Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-11-19

other medium could even approach.
The bureau of mines operates a res
cue car in conjunction with its thrill
ing rescue work at great mine acct
dents. 1t has a trained crew which
travels with the car to bring aid. OF
the latest development. post haste TO
the victims OF the subterranean ex-
plosions.
II has the appearance OF an ordinary
coach. with the difference that big let
tiers. ~ S Bureau of Mines" proclaim
its government ownership.
The inside OF the car is the main at
traction. Here is every kind OF ap-
pliance for resuscitating asphyxiated
miners. The oxygen apparatus, which
makes possible the rescue OF entombed
victims of explosions. is perhaps the
first thing that the crew will point out
to visitor: through IL the wonderful
record of the bureau has been accom-
plished
This car is always ready for an emer-
gency run. The minute a mine accident
IS reported connections are rapidly
worked out and the car Is given the
right of way to hustle to the scene OF
the disaster.
everything in the shape of aid to the
injured. 1f a miner. dragged from
tomb of rocks. dust and gas. has any
chance for life at all. the crew will
give II to him.
Without this car and its life-giving
equipment expeditions work in situa-
lions where every second counts could
not be thought Of. Though the various
coal and metal mines of the country
maintain first aid corps. the bureaus
car is one of the most welcome OF
sights to a stricken town as II comes
rumbling into a station
Between accidents II travels through
the mining districts giving instructions
to miners in first aid.
Testing track scales. which weigh in
bulk material for the general public
by carefully standardized test weights.
is the work done by the car owned by
the bureau Of standards
It is the most costly OF all the cars.
Uncle Sam having paid $4,000 to COM
plete IT. The testing equipment. how
ever. represents a greater expense item
than the car itself in this figure.
In appearance. it resembles an ordi-
nary automobile car. from which. in
fact. it was patterned. As with all
of the sovernment-owned cars-and
every other. for that matter-it Is the
interior with its fittings which deserves
the greater attention.
Here are two compartments, one
where the standard weights and the
truck for carrying them as well as
the crane for handling them are To-
Gated. and a smaller section. where an
electric generator is installed to sup
carries the standard weights on to the
scales. In addition, 1T affords accom-
modations for the government inspector
and his two assistants.
Briefly. this is the work of the car.
1t carries what the bureau has de-
cided are properly authenticated
weights of large denominations. which
serve as standards for other large
ardization by comparison Of the two
is directly in the nature of protecting
the public and educating the operators
of these scales.
at some time weighed in bulk before
shipment. Accuracy in the weighing
apparatus means fair play for the con-
sumner. He pays for what he gets
And the shipper. owner of scales on
a railroad siding. freight agent. scale
manufacturer-all receive benent
For example: Hitherto large-sissd
at. Track scales and 1o,ooo-pound
weights are not moved around the
country like light merchandise. But
the bureaus car makes possible an
examination and study of a perfected
set of weights. No longer is the excuse
justified, I'VE have no way of learn
ing"
To date, the trips of the test car have
resulted in general overhauling of
weighing machinery of large capacity
used in commerce and industry In the
east. One scale, which was adjusted
in Pennsylvania. does s100.0o0.00o
worth of business year. Is 1t worth
while to adjust such scales?
"Well. / guess yes," answers the bu-
reau of standards; and the test car is
kept moving on its triple job of in
spection. study and teaching into all
the states.