1898 - Coalmininghistorypa.org

Ko. 11. BUREAU OP MINES..l3tlprompts the iiuiuiry, cannot sometliiiig be done to avoid it. Thisis a matter worthy of careful consideration and investigation. Ithas been demonstrated tluit wliere the conditions are favorable, Hushingculm into the mines prevents caves of large area, and at the sametime permits the securing of a much greater percentage of the coal.On May IG, was called to Pottsville to consult with Inspector JohnMaguire regarding the illegal and unsafe condition of the Marioncolliery. Kepeated efforts having been made by the Inspector toinduce the otllicials of the colliery to comply with the plain provisionsof the law, and no attention having been given to his request,it was deemed prudent to advise the Inspector to apply tothe court for an injunction restraining the Marion Coal Companyiiom further operating their mine until the law was complied withiind the mine placed in a safe condition. The evidence in the casewas heard before liichard H. Koch, A. L. J., on June 20, 21 and 22,and he granted the injunction. A full account of the proceedings,also of an arbitration case with the same company appears inI (port of John Maguire, Inspector of the Eighth Anthracite district.On September 2t I received from Covernor Hastings a telegramwhich read as follows: "1 desire that you immediately visit sceneof mine disaster, Umpire coal mine, Brownsville, Pa., and makethorough and complete investigation and advise me thereon. Pleasea knowledge."On October 5, after making a full and complete investigation, assistedby Mine Inspectors Louttit, Blick, Connor and Callaghau, In ade the following report:(J()\'ernor Daniel H. Ilastitigs, Harrisburg, Pa.:Dear Sir: Referring to your telegram of the 24th instant advisingme of the accident whereby eight men lost their lives in the Umpiremine, situated on the Mouongahela riverthenear Brownsville, and re-(jiiesting me to })roceed at once to the scene of accident, investigatesame and make a full r('])()rt, agreeable with your request, I herebysi'bmit the following as the resultof my investigation:I left here on the tirst train west arriving at Monongahela City onSunday forenoon. On Monday morning I went to Brownsville andbefore entering the mine I made an inspection of the fan, whichwas located some two mil(\s from the mouth of the mine. When Iarrived there I found everything locked up and no one in attendance,although the fan was in motion tliough iimning very slowly. In ashort time a man came and unlocked the door. I found that steamwas generated at the bottom of the shaft, 144 feet from the surface;that the fan was oj.erated in a sort of hit or miss fashion, andi-'rder the immediate care of a thirteen year old boy; that the firen.anat the bottom of the shaft, aside from his duty to keep up suf-