New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-10-19
MOTOR Trucks WILL
AID ENTOMBED Miners
veritabIe Hospital on Wheels
Built for Government
Bureau of Mines.
is COMPLETELY EQUIPPED
Provision Is Made Even for
Bird and Cage Used in
Detecting Poisonous
Gas in Shafts.

To rescue, revive and treat entombed
and injured miners, and thus reduce the
loss OF life and lessen the injuries result
ing from the periodic disasters in the coal
mines OF the United States. the Bureau
OF Mines of the Department of the In
terror has evolved a new plan of relief
work, involving the extensive use OF
motor rescue trucks of a special design.
equipped with all the paraphernalia
known in the science OF relief work
The first vehicle Of the new type, built
according to government specifications
was built by the White company OF
Cleveland. and was delivered to the Bu-
reau of Mines in Pittsburgh. It Is q
veritable hospital, carrying every piece Of
portable equipment that Is useful in resi-
cuing miners quenching flames. resus-
cltating the unconscious and administer
ing first aid.
Included In the equipment are two pull
motors, six oxygen tanks. fifty regener-
ators. an oxygen pump. two stretchers, a.
life line. box of explosives, lanterns, tents,
fire extinguishers, a complete telephones
system and a full complement OF hose.
axes. saws, miners tools and medical and
surgical supplies The equipment il COM
plete even 10 the extent OF providing for
the bird and cage that are used in de-
tecting poisonous gases in mine shafts.
A majority OF the members OF tbs
American Mine Safety Association. who
saw the first truck In operation durinH
their recent convention in Pittsburgh. pre-
dict big reduction in casualties as a re-
suit OF its use A mine explosion, with
all its effects except human injury. was
staged during the convention. The truck
with it's full equipment, was tested by
government representatives while NOV
ing picture operators. also employed by
the government. recorded every act and
movement to show absent mine OPERATORS
how lives can oe saved and danger les
| sened.
The Bureau OF Mines has proposed that
mine owners In each district establish
motor rescue stations at central points
! from which each district may be served.
! Inasmuch as instant access to every<
thing is essential, the truck body has
been built with n special place for every
| thing 1t carries. And everything must be-
in It's proper place. To this end tho en-
tire carrying space. except for the crew
! OF trained rescuers, consists OF compart-
ments of varying size and odd shape,
nearly all opening on the outside Of thu
| truck by means OF snatch hooks.
Under the drivers seat are carried ten
Draeger reviving outfits. Six oxygen
tanks are carried beneath the body on a.
specially built subframe and cradle. ths
tanks lying crosswise OF the truck, so
that they may be pulled out quickly when
necessary. On the left 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 seat there
are hooks for a fve-foot crowbar and
| tent poles.
Immediately in back of the driver .
seat and extending the full height OF the
truck there is a series Of compartments
opening on the outside of the truck. These
compartments carry tent, % feet oil
hose, three miners picks. three miners1
shovels, one four-pound sledge and twoi
hand axes In back OF these compert- |
ments are two seats arranged length |
wise. with folding lazy-backs and pro- |
tected by a brass railing.