The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-27
Moving Picture Scenes of
Coal Dust Explosions and
Other Scenes Of Interest
PAPERS OF GREAT
EDUCATIONAL VALUE
Party Much Pleased With Welfare
Work and Other Features of the
Model Operations Con-
Quoted at Marvel

Marvel, July (Special)-The annual
meeting of the Alabama coal mine Of
ficials held today at Marvel mines of the
Roden Coal company. under the auspices
of the Alabama Coal Operators associa-
tion,Awas the most important, interesting
and instructive gathering of the mine men
ever held in the district
A special train of six coaches carried
down from Birmingham about $50 MEM
bers and guests; all deeply interested in
the question of coal mining. One singu-
lar fact worthy of notice was that these
$50 stalwart Alabamians did not discuss
politics in personal conversation. This,
too, at a season when all Alabama is sup
posed 70 be interested in the gubernatorial
race.
They discussed coal mining as state
developing proposition. That was ALL
Inspection of Property
Upon arrival at Marvel the whole party
proceeded at once to an inspection of the
mine operations there. the town and the
commissary. Then there was an assem-
bling at the Auditorium, where the regu-
lar indoor programme arranged for the
day was carried out.
First the mining picture Explosibility
of Coal Dust an illustration provided
by the United States bureau of mines,
and so forcefully realistic as to demon
strate to even the layman that coal dust
does explode and constitutes a dangerous
proposition.
What a coal operator can do to pro-
vide for the welfare of employees and their
a.fE
by Frank II. Crockard, who acted as a
substitute for Morris Bush. the latter be-
ing unavodably absent. Mr.. Brockard's
paper presented an object lesson which
demonstrated the deep concern of the
operator In the welfare of the miner His
particular theme was hygiene and sani-
tation-a subject with which he is thor
oughly oonversant, and which he explain
ed to be of vast Importance
Talks of Commissary
"The Commissary--Its Indispensable
ity and Purposes was the subject of an
Interesting paper by 3. F. Roden and the
commissary al Marvel illustrated the fact
that he applies his views in its arrange
ment.
L. NJ. Jones of the United States bureau
of mines discussed prevention of Hauling
Way Accidents in practical way.
Other subjects presented by moving pic
ture demonstrations furnished by the
United States bureau of mines We're:
Preparation. and Dispatch of Men and
Rescue Car to an Explosion Miners at
Work. and Practical Mine Subjects"
Chief Mine Inspector Nesbitt's paper,
"Nalue of Safety inspector and Instructor
for Each Coal Mine" elected deep interest
He was followed by Inspector Ed Flynn
of the Tennessee company, whose practi-
cal handling of the same subject was Of
great value TO the audiences.
Coal Mine Ventilation and Removal of
Gas" was the subject of lengthy and
valuable paper by DR.. j. j. Rutledge of
the United States bureau of mines.
Proved Educational Treat
The subjects discussed and the leavened
manner in which each speaker handled his
subject proved valuable educational
treat TO the men who We're there to see
and to hear and the consensus of opinion
by those who were in the audience is that
the days meeting will prove of incal-
culable benefit to the mining interests of
the district and thereby rebound to the
progress and advancement of the state
along Industrial lines.
President Mccormack of the associa-
tion being absent. the meeting was pre-
sided over by George +. Peter.
At high noon barbecue luncheon was
temptingly served and at $50 p. m. the
party returned to the city.
Prevention of Haulage Accidents was
the subject upon which l.. M. Jones of the
Federal Bureau of Mines spoke at the
operators meeting yesterday He said in
part:
by consulting the tables of fatal acci-
dents that occur in and about mines, it is
found that the fatal accidents due to haul
age appliances are second in number only
to those accidents due to falls of roof and
coal.
In this paper have included under the
heading of hauage accidents, the acct
dents which in the published statistics are
ordinarily given under two cassifcations.