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34 THE COAL TRADE BULLETIN.
COAL MINE FATALITIES IN THE
UNITED STATES FOR SEPTEMBER, 1913.
The reports received by the Bureau of Mines
from state mine inspectors show- that there were
166 men killed in and about the coal mines in the
United States during September, 1913, as compared
with 175 during the same month of 1912.
In making comparisons with 1912, however, it
should be borne in mind that reports for 1913 have
not been received from California, Georgia and
Oregon, states in which there is no inspection service.
Kentucky is not included in September, as
the operators are allowed 60 days by law to report
accidents to the state inspector. There was no
large disaster during the month.
Fatalities at coal mines during the first nine
months of 1912 and 1913:
1912. 1913.
January 252 214
February 213 200
March 360 194
April 81 27S
May 150 199
June 170 1S1
auly 193 17S
August 211 233
September 175 166
1,805 1,843
The total fatalities during the first nine months
of 1913 were 1,843 as compared with 1.S05 for the
same period in 1912, as shown in the accompanying
table. Deducting the 47 fatalities that are
charged to the above named states during the first
nine months of 1912, for which there are no comparable
figures for 1913, the figures become 1,843
fatalities for the first nine months of 1913 and
1,758 fatalities for the corresponding months of
1912. The actual gain in fatalities during the
first nine months of the year is 58. The principal
increases in fatalities over the corresponding
period of 1912 were as follows, by causes: Falls
of roof, 107; mine cars and locomotives. 59; suffocation
from mine gases, 7; total, 173. These
increases are partly offset by the following reductions:
Gas and dust explosions, 95; falls of face
or pillar coal, 31; shaft accidents, 4; mine fires,
7; total, 137.
Every one of the 20 double houses in Concrete
City, the model village of the Delaware, Lackawanna
& Western Coal Co., near Nanticoke. Pa.,
is now occupied. The houses are two-story structures,
50 x 25 feet, built of solid concrete, with
flat roofs and dark green trimmings. Each house
contains seven rooms, and has stationary wash
tubs, a buttery and a good dry cellar.
ESTIMATED COST OF UNITED
STATES BUREAU OF MINES.
The estimates of appropriations for the United
States Bureau of Mines, for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1915, as approved by Secretary Lane of
the Interior department, have just been forwarde 1
to Congress.
The estimates are as follows:
For general expenses of the Bureau of Mines,
$70,000.
For investigating mine accidents, $347,000.
For the equipment of mine rescue cars and stations,
$30,000.
Equipment of testing plant at Pittsburgh, Pa.,
$10,000.
For testing fuels, $135,000.
For mineral mining investigations, $120,000.
For inquiries and investigations of petroleum
and natural gas, $30,000.
For inspection of mines in Alaska, $7,000.
For books and publications, $2,000.
For lands, leases, etc., for mine rescue cars,
$1,000.
The total for the Bureau of Mines is $752,000,
an increase over the fiscal year ending June 30,
1914, of $90,000.
The item of $30,000 for the equipment of rescue
cars and stations is for the first time placed separately
in the estimates and represents an increase.
The $10,000 asked for the equipment of the testing
plant is a new item. The money is needed
for the purchase of steam and electric equipment.
The estimates set forth that the present power
and electric service plant at the experiment station
is on the eve of breakdown.
For the mineral mining investigations, an increase
of $20,000 is asked, from $100,000 to $120,-
000.
For the inspection of mines in Alaska, an increase
of $500 over the previous year is asked.
The same increase is asked for books and publications.
The item for lands, leases, etc., for mine
rescue cars is decreased $1,000.
The item of $30,000 for inquiries and investigations
of petroleum and natural gas is for the first
time placed separately in the estimates and represents
an increase. It calls for inquiries and investigations
concerning the mining, preparation,
treatment and utilization of petroleum and natural
gas, with a view to economic development,
and conserving resources through the prevention
of waste.
The Rockhill Iron & Coal Co. is electrifying
its mines at Robertsdale and Woodvale, Pa. An
alternating current plant will be installed at Woodvale
and current transmitted at high voltage to
the different operations. The Randolph-Means
Co. of Pittsburgh are the engineers.