1898 - Coalmininghistorypa.org

No. 11. THIRD BITUMINOUS DISTRICT. 349the summer months for such a mine, but in (he winter season it willgive more efficient results. I found a sufficient volume of air in thismine at my last visit.Fairmount JNIines Xos. 1 and '.^, 2 and 4, are very large operationsand extend over a very large area. The underground workings ofthese mines are all connected, and from the extreme side of theworkings of Nos. 1 and :> mine to the extreme boundary of No. 4workings cover a distance of at least three miles. In the Nos. 2 and4 mines I found ample ventilation in all i»arts and the' greatest ofcare was being exei-cised by the undergroinid officials to protect thelives and health of tliosc employed thcrc^in. I did not tind as largea volume of air in the Nos. 1 and 3 workings as I had found there onprevious visits. The shortage of air at the face of the workingswas caused no doubt by changing the course of (he ventilation andthe reversing of the fan. JNIuch is being done to maintain gooddrainage in these mines. The total volume of air circulating in allof these mines was 84,00t) cubic feet per minute. At No. 4 minean additional air compressor has been added to the air compressorplant and eight more mining machines have been put in operation,making a total of tifteen machines now at work. Most of the coalproduced here is being mined by these machines.At the Oak Kidge mine much broken time was experienced duringthe summer months owing to the lack of tsade. During my visitsto this mine I measured a sufhcient quantity of air in circulation butI found some of the hauling roads very muddy.At the Carrier mine I measured a sufficient volume of air circulatingin the inner workings. The drainaue was reasonably good.A new ventilating furnace was built during the year.Mines Situated in the Keynoldsville llegion, Jetferson County.There are eight mines in this r(^gion, all in oi>"ia(ion.These minesare opened on the Lower Freeport coal seam.Big Soldier Run and Sprague are the large coal ])roducing minesin this division of the district. They have, practically speaking, beenin operation full time during the year and have been giving employmentto about 1,000 workmen of all classes. There are 2(;2 cokeovens in full o]>eration at this jdant now, and they ar