Coal Age 1912-05-11: Vol 1 Iss 31

Vol. 1

PTNHE eves of the world have been watching the
.... phases of state activity in New Zealand,
hoping to learn something that might be used

in the social reform of other nations. Having become
the sociological experiment station of the universe,
she is rather expected to try out all radical ideas for
the benefit of humanity. The country is remote, has
a homogeneous population of intelligent, well edu-
cated people who have a high standard of public virtue;
the climate is healthful and the soil fertile, so that im-
portant conditions are favorable to the work in hand.

If in any country, therefore, the ideals of Utopia
could be realized, surely New Zealand affords the
‘hance. But has the aim been accomplished? Let us
briefly analyze the results the government has secured
irom having established Old Age Pensions, Parcels
Post, Savings Bank, Fire Insurance, Life Insurance,

system of Telegraphs, Telephone Exchanges, and
rom operating Coal Mines.

To receive a state pension the citizen must be 65
cars old, sober and reputable and 25 years a resident.
is income must not exceed $300 annually, and his ac-
mulated property must ngt amount to $1300 or over.
ie full pension of $130 a year is reducible by $5 for
ery $5 of income over $170. Thus when the
plicant’s yearly income reaches $300, the right to
\ pension is lost. Likewise, a reduction of $5 is
de for every $50 of accumulated property.

As to state insurance, state ownership of mines,
i government management of railways and other
lic enterprises, the plan of conducting all such
ivities on sound business principles has lately been
pted. This policy prevails not only where the
‘¢ is competing with private effort, but in govern-
it monopolies, where lack of competition tends to
© expensive management, obsolete methods and
casonable concessions to public clamor. The
sent aim is to make each business pay at least
-rest on the capital invested.

(he most recent reports at hand show that the
iual profits of the Post and Postal Telegraph
“partments are approximately $500,000. The State
val Mines netted the government another $100,000.
‘© railways showed a deficit of $1,030,000, while

NEW YORK, MAY 11, 1912 No. 31

the net profits to the state from 5 per cent. loans
made to settlers was $325,000.

Telegrams and telephone service are cheaper than
in the United States. Railway fares are practically
the same (2c. per mile). The price of coal is higher
than when the government first went into the busi-
ness. Wages, as compared with the cost of living, are
slightly lower than in this country, and the net public
debt of New Zealand ($329,000,000) amounts to
$340 per head, which forms a striking comparison
with our net debt of $10 per head. The enormous
net debt of New Zealand, however, does not seem so
great when compared with the total private wealth
of the country, which is $1628 per head, a greater per-
capita wealth than that of any other nation.

It would be unfair to say that the mild form of
socialism prevailing in New Zealand is a failure. But
has it improved conditions? Of 1,000,000 inhabitants,
130,000 are directly dependent on the state. Poverty
has not been abolished, for there are just as many
paupers in the towns of New Zealand as in American
cities. Also the distribution of wealth is not much
more equal, since statistics show that 1 per cent
of the families in that country own 35 per cent. of
the wealth, a condition but little better than that
which exists in the United States.

Strange to say, socialistic legislation has had an
effect that certainly was not socialistic. Discon-
tented and land-hungry laborers, through state aid,
have been converted into prosperous citizens, strong
supporters of the freehold and ardent advocates of
the sanctity of private property.

There is still a discontented class, who, having
little to tax and nothing to lose, desire to exploit the
rich, regarding the capitalist as a goose to be kept
for the sake of its golden eggs. We should study
New Zealand’s scheme of compulsory arbitration and
her system of old-age pensions. Also, if it will make
our coal industry more stable, we would like to see
Uncle Sam operating a few mines of his own, but
to believe that results so far attained in this far-off
country point a way out of the tangled woods of
social unrest is hardly justified by the facts that exist.

998

COAL AGE

Vol. 1, No. 31

The Acme Co.’s Plant in Wyoming

The mines of the Sheridan, Wyo. coal
field are operating on seams that have
been designated by the Geological Sur-
vey as sub-bituminous, but are more
commonly known locally as_ lignite.
Whether this coal is a true lignite, in
the common acceptance of the term, is a
question the Survey men evaded by giv-
ing the new name. The coal differs
from the ordinary lignite in that it con-
tains less moisture and far less ash.
In color it is black instead of brown,
and it has a high gloss, almost as bright
as the best grades of anthracite. It
burns freely to a clean, light ash, hav-
ing a resemblance to wood ash.

Because of the fact that it is mined
from large clean seams and nearly all
of the mines leave a coal roof, the re-
sulting product is exceptionally clean.
It contains barely more than traces of
sulphur. For steam purposes it is a
good fuel, and is used in large quan-
tities by the C. B. & Q. R.R. As a
coai for domestic use it is in some ways
superior to the ordinary bituminous, as
in burning it leaves almost no soot, and
for this reason, as well as its freedom
from clinkers and sulphurous gas, it
derives merited popularity.

Of the several mines in the Sheridan
district the newest and one of the best
equipped, as well as one of the largest,
is the Acme Coal Co.’s property. This
company is but two years old, and owns
three mines. Mine No. 3 is operating
in the top seam of the district, which
is known locally as the Monarch. Mines
1 and 2 are working in the Carney, or
second seam, the Monarch being eroded
at this point. Mines 1 and 2 are on a
property comprising about 300 acres, 3
miles west of the 1100-acre tract on
which Mine No. 3 is located. The for-
mer property is operated under a short
term lease, and the latter under a ninety-
nine-year contract. All three openings
are made in the bluffs of the Tongue
River, by drifts having a slight inward
dip.

THE AcME No. 3 MINE

The main entry of the Acme No. 3
mine is in the bluffs of the Tongue
River, on the northerly side of the
stream. From the pit mouth the track,
which has a 42-in. gage, and is laid
with 45-lb. rails, both on the surface
and in the main haulageway, follows
the bluffs westerly, and crossing a steel
bridge, enters the yards. At a point
25C ft. from the foot of the inclined
approach to the tipple, the electric loco-
motives are uncoupled and the cars
picked up, one at a time by a eable
haul. The essential features of this

haul are a 114-in. steel cable to which

By Jesse Simmons *

A detailed description of one of
the largest and best equipped
plants in the Sheridan, Wyo.,
field, a general description of
which was recently published in
COAL AGE. An unusual refine-
ment in sizing the coal is attained
by the use of a shaking screen
with both a lateral and longitud-
inal motion; this is one of only
four or five such screens in use
in this country.

*Deadwood, 8S. D.

are attached 4-wheel trolleys, equipped
with dogs which engage lugs on the car
axles, the trolleys running on _ 16-lb.
rails. The haulage is controlled by a
friction clutch, making it possible to give
the proper feed to the cars going up
the incline.

important advantage over other types.
It is one of four or five in this coun-
try, but it has been extensively and suc-
cessfully used in Germany.

From this screen coal may be diverted
into either open or box-cars, a stand-
ard Ottumwa box-car loader being used
to load the latter. By cutting out the
screen, which is done by covering it
with movable steel plates, mine-run may
be loaded direct into the cars. As a
further precaution in the preparation of
lump, the coal before entering the rail-
way cars passes over grizzlies, thus re-
moving the last vestige of slack and
dust which might have been carried to
this point.

RE-SCREENING PLANT

The coal passing through the shaker-
screen may be either diverted to open
cars on the slack track, or to an ele-
vator boot from whence it is conveyed
by a 30-in. rubber-belt conveyor, 265

"SD

NS “os

AcME Co.’s STEEL TIPPLE, SHOWING RE-SCREENING PLANT AND CHUTES

At the foot of the incline the cars
are picked up by a cable haul similar
in detail to the one described, which
takes them to the top of the tipple. The
top of the incline is 49 ft. above the
yard tracks, and has a grade of 15 deg.
The cars are dumped over a crossover
dump, and automatically transferred by
means of a double track system, down
the approach, and madé up into trains
for return to the mine.

When the coal is dumped from the
mine cars it enters a large bin provided
with a movable bottom, or feeder plate,
arranged to be operated at varying rates
of speed. This delivers the coal to a
shaker-screen of special design having
a capacity of 3000 tons per day and
openings 6 in. in diameter. Having both
longitudinal and lateral motion, the
makers of this screen claim it has an

ft. long, to a revolving screen 65
above the ground, at the top of wha
is known as the re-screening plant. Th
screen is 24 ft. in length, and for on
half of the length an outer screc”
7 ft. in diameter surrounds the ma’
screen, which is 6 ft. in diameter. b
ginning at the upper end, the openin
in the main, or 6-ft. screen, are
follows: 1-in., for the first 12 ft.; ©
a 6-ft. section with 2-in. openings, Ww '~
the remaining 6 ft. has 3'%-in. oF
ings. The outer screen has '4-in. or’
ings, and surrounds that portion of the
inner screen having 1-in. openings.
The following grades of coal can big
made at this plant: At the main tir’ ©.
lump, mine-run and slack; at the
screening plant, slack, pea. nut and eg
The slack is that portion passing through
the 14-in. opening; the pea size drops

<

7

May 11, 1912

1rough the 2-in. opening; the nut
rrough the 31%-in. screen, and the egg

that product which has passed through
he 6-in. screen in the tipple and over
ie 3%-in. The regular grades may

e dumped into their respective bins at
rie re-Screening plant, or the product
ray be mixed if desired, making not
only the four sizes of coal as originally
prepared, but a combination of these sizes
to meet special market conditions.

The bins into which the coal is
screened are made entirely of steel, and
are of latest modern construction. In
order to prevent any breakage of the
coal after having been prepared in the
revolving screen, it is conveyed to the
bottom, or coal level, in the bin by
means of special chutes, constructed as

JEFFREY Motor AT THE New ACME
MINE

COAL AGE

and the tipple, the slack is picked up
by screw conveyors, 6 in. in diameter,
and delivered to bucket elevators housed
in steel, which returns the material to
the screens. This eliminates consider-
able hand labor and keeps the loading
tracks free from accumulations of coal.

At the re-screening plant the bins are
provided with hoppered chutes over the
center track, for loading open cars. The
two tracks at the side are equipped with
chutes for loading box-cars only. The
hoppers over the center tracks are
equipped with improved clam-shell de-
livery gates. The entire plant is operated
by electricity, power being secured from
the Sheridan Electric & Power Co.,
whose plant is close to the tipple, as
shown in the illustration. Westinghouse,
alternating current, 3-phase, 60-cycle
motors, having a capacity of 2300 volts
are used for driving the tipple and
screening plant, one 60-hp. motor being
used at each place. The electric loco-
motives and coal cutters are driven by
250-volt direct current.

MACHINE SHOP

The machine and blacksmith shop is
a reinforced concrete building, 40x60 ft.,
with a steel roof, and equipped with the
machinery for making all necessary re-
pairs to cars, mining machines, etc. A

Dan mrage: So eee 1 na aa

AcME Co.’s TIPPLE AND SHERIDAN ELEcTRIC LIGHT & PowER Co.’s PLANT

fo ws: The chute proper is a steel
b standing nearly vertical and pro-
\\ 4d with a series of sloping steel

sh es. The-.coal in passing down the
c pursues a zig-zag course from
Si to shelf, and finally arrives at the
c level in the bin without having
di sed at any time, a distance which
Wo. cause it to break. This scheme
is ely followed in the anthracite terri-
to. as being the best method of handl-

inc .oal with minimum breakage.
neath the storage bins, which have

a acity of 500 tons, are three rail-
Way tracks, where coal may be loaded
fror. the bin. The mouths of the load-
ing chutes are provided with grizzlies,
Similar to the equipment at the tipple,
for removing slack. At both this point

side track runs into the shop and over
a pit, giving easy access for a man
to work under the cars in making small
repairs. A steel tank with a capacity
of 75,000 gal. on a steel frame 75 ft.
high, supplies the miners’ cottages, etc.

The tipple, re-screening plant and
bridge across the Tongue River are all
constructed of steel, resting on heavy
concrete pillars. The work was done
under contract, by the Ottumwa Box
Car Loader Co., of Ottumwa, Iowa. The
plant was designed by the manager of
the Acme mines, A. K. Craig, of Sheri-
dan, and machinery and equipment has
been purchased from a number of manu-
facturers, it having been his endeavor
to secure the best in each particular
line.

999

The Acme No. 3 mine started produc-
ing mine-run coal, for railroad use, in
February 1911, and during October the
new tipple was put in operation. The
re-screening plant will go in com-
mission at an early date, and this mine
will then be equipped to produce 3000
tons of coal per day—and a coal that
will have as good a preparation as any
produced in the field.

At this mine Jeffrey mining machines
are uSed exclusively, both breast and
longwall types; they are operated by a
250-volt direct current. A-Sullivan high
speed fan, motor-driven, furnishes the
ventilation, the 30-hp. motor’ on this ma-
chine being driven by a 2300-volt, al-
ternating current. Jeffrey electric loco-
motives are used for haulage. At the
present time the camp includes a few
temporary shacks, and 20 employes’ cot-
tages, completed or under construction;
a large building, combining a boarding
house, offices, etc., is also being built.’
As fast as necessary additional dwel-
lings will be erected, and when a store,
school, church, etc., are completed the
camp will be quite an imposing one.
The mine is about one-half mile from
the main transcontinental line of the
C. B. & Q. R.R., the grade being almost
level for this distance.

METHOD OF MINING

In a recent report made by Jno. K.
Seifert, the workable coal in the 1100-
acre tract of the No. 3 mine, is placed
at a thickness of at least 35 ft. This
is contained in two seams, the Monarch
or upper seam, having 26 ft., 4 in. of
workable coal, and the Carney or sec-
ond seam, about 9 ft. of workable coal.
The present openings on this property
are made in the Monarch seam, the
Carney, which is 42 ft. below, being
held in reserve. The workable coal
in this track is figured at 38,500,000 tons.

Owing to the thickness of the Mon-
arch seam, the ordinary methods of min-
ing cannot be followed to advantage.
There is about 23 ft. of absolutely clean
coal in this seam, which can be mined
without touching any kind of rock, bone
or inferior material. In general it
has been found that the room-and-pillar
method, driving the rooms 10 to 12 ft.
high, and later drawing the pillars,
bringing down the roof, gives a high
percentage of recovery. The panel sys-
tem is used, as it is found necessary to
stop up abandoned workings, since the
disintegrated and dirty coal has a ten-
dency to ignite from spontaneous com-
bustion if left too long- exposed to the
air.

Manager Craig, of the Acme mines,
has devised a system of mining which
is about to be patented. He claims for
this system a higher recovery of the
workable coal in these large seams than

1000

is possible by any of the methods now
in use at the various mines. As stated
he is about to apply for a patent, having
practically completed all of the prelim-
inary work and experimentation.

MINING CONDITIONS

The mines of this district are particu-
larly fortunate in that they have abso-
lute freedom from many of the dis-
advantages which mark coal operations
in other districts. The mines are free
from gas, probably due to the fact that
the veins are found not far below the
surface, while the superimposed strata
is largely sandstone or other porous
rocks. In mining with a coal roof very
little, in fact almost no, trouble is ex-
perienced with caves or falls of rock

which would injure workmen.
The Acme mine is typical of the
district as regards freedom from acci-
2°8x6Exl8 ”
Transom over. ane , 2°Bx24”Sash
pe FOE Oe
ape? = ‘ K-
| id
o |}
S|
Vid
»
pi! R
3
a
aie :
2 °
2 :

PLAN

dents; during the two years that this
mine has been open there has not been
a single fatal accident, and no serious
accidents of any kind. The freedom
from gas makes ventilation a fairly sim-
ple problem, in fact the fan equipment
at these mines would be totally inade-
quate were there any gas present. The
fans are practicaliy used only for the
purpose of blowing out powder smoke.

