The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1913-10-18
MOTOR TRUCKS TO RESCUE
ENTOMBED COAL MINE VICTIMS
NEW TYPE OF VEHICLE MADE TO
EXPEDITE MINE RELIEF
WORK.
Ambulance. Hospital, Eseavator, Fire
and Gas Fighter. All In One
Government Recommends L.

To rescue, revive and treat en-
tombed miners and thus reduce the
loss of life and lessen the injuries re-
sulting from the periodic disasters in
the coal mines OF the United States.
the bureau OF mines OF the depart
ment OF interior has evolved a new
plan OF relief work involving the ex-
tensive use OF motor rescue trucks OF
special design equipped with all the
DRraphernalia known in the science Of
relief work.
The first vehicle OF the new type,
built according 70 government specifi-
cations. Was constructed by The
White Company. OF Cleveland, o.. ana
ldi--Vered 10 the bureau OF mines IN
| Pittsburgh. Pa II Is a veritable hos
patal. carrying every piece of portable
! equipment that is useful in rescuing
miners. quenching flames, resuscitat-
ing the unconscious and administer
ing first aid.
Included In the equipment are two
pulmtors. six oxygen tanks so regen-
orators, an oxygen pump, two stretch
ers, a life line, box OF explosives. Ian
| terms. tents. IRE extingUishers, COM
plete telephone system and full CON-
plement OF hose. axes. saws. miners
| tools and medical and surgical sup
plies. The equipment is complete
even 20 the extent OF providing for the
bird and cage that are used in detect.
ing poisonous gases In mine shafts.
\ majority OF the members OF the
! American Mine Safety association,
who saw the first truck in operation
during their recent convention in
| Pittsburgh predicted a big reduction
IN casualties. A mine explosion. with
all its effects except human injury.
was staged during the convention.
The truck with its full equipment Was
tested by government representatives
while moving picture operators. also
employed by the government. record
ed every act and movement 70 show
absent mine operators how lives can
be saved and daraer lessened
The bureau OF mines has proposed
that mine owners la each district es-
tablish motor rescue stations at cen
trail points from which each district
may be served This phase OF safety
in niue work was one OF the principal
topics OF discussion at the convention.
all OF the members OF the association
| showing a keen interest in the new
motor vehicle.
! Everything Handy.
lnasmuch as instant access 20
everything Is essential the truck body
has been built with n special place for
everything Il carries And every
thing must be in lis proper place. To
this end, the entire carving space
except for the crew OF trained rescu-
ers, consists OF compartments Of var
wing size and odd shape nearly all
| opening on the outside OF the truck
by means OF snatch hooks
Under the drivers seat are carried
10 DraSser reviying outfits Six oxy-
gen "a Nts are carried beneath the
body on a specially built subframe
and cradle. the tanks lying crosswise
OF the truck so that they may be
pulled out quickly when necessary. On
the teft side OF the chassis frame
there Is attached an oxygen pump
which is operated by the power OF
the motor. In back OF the drivers
scat there are hooks for a nve-foot
IcrOwbar and tent poles
Immediate In back OF the drivers
seat, and extending full height OF the
truck there Is series OF compart-
ments opening on the outside Of the
truck. These compartments carry n
tent. p feet OF hose. three miners
PICKS: three miners shovels. one four
pouhd sledse am two hand axes In
back OF these compartments are two
seats, arranged lenRthwise. with fold
lng laly-backs and protected bv n
GRASS railing. Beneath the rear steps
mere Is another compartment with
doors az each side and in the end
, 80 oAN hANo tldllOW drawers 70
take saws, hose couplings. reducere
spanners and 200 feet OF halflnch
The central compartments along
tne SIDES or the body contain one life
me reel a telephone system. part OF
Which Is carried into the mine. and an
assortment Of compasses. bracps. hits
Icnlsels. hacksaws blades and snatch
DIocks. Suspended on The outside ~
the Dody on especially designed hooks
and clamps are strefchers. IRE ovtir-
gulshers, axes, lanters. etc Two spe-
car boxes are built on the runnirr
ooArds 10 Accommodate n large num-.
W 81 nine lanterns. and small boves
are built on the rear wall ~ tbc o.
ward compartment 20 carry two srst.
hld boxes and a pump The truck IA
equipped with an eirht-inch swivel
neadliRht mounted on the dash. ana
e. fitted with non-eki4 ffres ~ u,
stripping ''"'N