coal trade bulletin - Clpdigital.org

22 THE COAL TRADE BULLETIN.
period of time; however, the mines that were not
so affected, operated on better time than the previous
year.
The year 1913, will record a larger number of
fatal accidents than any year since the creation
of the Mining department; while it is true that
there will undoubtedly be a much larger increase
in tonnage, the accidents have increased out of all
proportion to what they should; the mining of
coal is an occupation in which there is bound to
be more or less fatalities, yet there are conditions
which could be corrected, which would tend to
lessen this reckless loss of life, chief of which is
more care on part of the miner in working under
loose and dangerous roof, known to be unsafe,
and the maintenance of
STRICTER DISCIPLINE IN .MINES,
which would prevent persons from jumping on and
off fast moving trips of mine cars, and in some
instances, the desire to install too hurriedly, improvements
in mine equipment and operation. To
the latter cause was attributed the death of 14
miners killed outright, and the death of one person,
a rescuer. This explosion occurred in the
Imperial No. 3 mine, operated by the Imperial
.Mining Co., Noble county, 0., on the evening of
May 17, 1913, between the hours of six and seven,
at which time 27 men were in the mine. Work
was being rushed for the completion of a newmotor
road, and according to testimony given at
the coroner's inquest, no inspection had been made
of tbe working places by the fire boss, and a
workman is supposed to have entered one of the
rooms with an open light, igniting a body of gas
which had accumulated on account of the ventilation
having been cut off, due to the repairs which
were being made.
Another accident of unusual cause occurred at
the Jefferson Mine No. 3 at Piney Fork, Jefferson
county, O., on the morning of June 16, which
resulted later in the death of four persons who
were burned severly by the explosion of a keg
of powder. The date of the accident was powder
morning, and one of the loaders had a keg of
powder in one of the mine cars sitting on the top
of it, waiting for the car to be take into the mine;
several other men were also waiting to be taken
in; a loader in throwing his auger into the car,
struck the keg of powder with its prong, which
raised the rear part of the auger to the trolley
wire, which was charged with electricty, causing
a short circuit, and an explosion took place. Sixteen
(16) men were injured, four fatally and their
death occurred in a period of two weeks after the
accident.
The fatal accidents up to Dec. 23 numbered 163,
or an approximate total of 179 for the year. This
would represent an increase of 25 per cent, over
the number of fatalities reported during 1912,
when 136 were reported. Of this number over
80 were due to falls of roof and coal; 10 to shocks
from electricity; 28 were due to mine cars, an
increase of 110 per cent.; six (6) were due to explosions
of powder; 15 to explosions of gas; from
mining machines and motors, 5; and to miscellaneous
causes, 7; falls of roof and coal will show
a decrease in number as compared with the year
1912.
Two mine fires occurred at two of the large
producing mines of the state during the year,
but with good management and
CAREFUL JUDGMENT
used, no serious effects were caused by either,
except the loss of the operation of both of them,
necessitated by the complete sealing of them.
The first occurred at the New Pittsburgh No. 7
mine, which was supposed to have originated from
a short circuit on the trolley line, caused by a fall
of roof. Arrangements were made immediately
after locating the fire to seal the mine, which
was effectively completed in about four days' time.
The fire originated March 30, and on June 7
arrangements were completed for re-opening the
sealed portion of the lire territory; while no fire
was discovered, an excessive heat was found in
the fire zone, and it was decided to re-seal the territory.
Nov. 29, another inspection was made of
this territory, and the fire found to have been
entirely extinguished, and permission was given
to go to work and clean up this portion of the
mine with the use of open lights.
The second mine fire occurred at Mine 301
operated by the Sunday Creek Co., of Columbus,
and located in Perry county, O., on Nov. 1. This
fire was located about 1,000 feet from the main
opening, and it was considered useless to try to
extinguish it. and work was begun at once to
seal it and allow it to smother out. While the
work of sealing the mine was in progress, several
explosions took place, and the work was considered
too dangerous and hazardous to continue.
Orders were then given to commence to seal the
mine from the outside, as it was connected with
Mine 302 operated by the same company, and was
threatening to endanger that property also; this
work was temporarily done on the night of Nov.
9, and the permanent stoppings were completed
on the inside on Nov. 12.
The general assembly of the year 1913. provided
funds for the purpose of purchasing and
equipping a mine rescue ear for emergency use in
case of mine explosions, fires originating in mines,
or for any emergency that might arise whereby
such a car would be of the utmost importance,
and arrangements have already been completed,
and the early part of the year 1914, will in all
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