The one drawback. which is not se-
rious if anticipated and properly guarded
against, is danger from fire. The slack
coal, especially if mixed with dirt and
rock where the roof has come in, in
some abandoned room, is very likely to
ignite from spontaneous combustion.
Knowing this the operators use the panel
system of mining, usually running about
30 rooms to a panel. Thus, when a
30-room panel has been worked out, it
is only necessary to stop two openings
in order to completely close up the sec-

COAL AGE

tion. These stoppings are ordinarily
made with concrete.

ANALYSIS OF THE COAL

The following analyses were made by
the Commercial Testing & Engineering
Co., Chicago: :

Sample top to bottom of 8-ft. seam,
Acme No. 1:

PAE Seis wi hw § wcle itis woes 17.83
PRMANN I Fer ceterrc ic ayn ata rine pita eoeie) Cee eee 4.11
Volatile matter ..... 58.20
Fixed carbon ....<:. 19.86

WE ko te ee ore ...-100.00

ESS ch Te Pa ame Norge ceria Mea AN rage 9950
RUNERBMN ERT 552-5 oni wt saa bas a eRe erro 0.24

Lower 12 ft. of Monarch seam Acme
No. 3:

BUI MI On oo Sv ae ae wR ae 17.92
PRUNE cei ewe aie i e350) eee 9 we lendcas ede alah anna 3.58
We IIe BBICOT oc ow 0 ow wee es 44.81
ie oe Te Fg CC smal em aoe reer IS ne coe 33.69

2 LTC) ("> MRR dee tere eer ene eraser ae een 100.00
WRN has is a aeons, 3s a SIG Se OAR ee 10,247
1G OE ee Deeeneaieaerreee pagenrayere ic ee. coe 0.39

This quality of coal would make a

A "

Die pene
Beaded Ceiling

splendid fuel for use in gas producers,
probably as good, or better than the high
class Virginia bituminous coal. These
analyses are typical of this section, and
when it is considered that this coal
is mined absolutely free from foreign
material (both the floor and roof being
coal) it at once marks this district as
unique in the coal industry.

ACME Nos. 1 AND 2

The coal from the A@me Nos. 1 and 2
mines is dumped over a single frame
tipple; both mines are drifts, with slight
inward dips. The coal is mined from
the Carney seam, the thickness varying
from 9 to 12 ft. Like the Acme No. 3,
the room-and-pillar method, combined
with the panel system, is used. Rooms
are 16 ft. wide and 200 ft. long, leaving
15-ft. pillars. Four Jeffffrey short-wall
machines are used for undercutting. The
miners drill and blast their own coal,

Vol. 1,-No. 31

which work, as well as undercutting an.
loading, is done on a schedule per to
made with the local Miners’ Union
These Unions are affiliated with the
United Mine Workers.

Two 5-ton Jeffrey electric locomotives;
are used in bringing the coal from th:
main partings to the tipple; horses are
used in the rooms. The mines are elec-
trically equipped, power at 22,000 volts.
3-phase, 60-cycle, alternating current be-
ing obtained from the Sheridan Electric
Light & Power Co. This current is
stepped down in three, 75-kv.-a., West-
inghouse transformers to 2300 volts, and
then drives a motor generator set, com-
posed of a 220-hp., Allis-Chalmers
motor, direct connected to an Allis-
Chalmers, direct current generator, pro-
ducing at 1130 r.p.m., a 250-volt, 545
ampere current; this current is used for
the undercutting machines, locomotives

a
py gy pg — yp oe eo

Ls sal =e

|
>
de
¢
fons
Se
xs
‘
a
AS)
iS
-->|
les)
Q
st
>

- 28x28"
2L'ts

oa Pesos

Kitchen

__y 26663) 9"--?\S)] Room &
© Pantry <--2°6 676"

es ae 2k

4 q
8x8"Flue toa C

st

hk 4 b

4 os rath loset Closet '
l f<i--------]240"-------- a

Al Bed Ss

2°8%24 Sash |

7 wr)
28'x 28" CL ts

¥

i ie)
ia ae

27°6"--

KO

er elts
¥
1240

. of

405/65" SSK. niet 2828"!
vs 8 Yelts YS

fo welts

”
x

28
w
Se
=
cS
Q
Pe

+

kg-------------+----- 22 B"---------2-22 == + Bt

=~
{

Coat AGE

\ND FRONT ELEVATION OF THREE-AND FOUR-ROOM HOUSES

and tipple. In addition to the ab
equipment, the transformer house ¢
tains a small transformer for stepp
the current down to 110 voits for °
lighting circuit, used both in the m
and town. As at present operated
plant is capable of producing 1000 '
of coal in 8 hours.

With the three mines mentioned
Acme Coal Co. is a strong compe!
for the business of the Sheridan
and the completion of the plant at
3 will place the company in sp!

position. The Acme Coal Co. is 0

by two men, A. K. Craig and Ora

nell. The former is the practical or
and the latter the selling head. th
are well qualified for the work they ~‘¢
undertaken, having had long exper. ‘°°
in the coal business. To both of em
the writer desires to acknowled:- bee

courtesies which have made it Pp‘

to secure the data for this ariicl

is

May 11, 1912

EMPLCYEES’ RESIDENCES

In keeping with the equipment of the

ne, the company is erecting a group
dwellings for the housing of em-

oyees which will bear comparison with

)se of any mining camp in the country.

ie plan of house No. 3, which is re-

oduced herewith, is typical of the vil-

se which is being buit. House No. 3,
a as it is designated in the specifications,
has four rooms besides a bath room,
pantry and two closets; the conveniences
‘elude a front porch extending the width
of the building, electric lights, running
water, sewer connections and hard pine
floors. The extreme dimensions of the
outside walls give the house a width of
2? ft., 8 in. and a length of 27 ft., 6 in.
The foundation is of concrete, with
courses of concrete blocks laid

two

COAL AGE

studding and lath, plastered with two
coats and finished hard and
Chimneys rest on concrete piers which
extend from the solid ground up to
the floor level, taking the weight off
the floors. A house of this description
rents to an employee for S20. per month,
including water, light and coal.

House No. 1 contains two rooms, a
living room, 12x13-ft., and a_ kitchen
9x10-ft., besides a bathroom, pantry and
closet. House No. 2 contains three
rooms, a living room 12x12-ft., bed
room 9x12-ft. and a kitchen 11 ft., 6 in.
x12 ft., also a bathroom, pantry and
closet.

PowER PLANT

The Sheridan Electric Light & Power
Co. has a most uptodate power plant

xy
OOOO x
OOOO

ears KRG. :
40'x40/ Pe Se ae
40°16" Top Light | “P24 VW
iE s 1 Y
a +;
| ror] Porch j
I > oo
Coat Ace (iccieencccnieall

PLAN, ELEVATION AND PARTIAL SECTION OF Two-ROOM HOUSE

e the ground line; upon the founda-
and butting upon the blocks, are
the floor joists, and upon these the
1 floor is spiked and the studding
i. After the studding is raised and
outside weather boarding put on,
nside of the exterior walls is board-
> with rough lumber and into the
thus formed, between the ship
ind sheathing, concrete is poured
vell tamped. After the wall thus
‘ucted, and .nto which pipes carry-
ie electric wiring have been intro-
as the work progresses, the in-
rough boarding is removed and
‘all pointed up with rich concrete.
it of alabastine or whitewash com-

> the interior wall.
side from this innovation in construc-
the house is completed in the usual
\.:kmanlike manner, good plumbing be-
used, and a heavy coating of paint
Protecting the woodwork. Partition walls
aie of the usual construction, 2x4

on land belonging to the Acme Coal
Co., having the surface right under a
50-year lease. The location is 9 miles
from the city of Sheridan, a place of
10,000 inhabitants, which is served by
its pole lines. The coal mines of the
Sheridan district are close at hand, the
most distant operating mine, the Kooi,
being only a little over 3 miles away.

An interurban electric road is build-
ing from Sheridan to the coal mines, and
has contracted for power generated at
this plant. From these details it will
be seen that the plant has a convenient
location for the generation of power for
the city of Sheridan, and is advantage-
ously situated to give service to the
mines and electric railway.

The plant is located about 200 ft.
from the Acme No. 3 tipple, and it is the
intention to install a conveyor for trans-
ferring the coal from the tipple to the
boiler room of. the plant. The boiler
room contains three, Heine, water-tube

smooth. °

1001

boilers, one of which is being overated
under a test with a Roney stoker; should
this machine prove successful in the
handling of lignite slack, a large field
for its use will be opened up. There is
demand for a stoker which will fire
the slack coal from the Sheridan mines,
as dozens of steam plants in Wyoming,
South Dakota, Nebraska, etc., are using
coal from this field, and a very large
proportion of them are using hand firing.

The superheated steam from these
boilers is fed to two, Westinghouse-
Parsons turbines, direct connected to
Westinghouse alternating current .gen-
erators, which at 3600 r.p.m., produce
1250 kw. of 2300-volt current. Further
equipment in the engine room includes
transformers which take the 2300-volt
current and step it up to 22,000 volts,
which is the line pressure. Some of
the 2300-volt current is used at the ad-
joining coal property, and a motor gen-
erator set, in the same room, is driven
by this current. This set comprises
an Allis-Chalmers, 220-hp. motor,
actuated by 54 amperes of alternating
current, 60-cycle, 3-phase, at 2300 volts,
direct connected to an Allis-Chalmers,
direct current generator, producing cur-
rent at 250 volts no load, 275 volts full
load, 545 amperes; the set operates at
1130 revolutions per minute.

Exhaust steam from the turbines is
taken through a Leblanc condensing sys-
tem. Water for this system is taken
from the Tongue River, on the banks of
which the plant is situated.

Annual Banquet of Mine Off-
cials at Pittsburg

Superintendents, mine foremen, assist-
ant foremen and fire bosses of the seven-
teenth bituminous inspection district of
Pennsylvania held their first annual ban-
quet at the Monongahela House, Pitts-
burg, on Saturday evening, April 13. One
hundred and fifty-four mining men of the
district were in attendance.

W.H. Pratt was elected toastmaster and
with a few appropriate remarks called
upon the following, to address the gather-
ing: J. I. Pratt, mine inspector of the
seventeenth bituminous district; David
Young, mine inspector of the fourteenth
bituminous district; J. B. Johnston, editor
of the Coal and Coke Operator; R. H.
Heath of Homestead, Penn.; Hugh Gibbs,
inspector for the Pittsburg-Buffalo Co.,
Canonsburg, Penn.; H. D. Thompson, su-
perintendent of the Pittsburg Coal Co.,
Willock, Penn.; and Dr. McKnight, of
Willock, Penn. David Young, of Free-
port and T. A. Jackson, of Curtisville,
were invited guests.

It is intended to make these meetings
an annual affair and much credit is due
John I. Pratt for bringing the mine offi-
cials together to discuss various mine
problems of the day.

1002

COAL AGE

Vol. 1, No. 31

Water Purification for Collieries

When water which is possessed of
temporary hardness, is boiled or brought
near the boiling point, carbonic acid gas
is given off and carbonates are precipi-
tated. This treatment suffices if there
is no permanent hardness or other im-
purity to be dealt with but when per-
manent hardness is present, the water
must be chemically treated. In the
heater-softener, made by the Eriths’
Engineering Co., of London, the use of
lime is dispensed with and the arrange-
men of the apparatus is as shown in Fig.
1. The supplies of cold water and soda
solution are delivered together into a
trough near the top of the upright por-
tion of the apparatus, whence the water
overflows onto removable trays, and
finally falls into the settling chamber.
At the same time, exhaust steam is de-
livered through the oil separator in the
upper part of the shell surrounding the
trays, and any excess of exhaust steam
that there may be, escapes through a
vent in the top of the shell.

Steam at atmospheric pressure is capa-
ble of heating the water up to about
210 deg. F., and the air and carbonic
acid gas in the water are driven off
through the vent pipe, a large proportion
of the carbonates and precipitates being
delivered at the bottom of the settling
chamber. Moreover, the soda ash solu-
tion, which removes the sulphates, chlo-
rides, and acids, has an accelerated ac-
tion due to the heat. The water from
the settling chamber passes upwards
through a horizontal filter.

At the side of the settling tank will
be seen a water space in which is lo-
cated a float for controlling the admis-
sion of cold water and soda. The sur-
face of the water in the settling chamber
is occasionally flushed over in order to
remove the scum due to oil from the
oil separator. This is accomplished by
admitting an excess of cold water and
the portion thus flushed off passes into
a trap or water seal. It will be seen
that back pressure cannot occur with
this arrangement and there is no danger
of choking from deposits. The travel of
the water after passing over the trays
still gives plenty of opportunity for pre-
cipitation, and the low cost of soda ash,
which is the only reagent used, makes the
process inexpensive.

COMBINED HEATER AND SOFTENER

The Paterson Engineering Co., Ltd.,
have a large number of water purifica-
tion machines working in connection with
coal mining plants and the majority of
these are arranged for the utilization of
exhaust steam from hoisting engines,
haulage engines and other steam driven
auxiliaries. Fig. 2 shows a type of ap-

paratus in which the supply of hard

Special Correspondence

Water softeners which make
use of waste heat, and combined
preheaters and softeners are fre-
quently installed. Iron salts re-
quire special apparatus for their
removal. Aluminum possesses
remarkable properties in connec-
tion with the softening of water,
which are not, as yet, thoroughly
understood. The third of a se-
ries of articles on water-purify-
ing processes and apparatus.

water is controlled by a float in the
feed-pump suction tank and is led
through a chemical regulating apparatus,
which measures it continuously by means
of a narrow vertical discharge weir.

A large float controls the position of
two tapered valves discharging the soft-

by driving off the carbonic acid gas an.
precipitating the lime salts.

For the removal of the permanen:
hardness, sodium carbonate is necessary,
and this is added through the Paterson
measuring gear in accurate proportion to
the amount of water passing. The heatec
and softened water passes into the pre-
cipitating chamber where the bulk of the
impurities settle out, final purification be-
ing effected by double filtration through
wood fiber. One objection to the open-
type exhaust heater is the contamina-
tion of the feed water by oil. This is
overcome in the Paterson apparatus by
the addition of sulphate of alumina
which coagulates the oil and fine sus-
pended matter into tangible masses, read-
ily arrested by the filtering medium.

