines to be equipped
with oxygen helmets and arrange that
miners be taught their use. Heretofore,
owing to the class Of men employed In
the coal mines the life-saving devices
have not been installed owing to the pre-
valence of superstitious fear. The school
ing system, however, it is expected, will
completely overcome such obstacles.
The helmet is similar In appearance to
the head pieces worn by divers 1t COM
pletely covers the head. fitting snugly
around the neck and shutting off all air
from the outside. Oxygen Is supplied to
the operator by a pump from large oxy-
gen tanks The operator otherwise Is
dressed in oil skins, closely tied at the
waists and ankles. Around his waist he
carries a small sized miners pick, spade,
a lantern and an extra coll of rope, about
20 feet. with this equipment he enters
the mine in case of accident resulting
either from black damp or coal dust ex-
nlosion. successfully carrying on his work
Of rescue unhampered by the death deal
inc gases that surround him.
Young Yet
From the Chicago Tribune.
sharpson-You said this was to be the
greatest fight of the century,"
Tha