The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-02
Report of Bureau of Mines Chief Engineer Made
 Public
DANGERS OF COAL
 DUST FORGOTTEN
No Explosion. Either of Gas or Dust, Without An Open Flame of Some Kind-Many Nongaseous Mines
 Are Really Dangerous

Washington. August 1.-fspecial.) That widespread coal mine explosions with their large loss of life can be prevented if the recommendations of the bureau of mines are used. and if care Is taken at all times by every one in the mine Is the assertion made by George S. Rice. chief mining en- gineer of the bureau in a report made pub lie today.
 Mir. Rice goes further and declares that mine explosions can no longer be con is responsible. He says that mine man. agements are not using the means that arc at hand to prevent explosions. especially coaldust explosions. Despite all that has been said and written during recent years about the prevention of explosions. says MT. Rice. "it must be admitted that | unsatisfactory progress has been made in this country in lessenng the number of dust explosions. out of leo typical mines examined in one state, only 15 were taking any precautions, and in only a few of these was there enough systematic humid- flying or watering to give reasonable as- surance that the coal dust. always present in coal mine, was rendered nonignit- able.
 Frequently Forgot Dust
 Perhaps the reason better protection Is not sought in bituminous mines in general is that coal dust is everywhere. and it's presence and danger are frequently for gotten The risk of an explosion seems to a mining man like the chance of being struck by lightning, yet the chances arc greater than that as indicated by the toll of mine explosions in this country. which has varied in recent years from 400 10 1000 deaths per annum.
 No better illustration of the advantage of carefuness can be found than in tde mines of Belgium. In those mines great instantaneous outbursts of innammable gas from the measures into the mino workings Ae fredGcnt po.Aetimes smoth- ering the men, vet for the last 30 years no explosions of any magnitude have oe- cured through Ignition of the gas. though prior to 1893. when less precautions were taken. there had been many great dsas- ters.
 "The adoption of preventative measures is largely in the hands of mine operators, but in the carrying out of the provisions every mine employe is concerned. No Explosion Without Flame without open flame of some sort there would be no mine explosions. Permissible explosives as recommended by the bureau for use in gaseous mines produce some flame, but their flame Is so small and it's duration is so brief that If properly used they will not ignite gas or dust, and if they were employed throughout the coal mines to the exclusion of black powder. dynamite and other explosives of a char acter dangerous to use in coal mining. it is believed by bureau engineers that near ly one-half of the explosions would be prevented
 "lf safety lamps or permissible electric lamps were used, even In so-called non gaseous mines. 1t is thought that over one third of all the explosions in this country would be prevented.
 "It is observed by the field engineers of the bureau that the unexpected pres ence of gas Is a most important factor in the starting of mine explosions In many a so-ealled nonsaseous mine, gas issued in small feeders at the face In some part of the mine. as a matter of daily occurrence, yet open itRnlS are uStu in such a mine This is particularly a source of danger in those Alabama nd Oklahoma mines in which much hredamp Is found. Also there are many mines. doubeless more than half of the mines in the United States in which small bodies of gas are occasionally reported. yet these mines are rated as nongaseous and open lights are freely used, despite the fact that a considerable proportion of the ex- plosions have occurred in just such mines through the ignition of a pocket of gas by long-lame explosives or by an op,n light
 Few Acknowledged to Be Gaseous "Ccmparatively few of the coal mines of the country are frankly acknowledged to be gaseous. and singularly enough, since the bureaus work was naugurated in 190S only a single explosion disaster has occurred in mine in which safety lamps were being used prior to an explosion.
 "The req son for greater immunity from explosions in mines that are ordinarily considered dangerous because If the pres ence of nredainp Is that greater care is taken in all respects. Vigilance Is not re- laxec, open lights and the use of matches Is forbidden, permissible explosives arc exclusively used, and the ventilation at tContfnued Page rwai