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING IRON SALTS

Reference was made in a previous
article to the removal of iron salts from

ener reagents. The level of these valves is i as
is kept constant by ball cocks connected |
to the chemical storage tanks. The hard | -
water and reagents are thoroughly mixed a ean
in a mixing tray before passing through —
a water seal into the heating chamber. iE | |
The exhaust steam passes through - Cold Hard | HF
ae P aie and Water Inlet SS Exhaust
liminary grease separator (where the oil <a § ——-ae Inlet
p >» =} al,
: 7 | ° a Hi
Automatic keguletor ’ i |
for Water and Soda rn] i
= ——— oe —= |"! >| ——SapaS|E|]|]|]|]|]|-=-===—= S
2 Ra jo ——s 3s
oe | eee eee oy = SSS iN
Se = Le ee =a-- = = =Skimmer—' &
+2 re 2 Seas | i eee VY
=z oeg ee ae coe cee we as Core ae eare ae Tone S
\ ogee | | eeu eee wensebee é 4. Water
2 oon = ey a Bene ————- = -
EI , - OF Y _ f ’ ///// —— 77
CoaLAGE

Fic. 1. Eritys “‘No LIME” FEED-WATER PURIFIER

from the engines is removed) to the
heating chamber. Here it passes througn
the trays in a counter-flow direction,
finally escaping to the atmosphere.
The heating trays are constructed of
light sheet steel and are easily with-
drawn for cleansing purposes. The water
falls from the distributing box into the
center of the top tray. Owing to the
great length of the tr@ the water over-
flows the edges in exceedingly thin films,
which cling to the underside and drop
from the center into the middle of the
tray immediately below. After working
its way to the edges of the second tray
it again overflows onto the underside and
drops into the middle of the third tray
and so on. By this method exhaust
steam comes into contact with the films
of water and the temporary hardness is
removed without the aid of chemicals,

mine water. The plant referred to, \
an automatic self-cleansing filter erec:
by Messrs. Royles, Ltd., at the Tyldes'
colliery for removing ochre colored :
purities due to the presence of i:
compounds in the water, a clear efflu
resulting. Messrs. Royles have also
veloped a special type of eliminator
underground waters containing bicar
ate of iron which as soon as it is
posed to air is changed into iron 0. ~
causing the water to assume a res.
brown color. Deposits of such sedin
are apt to choke pipes and tubes
water thus affected is hardly suitab:
either boiler-feed or for bathing
cleansing purposes. A brief note
cerning this iron eliminator will t'ere-
fore be of interest to colliery engiicers
who have to deal with this particular
form of impurity.

id
for
and
con-

May 11, 1912

The device is illustrated in Fig. 3
nd consists of a spraying tank A, coke
‘ower B, and a gravel filter which is
seriodically cleansed by means of air.
“he untreated water flows into the spray-
ag tank, the bottom of which is perfor-
ted with small holes that allow the
water to pass through onto the coke bed
veneath, in the form of a fine shower.
Water and air are thus thoroughly mixed

Filling up Pipe

COAL AGE

the filter is then maintained for a few
minutes and the muddy water is drawn
off through the mud valve.

REMARKABLE PROPERTY OF ALUMINUM

Mention was made also of the re-
markable action of aluminum on water,
in connection with preventing hard scale
in boilers, and some reference should be
included to the Neff-Brandes apparatus

Chemical

~

Hard Warer &
oe

~

lo Bi ile rs

Storage Tank-->F

Chermical Supply
Apparatus

Exhaust
[rer

Wood Fibre Strainer:

Precipiraring. Chamber

NEF EX Eo

~~ Studge Outlet --~

Chemical Supply

Apparatus

Exhaust
[r/let

<_$_—=

Fic. 2. COMBINED PURIFIER AND OPEN-TYPE HEATER

‘he absorption of oxygen causes the
Proipitation of iron oxide. This pre-
c: ‘ition is continued throughout the
ze of the water in fine streams over
f ‘oke, as the sides of the coke
are perforated to admit more air.
ting of iron oxide speedily covers
oke, and this accelerates the sepa-
Te’ -@ action. ;

‘om the coke tower, the water passes
ine form of a fine shower onto the

g filter where the iron oxide re-
Mc "ing in suspension is arrested and
fin’ 'y the water is delivered at the point
D ‘. a purified condition. When the
filty has to be cleaned, the mud valve E
iS onened to the drain, and the air blower

P ‘orces in a supply of air at the same
time that water is admitted to the lower
Sicc of the filter. Energetic flushing of

which has been installed in Kainscht,
near Meseritz, Germany. The boiler at
this plant, used for driving air-pumping
engines, was supplied with water from
a ditch running over a neighboring mine.
This water was of a particularly hard
quality, the scale formed on the boilers
being excessive. The Neff-Brandes ap-
paratus, when installed, not only de-
stroyed the adherent boiler scale, leaving
in its place a scanty gray powder, the
greater part of which was completely
removed from the boiler by flushing out,
but the pressure of steam was there-
after maintained with ease, and the
boiler plates were kept in good condi-
tion. Dry steam of a bluish tint was
obtained instead of steam having a gray
appearance, indicating excessive moist-
ure.

1003

The Neff-Brandes apparatus has been
brought to England under the name of
the “Luminator” treatment. The opera-
tion consists solely in running the water
down the channels of a steeply inclined
corrugated aluminum plate, and the water
after this treatment is passed directly
into the boilers. No reagents of any
sort are added. The action of the pro-
cess, so far as at present can be de-
termined, is as follows:

The surface of the aluminum plate,
being kept clean and active by occasional
scrubbing, slowly disintegrates and forms
an extremely fine powder of aluminum
in the colloidal state. This fine powder
is washed off the surface of the plate
by the water passing over it at a high
velocity and is carried with the feed
weter into the boiler. In the. boiler,
these extremely minute metallic particles,

a
Gade
Inlet | =\
Ss »
Ad
Coke Tower
> 2, B

Fic. 3.

IRON ELIMINATOR

which remain in suspension in the water,
form nuclei for the evolution of carbonic
acid gas and also for the crystalization of
the carbonates in the water. This crys-
talization thus occurs on the aluminum
particles instead of on the boiler sur-
faces and there is finally deposited a
soft and non-adherent mud.

When the water contains permanent
hardness the effect on the sulphates is
not definite. The sulphate crystals form
in the ordinary way but are separated
from one another by the non-adherent
carbonate mud, and are thus prevented
from forming a close scale. This is
briefly the theory of the operation of
the process, although there are undoubt-
edly other actions occurring which have
not yet been fully demonstrated by ex-
periment.

1004

COAL AGE

Vol. 1, No. 31

Review of lowa Mine Explosions

From the inquiries I have received of
late it seems that the Iowa method of
slowing down the fan at firing time is
receiving considerable attention in other
states. In the discussion relative to the
advocacy of this method the following
questions have been frequently asked:

(1) What is the practice, in lowa
mines, regarding the speed of the fan at
firing time ?

(2) Has the slowing down of the fan
at firing time put a stop to explosions and
windy shots in Iowa mines where this
practice has been observed ?

(3) Does experience in Iowa mines
show that the slowing down of the fan at
firing time reduces the danger, or the
probability that an explosion will occur?

(4) Does experience in Iowa mines
show that the slowing down of the fan at
firing time lessens the force of an ex-
plosion and makes it less destructive
should one occur ?

My answers to the above questions are
deduced from the official reports of Iowa
explosions, and from my own personal
observation and experience. They are
as follows:

(1) The genera! practice in this state
has been for the past several years and
is today, in all new mines or mines not
extensively developed, to stop or slow
down the fan, a little before or at firing
time. In practically all our more de-
veloped mines, however, the fan is al-
lowed to run at its usual rate of speed;
that is to say, there is no change made ia
the speed of the fan, at firing time.

After the Pekay and Cedar mines ex-
plosions the people of our state were
in a receptive mood to adopt any practical
measure that promised to diminish the
danger of an explosion, or make it less
destructive should one occur. Some of
our leading mining men at the time
strongly advocated the slowing down of
the fan at firing time as a measure of
protection; and, inasmuch as the remedy
proposed was an easy one to carry out,
entailing no expense to the operator or
loss of wages to the miner, it was not
long before some mines adopted the plan
suggested. By the end of the year 1902
the practice of slowing down the fan at
firing time had become quite general
throughout the state, and has been ad-
hered to ever since. Whether right or
wrong the belief in its protective value
is such that it would be almost impos-
sible to secure shotfirers in new mines,
especially during the cold season, unless
the fan is stopped or slowed down at fir-
ing time.

(2) I can positively answer this ques-
tion by saying that it has not. It is only

fair, however, to say that no one, in this
state, claims that it does.
(3) To this question I shall not reply

By R. T. Rhys*

Answers to numerous inquiries
received in regard to the Iowa
practice of slowing down or stop-
ping the ventilating fan previous
to firing shots in coal mines.
Brief review of mine explosions
in Iowa: First, in mines in which
the ventilation was not reduced
when firing; and second, in mines
where the ventilation was so re-
duced. Comparative results and
conclusions.

No.

Mine Inspector, District

Towa.

*State
Ottumwa,

either in the affirmative or the negative.
I am seeking for and ready to receive
proof either for or against the practice
in this state. I think I am correct in say-
ing that should I or some one else
answer “yes” or ‘‘no” to this question it
would only be a matter of opinion. No
one yet, to my knowledge, has been able
to show positive proof that the practice of
slowing down the fan at firing time has
prevented a single explosion, in this state,
or that the practice has caused one.

(4) To compare explosions in lowa
with those in other states. even though
there be a similarity of conditions, may
often lead to wrong deductions. It seems
to me that to arrive at right conclusions,
Iowa explosions that have occurred in
mines under one practice of ventilation at
firing time, should be compared with
those that took place in Iowa mines un-
der a reversed practice of ventilation at
firing time. In other words, to prove which
of these two methods is the best and
safest practice, comparisons should be
confined to Iowa mines, under the two
practices. When we do this the claim
that explosions in mines where the fan
was kept running at the usual speed and
the usual quantity of air was circulating
at firing time have exhibited greater force
and were more terrific than those that oc-
curred in mines where the fan was
stopped or slowed down at firing time be-
comes a questionable one.

IowA MINE EXPLOSIONS, VENTILATION NOT
REDUCED WHEW FIRING

(a) The first explosion in Iowa, caus-
ing loss of life, was in Pekay mine, Nov.
8, 1892, when three men were killed. The
official report of this expiosion shows
that there was evidence of great force.
The fan was running to within a few
revolutions of its usual speed; and prac-
tically the usual current of air was circu-
lating at firing time.

(b) The explosion in the Cedar mine,
Feb. 14, 1893, where eight men lost their

lives, took place when the usual volume
of air was circulating at firing time; and
although the number of lives lost was
greater than in the Pekay explosion, yet
the extent of the explosion was limited
and the damage done to the mine was
small. All the men killed were on the
entry, going home, and were caught by
the blast not far from the seat of the
explosion.

(c) The Jack-Oak mine explosion took
place Nov. 27, 1894, at a time when the
usual volume of air was circulating. One
person was killed. The area traversed
by the explosion was small and practi-
cally no damage was done to the mine.

(d) The explosion at Buxton, mine No.
13, took place March 5, 1907. One shot-
firer was killed. This mine was an ex-
tensive one, and the fan was not slowed
down at firing time. The explosion
traveled only a short distance and did but
small damage.

(e) The explosion at Lockman, mine
No. 3, took place Jan. 4, 1910. One shot-
firer was badly burnt. The usual cur-
rent of air was passing at firing time.
The extent of the explosion was small and
no damage was done to the mine.

I have thus named every explosion of
importance recorded in the biennial re-
ports of the state mine inspectors that
have occurred in mines where the usual
current of air was passing at firing time.
From these reports it is plain to the im-
partial reader that the Pekay explosion
was the only one that exhibited evidence
of great force. Also, in comparing these
explosions it should be remembered thi:
in the Pekay explosion five and one-ha!!
kegs of powder were exploded, whic!
added greatly to the force of the explc
sion. This, everyone must admit, was .
great factor in extending the area an.
augmenting the force of the explosion.

IowA MINE EXPLOSIONS, VENTILATION
REDUCED WHEN FIRING

I shall now give a list of all the |
portant explosions that have taken plu
in the mines of this state, where the :
was stopped or slowed down before fir.
time.

(f) The explosion at Cleveland, 0
No. 4, Jan. 5, 1901, when two shot!
were killed, was marked by evidenc
intense heat at the point of origin, an
initial force was great. Large
weighing several hundred pounds
picked up and carried quite a dis‘
The force of this explosion extende. 0%!
along the main entry to the hoisting ~'
through which it ejected dense volume
of smoke and dust to the surface.
fan in this case was running at @ >
rate of speed at firing time.

(g) A second explosion occurred
Cleveland, mine No. 4, Feb. 5, 190!. The

at

May 11, 1912

two shotfirers were found in an uncon-
scious state by the rescuing party but
recovered after being removed to pure air.
This explosion originated at a point less
than 50 yd. distant from the explosion of
jan. 5. The explosion left scarcely any
sign of great heat, and created no unu-
sual disturbance in the vicinity of its ori-
cin. Its initial force apparently was less
‘han the first explosion named; but it
; sathered strength and became more de-
structive on its way out. Doors and
stoppings that the former explosion failed
:o damage were destroyed by this ex-
plosion. A larger volume of smoke and
dust was ejected from the hoisting shaft;
and, while no life was lost, it was an ex-
plosion that exhibited tremendous force.
much greater than the first one named.
The fan in this instance also, had been
slowed down at firing time.

(h) The most disastrous mine explo-
sion in the history of Iowa took place at
Lost Creek, Jan. 24, 1902. Twenty lives
were lost. No explosion in this state has
ever exhibited as great a flame as this

COAL AGE

one. It was a terrific explosion, and yet
the fan in this case also was running at a
slow rate of speed at firing time.

(i) Two shotfirers lost their lives in
the Hocking-mine explosion, Feb. 18,
1902. I am not able to state the extent
and the force of this explosion; but am
informed that it was the practice, in this
mine also, to slow down the fan at firing
time.

(j) The explosion at Foster, Jan. 25,
1904, when two shotfirers lost their lives,
was a light one, and the force of the ex-
plosion was comparatively small. The twe
shotfirers had undoubtedly erred in the
manner of lighting the shots and also in
the selection of a proper place of safety.
The fan was stopped at firing time.

(k) The fan was stopped at the Demp-
ster mine, when, on Nov. 1, 1906, the force
of the blast of an explosion blew both
cages up the shaft and against the sheave
wheels, killing two men.

(1) The fan was stopped at Buxton,
mine No. 15, when one shotfirer was

1005

killed by the force of an explosion, Feb.
25, 1910.

(m) At the explosion at the Regal
mine, Jan. 15, 1912, when two shotfirers
lost their lives, the fan was running at a
very slow rate of speed at firing time.
While no great damage was done to the
mine, yet I doubt if any explosion in this
state has showed evidence of a greater
force.

This completes the list of all the princi-
pal explosions that have taken place,
under both practices, in'the Iowa mines,
from the first serious explosion in 1892,
up to the present time. In -.comparing
these explosions I have named, first, those
that occurred under one practice, and
then those that took place under the op-
posite practice. I think every unpre-
judiced reader will agree with me that so
far as the records of mine explosions, in
Iowa, are concerned, the claim that slow-
ing down the fan at firing time lessens the
force of the explosion and makes it less
destructive is not sustained, but is de-
cidedly against this theory.

Explosion at Merritt, B.C.

Nc. 3 Mine, operated by the Diamond
Vale Collieries, Ltd., is located about one
mile east of the town of Merritt, on the
Nicola Valley branch of the Canadian
Pacific Ry. The coal seam is about 4 ft.

in. thick and contains two bands of
ock. The first band, about 12 in. from
the floor, is 6 in. thick. The second,

bout 33 in. above the floor, also meas-
res about 6 inches.

Two slopes have been driven from the
itcrop directly to the dip, and at a point
: ft. down. a left level has been turned

The bed at this point is dipping at

angle of about 40 deg. About 50 ft.
ther down, another level has been

ven to the right, and still further down
second level to the left has just been
‘ted.
lhe number of men working in the mine
normally only 20 at the time of the
osion, for the mine was not fully de-
ped. Of this number, 18 miners were
‘ally at work on the date of the disas-
six in the first left level, one in the
nd and the remainder in the right
The six miners in the left level
the fireboss, who was traveling along
same heading, were killed; all the
-Ts escaped.
‘ie mine was worked on the room-
-Dillar system, with rooms 40 ft. and
36 ft. wide. The room necks
‘ec double and about 20 ft. long. The
x from the coal was packed in the
ter of the room and just filled the
‘ce between the chutes, which were
igs along each rib. The roof is of a

nird sandstone, and usually stands with-
out timber.

irs

By Chas. Graham*

Mixed lights and a single-en-
try system sufficiently explain
the Merritt explosion. The flame,
checked by a lack of fuel in the
4H intake airways, was unable to
travel more than a few feet along
the right-hand split, with the re-
sult that eleven men were saved.

