The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-05
THE RESCUE CORPS IS LADEN WITH H0NORS
Was Presented Banner by
 President Taft
AFFAIR WAS SUCCESS
First Aid Corps of Wylam Returns From Pittsburg Demonstration. Dr. Rountree Talks of Trip
 and of the Show

With silken banner and several otaei souvenirs that were presented to them by President William H. Taft, the First Aid corps of Vivian of the Tennesset Coal and Iron company returned yester' day morning from the National Aid Show held under the direction of the depart ment of the bureau and mines in Pitts burg on october 30 and S1. pr. w. S Rountree, instructor of the corps and member of the party attending the Pitts burg demonstration, said last night:
 I've had glorious time and the meet ing was thoroughly educational in every respect. Although the weather was not all that could be desired, as it rained part of the time, the receptions in Pitts burg, the mine explosions and first aid exhibits were very instructive and in teresting. There were miners and rescue corps from all parts of the country. from Washington to Alabama and Colo rado to Maine.
 "On the first day, Monday, we were shown through the bureau of mines sta ton at Pittsburg and later witnessed the explosion of d genuine mine from an accumulation of dust by windy shot from a shaft. There are mary miners in this country, especially those who have come here from Wales. England and Scotland, who do not believe that dust can cause an explosion. After seeing the tram cars thrown several hundred feet and the trees near by burnt by an explosion of 800 pounds of dust in that mine, they were convinced. The object lesson taught by this was that the sprink- lers should be used frequently through out the mines and that excess gas is not the only menace.
 '"rhe second day was given over to the first aid demonstrations by all the corps in attendance and there were no con- tests as each corps was presented alike with banners and medals. When the dem- onstrati tions were finished, President Taft, Miss Boardman of the American Red Cross society, Secretary of the Interior Fisher and Governor Tener of Penn sylvania made addresses commendatory of the efforts of the corps towards les sening the annual death toll of 10000 min CTS of this country. President Taft. on behalf of the Pennsylvania Coal com pany, presented us with a silken banner, measuring three feet by two feet. on a staff with the words, The First National First Aid association, Pittsburg, Pa, De- tober 1911,' inscribed in gilt letters. This will be hung in the Masonic hall at Wy lam, where we hold our first aid meet ings.
 "A Red Cross cabinet, containing band ages, guaze and medicine to be used in the rescue work, was another of the gifts rendered us, and each member of the corps was given d Red Cross button of white and red enamel with ribbons at tached Both of these articles were given by the Red Cross society through President Taft.
 While we would like to see the national show held in this district and I believe 1t will come here eventually, we are Eot i prepared to extend an invitation to the government at present and could not do so for the next year at any rate.'
 Among those going from the Brming- ham district and representing Alabama at one of the largest gathering of miners ever held in the United States, were Frank H. Crockard, vice president of the Tennessee Coal and Iron company; E. 1T. Coxe, general superintendent of the coal mines of the Tennessee company; L. M. McHugh, superintendent of Pratt division No. ? at Wylam; pr. w. S. Rountree, physician and instructor; A. H. Berchol, captain; Hugh Lynch, James r. Brown, Francis Brawley, Will Flynn of the res cue corps; Sandy Reid and James Barri subjects for demonstration, and A. R. Brown, manager of the Birmingham res cue station for the department of the bureau of mines and formerly member of the Vivian First Aid corps