Report of the Bureau of Mines of the Department of Internal Affairs of ...

No. 10. FIFTH BITUMINOUS DISTRICT. 357
tliey would reduce the number of men below the requirements of law
and would never employ more tban nine- persons and thus keep outside
the law. This has been done ever since, and, consequently, I am
powerless to act. Mining boss, Robert Wilson.
Smock.—A tail rope haulage has been installed in this mine during
the year, which gives good results. The ventilation is somewhat weak
at the extreme points of the workings. 1 could not get a sufficient
volume to move the anemometer. This will have to be remedied,
as explosive gas is generated in the working places, one person having
been slightly burned during the year. The ventilating fan is not large
enough to produce force sufficient to put the volume of air in circulation
required for the necessities of the mine. The other conditions
are generally good. Mining boss, Ben Holiday,
Smithfield.—This is a new mine which has been opened out during
the year. It is a small operation and employes only 9 miners inside
and six persons outside, at the coke ovens, of which there ai'e twelve.
The mine is opened out on a small knob of about twenty-five or thirty
acres of coal. It is self draining and self ventilating, and holes can
be made at any place as the covering is light. Mining boss, Joe Harlicheck.
Statler.—The ventilation is fairly good, but it is fearfully polluted
by powder smoke from the incessant blasting of the coal during
working hours. Mining of the coal is hardly ever done, it being
shot out of the solid.
It would require a volume of air like a hurricane
to keep a pure atmosphere in this mine. The drainage is good,
the working places all going to the rise. Mining boss, Orlando
Flesher.
Shaws.—This mine is in excellent condition. The ventilation is
ample and well distributed around the workings. The drainage is
also good, except in a few rooms which are in a swamp, where the
water has to be bailed out so that the coal can be worked. Here the
shooting of coal is regulated in such a manner that the atmosphere
is always kept in a healthful condition, blasting is done only at the
noon hour and after 4 P. M. Mining boss, James Phillips.
Standard.—This is a small mine employing only twelve men inside
and two outside. The seam is low, about three feet eight inches, and
lies in a series of waves or swamps, consequently the mine is not
well drained at all points. The ventilation is mostly by natural
means, although there is a furnace and an air shaft, which are seldom
used. The air is, upon the whole, good, as there are very favorable
natural conditions to produce a current; then, care is taken to blast
the coal only at the time when work is sus])ended, so that the atmosphere
is kept pretty clear and healthful. Mining boss, C. J. Baker.
Tub Mill Run.—During the year this mine employed a sufficient
numlier of ])ersons to bring it under the provisions of the law again.