*Superintendent, Nicola Valley Coal &
Coke Co., Middlesboro, b. C.
THE EXPLOSION

The explosion occurred at about 9:45
a.m. on the morning of Mar. 7, 1912. A
dense cloud of black smoke issued from

the mouth of both slopes, and the tipple
man, working at the mouth of the haulage
slope was blown a short distance by the
force of the explosion, but escaped in-
jury. The fan, which was situated in
the mouth of the drift, was blown about
25 ft., and the driving belt about 200
ft. The smoke-stack on the boiler was
also blown down.

The explosion originated in chutes 13
and 14 of the left level, which were the
last openings in this heading. These
chutes were connected, but no connection
had been made with chute 12. The air
was carried by brattice cloth along the
level to the mouth of No. 14.

The explosive force generated was not
great, and there was little damage done
to the mine, the greatest evidence or
force being afforded bv the action of the

ock Pack Wall

3 Baxte
=~ 2 46

ug
Templeman

t

: = eM ‘\
4/51 617 39 10} ia 13) 114
x = eae = -
e Se 3 4—>5 “Brattice
g ss «4 &
. Ss = yy
; S am § : e
Left xr ~
0’ 100’ 200’ 300’ eval R
COAL AGE

PLAN OF DIAMOND VALE COLLIERY No. 3,

SHOWING WHERE MEN WERE WoRKING

1006

fan, which was blown out of the mouth
of the return airway. The tops had also
been blown off the packs in the rooms.

CAUSE OF THE EXPLOSION

Gas had evidently been found in
chutes 13 and 14, for the two miners in
this room had been provided with safety
lamps. These lamps were found hanging
on props in their respective chutes. The
miners had apparently been using their

COAL AGE

first one being that of H. Grimes, the
fireboss.

There was a certain amount of natural
ventilation and the level seemed clear. We
returned to the slope, took off the appar-
atus and got together a number of men
and went along the left level and brought
out four bodies. A fifth was found on
the slope below that level. An attempt
was made to recover the two remaining
bodies up the chutes, but the party was

FAN DISLODGED By EXPLOSION

naked lights on the heading, and one of
them had evidently gone up along the
chute and taken his naked light with him.

The explosion confined itself to the first
left level and the main slope. The flame
turned down the main slope toward the
right level, for the rope rider and a
pusher who were on the siding were
severely burned. There is much water on
the floor at this point, and the flame did
not travel anv further. All the men
who were working in this level escaped
uninjured, with the exception of the two
men mentioned. These men recovered
from their burns.

The cause of the explosion was un.
doubtedly an ignition of the gas in chutes
13 and 14 of the left level by a naked
light. The explosion was extended in some
degree, however, by coal dust. No pow-
der is used in the mine, but much dust
is found, especially in the chutes, due
to the breakage of coal as it descends
the steep pitch.

RESCUE WorRK

Notice of the explosion was telephoned
to the office of the Nicola Valley Coal &
Coke Co., at Middlesboro, about two
miles distant. I immediately got together
a crew of men and loaded the Draeger
apparatus on a switch engine. My party
taken over to the Diamond Vale
mine. In the meantime, Supt. Browitt, of
the Diamond Vale Collieries, Ltd.. had
gone into the mine and was endeavoring
to reach the men. Upon my arrival. Mine
Foreman D. Brown, Thomas Archibald,
of the Nicola Valley Coal & Coke Co.’s
staff, and I went into the mine with the
apparatus on. We proceeded along the
level and located three of the bodies, the

was

Vol. 1, No. 31

Safeguarding the Use of

Electricity in Mines
By HARTLEY M. PHELPs*

Investigations of great moment to mine
workers and operators, looking to the
elimination of explosions, and _ conse-
quently the saving of human life, are
being conducted by the Electrical Section
of the Bureau of Mines at its experi-
mental station in Pittsburg. It is known
that the results attained so far have been
important, although the details have not
been made public, as it is the policy of
the government not to divulge such infor-
mation prior to its appearance in the
regular bulletins and monographs of the
Bureau.

Investigations are being made along
the lines of determining the danger of
igniting gas by the indicators of inclosed
fuses and by incandescent lamps when
broken in gaseous atmospheres. Tests
are also being made of explosion-proof
apparatus and of the insulation of elec-
trical conductors. Furthermore prepara-
tions are being made to investigate the

OPERATION OF DIAMOND VALE COLLIERIES, LTD.

driven back by the afterdamp. Stoppings
were repaired temporarily, and it was not
until the following afternoon that the
remaining bodies were found and brought
out. All of the men who escaped, came
out of the mine unaided.

In the mine plan, the double lines
show where dirt stoppings were erected;
single lines, which cross Dpenings, denote
curtains. Crosses show where the bodies
were found, and the open circles show
where the men worked. It is clear that
several of them tried to escape after the
explosion and fell dead on their way out.
The black dots show where those men,
who were not killed, were working when
the explosion occurred.

A cheerful disposition may brighten
the day underground even though it
cannot bring real sunshine.

action of electric sparks and arcs in the
Presence of coal dust; the danger 0!
using electricity in the vicinity of ex-
plosives; and to make examination 0
electrical shot-firing devices, and device
for the protection of trolley wires.
According to H. H. Clark, who is i
charge of the Electrical Section at Pitts
burg, a great many explosions in co:
mines are due to electricity, and man
more explosions originate from
source in the United States than in Er
land, for instance, where strict le:
regulations hedge in the use of electric
in coal mines. Mr. Clark points out t).'
the equipment of mines involves a ©
tinct branch of electrical engineer
The conditions underground are quite ¢
ferent from those on the surface. ‘ot

*P, O. Box 73, Forbes Station, Pil's

burg, Penn.

May 11, 1912

only is it here more difficult to install
and properly maintain electrical appara-
tus, but, unless suitable precautions are
observed, the presence of such equip-
ment in mines adds danger to a calling
already hazardous. In addition, danger
to electrical installations comes from falls
of roof, coal and rock, and from the fact
that acid waters and dampness make in-
sulation difficult. The need of only tem-
porary installations, thus limiting the in-
vestment, further adds to the risks to life.
Moreover, many mine workers are prone
to ignore the rules made for their benefit.

The three principal dangers arising
from the use of electricity in mines are:
shock, explosions and fires. The chied
sources of shock are trolley wires and
other bare conductors. Many explosions
result from sparks and arcs occurring in
in atmosphere of inflammable gas or
dust. Sparks big enough to ignite gas
are produced when a motor is started
rapidly or operated under a heavy load:
er when a circuit, carrying current, is

opened, or becomes grounded. It re-
quires a much larger spark to ignite
bituminous coal dust, but such flashes

might be caused by short circuits on con-
ductors carrying a large current, as in
the event of a trolley wire falling.

Tests are being made by the bureau
to determine how small a flash will ignite
gas or coal dust, the temperature of the
spark being the crucial factor.

Two TESTING GALLERIES

There are at Pittsburg two galleries
testing electrical equipment in the
fresence of gas. The smaller is in the
soratory and consists of a boiler-iron
with connections for admitting gas

ni air, and having heavy plate-glass ob-
s-rvation windows, and openings for re-
‘eving the pressure of an explosion. A
| motor-driven centrifugal fan mixes
cas and air and causes the mixture to
‘late. Devices are installed for de-
ining percentage of gas. In this gal-
smali sparks and lamps are tested.

‘he larger testing gallery is a tube de-
sed to simulate a section of mine
It is of boiler iron, 30 ft. long and

in diameter, and is horizontal, being

<<" In a concrete bed and partly filled
concrete to form a floor upon which
ratus can be set up for tests. Seven
yne-half feet from either end, a
iragm of heavy paper may be in-

to relieve the pressure from an

¢ sion before it becomes dangerously
Entrance to the shell is made
t ch a manhole between the heads.
Ho. \ plate-glass windows are set in the
Ss of the gallery. A fan mixes the
fas ind air and an indicator is provided

ti \w the amount of gas present. In
‘is gallery explosion-proof motors and
Swiches and other large apparatus are

tested. A special tube is being built for

COAL AGE

In testing lamps, these are placed in a
gas-tight receptacle, filled with a mixture
of gas and air combined in proportions
most sensitive to ignition. The lamps are
lighted and the filaments brought into
contact with the gaseous mixture in three
ways. First, by smashing the bulbs, thus
bringing the mixture in contact with the
broken filaments. Second, by snipping
off the tips of the bulbs, which usually
does not break the filaments, as the
velocity of the entering gas is less than
in the first method. Third, by puncturing
a small hole in the neck of the bulb,
which prevents the entering gas from im-
pinging directly upon the filaments, and
therefore rarely breaks them.

Explosion-proof motors and switches
are tested in much the same way, as it is
the flame-proof quality of the casing that
is in each instance the point at issue.
The atmosphere provided outside the cas-
ing is a combination of methane and air
most sensitive to ignition.

The experiments relating to the action
cf acid mine waters upon the insulation
of electrical conductors have for their
Purpose the standardization of methods
for future tests. The action of such
water is determined by means of insula-
tion-resistance measurements, and by
high potential tests.

In making tests of inclosed cartridge
fuses in explosive gas, a representative
of the manufacturer of the fuse may be
present. Those fuses passing the tests
are listed for the benefit of the state mine
inspectors.

SUGGESTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Among the various recommendations
made by the Bureau as to installation of
electrical equipment may be mentioned
the following: All high- and medium-
pressure lines and apparatus should be
marked at frequent intervals “Danger.”
and the voltage given. Low-pressure or
lighting wires should be marked “Cau-
tion.” and the voltage stated. Machine
terminals should be protected. Lightning
arresters should be placed on transmis-
sion lines from the generator stations to
the mine entrance. High-pressure lines
in underground roadways should be lead-
covered cables, armored or unarmored.
Insulation should be non-hygroscopic and
as acid-proof as possible. Trailing cables
for portable motors should be especially
flexible and well protected. Automatic
trolley switches and danger signals
should be used.

One important recommendation is:
Before any coal-cutter motor is in opera-
tion more than a half hour, the mine roof
should be examined unless otherwise
specified by the mine foreman.

Current and power circuits should not
be used for shot-firing. Gaseous mines
should be examined daily by firebosses
before work is started, the gas to be de-
lamps under normal
If gas is found in dangerous

tected by safety
ventilation.

1007

quantities no current should be turned en
any circuit for at least 24 hours.

All main cables should be kept away
from explosive gases. The switches and
fuses should be inclosed in explosion-
proof boxes and break under oil. The
current-carrying parts of direct-current
motors should be surrounded by ex-
plosion-proof casings unless the motors
are in rooms separately ventilated: by in-
take air. The carrying of tools near
wires and the placing of powder near
conductors should be _ prohibited, or
guarded against. a

The Bureau deplores the absence of
uniformity in the installation of electrical
equipment in mines, but affirms that the
various states are taking a lively interest
in an effort to secure suitable regula-
tions, although an admirable set of rules
was rejected by the Pennsylvania legisla-
ture two years ago.

Coal of Southern Nigeria

In regard to the deposits of coal in
Southern Nigeria, West Africa, Consul
William J. Yerby reports that the gov-
ernor, in his recent annual address said
that the work of the mineral survey dur-
ing the year has been concentrated on the
further examination of the extensive de-
posits of coal at Udi, which are found to
stretch more than 50 miles to the north
of that place. The tests and analyses
carried out by the government have
proved that the surface samples give re-
sults equal to two-thirds that of the best
Welsh coal. It is reasonable to expect
that if the seams are worked the coal
that has not been exposed to the weather
will be of still better quality.

The question of the construction of a
railway to connect this coal field with the
river port of Onitsha is under considera-
tion. It is hoped that sanction for the
construction of this line may be given, as
the importance of cheap fuel to the two
Nigerias is great, their combined railway
syetem being already over 800 miles in
length. Besides the railway requirements,
there is urgent necessity for coal to sup-
ply river and ocegn shipping.

The lignite deposits to the west of the
Niger ere also valuable and in at least
one locality vary from 10 to 15 ft. in
thickness. The total trade of Southern
Nigeria in 1910 exceeded $55,000,000.
wheregs it was scarcely over $20,000,000
in 1900.

The possibilities of profitable mining
and export of coal from the Federated
Malay States is referred to favorably bv
the chief secretary of the government in
his annual report, just submitted. The
deposits of coal are extensive and con-
venient, the serious question about the
matter being with respect to quality. A
satisfactory coal supply in those States
would be welcomed by shipping in that
portion of the world.

1008

COAL AGE

Vol. 1, No. 31

Colliery Mine Car Construction

With the advent of large corporate in-
terests into the coal industry, involving
extensive investments and heavy ton-
nages, the mine-car expense item is being
more carefully studied. The attention
of trained and capable engineers has
been concentrated on this feature, and
important strides in the design and con-
struction of cars have been made in the
last decade.

As a result of the keen competition ex-
isting in the coal industry today, it is not
unusual for a difference of one cent per
ton in the cost of mining, to determine
whether a mine may work, and in reduc-
ing operating expenses to a minimum the
mine manager will doubtless put his fin-

le

Single Flare

ger on the mine-car expense account first.
Not only must this be considered from
the standpoint of first cost, but in up-
keep as well. The expense, incident to
continued oiling, and the wear and teal
(an item of particular importance in mine
cars) are the first points to consider in
the well designed car.
PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS

It is the purpose of this paper to dis-
cuss only the composite, frame cars, and
to confine the discussion more particu-
larly to the features of interest to the
active colliery engineer.

The steel car is coming rapidly to the
front and may even in time entirely super-
sede the wooden car, but that cars of this
tvpe have serious disadvantages for work
of this character is generally conceded.
Thus, for example, the results of a runa-
way on a heavily pitching slope may be
eonsidered with both types of cars. An
accident of this kind, on a slope laid with
good track, will probably result in the
more or less comvlete destruction of the
entire trip, especially if the cars are
loaded.

With the wooden car a certain amount
of salvage will be possible, as the indi-
vidual pieces of the iron framework are
comparatively easy to recover and re-
shape. In the case of the steel car the
problem will not be so simple. since the
average mining plant is not equipped
with proper facilities for handling work
of this character*.

*For further discussion of this point
the reader is referred to Coal Age,

p. 379.

Fic. 1. THE Two GENERAL SHAPES OF CARS IN COMMON USE

By A. T. Shurick

This is the first of a series of
articles which will appear on
neglected subject.

discusses

this much
The present paper
the general conditions for deter-
mining the proper shapes and
sizes, and includes a few prelim-
inary remarks on car wheels.
The second installment will fol-
low at an early date.

rt Ta

3 , a

a ->4 COAL AGE
Double Flare

i= = === -- 49" ~-------->

;
Fe ~

oh ee .
> my

~iN

Ny

Single Fla K

io)

es Sms Vv

Fic. 2. TyPiCAL SECTIONS OF SMALL AND MEp!IUuM CAPACITY CARS

Rules, formulas, etce., for the propor-
tioning of material, as in machinery de-
sign, appear to be entirely unknown here.
Many companies design and assemble
their own cars, ordering the different
irons as required. The ultimate and fin-
ally accepted design in, such instanees is
often only arrived at after years of ex-
perimenting on the “cut and try” method,
but that this eventually gives a thorough-
ly practical car is hardly to be questioned.
A superintendent working along these
lines finds for example, only after a num-
ber of vears, that a certain iron is too light
and revises his design accordingly.

