Evening star., 1911-06-04

experiments from the saving of human
hfe to testing the powers and causes of
terrific mine explosions. He will have a
corps of scientists at his mine. who will
work under conditions as they actually
exist in ordinary coal mines. In this
way, 1t is planned, the results will be
thoroughly accurate, and will apply to
all mines of this class. under real and
not theoretical conditions.
Uncle Sam and his experts have been
trying to learn the cause of explosions in
mines-explosions that have killed thou
sands Of Understanding from coal dust
gas and fire damp. under conditions not
exactly ideal for their experiments up to
the present time. An explosion gallery,
built on the order OF an immense water
main. a hundred feet long by six and
half feet high, big enough for a
man to walk through, was constructed
near Pittsburg a short time ago, but 1t
was found that this gigantic tube, while
as strong as man could make it, was still
not of sufficient strength to test thor
oughly the terrific explosions resulting
from these different agencies.
So having entered the field in earnest,
Uncle Sam now proposes to have his ex-
plosions occur under conditions they
actually exist In the mines. To this end
he has purchased a whole coal mine.
where he can first gather sufficient coal
dust, gas or fire damp. and have any old
kind Of an explosion he might want. big
or littie-one that would kill thousands
of miners were 1t to happen In mine
where they were at work. or a little ex-
plosion as the case might demand. With
the deliberate intention OF causing these
explosions, the many things carelessy
done around mines, and which cause the
greatest number Of frightfui accidents.
will be experimental with. such an
open lamp. a hot electric wire. the run
ming away Of coal cars. the careless
tamping Of a blast. All of these things
edy found II possible.
The new experimental mine is located
near Bruceton. a short distance from
Pfttsburg, Pa In some of the mines
run through this seam of coal in the past
great explosions have occurred. This
was one of the reasons why Uncle Sam
selected this particular mine, because 1t
was an exceptionally good location for
his purpose. and he would be apt to get
the real thing without much trouble.
First two straight entries or galleries
will be dug about 5000 feet long: and
the coal taken from the mine will be
handled In the same manner as though
II were being used for commercial pur-
poses. The mine 10 close to q railroad,
so the coal dug in advancing the gal
leries can be loaded on railroad cars
BY damming a rayine near at hand water
will be obtained for q boiler plant and fre
protection. Natural gas for experimental
purposes and for use In a gas incline
engine-a late invention-and fan engine
will be obtained from a pipe line which
passes a few hundred feet from the
mouth Of the mine.
In several parts OF the mine there will
be placed a short length Of concrete
gallery with explosion doors. These
doors are expected to be explosion proof
TO prevent the explosion from penetrating
farther into the mine. Beyond these
doors there will be round steel gallery
12O feet long. % feet of which will con-
sist Of removable sections that can be
rolled out Of the way when 1t is de-