1900 - Coalmininghistorypa.org

No. 11. FIRST BITUMINOUS DISTRICT. 811
the year is the erection of a ventilating fan twenty feet in diameter,
which, with proper attention, should furnish sufficient air for the
workings for some time to come.
Walton, Upper and Lower.—In fair condition on the date of my
last inspection.
Tremont.—Ventilation in a general way, fair. Drainage does not
come up to requirements of the law in all particulars.
Milesville.—The passageways to the second means of egress are
not in good condition, neither is the ventilation in some parts of
the mine. I am informed, since my examination, that a marked
improvement has been made in the matters complained of.
Cincinnati.— In operation 170 days during the year; as a whole the
mine is in fair condition.
Coal Bluff.—At each examination of this mine during the year
I was obliged to call the attention of the persons in charge to the
venutilation and the matter of the air splits. A new ventilating
fan, nine feet in diameter, of the Capell type, has been installed,
but the interior of the mine is such that the air produced by it does
not reach all of the working faces in a satisfactory manner; however
an improvement is being made so as to relieve, to a certain
extent, the difficulties now encountered in coursing the air current.
Hilldale.—Not in operation when last visited.
Vesta No's 1 and 2.—While the general condition of the mines is
fair, there are some parts where ventilation and drainage could be
very much improved. Owing to persistent rumors having been
circulated that a large body of gas had accumulated in the old and
abandoned parts of the mines, I, while I was convinced that the
rumors had no foundation, notified Inspectors Blick and Connor and
also requested a committee of miners, to examine, as far as possible,
with me the part of the excavations named. After making a pretty
thorough examination, we failed to find any gas. except a small
trace on one of the room falls located a long distance from any
active workings, but in our examination of a few falls on an entry
in active operation we found gas in such quantities as to ask that
the entry be vacated until it was removed. In questioning those in
charge of the mine in regard to the condition of the falls, it was
stated that they did not know it was there, as no examination had
been made since morning, and at that time it was clear of fire damp.
Ivill.—Mine not in operation when last inspected. Relative to
the connection that was made between this mine and the Black
Diamond the reader is referred to the description of the latter.
Allequippa.—While the drainage, in a general way. Avas satisfactory
when last inspected, the ventilation was not up to the
standard.