That a method such as this would be
productive of apparent inconsistencies
and freak designs was inevitable. Thus for
example may be noted the open derision
expressed by a well known mechanical

engineer, because of the excessive ma-
terial (according to his views) used in
a coupling at a certain colliery. This
coupling had been evolved from 12 vears’
experience, and had he known the number
of wrecks, due to runaway trips, costing
from S500 to $1000 each, not to mention
the delay to the mine, which had been re-
quired to bring about its adoption he
would have been less abrupt in his criti-
cism.

SHAPES

The first problem confronting the mine
car designer is fixing the general overall
dimensions and shape. The shapes may
be roughly classified as belonging to one
of two types, the single or double-flare,
as shown in Fig. 1 herewith. In addition
to these there is the square, box type,
now confined almost entirely to the an-
thracite field.

Referring to Fig. 1 the overall width
A will of course be determined by the
minimum widths of the haulageways. The
overall length E is limited by the track
curves and to a certain extent by the
wheel-base F. The bottom width B is

dependent entirely on the track gauge 2
the overall height will be determined
the thickness of the seam.

The choice of the single or dow!
flare type is mostly a matter of taste «
is a subject still open for discuss
There are, however, certain features \
should be considered in this connec’

When the seam is high, providing
ple head room with no additional
the square box type anthracite car
be used to an advantage because 0’ ©
simplicity of construction. The do -°
flare type is adapted more practic:
a soft, friable coal having few 11" 'Ps
while with a coal making numerous |<" PS,
these can be used to build up arouns ‘he
sides and ends, thus eliminating th¢
cessity of the extra vertical board.

To one who has ever helped lift a singl£-

nee

May 11, 1912

lare car on the track by the usual method
»f placing the back and shoulders under
he flare-board and later tried the same
vith the double-flare type there will re-
nain no question in his mind as to the su-
seriority of the single-flare car. In ad-
{ition to this the extra space on the out-
side of the single-flare car greatly facili-
ates spragging, particularly in a narrow
entry.

SOME TYPICAL CROSS-SECTIONS

The variety of cross-sections for cars
is unlimited and selection of the proper
shape is governed entirely by the physi-
cal conditions of the seam to be worked.
Eliminating all designs of a “freak” na-
ture the principle and typical cross-sec-
tions of mine cars are given herewith.
The examples selected show the maxi-
mum and minimum dimensions as to
height and width of accepted designs of
cars; the designs are in every case of cars
which have demonstrated their practica-
bility by a number of years of service.

Two types of low vein cars are shown °

in the lower part of Fig. 2. On the left
is a single-flare car only a little over 4 ft.
wide, and with a maximum height of body
of but 15 in. This is an extreme exag-
geration of this type and may be likened
much to the sled used in some parts of
Europe for conveying coal along the face
to be dumped into the mine car. The
flare board comes out nearly flat, com-
pletely covering the wheel, which would

COAL AGE

of the double-flare type, having a short
6-in. vertical board around the top, which
of course adds materially to its carrying
capacity. The broad, flat flare of 16 in.
on each side would, in this case, prove
a very serious hindrance to spragging.
The difficulty of providing adequate sup-
port for this flare, to insure its retaining
its proper shape under the everyday con-
ditions of hard usage around mines,
would be another objection. An illus-

1009

on the medium, or medium-small cars in
the bituminous fields. The single flare
with its rather acute angle, makes the
car easy to sprag and handle under all
working conditions, and at the same time
adds appreciably to its capacity. On the
upper right-hand side is shown a rather
large, double-flare car of good capacity.
This car has an overall width of 6 ft., and
a body height of nearly 3 ft. While the
rroad, flat flare adds appreciably to the

CoaLlAGE

Fic. 4. END VIEW OF Low-VEIN Car, SHOWING Door

CoarAce=

Cok se

Fic. 3. A DouBLE-FLARE, MEDIUM CAPACITY CAR

spragging difficult, although in a car
if z such an obviously small capacity
's, the necessity of spragging would

- SO urgent. ‘
the lower right hand side of Fig. 2
is -own a type of low vein car over 6 ft.
~ and less than 2 ft. high. This car
‘<5 Af enormous capacity, comparatively
Peexting as regards low vein cars gen-
“rally, but would be adaptable only where
best roof conditions prevail. It is

tration of a typical low vein car is shown
in the accompanying halftone, Fig. 4.
The two upper sections in Fig. 2 are
examples of the typical medium sized
cars, and an illustration of the same
type is shown in the halftone, Fig. 3.
On the left of Fig. 2 is shown the

single-flare type having a width of
nearly 5 ft. and an overall height of
body of about 2 ft. 4 in. This sec-

tion is one of the most popular in use

capacity of this car, as already stated, it
is much more difficult to handle, for which
reason it does not commend itself so
readily to the practical man.

LARGE CAPACITY CARS

The larger size bituminous and one of
the smaller anthracite cars are shown in
Fig. 5. The bituminous types here shown
are probably more extensively used than
any other class of car, since they are
readily adaptable to a 6-ft. or thicker
seam, which is probably the average for
this country. An illustration of the typ
cal single-flare car of this class is shown
in the halftone, Fig. 6. The anthracite
operators claim conditions in their mines
cannot be compared with the bituminous,
and they continue to adhere to the
Straight box form as shown.

The single-flare bituminous car, shown
in Fig. 5, has a maximum width of a
trifle less than 4 ft., and a body height of
a little over 3 ft. This car has a capa-
city of 2'4 or more tons of coal, depend-
ing on the height to which it is “built up.”
Larger cars than these are found at times,
in fact some districts using them to the
exclusion of all others. The opponents to
the larger capacity car claim that the dif-
ficulty experienced in handling them

under the adverse conditions in the mine
more than offsets the advantage gained

1010

bv the increased tonnage, so this stil] re-
mains an open question.

The beginning of the flare in these cars
may be at any point, providing it is suffi-
ciently high to clear the flange of the
wheels, which commonly fit fairly snug
against the side of the car. The height
should be made such that some commer-
cial size of board will fit, without further
trimming, as for instance, 6, 8 or 10 in.;
this rule should be followed in the layout

COAL AGE

and the manufacturers have attained a
high degree of refinement in this respect.
To insure the best results the chemical
analysis of the iron must be exact. Vari-
ations of one-tenth of 1 per cent. in the
content of some of the ingredients may
entirely ruin the wheel, and since no two
carloads of pig iron analyze the same,
the purchaser of wheels should investi-
gate this feature thoroughly.

Not only must the chemical analysis of

Fic.

of all the straight lines of the bands when
it can consistently be done within reason.

Car WHEELS

The heavy tonnages handled at the
modern plants of today necessitate large
trips and a comparatively high-speed
haulage. In addition to this most of the
power required at the mines is usually
consumed by the haulage appliances in
one form or another. The importance of
this subject is, therefore, at once evi-
dent, and in no single detail of haulage is
it possible to effect greater economies
than by the provision of a suitable wheel.
This fact has long been appreciated by
both the engineer and the manufacturer,
and has resulted in a keen competition
among the latter until an unusual refine-
ment in design has been attained.

Were it possible to use straight tracks,
the mine-car wheel would no doubt be
fitted tight to an axle revolving in boxes
attached to the car. The sharp curves,
essential in all mines, obviously make
this impossible since the travel on the
cuter rail of a curve is so much longer

than on the inner that the wheel
on the former would have to slide
in order to keep up. The _ advant-

ages of the tight wheel were too great,
however, to be completely ignored. and
some manufacturers finally evolved the
combination tight and loose wheel, there-
by overcoming the difficulty due to
curves, and making the use of one
tight wheel practicable.

But even under these conditions it is
still evident that one loose wheel must
be used, and since the other presents no
difficulties in construction, the discussion
of wheels here will be confined entirely
to the loose-wheel type.

CAR-WHEEL MATERIAL

The first requisite of a good car wheel
is the selection of the proper material,

5. LARGE CAPACITY BITUMINOUS AND A TYPICAL ANTHRACITE SECTION

Vol. 1, No. 31

The Mannesman Steel Mine
Prop

The Mannesman steel pit prop used in
England and on the Continent consists
of an outer and inner tube, telescoping
within each other. The outer tube is
provided with a clamp, twhich, when
loosened, permits drawing out the inner
tube to give the required length to the
prop. It is then tightened by means of
a spanner.

This prop, fitted out with an ordinary
cap, is driven into position under the
roof with a sledge hammer. It is pro-
vided with a ratchet lever and rod by
which the clamp is loosened, enabling
the miner to withdraw the prop without
danger. The safe load for this prop is
16 tons; they neither bend, break or
collapse, but in case the load is over
16 tons the prop telescopes until the
pressure is removed.

Though the first cost of these props

Fic. 6. VIEW OF THE Door END,OF A MEDIUM OR LARGE CAPACITY
BITUMINOUS CAR

the material be perfect, but the method of
casting as well. All wearing surfaces
must be, hard to insure the wheel hav-
ing a long life. These hard surfaces
are attained by means of “chilled cast-
ings,” in which the sand in the mold
is replaced by iron “castings adjoining
the surfaces to be chilled, the depth of
which latter is regulated by the thick-
ness of the iron. While it is a compara-
tively simple problem to chill the rims,
it is not so easy to accomplish this at the
same time in the hub. The chemical reac-
tion of the chilling process embodies sim-
ply the intimate combinations of the car-
bon with the iron, forming iron carbide.
The result is a product of such hardness
that it will cut glass,

is high, about 30 times that of woo-
props, they can, under normal
ditions, be used and withdrawn 60 ti
before repairs are necessary, SO
in the end the cost is really about |:
that of wooden props. The average
of the prop is about five years.

The first cost of steel props is so. =!
that their use at the working f:
economical only where every PI:
withdrawn and rone lost. They -
best suited to a moderately har: oF
strong roof which comes down |
and breaks in large masses, as this
a good opportunity for their rec’’
They are, however, quite unsuitab
use with a soft, shaly roof, or with
clay, which breaks easily.

May 11, 1912

COAL AGE

Current Coal Literature

The Best Thought Culled from Contemporary Technical Journals, Domestic and Foreign

The Cement Gun

The cement gun has been advocated
by mining experts for use in the mines
to fill up crevices in the strata and to
make a smooth surface on which the
coal dust cannot rest. In the French
mines several thousands of feet of con-
creted galleries have been constructed by
ordinary methods of concreting. The
ease with which they are kept clean of
dust is an argument in their favor. But
concreting with the use of forms is ex-
pensive and the cement gun methods are
preferable. It is needless to point out
that the cement gun has numberless uses
in other building construction around the
mines.

THE INVENTION OF A TAXIDERMIST

At a meeting of the American Society
of Engineering Contractors, William A.
Jordan recently gave a description of the
machine and its modus operandi, from
which the following is abstracted:

The cement gun was originally con-
ceived by C. F. Akeley, a taxidermist of
Chicago. He desired to build the forms
over which the skins of elephants and
hippopotami might be stretched.

Mr. Akeley was also a member of the
Field Museum Committee, and in that
capacity sought to remodel and make
permanent, one of the old World’s Fair
buildings in Jackson Park, Chicago.
vhich had been presented to the Field
Museum Association. An appropriation
\f modest proportions had been made for
that purpose, and Mr. Akeley conceived
the brilliant idea of remodelling the ce-
ment gun for that purpose.

MANNER OF OPERATION

The gun consists essentially of a
opper A into which the dry mixed ma-
rials to be used are introduced,
hrough a valve C. This valve is closed
nd compressed air is admitted. Then
ie¢ valve D is opened, and the ma-
rial drops into the cylinder B. The
se of the second cylinder is simply for
‘ie purpose of permitting continuous ac-
on. An air motor shown in the front
the wagon drives a_ feed-wheel L
‘Irough the intermediate gears R, Q and
Through the pipe F air is admitted
which blowing through the feed-wheel
“ta pressure of 35 lb. per sq.in. carries
‘he mixture through a flexible rubber

nose which may be as long as 200 ft.
‘he exit from the machine is by way
ot the goose-neck over the axle of the

rear wagon-wheels. The mixed materials
are perfectly dry and not wetted until
they reach the nozzle held in the hand of
the operator. A separate hose carries
water to the nozzle at a pressure some-
what greater than that which propels the
mixture. The water in the form of a
fine spray mixes with the cement so that
it issues from the gun ready for deposi-
tion and traveling at a speed of 300 ft.
per sec.

GREATER STRENGTH AND ADHERENCE,
LESS PERMEABILITY AND PorROSITY

The velocity at which the mixture is
propelled serves several purposes. It is

GOAL AGE

THE CEMENT GUN FOR CONCRETING

sufficiently great that all unnecessary
water is driven out. The pressure as-
sures that the concrete will be deposited
compactly and hence, with the minimum
of porosity. It is not remarkable then
that its permeability varies from three-
quarters to one-eighth that of hand-made
concrete and that the latter will absorb
from 1.4 to 5.3 times as much water.
Any sand which is not coated with ce-
ment rolls off the surface and hence
does not remain to weaken the aggregate,
and this fact together with the greater
density explains why the cement gun
gives a coating of cement concrete from
1.2 to 3.6 times as strong in tension as
hand-made mixtures of the same con-
stituents. In compression the ratio of
strength of gun-mixed to hand-mixed
mortar vary from 1.2 to 8.2. The gun-
work is relatively more successful in de-
positing the less rich mixtures of con-
crete. The voids in gun-made concrete

are volumetrically 0.52 to 0.75 of those
in the hand plastered material; the ad-
hesive strength is from 1.01 to 1.42 tinies
as great. So that the use of the cement
gun is not only a cheap and quick way of
coating surfaces, but also assures a coat
of unusual strength in proportion to the
cement used.

It may be added that the cement gun
is manufactured by the General Cement
Products Company of 30 Church St.,
New York City. In the cement work of
the Woolworth Building as much as 417
cu.ft. have been deposited with a double
nozzle gun in an 8-hour day despite
some delays in moving the machine
about the building.

Men Versus ‘‘Melons’’

The president of the Plymouth Coal
Co., John Haddock, has addressed a letter
tc the anthracite operators, of which the
following is an abstract:

We believe and contend that a just and
reasonable reduction of existing trans
portation rates for anthracite would en-
able the coal companies controlled by rail-
roads to increase the wages paid to their
employees without advancing the prices
on prepared sizes. Nor would the wage
increase work any hardship on the inde-
pendent operators, if a corresponding ad-
vance were made in the unduly small pro-
portion of the selling price now ascribed
to them.

The existing rates of transportation are
notoriously exorbitant. These rates are
so excessive that the Reading mining op-
erations, with a large annual production,
with a great variety of anthracite, with an
advantageous and profitable market, both
local and coastwise, with operations
which are managed with conspicuous skill
and ability, and we believe with absolute
honesty, showed during the period of six
months a mining profit of 3c. a ton!
Surely the patient mining Peter might ask
and demand that the opulent transporta-
tion Paul give him a square deal. Poor
Peter has spent many years of his life
raising “melons” for Paul, and now in
his later days he and his neighbors would
like for the future to receive as adequate
compensation a small slice of the luscious
“melons,” which are a result of his en-
terprise and industry.

How BOOKKEEPING MAKEs ProFits

By the excessive transportation charges
mentioned, practically the entire earnings
of a subsidiary company have been con-

1012

fiscated, the unjustifiable charges of the
railroad for carriage of the coal being re-
garded as a primary and paramount obli-
gation. But this method of bookkeeping
might well be looked upon as a device
of no public interest or concern, did it not
have a far-reaching influence on the in-
dependent operator. Unfortunately for
him, the arbitrary ratio assumed to exist
between producing and shipping costs is
made to apply to his coal, and it is there-
fore pertinent for him to consider the
justice of transportation rates.

