1898 - Coalmininghistorypa.org

No. n. SEVENTH BITUMINOUS DISTRICT. 453j^oud mine foreiiicii. On the contrary 1 have in mind persons holdingcertificates who cannot pnt their knowledge into practice, and willhardly ever become good managers, while, on the other hand, I haveyet to find a good all ronnd manager who couid not pass a creditableexamination. Before closing this subject I wish also to say thatthere are persons holding certificates who disijualify themselves bytheir own acts, and whose certificates should be cancelled, but thiscan only be done through the action of the superintendents, and ifthey fail to take such action as directed by law the Inspector ispowerless to interfere.Mines on the Monongahela Eiver, on the Wheeling Division of theB. & O. R. R., and on the Little Saw Mill Run R. R.There are sixteen mines located in this territory, all of which, withone exception, have been operated during the past year. Some ofthese mines have not experienced much idle lime, while at othersvery little work has been done. I may sa.> that at all of theabove mines the health and safety of the employes are fairly wellprotected, and the sanitar}^ conditions existing in the workings ofthe various mines are, generally speaking, above complaint. At theFirst Pool No. 2 Mine a shaft is being sunk for ventilation, and apowerful fan of the Capell type will be placed on top of this shaftready for operation early in 189!).Hitherto this mine has been ventilatedby a division of air currents produced by a twenty-five footVulcan fan, located at No. 1 mine. This is an extensive and valuablecoal property, and the company operating the mines is alwaysup to date with all improvements in the interest of healthfulness andsafety, and in other matters necessary for the successful operation ofcoal mines. Explosive gas is generated in nine of the above mines.Mines Situate on the Moon Run Railroad, on the Montour Railroadand West of the Allegheny River.There are twelve mines in this division of the district, all of whichare in operation but in one case, namely, at the Freeport mine asufficient number of persons aie not now emploj'ed to bring themine under the provisions of the mining law. During ui}' last tourof insi)ection I found most of them in reasonably good condition.While in a few instances I found it necessary to suggest imi)rovementsin matters relative to ventilation and drainage. The ventilationin the West Tarentum mine, while it is considerably abovethe maximum amount specified by law, still Iconsider that the conditionsof the mine call for a more liberal supplj', and I have advised theowners of this fact and shall expect them to take action in the matterwith a view to an increased air volume.