El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-02-25

ed 81.
After this the United States govern
meHt began a series of Investigations
into the causes Of disasters in coal
mines. The United States geological
survey. which was intrusted with this
work, established at Pittsburg a sta
ton patterned after the best scientific
sta lions in Europe
|. 1t was said before these investiga-
tiOns commenced that miner took his
life in his hands every time he touched
off a charge Of powder In the mines,
the various explosives being so variable
in strength that no one knew just what
they would do.
The great fear of the coal miner Is
what is known as the blown out" shot
This means a shot that, instead OF ex-
ploding and breaking the coal, blows
out into the mine. This occurs when
the powder has not been properly
tamped, or when 1t is not strong
enough to break the coal. A blown
OUT shot sends a tongue of flame leap
ing through the mine, and if there is
gas nearby or fine coal dust floating
in the air. an explosion follows that
Kills or mains everyone near.
Stnndardize Explosives.
The officials OF the survey therefore
determined to standardize explosives
and to test them in the presence of
gas or coal dust. The explosives are
being tested in n huge cylinder. 100 feet
long and six feet in diameter. This
cylinder was filled with natural gas,
which corresponds with fire damp, and
blown out" shot was reproduced, the
explosive being fired by electricity
from cannon in one end OF the cylin-
der. If an explosion followed, this
powder was not considered proper for
use in mines where there was gas.
The cylinder would then be filled
with coal dust and the explosive dis
charged in it. If the coal dust ignfted
with a roar, then the explosive used
was deemed unfit for use In dangerous
mines The investigation Of explosives
was continued until number were
found that would stand both tests with
out igniting the gas or the coal dust.
These explosives were termed permits
Sibie, and their use urged in mines
where there was gas or coal dust in
dangerous quantities. Two lists of per
missible" explosives have so far been
published and recommended 10 the state
Coal Dust a Problem
A queer phase of the situation has
been the incredibly Of the miners and
operators alike as to the explosiveness
of coal dust. When the government
began its tests, hardly miner in the
country believed that coal dust would
explode They went to the Pittsburg
station in special trains to see il before
they would believe the statements made.
In this connection, the attention of
the miners was called to the fact that
there was a violent explosion OF flour
dust in Minneapolis mill a number
Of years ago. They were also told
TO remember that some OF the greatest
explosions in the coal mines OF the
United States, that at Monongah in
particular. were caused by coal dust.
This has opened still another problem
which the officials are working on
how TO render harmless the coal dust
in the mines One experiment was 10
rush 10 a certain mine, after there had
been sudden drop in the tempera-
ture, and investigate the condition of
the air. The officials calculated the
amount of moisture entering the mine
and the amount going out. and found TO
their amezement that the mine was los
ing 80 tons Of moisture every "A hours
1t was readily seen that few DAYS OF
such conditions would leave the coal
dust in q very dry state. and render IL
more liable 10 explode IL IL came into
contact with a flame. This is the cause
of the great coal dust explosions that
have cost so many hundred lives. 1t
also explains why most of these dis
aSterS occur in the winter time.
Oxygen Helmets.
At the Pittsburg station there is a
room known As the rescue ROOM
where MIXERS are taught the use Of
the oxygen helmet. an apparatus that
permits breathing artificiaIIy In deadly
gases Part of the rescue room con-
tains an air tight compartment fitted
up to resemble the interior of a mine
This Ieace is filled with deadly gases.
and>the experts, clad in their oxygen
helmets. can remain there for two hours
without returning to the fresh air. |
These helmets have proved valuable i'm |
mediateIy after explosions. permitting |
rescuers to enter the mines at once |
and bring out men who were slowly be-
ing asphyXiated.
The government now has crew or !
trained IescuerS who respond to every 1
accident call within q reasonable radius I
of the station. These heroes. although +
arriving late at the Cherry disaster. |
brought 20 men alive from the burning
mine.
This work has been so successful
that substatioRs have been established
in the coal fields of Tennessee. Okla
homa. Illinois and Washington. and
recommendations for six more have
been made The governments sole p,Ir-
pose in this ts 10 teach the miners the
use of the oxygen helmet so that each
mino will be encoura ged to maintain its
own rescue corps.
Ten of the big mining companies of
the country have already established
sucb stations.
Tomorrow-4the Commercial Traveller.