On this very point we have a recent au-
thoritative opinion of the Interstate Com-
merce Commission. It reads as follows:

It requires no extended argument to
sustain the proposition that the mainte-
nance of an unreasonably high rate
operates to the advantage of the Lehigh
Valley R.R. Co. as a dealer in coal. The
record shows that the only line of de-
marcation between the Lehigh Valley
R.R. Co. and the Lehigh Valley Coal Co.
is one of bookkeeping. Asswaning for
the purposes of illustration that the cost
of mining anthracite coal is $2 per ton
and the cost of carrying it to tidewater
is $1 per ton, it follows that the cost of
coal at tidewater would be $3 per ton;
and if the published rate were $1 the in-
dependent operator and the railroad coal
company would be on a fair competitive
basis, so far as the cost of mining and
transportation are concerned. But as
between the railroad company and its
coal company, it matters not whether the
profit comes from mining or transport-
ing the coal.

So, therefore, if, instead of the $1 rate
above mentioned the railroad company
were to establish a rate of $1.50 per ton,
the railroad and its coal company could
still sell at tidewater for $3 per ton,
standing a deficit of 59c. per ton in the
mining price and taking an equal profit
in the transportation price. But the in-
dependent operator cannot recoup him-
self in this manner, and the best price

that he could make at tidewater would

necessarily be the mining price of $2,
plus the carrying charge of $1.50, or

$3.50; and he would enter the market at
a disadvantage of 50c. per ton as com-
pared with the railroad and its coal com-
pany.

It is obvious that such an advantage
would enable the railroad company and
its alter ego, the coal company, to
monopolize the field of production and
the selling market. Whatever the means
employed, it is a fact that the railroad
coal company has monopolized the coal
field served by it. In 1901, 47 per cent.
of the defendant’s coal tonnage to Perth
Amboy was controlled by it and 53 per
cent. by independent operators: while in
1908 the defendant controlled 95 per cent.
of the anthracite tonnage over defend-
ant’s line to Perth Amboy and the in-
dependent operators 5 per cent.

THE LIFE OF THE HARD COAL INDUSTRY

The exhaustion of the anthracite coal
supply was offered by the Lehigh Valley
R.R. Co. to justify maintenance of the
then existing transportation rates to tide-
water. On this point, the commission
says:

As to the kindred subject, namely, the
exhaustion of anthracite coal supply,

COAL AGE

counsel in their brief thus state the re-
sult of the testimony of W. F. Dodge, an
expert mining engineer, introduced as a
witness on behalf of the defendant:

“The total future shipments from the
Wyoming Division, starting with the
year 1909, will amount to 91,230,000 tons.
The lives of the various collieries will
vary from 5 to 50 years. The annual
output is estimated for the first five
years to be 19,395,000 tons, and will
diminish gradually until from the 25th
to the 30th year, the annual output is
estimated at only 7,055,000 tons, dwind-
ling down in the period between the 45th
and 50th years to 500,000 tons per annum.
At the end of 25 years, according to the
testimony of Mr. Dodge, the output of
the Wyoming region will be less than
half what it is now, and at the end of
50 years will cease altogether.

On the other hand, the following more

optimistic view of the situation appears
from the report of the Anthracite Coal
Strike Commission, rendered to the Pres-
ident of the United States, Mar. 18, 1903,
Viz.:
_ What is of some importance, however,
in connection with the discussion of the
past production is a_ consideration of
what is to be expected in the future in
the way of production and the probable
duration of the anthracite coal supply.
The original deposits of the anthracite
coal field have been ascertained with a
reasonable degree of accuracy.

According to the estimate of the Penn-
sylvania geological survey, the amount
of workable anthracite coal originally
in the ground was 19,500,000,000 tons.
The production to the close of 1901, as
previously stated, amounted to 1,350,000,-
000 tons, Which would indicate that there
remained still available a total of 18,-
150,000,000 tons. Unfortunately, how-
ever, for every ton of coal mined and
marketed 1% tons, approximately, are
either wasted or left in the ground as
pillars for the protection of the work-
ings, so that the actual yield of the beds
is only about 40 per cent. of the con-
tents. Upon this basis the exhaustion
to date has amounted to 3,375,000,000
tons. Deducting this from the original
deposits, the amount of anthracite re-
maining in the ground at the close of
1901 is found to be, approximately, 16,-
125,000,000. Upon the basis of 40 per
cent. recovery, this would yield 6,450,-
000,000 long tons. The total production
in 1901 was 60,242,560 long tons. If this
rate of production were to continue
steadily, the field would become _ ex-
hausted in just about 100 years. ;

Mr. Wm. Griffith, in a series of articles
contributed to the “Bond Record” in 1896,
considers that the estimates upon which
the foregoing computations have been
made were too liberal. His estimate of
the amount of minable coal remaining at
the close of 1895 was 5,073,786,750 tons.

In the six years from 1896 to 1901, in-

clusive, the production has been, ap-
proximately, 308,570,000 tons, which
would leave still available for mining

4,765,216,750 tons. This supply, at the rate
of production of 1901, would last a little
less than 80 years. If we can assume
the annual production will have reached
its maximum limit at between 60,000,000
and 75,000,000 tons, and that the produc-
tion will then fall off as gradually as it
increased, we may expect anthracite min-
ing to continue for a period of from 200
to 250 vears.—(Report of Anthracite Coal
Commission.)

Defendant claims the right, to earn

enough out of its coal rates to provide
for a return of the princi$al of the in-
vestment in that part of the railroad
company devoted to the carriage of coal,
when and as this principal becomes re-
duced and extinguished by exhaustion of
the coal. We have noted the estimate
of defendant’s witnesses to the effect that
shipments of anthracite coal over the
railroad will practically cease in 50
years, and we have quoted the opinion
expressed on the same subject by the
Anthracite Coal Strike Commission to
the effect that production may last for
250 years. Probably the truth lies some-
where between the two extremes. Dur-

Vol. 1, No. 31

ing the years 1903 and 1910, the Lehigh
Valley R.R. Co., under the rates in con-
troversy, succeeded in accumulating an
unappropriated surplus of $27,219,780.
If the company could accumulate this
sum for every eight-year period during
the next 30 or 40 years, it would have a
surplus in the neighborhood of $125,000,-
000. It seems, therefore, that the pres-
ent rates are more than required to meet
defendant’s conception of what consti-
tutes an annual income sufficient to pro-
vide for the return of the capital when
that part of the railroad devoted to the
carriage of anthracite coal loses its
earning capacity through the exhaustion
of that commodity.
TIDEWATER FREIGHT RATES

As to the cost of carrying coal to tide.
water, in this same opinion, reference is
made to the testimony of the officers of
Coxe Bros. & Co. and the Delaware, Sus-
quehanna & Schuylkill R.R.—the “Coxe”
road.

Prior to the sale of the interests of
Coxe Bros. & Co. to the Lehigh Valley
R.R. Co., the former owned and operated
the Delaware, Susquehanna & Schuylkill,
a road about 28 miles in length, which
reached their different collieries and con-
nected with the Lehigh Valley R.R. They
had trackage contracts with the “Valley”
covering the delivery of coal to tidewater.

The testimony of Mr, Pennington, sup-
erintendent of motive power, showed that
the cost of moving coal to Perth Amboy,
in cars of 100,000 lb. capacity, from the
Coxe collieries, was 62.4lc. per ton,
which figure includes not only the return
of empty cars to the mines, but also the
profit of the Lehigh Valley R.R. Co. on
its trackage charge and the profit in ship-
ping of 12c. a ton at Perth Amboy.

PROFITABLE LOSSES

Certainly, this cost of 62c., as related
to the charge of $1.55, the tariff on pre-
pared sizes of anthracite, might and does
suggest a large and fertile “melon” patch.
In the efforts to combat this testimony,
the Lehigh Valley R.R. Co. tried to show
that the average cost of carrying anthra-
cite from the Wyoming region to Perti
Amboy was $1.49. An exhibit filed 5)
this company shows that its average re-
ceipts per gross ton of anthracite 2!
Perth Amboy for the ten years endins
June 30, 1908, were $1.46. Its busines:
under that testimony, during that period
would show a loss of 3c. a ton, yet at t+
close of its fiscal year in 1908 the “\:--
ley” had a surplus available for distri).
tion of $20,722,871. After making c-r
tain deductions for dividends, impro‘e-
ments, sinking fund, etc., there was
an unappropriated balance of $16,510.
904. At the close of its fiscal year
1910, this unappropriated balance
amounted to $27,219,780.

“Alice in Wonderland” might sussest
that if the loss in carrying anthracite
had been 6c. a ton instead of 3c., te
“Valley” might have increased, if no
doubled its surplus!

May 11, 1912

Storage Battery Electric Loco-
motives for Tunnel
Haulage

Industrial storage-battery electric loco-
motives, designed for carrying the load
on the locomotive itself, have been on the
market some few years, but the pioneer
locomotives of the storage-battery type,
which are built for hauling trailing loads
in tunnel work, have only recently been
rut into service. They are now being
used in the New York aqueduct, which is
being constructed for conveying the
Catskill water supply into the city. Lo-
comotives impelled by storage batteries,
find application at present specifically for
short-distance hauls at low speds, where
it would not be possible or feasible to in-
stall the trolley system, as, for instance,
over industrial tracks in and around fac-

COAL AGE

motives. Trolley locomotives were out
of the question because the tunnel
headings would not permit their en-

trance. The operation of the locomo-

tives employed has proved efficient and

economical, and has permitted laying the

tracks without filling, which hauling by

mules would have required.

LOCOMOTIVE CONSTRUCTION AND EQuipP-
MENT

The locomotives in use are illustrated
in Fig. 1 and conform to the following
specifications:

Type of motor (single motor)..G.E.-1022
EMAMIGEEH WENGE: ooo oe eck od ts wee eels 22 in.
UN NGl Gs Bt RNR ORR a cratic deer ox trem eben mv hare Sree 36 in
SROGRUSNE Es WEGNER ING eo 6. cee. 4 oie oe ewes 7500 Ib.
Lengel OWVCrSIE 6.26 6k eee ws ¢ £t. 10 in.
Freight over batteries... ccc cc cccewe 4 ft.
"PERO MRO cei wie Cece ee sae knee
Speed at rated Ts Be ...2.¢+.-+.5 Wh pe De.

The batteries are of the 44-cell, 21-
plate type and have a 45-amp. six-hour
discharge capacity. The locomotives are

OC ee eee

es Pe es Se a

STORAGE-BATTERY

tory buildings, or in places where con-
tinual changing of the trolley could not
be avoided.

The section of the aqueduct tunnel in
which these locomotives operate is about
11 ft. in diameter, concrete lined, and is
‘eing driven through solid rock from 250
to 300 ft. below the street level. A series

* six shafts has been sunk, each ap-
proximately a mile apart, for expedi-
tious operation, and the excavated ma-
‘erial is transported to the mouths of the
shafts on cars drawn by the locomotives,
hence it is hoisted to the surface. Thus
cach locomotive has a maximum load
haul of a half a mile per trip.

Smith, Hauser, Locher & Co., who are
executing this contract for the city, re-
cently placed in operation six storage bat-
‘ety electric haulage locomotives, manu-
factured by the General Electric Co.,
and have just ordered six additional loco-

ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE

equipped with an ampere-hour meter.
headlight and gong.

Latest modern practice has been fol-
Icwed in the mechanical design. The
frame consists of two steel channel sides
and steel-plate ends carefully fitted at
the joints and held rigidly together with
bolts and steel angles. A coupler suit-
able to the type of cars employed is at-
tached at the rear end. Cast-steel ped-
estal jaws, which carry the journal
boxes, are bolted to the lower web of
the channel-side frames.

AUTOMOBILE TYPE MOTOR

The motor used is of the automobile
type, designed especially to operate from
batteries, and has characteristics that ef-
fect the maximum possible economy in
the use of battery current. It has high
efficiency, large overload capacity and
practically sparkless commutation.

1013

The motor is compactly designed, yet
readily accessible for inspection and re-
Fair. It is dust and moisture proof, and
is mounted in a cast-steel suspension
cradle, one side of which is supported on
bearings on the axle, while the other side
is spring-suspended from the locomo-
tive frame, in accordance with standard
locomotive practice.

The motor drives the rear axle through
double-reduction gearing, and an inter-
mediate shaft, supported in the bearing
heusing, which is cast integral with the
suspension cradle, carries the intermedi-
ate gearing. As slow-speed service is
ordinarily required of a storage-battery
locomotive, the use of double-reduction
gearing permits such speeds without un-
due losses in the rheostat, and, because
of the large gear reduction from the
armature shaft to the wheel tread, high
tractive efforts are obtained at compara-
tively small current inputs to the motor.

Combating Miners’ Diseases

The following is an advance extract
from the report of the director of the
Bureau of Mines, for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1911:

“An arrangement has been made with
the Public Health and Marine-Hospital
Service by which one or more surgeons
connected with that service will carry on
jointly for that service and for the Bu-
reau of Mines investigations looking to
the improvement of mine conditions.
These inquiries and investigations have
already shown the prevalence of tuber-
culosis and hookworm as miners’ diseases
in a number of different localities in the
United States. It is important that this
work should be extended more rapidly,
because of the fact that the health con-
ditions, as well as the risk of accidents,
may be influenced by conditions suscepti-
ble of easy improvement. Furthermore,
the large and continuous influx of
foreigners into the mining regions of
the United States will “ring to an in-
creasing extent the hookworm and other
diseases that abound in mines inparts of
certain European countries.

“Various questions that concern the
health of workers in mines, quarries and
metallurgical plants cannot be answered
finally without investigations and _ in-
quiries that are national in scope. Among
such questions are the most efficient
methods of preventing the diseases pe-
culiar to certain industries, the most ef-
fective sanitary precautions to be ob-
served in and about coal mines and metal
mines, and the relative healthfulness of
occupations pertaining to mining and
metallurgical industries. The investiga-

tions and inquiries that are essential to
the gathering of reliable information on
these questions can be undertaken by
the Bureau of Mines, in connection with
its collection of accident statistics, in a
prompt and efficient manner and at mini-
mum expense.”

COAL AGE

Vol. 1, No. 31

Who’s Who—in Coal Mining

Devoted to Brief Sketches of Prominent Men, Their Work and Ideas

All of the recent advances in coal-min-
ing practice haven’t been effected by time-
worn Methuselahs with gray beards, false
teeth and furrowed brows. A whole raft
of sane ideas, new theories and improved
methods have originated in the fertile
minds of the “‘second generation.”

Time was when a man had to lose his
hair, contract rheumatism and be grand-
daddv to half a dozen humans before he
could hope for recognition as a compe-
tent and practical mine engineer, but we
have come to realize that ability to sit
tight in a canoe and drift with the cur-
rent is not as great a virtue as being
able to paddle straight to the desired
landing. Results accomplished merit
greater approbation than time consumed.

No young man engaged in coal mining
today has traveled faster or been of great-
er benefit to the industry than Harry M.
Warren, electrical engineer for the Dela-
ware, Lackawanna & Western company.
He handles electricity like a Southern
darky does a watermelon—goes’ to the
center first, and then eats his way out.
Some day, not so far distant, the D. L.
& W. wen’t need anybody in the coal de-
partment but Harry, for he will be able
to throw on a switch, which will be all
that is necessary to mine, prepare and
ship his company’s coal to tidewater.

