Reports of the Inspectors of Mines of the anthracite and bituminous ...

No. 12.] Sixth Bituminous District. 435
IFalsfon Xos. 2 and 3 are conuectecl and ventilated by one fan which
is twenty-five feet in diameter.
No. ^ is a drift opening- and is now on the decline, there being- no
headings driving, but nearly all the work is drawing stumps and pillars,
except that in one portion of the mine they are trying to drive through a
neck of coal to reach a patch of several acres of coal which is untouched.
The ventilation is just fair, as doors and brattices are somewhat neglected
through the mine being old and on the decline, but what is most in-
jurious to the health of the miners, is the imlimited use of black-strap oil
that is allowed to be burned in the mine. I have been in a current of
air traveling at the rate of over 300 feet per minute in an area of 50 feet
or more and I could scarcely see a light 25 feet ahead of me, from
the smoke made from the use of this filthy oil, called by miners "black-
strap."
I am somewhat surprised that the superintendents of those mines
have not put a stop to the use of this oil in their miiies long ago, for
without it being stopped all the fans in creation would not keep the
mines in a healthy condition. I think it is a pity that after the enormous
expense that has been incurred in erecting such fine machinery by the
company to ventilate with, that they should be in such an unhealthy
condition through the use of this inferior oil.
No. 5 is a slope and through the workings of this mine all air goes to
No. 2, consequently all the smoke made in No. 3 is carried to No. 2.
The ventilation in No. 3 was considerably better on my last examination
than I had found it on previous visits ; the trouble here was caused partly
by meeting faults in the coal and partly from heavy grades which had
to be overcome in the mine, thus breaking up their regular system of
mining and ventilation, but as stated I found on my last visit things in
a much better shape, as they have got into a regular system of running
their headings, thus enabling them to ventilate the work better.
Since I examined these mines last Mr. Robinson, the general manager,
had taken a decided stand against the use of the inferior oils that are
being burned in the mines, and has determined to use very stringent
means, if necessary, to put a stop to it entirely. To stop the burning
of black- strap oil or any other inferior oil of that kind in these mines
will no doubt put them in the ranks of the best ventilated mines in the
district, as the best of machinery is in use for producing ventilation here.
Adrain 3Iines.—These two mines at that point Nos. 1 and 2, are
owned and operated also by Bell, Lewis & Yates. No. 1 is in charge of
Thomas Scott, and is ventilated by means of a 200-foot Guibal fan, the
condition of this mine is good in ventilation and drainage. No. 2 is in
charge of Mr. Gregory ; this is the largest colliery in the district, employing
about 511 men and boys in and around the mine. Prior to my
last examination, the air was very much vitiated by the unlimited use of
black-strap oil, but Mr. John H. Bell, the superintendent of the mine.