The sun., 1919-06-08

tHTOuSnOlt the TOUR subsequent years.
since Congress began mine explosion
Investigations, the number of fatali-
ties would have been at least 1000
greater than they have actually been.
At approximately the average COM
pensation paid per man in fatal mine
accidents in the last few years this
would represent a national loss OF $l2,-
600, 900 in the four years. On the same
basis the 10000 men killed during the
last ten years in the mines of the
United States would mean a loss Of
more than s100.000.000 in national
productiveness. II II is remembered
that for every fatal accident there are
ut least three to five serious non-fatal
accidents and twelve lesser accidents
which incapacitate for one or more
days 1t will be seen that the actual
national loss would have been much
larger"
100000 Men Under Ground.
Six years ago our mining industry
employed about 10000 men who
worked under ground and more than
100000 who labored in connection
with the various metallurgical and
mineral Industries above ground This
force has been greatly increased in the
interval, which gives us an idea of the
human side OF the bureaus problem.
In the matter of mineral waste the
national loss half a decade back was
| estimated TO amount TO not less than
100000 daily. Again we realize the
| field open to the bureau in devising
\ ways and methods to reduce this ap-
| palling squanderinS of natural wealth
! AS has been said. in dealing with
the question of discovering various
agencies by which this dissipation
could be arrested in large measure. the
bureau arrived at a point where Its
knowledge made us far better able to
meet the immediate demands of an
armed conflict. It had determined the
primary reasons for many mine acct
cents and had shown conclusively how
most of these could be avoided
Further. IL both tested and devised
suitable rescue apparatus by which the
| imperilled underground workers could
be succored, thereby saving many lives
that previously had been sacrificed
under kindred conditions.
| "ur DcIayed Buildings.
These fruits of the bureaus effort.
were the logical outcome OF pains.
taking research-research that was
hampered in many instances by reason
OF scanty funds and inadequate
laboratory facilities. Scientific zeal
neutralized these handicaps to a de.
gree. but the results made It evident
M fTh trrl.a
in carrying out the broad functions 81
the bureau II il could command a suit.
able array of investigational appara.
tus. To this end Congress six years age
appropriated half a million dollars foi
the construction of laboratory build
ings in Pittsburg, and it was expected
that the structures would be ready 70,
occupancy early in 1915. Other fund.
were added to this later However
the outbreak of war interfered with
this contamination and fllhlment o.
the project is only now at hand
Even so the somewhat incompetent
equipped laboratories We're put to us,
a year back and they have played ;
big but generally little known par
in strengthening us for our grim trial
structures stand upon an eleven acr,
tract adjacent TO the grounds of tn,
Carnegie Institute OF Technology an(
near the University of Pittsburg. TIL,
main building Is three stories high, hal
a frontage of 1872 feet and Is fianked a
either end by two story wings that ex
tend back from the street for a dis
lance OF 211 feet. The central part o
the building contains the administra
ton Offices, the mining engineering
division and an auditorium having
seating capacity of 800 people. TIL,
west wing houses the mechanical
laboratory and the east wing accommo
dates the chemical laboratory. In tn
rear Of the main structure is the powe
plant, together with the metallurgica
and fuel testing laboratories. TIL,
equipment of these several depart
ments is up TO date and wonderful,
} complete. The personnel is compose,
primarily NJ 119 technicists, of which