Mr. Warren was born in Worcester,
Mass., in 1875. Graduated from the
Worcester Polvtechnic Institute in 1896,
taking a P. G. in ’97. Following his grad-
uation from college, ‘“H. M.” started in
contracting work at Montclair, N. J.,
changing from this work a few months
later to the testing department of the
General Electric Co., Schenectady, N. Y.
On leaving the General Electric, in 1900,
Mr. Warren was made electrical engineer
for the D. L. & W. Co., and he and they
have stuck together like a porous plaster
on a lame back.

When Mr. Warren took up coal mining
12 years ago, there wasn’t much electric-
itv used in or about the collieries. Some
of the companies employed main haulage
locomotives, but there were no gathering
motors in use. A number of mines had
electric hoists on slopes and planes un-
derground, but no electric hoists at shafts.
Electric plunger pumps were about the
only style used, and there was no elec-
tric power in the breakers. Practically
all the current was “direct,” and power
was generated by engine-driven genera-
tors at each individual colliery.

One of the earliest and most important
developments of the past decade was the

Harry M. WARREN

gathering locomotive. Following close on
this improvement came centrifugal pumps.
Concerning the latter, Mr. Warren
is an ardent advocate of this style of
pump in all cases where large bodies
of water have to be handled, and this
recommendation he makes regardless of
head. Bronze pumps are his choice when
bad water is encountered, and it is his
idea that the best way to use centrifugal
pumps, on a slope, for instance, is to op-
erate them in series, placing the pumps
at intervals, so that each will operate
on a 100-ft. head. He says that when
a centrifugal pump falls down in the
handling of a large quantity of water,
its failure is due, in nearly every case,
to the machine being of improper design.
The advantages of centrifugal pumps are
their ease of handling, and the fact that
they can be placed in a cramped space.

Both direct and alternating current are
used to drive pumps, but Mr..Warren rec-
ommends the latter for station pumps, be-
cause, (1) it permits the use of high volt-
age; (2) gives advantages of an induc-
tion motor; (3) eliminates trouble from
variation in speed. He suggests the use
of direct current for movable pumps.

Mr. Warren says that his company at
present is operating a large number of
hoists driven by alternating-current mo-
tors. The present maximum capacity of
these hoists is 200 hp., but he is firm in
the belief that before very long, similar

equipments of 600 hp. will be installed.
As to the advantages of alternating-cur-
rent over direct-current hoists, he says
that the chief advantage is in the trans-
mission of power, especially as to the size
and cost of wire.

One of the most interesting of Mr.
Warren’s views is in reference to the use
of electric hoists for shafts. He believes
that it does not pay to operate a shaft
hoisting equipment by electricity, when
the shaft is located at a colliery where
a boiler plant is necessary for other pur-
poses. This is particularly true if the ex-
haust steam can be used to advantage
in a low-pressure turbine, or otherwise
be utilized. Although a steam hoist is
less efficient than an electrically operated
plant would be, the initial cost of a steam
operated installation is so much less than
for an electrical hoisting-station equip-
ment that the initial saving is sufficient
to overbalance any reduction in operation
charges that results from the use of an
electric hoist.

In this connection, it is necessary to re-
member that at all anthracite collieries,
where the coal has to travel through a
breaker, a boiler plant is required to sup-
ply heat in the breaker, and to keep the
water that is used in preparation of the
coal from freezing. All the saving from
an electrical equipment results from
economy in the use of coal, and, there-
fore, the higher the price of coal, the
more favorable is the proposition to the
use of electricity. “H. M.” ‘is ready to
concede that the electric hoist permits
better control and occupies less space.

_In breakers, he advocates the use of
motors because, (1) they eliminate coun-
tershafts, pulleys, belts and ropes; (2)
afford greater flexibility, in that each indi-
vidual equipment can be located with ref-
erence to any other part, insofar as the
drive is concerned.

In conclusion, “Harry M.” believes that
all power used in a mine, where practic-
able, should be electric power. He sug-
gests, however, that the poor steam econ-
omy at most collieries is due principa!!\
to the losses from radiation and drips
when the equipment is not in operation
The ability to burn small sizes of coa!
at a high rate of combustion has recent!!
been given much attention by his depar'
ment, with the result that today he find:
it possible to burn barley coal and de-
velop at least 60 per cent. over-rating,
while a few years ago it was difficult to
operate normal rating with the samile
grade of fuel.

May 11, 1912

Issued Weekly by the

Hill Publishing Company
JouN A. HILL, Pres. RoB’rT MCKEAN, Sec’y.
505 Pearl Street, New York.

Monadnock Bldg., Chicago.
6 Bouverie Street, London, E. C.
Unter den Linden 71—Berlin. N. W. 7,

FLOYD W, Parsons, Editor.
Correspondence suitable for the col-
umns of COAL AGE solicited and paid
i for. Name and address of corres-
| pondents must be given—not neces-
sarily for publication.

Subscription price $3 per year in
advance for 52 numbers to any post
office in the United States or posses-
sions, and Mexico. $4 to Canada.
$5 to any other foreign country.

Subscribers in Great Britain, Europe
and the British Colonies in the East-
ern Ilemisphere may send their sub-
scriptions to the London office. Price
21 shillings.

Notice to discontinue should be
written to the New York office in
every instance.

Advertising copy should reach New
York office by Thursday of week prior
to date of issue.

Entered as second-class matter, Oc-
tober 14, 1911, at the post office at
New York, New York, under the act
of March 3, 1879.

Cable Address, ‘*Coage,’”’ N. Y.

CIRCULATION STATEMENT
Of this issue of Coal Age, we will print
(900 copies. No copies will be sent free
zularly. There will be no back num-
The figures shown here each week
epresent live, net circulation.

hers,

This journal has a direct aim—a single
purpose—which is to help advance the
coal-mining industry. Its creed embodies
the dissemination of knowledge and the
free interchange of ideas among its read-
all of whom are invited to become
‘egular contributors.

Crs,

Contents _—
OMEN WOMERS «ards ar atari siewahare eaiaeat aavarelatale 997
Acme Co.'s Plant in Wyoming.
Jesse Simmons 998
nual Banquet of Mine Officials at

PUESIIRS o.oo ecerel oid ecaswoeso vieceeiaeck 6 1001

ter Purification for Collieries... 1002

view of Towa Mine Explosions.

R. T. Rhys 1004

plosion at Merritt, B. C.

Chas. Graham 1005

»guarding the Use of Electricity

RUPEE ook oc icar sc) d: crak arenenel aterine pie # Blane 1006
l of Southern Nigeria... cncccs 1007
iery Mine Car Construction.
A. T. Shurick 1008
Mannesman Steel Mine Prop... 1010
ent Coal Literature:
CeEmeme Gis ic oo ose eges os 1011
Versus “Melons” «<4 c6.0.08cces 1011
ige Battery Locomotives for
Mrnel Ela wlaee 0k sce sake sors 10138
bating Miners’ Diseases....... 1013
‘'s Who—In Coal Mining:
‘tech of Harry M. Wartfen...... 1014
Orials:
e Leaders and the Led........ 1015
WSU INUION,<. o cans iss eeceeleneaces 1015
1.e Mine Surveyor..... Ree eer 1016
CSENnU Dave Waste. os csce sien cde 1016
ission by Readers:
el Nine Tlesics... nesses wesserers 1017
atering vs. Sprinkline......... JOLT
lucing Ventilation When Fir-
Eh det arent hau unten ema ce ek eaten Sule ai ee ee eke 1018
Pittsburg Rate Case........ 1018
! ‘ries of General Interest...... 1019
ination Questions and An-

WW SE es alana teu ateenic avers elev eleel a eek ee 1020

logical Department:

‘iman Element in Coal Mining 1021
_' ue Care of Mine Mules......... 1021
cal and Coke News oc .c as vase nee 1023
Coal Trade Reviews.......-- ersvece LORE

COAL AGE

The Leaders and the Led

Rapid changes have taken place in the
anthracite strike since the members of
the joint committee appointed by the
United Mine Workers refused to accept
the settlement of the subcommittee. As
that smaller body was not invested by
either party with plenary powers to ef-
fect a settlement, it is easy to understand

why the larger body felt justified in
refusing to accept it.
Yet it must be remembered that the

members of the subcommittee while
meeting behind closed doors had plenty
of opportunity to confer with their con-
and doubtless did so during

The events showed that

freres,
every recess.
the body of mine workers refused to
stand back of their representatives and
abide by their decisions. Nevertheless,
it must be admitted that
of George F. Baer were undiplomatic,
and it was not well advised to hold the
joint committee to any other action than
that to which they stood committed by
the words of their reference.

On the other hand, the miners will have
to learn that they must give plenipcten-

the remarks

tiary powers to their executive officers. No
success can attend them if all their pour-
parlers are mere waste of time, and
some irritability in the opposing parties
with whom they thus treat so irresponsi-
bly is but natural under the circum-
stances. We do not think that the
operators have acted wisely in attempt-
ing to load even a small quantity of coal
while the opportunity to settle the strike
is still so favorable. Such attempts can
only irritate the men.

The English-speaking miners
shown a desire for peaceable methods.
The rioting up to date has been confined
almost entirely to the Southern fields,
where foreign labor predominates. The
Northern district, which is inhabited prin-
cipally by Americans, has preserved the
peace, except in one or two localities.
The English-speaking miners have shown
a politic disposition and view with no
little regret that the foreign element is
pursuing un-American methods of set-

have

tling the dispute, and injuring the in-
struments by which their livelihood is
secured.

We think that the operators cannot
accede further demands weak-
ening their position in the market, and

without

as far as a recognition of the union is
concerned, the miners have been granted
than seemed likely
when the strike started. What recogni-
tion the union has received was con-
the operators believed

more concessions

ceded because
that the miners’ organization would be a
“eliable body with which to conclude an
agreement.
If the
is nothing, can do nothing, and stands

United Mine Workers Union

powerless to meet socialistic violence
and the machinations of foreigners, then
there will be no value in recognition.
The Mine Workers are proving that the
early contention of the anthracite opera-
tors was true, and that the elements op-
pesed to the union and opposed to law
and order will not be bound by anything
the union will agree to do.

It is time for the American element
in the union to declare that their federa-
tion stands for order, and will approve
what has seemed acceptable to its repre-

sentatives.

Consumption

We always supposed the coal miner
was healthy, and statistics favoring that
belief only confirmed us in that view.
But we see that the Bureau of Mines and
Marine Hospital Service would not have
it so and have combined to decimate the
ranks of the miner with phthisis and
hookworm. If the coal miner is to be
thus menaced, we wish to protest. The
U. S. Government every ten years gives
him a clean bill of health, and Samuel
G. Dixon, the Commissioner of Health
of the State of Pennsylvania, showed in
his report of 1908 that the miner was but
little subject to consumption.

We quote, however, as a corrective of
all false notions, the words which the di-
rector of the Bureau of Mines hopes to
incorporate in his report to the Presi-
dent, and which we include today in our

1016

pages: “Inquiries and investigations have
already shown the prevalence of tuber-
culosis and hookworm as miners’ dis-
eases in a number of different localities
in the United States.”

The report of the Health Department
of Pennsylvania, to which reference has
been made, shows the following figures
for tuberculosis, giving the percentage
of deaths from that disease to those from
all causes for all occupied males, and
for miners and quarrymen.

All Occupied

Males

Miners
and Quarrymen
Percentage Percentage
30.9 b.
24.3 11.8
14.4 11.6
7.6 12.8
first period of 10 years, con-
is particularly deadly among
and gas fitters, 42.9 per cent.

the second

e

sumption
plumbers
tuberculosis. In
period the compositors, print-

dying of
decennial
ers and pressmen show the largest death
percentage from that disease; to wit,
49.2 per cent. In the next ten years the
mill and factory (textile) workers have
the highest figure, 17.5 per cent., and in
the final period domestic servants have
the greatest proportion of deaths from
this malady, 13.0 per cent.

But it may be objected that the miner
probably has a high death rate from
all causes, especially from that of
physical violence. This would account
for the low percentage of deaths from
consumption compared with those from
all causes. But neither the statement
nor its deduction is sustained so far as
the sormewhat restricted investigations of
the Census Bureau in 1900 extend. The
miner lives a fair span of life. To quote
the exact words of the report on Vital
Statistics, published in 1902 by that bu-
reau: “The table” of miners’ mortality
“shows that the death rate of miners and
quarrymen was much less than the aver-
age rate in this class.” Totalling the
government table, we find that while
only 882.1 miners died in every 100,000
from all causes, 1298.5 occupied males

in the same number succumbed tto all
manner of diseases and accidents. The
mining and the quarrying class_ has,

therefore, a distinctly lower death rate
as far as the Census Bureau’s figures
extend.

Moreover, according to the same Vital
Statistics, only 120.9 miners died in every
100,000 from tuberculosis, whereas of
all occupied males 236.7 individuals died
per 100,000 from that disease.

COAL AGE

Such tuberculosis as is to be found
among miners is largely confined to those
men who work in metal mines. An ac-
curate count of the coal diggers would
doubtless show a comparative immunity
among men working at the coal face.

The Mine Surveyor

State or governmental laws regulating
the practice of mine surveying is one of
the many serious problems confronting
the coal industry today. Great Britain has
finally adopted a definite policy in this
respect by prescribing certain qualifica-
tions for mine surveyors, but there ap-
pears to have been such active opposition
to the passage of the act that the ulti-
mate result has been a relatively weak
and ineffective compromise. Thus a cer-
tificate of competency may be obtained
either from the Board of Mining Examin-
ations, an approved educational institu-
tion, or will be issued on application to
all holders of a first-class manager’s cer-
tificate.

We seriously question the assumption
that the college man, devoid of practical
experience, is competent to assume re-
sponsibie charge of extensive surveys.
Nor do we believe that the qualifications
of the surveyor should be determined en-
tirely by mental examinations in mathe-
matics, surveying, etc., since it is not at
all improbable that a well posted drafts-
man, who has never been in a mine, could
successfully stand such an examination.

Those familiar with colliery-engineer-
ing departments appreciate the value of
a conscientious and thoroughly reliable
transitman, and know that such men are
found only among the experienced and
well seasoned members of the profession.
Any of the older engineers, looking back
on the time they served as surveyor, can
doubtless recall new shortcuts, checks
and possible causes of inaccuracies which
they continually were discovering.

Should state or government interven-
tion along this line begattempted, it is to
be hoped that the practical side will not
be ignored entirely, as is too often the
case. Errors in mine surveying frequent-
ly result, not only in heavy monetary
losses, but in numerous fatalities, and
if we are to have laws, let them be ef-
fective. “Running” a transit might be
likened to running a locomotive, in that
no experienced engineer would any more
consider engaging an instrumentman on

Vol. 1, No. 31

his inental attainments alone, than a rai’
road superintendent would think of hirir,
a locomotive engineer on like qualifica
tions.

Present Day Waste
The conservationists have discussed
the good of posterity so much that con-
servation has now a bitter smack of
priggishness, like several other wel!
meaning words—institutional work, wel-
fare, altruism, uplift, benevolence and
the rest of the drab sisterhood. But
there is nothing benevolent about most
forms of conservation, though the least
hopeful and most remote forms have
the loudest and most insistent ‘“barkers.”

Unfortunately, the figures for the days
worked in mines of the United States in
1909 are not yet published, but in the
five years preceding the year 1911, ex-
cluding the year aforesaid, the anthra-
cite mines in Pennsylvania lost 507 days.
excluding Sundays. The bituminous
mines of the United States lost in the
Same period 498 days. This loss of pro-
ductivity must have resulted in raising
all the costs of producing coal.

Of course, miners are often absent
from mines during the days when coal
is being dumped, but, on the other hand,
not a few work when the mines are of-
ficially declared idle, so that perhaps
the productivity of a mine is normal],
to be gaged by the number of operating
days.

The idleness increases the cost of coal,
makes capital meanwhile unproducti\:.
involves losses for upkeep and pumpin:
and results in the loss of tonnage.

In fact, it is possible that if by a co
bination of operators, this lost time co’
be reduced, there might be a reduct
in the cost of coal, which would gra’
consumers and make conditions
for owners and miners alike. The ¢
lic must in the long run pay fo:
time during which the miner folds
arms or saunters casually down
or to the commissary.

The British Royal Commissio’
Mines has recommended the este
ment of a lamp-testing station for
vestigation of the velocity of exp.
currents which different types of §.:iPS
can withstand, together with their \lu-
minating ‘power and sensitiveness in ‘cst-
ing for mine gas. An excellent sucs¢es

tion for our Bureau of Mines.

May 11, 1912

COAL AGE

Discussion by Readers

Comment, Criticism and Debate upon Previous Articles, and Letters from Practical Men

Steel Mine Ties

Steel mine ties have been used to ad-
vantage in some districts. The accom-
panying Fig. 1 shows the latest, best
and cheapest form of steel tie made.
It is but 14 in. thick as compared to the
4 in. or more of a wooden tie, and this
means a corresponding saving in the
height to which every pound of coal
must be lifted to be loaded into a mine
car. The bolts used in the tie are the
same as those in the rail-splice bars
and no sledges, gages, spikes or spike
pullers are needed for either laying or
taking up ties. The only tool required is
the wrench that is used for the rail-
splice bolts.

ies oe go”.
Hole 4x in Long Bar
vy 2'Diam. 11 Short Bars
>

randards Track Bolt 2-L

ong

in. bolts so that the track will be flexible
and easily shifted sideways to enable
it to be laid on considerable of a curve
and yet not spring back but stay where
it is put. The amount of flexibility de-
pends on the length of the rails and the
shorter they are the greater is the flex-
ibility.

Ties of this general form have been
known for years, but the particular im-
provements that this tie possesses and
which make it superior to other types, are
the use of loose-riveted clips that cannot
get lost, and of washers to make thickness
enough so that the same track bolts can
be used as for the splice-bars. A fur-
ther advantage is that the clip is easier
to make because it is straight. The bolt

--Track Gage -9 RS os Sea eo
/~Barl3x3% (Track Gage +72)
of at IZKx 3x ,
%» C-Washers 4 Thich/s sg.or Found
J a= } \ ee
C + = rvs [ oe a
a A f
met shy aor wads and a fia: ae GR a ae nl i ah akc ~ ;

Fit 10 20 Ib. Fail

COAL ACE

Countersunk Bottom Side
to swivel easily

Neeser Rivet ‘.

Fic. 1. MINE HAULAGE, STEEL TRACK TIE FOR MINE Cars

When these ties are used approaching
the working face, short-length rails can
be used with them, cut the same length
as the depth of undercut made in the
coal, in any particular mine. As the
rail rests right on the floor but one
tie, per rail length of 6 ft., or less is re-
quired. Since the gage is rigidly cor-
rect there is less trouble experienced
irom cars running cff the track than
vhen wooden ties are used; and there
s less obstruction to travel for a mule,
orse or man and less chance of injury
) them through getting a foot caught
r stumbling. The number of times that

wooden tie can be laid or taken up is
mited, but there is no limit to the
umber of. times this steel tie can be
sed. If bent it is easily straightened.

Each rail should have a pair of splice-
irs loosely riveted on one end, so as

insure having splices where and when
ney are wanted, and to save labor in

‘ying track. The splice-bars will have

‘vO Of their holes already used, and
Putting down a length of track simply
“leans putting in two bolts in each tie
and two in the splices.
in the rails should be

The bolt holes
3% in. for “%-

hole in the tie is oblong to suit the dia-
mond-shaped head end of a track bolt
so that it cannot turn while the nut is
being tightened or loosened, particularly
the latter; because after a tie has been
down a while the nut rusts the same as
it does in the rail splice. The same
track is good for outside use, for slate
dumps and other temporary tracks. The
first cost, per tie, is twice that of wood,
but since not more than half as many
are required, per foot of track, the total
cost is no greater, while the steel ties
are cheaper to lay and take up and are
longer lived than wooden ties.

Bevel same as.
, flange of Rail

Ca Yro7

Fic. 2. STEEL MANDREL FOR SHAPING THE
BENT ENps OF STEEL TRACK TIES

In making these ties in an ordinary
blacksmith shop, the holes are first
punched or drilled by gage, then the bar
to be bent is heated and a tool like that
shown in the accompanying Fig. 2, is
placed on it for a form, over which the
bent end is quickly shaped by a few
blows of the hammer. All parts are
thus made to the same gage. The bot-
tom head of the rivet is countersunk, as
shown in Fig. 1, because it is easier to

beat down such a head than it is to
use a rivet set.
Elisworth, Penn. F. D. BUFFUM.

Watering vs. Sprinkling

Referring to coal dust in mines, the
Royal Commission, appointed some time
since to investigate coal-dust explosions
in mines, based their conclusions, if I am
not mistaken, on the following points:

First. The best way to deal with coal
dust is to see that all dusty entries
and rooms are kept “watered,” not
“sprinkled.” There is a difference in the
meaning of these two words, watered and
sprinkled. There is, I think, too much
sprinkling and not enough watering done
in our mines. In mines where the roads
are dusty, the fireboss should be em-

powered to order that all roads be
watered—watered, not sprinkled. In some
mines, this watering is done with a

watering car, which is, in my opinion,
the best method to employ. In other
mines, sprinkling is done by means of
pipes laid on the roads and airways.

I will confess that the use of the water-
ing car may often prove a disadvantage,
especially in mines where there is a large
output of coal. Nevertheless, we must
consider the lives of the bread-winners
and the wives and children dependent
upon them. The watering car is often
considered an unnecessary item of ex-
pense, as it requires the employment of
one or two extra drivers and as many
mules. If, however, this method would
save the lives of even ten men, in one
year, in the United States, I am sure that
would counter-balance the extra expense,
with interest added.

It has given me great pleasure to read
the comments of James Ashworth, in
Coat Ace, Apr. 20, p. 917. Mr. Ashworth
gives his veiws on the watering of dusty
mines, which I know wiil be greatly ap-
freciated by many readers. I hope to see
further discussion of this important ques-
tion.

Terre Haute, Ind. FIREBOss.

1018

Reducing Ventilation When
Firing

I have followed with much interest the
discussion of this subject in Coat AGE,
and must say that the contributions have
furnished many valuable hints. Stress
has been laid upon the dangers attending
a strong draft, rapidly moving currents
of air, and of fine dust carried in sus-
pension in the mine air. There is, no
doubt, some wisdom in reducing the ven-
tilation when firing shots in a mine. Per-
haps, however, the most interesting phase
of the subject has not yet been touched.
No doubt, some readers can recall having
heard old superintendents say there were
never anv serious dust explosions in their
particular sections of the country before
mining laws made larger fans and greater
volumes of fresh air compulsory. The
popular demand was for fresh air for the
miner, and that is the cry today in open
light mines, where gas is never found.

But there is another side to this im-
portant question. The close analytical
study of mine air is now beginning to
change many long standing ideas con-
cerning ventilation. There was a time
when physicians tried to diagnose a pa-
tient’s disease by looking at his tongue
and timing his pulse. Today, a sample of
the blood or waste product is taken and
examined under the microscope, or chem-
ically anaiyzed before the patient’s true
condition can be known.

In like manner, we are beginning to
learn what kind of mine air is neces-
sary to maintain health, also the kind of
air in which it is possible to start a dust
explosion. The chemist has suggested
tnat the best method for the prevention
of dust explosions in mines is to reduce
tne oxygen content of the air to 20 per
cent., and for the most dangerous mines
to 19 per cent., with a little carbon diox-
ide present. Such air, it is stated, is
now breathed by men working at the coal
face, in most mines, which is given as
the reason why dust explosions seldom,
if ever, traverse the working face.

We are told that with an atmosphere
containing less than 17'% per cent. oxy-
gon (or 1713 per cent. with a little car-
bon dioxide, say 34 of 1 per cent.), it is
not only impossible to start a dust ex-
plosion, but also with this percentage of
oxygen in the mine air, firedamp mixed
itt any proportion will not ignite when a
flame is applied to the mixture. It is also
further stated that with this depletion of
oxvgen in the air, a fire of wood or coal,
in the roads, cannot be started.

Someone recently wrote Dr. Haldane,
Suggesting the feasibility of treating the
intake air of a mine with furnace gases,
and he replied, in relation to the depletion
of the oxygen of the air by this means:
“I can see no physiological difficulty in
reducing the oxygen to 17% per cent.,

COAL AGE

provided you can eliminate the difficulties
with carbon monoxide, also the lighting
ifficultv.”

But in many mines, especially where
carbon dioxide is given off by the coal,
artificial treatment of the ingoing air will
not be necessary to produce certain air
conditions in the working places where
shots are fired.

Perhaps this phase of the problem is
worthy of extended discussion by read-
ers. I will hazard the opinion that in
the near future we shall regularly take
samples of the mine air, and depend more
upon the chemical analysis of such air
when regulating ventilation than upon
the anemometer. And all modern mines
will be equipped with air-sampling and
analyzing apparatus, as well as ane-
mometers. Our ventilation laws will also
be modified.

SAMUEL DEAN.

Delagua, Colo.

[A practically insurmountable difficulty
in regard to any sampling and analyzing
of the mine air is that which has always
rendered useless such tests; namely, the
conditions in the mine are constantly
changing, and any such test can only have
a local value, which will probably be of
no avail by the time the results of the
test are known.—EbpiITor. ]

The Pittsburg Rate Case

While I have no interests whatever
in the Pittsburg rate case, I have been
following this matter closely, and cannot
see wherein any of the Pittsburg oper-
ators are benefited, as you seem to infer
in your editorial on this subject in the
Apr. 27 number. We are advised that the
rate on coal to the lakes from the Fair-
mont and Kanawha fields has been re-
duced 10c., thus putting these rates on
practically the same basis as heretofore.
We do not have copies of the tariffs
showing this reduction, but we were in-
formed from reliable sources that such is
the case.

In another place in the same issue, you
state that the Pittsburg operators have
increased their prices on coal to over-
come the advance given the men. It has
been true for the last several years that
the Pittsburg operators increase their
prices on coal, but they have -never main-
tained these, and I venture the asser-
tion that the prices on c@al will be as
low, if not lower, this year than last
year.

There does not seem to be any ques-
tion but that the increased development
in the coal fields is more than the in-
creased consumption, and, moreover, the
railroad companies are in better position
to move this commodity more quickly
and they are furnishing a greater car
supply than they have ever furnished
before.

Vol. 1, No. 31

This letter may sound pessimistic, but
it is not written with that idea. I be-
lieve that there should be an adjustment
of the various freight rates, and your
article with reference to the anthracite
coal freighters bears this statement out.
If the various companies and trade pa-
pers would follow this up it would
surely help considerably.

S. A. Carson,
General Manager.

So. Connellsville Coke Co.,
Uniontown, Penn.

[Our correspondent in stating that the
rate from the Fairmont and Kanawha
fields has been reduced 10c. has evi-
dently misinterpreted our editorial or
been misinformed. Quoting from the
editorial: “As is well known, the Fair-
mont and Kanawha fields are the most
important competitors in the Lake trade,
and no revision in rates from these dis-
tricts has been made.” In the cases of
the Baltimore & Ohio, the Chesapeake &
Ohio and the Kanawha & Michigan lines,
the decision was that the present rates
from the Fairmont, Kanawha and New
River fields of 9634¢., 97c. and $1.12 a
ton respectively were fair and just, the
proposed rates of $1,$1.06' > and $1.21',
not being justified. While no increase in
these rates was made, there was not, on
the other hand, any reduction, as our
correspondent seems to infer, although
the fact that no increase was granted
acts indirectly as a decrease.

With reference to Mr. Carson’s as-
sertion to the effect that the price on
coal would be as low, if not lower this
year than last year, and questioning our
statement that the Pittsburg operators
have increased their prices to overcome
the advance given the miners, we be-
lieve in the former instance that such
may quite probably be the case. We
presume that he is referring to the state-
ment in the first column on page 960,
which says: “There is no demand but

‘producers are naming prices on a basis

of 7'4c. higher than last year’s regular
or official basis.” Further along in the
same paragraph it says: “These prices
constitute the quotable market at the
moment, but whether they will hold is
another matter. Last year’s prices based
on $1.15 were shaded during the major
portion of the season.” It will be noted
here that we give these figures as the
quotable market at the moment and ques-
tion ourselves whether they will hold.
And we further note that last year the
quoted prices were shaded during most
of the season. Our correspondent is
thoroughly justified in his belief that th:
present circular prices will not be main-
tained throughout the season, as has beer
amply proved in previous years, but since
these are the prices being quoted at the
present time, they are obviously of valuc
to the trade.—EpiTor.]

May 13, 1912

COAL AGE

1019

|

Inquiries of General Interest

it
Ht

'
i}
|

All Questions Must be Accompanied by Name and Address—Not for Publication

Will a Carbide Lamp Burn
in Carbon Dioxide?

Kindly answer the following questions
in CoAL AcE: Will a carbide lamp burn
in carbon dioxide? What is the chem-
ical formula for calcium carbide and
the equation that expresses its reaction
with water and shows the resulting gas
that produces the light? Is it true that
the chief mine inspector of Ohio will not
permit carbide lights to be used in the
mines in that state 7

C. K. ROCKHOLD,
Night Foreman.

Sunnyside, Utah.

[The question is often asked, “Will a
carbide lamp burn in blackdamp ?” and
the answer is, ‘‘Yes.”” There is, how-
ever, a great difference between black-
damp and carbon dioxide. The former
is a variable mixture of one or more
extinctive gases and air. It therefore
contains some available oxygen, which
supports the flame of the lamp. On the
contrary, carbon dioxide (CO.) contains
no free or available oxygen; and, for
this reason, no flame dependent on oxygen
for its combustion can burn in this gas.

It is often asserted and the idea has
become quite prevalent that a carbide
lamp will burn in an atmosphere of car-
bon dioxide; that it is not dependent for
its combustion on oxygen or air; and
this argument has been used, at times, to
press the claims of this lamp for mining
us Both statements are wrong. The
id. probably grew out of the fact that
| common for mining men to call
bi.ckdamp, carbon dioxide. But, as just

ined, the two are widely different;

while the carbide lamp will burn
in olackdamp that will extinguish most
O'ocr lights, it will not burn in pure
Cirson dioxide, because that gas con-
tues no free oxygen.

e acetylene flame of the carbide
l..., like the hydrogen flame, is extreme-
|, ‘cnacious. While a candle and other
\..--fed flames are extinguished by about
i r cent. of carbon dioxide added to
air (artificial atmosphere); or by
3 to 4 per cent. of carbon diox-
id in a residual atmosphere, where the
flac is inclosed in a confined space and
avowed to burn till it goes out; the hy-
drocen flame is only extinguished, in an
artificial atmosphere, when the latter con-
tains practically 58 per cent. of carbon
dioxide; and the acetylene flame is almost
€qually tenacious.
lt is important, however, in this con-

nection to state that, owing to this prop-
erty of the acetylene flame, the carbide
lamp fails to indicate the presence of
blackdamp in the mine air, with sufficient
promptness to avoid danger, since 18 per
cent. of CO., in an artificial atmosphere*,
may produce fatal results if breathed but
a short time. The lamp is not a safe lamp
to use in mine workings generating much
blackdamp, any more than the electric
lamp is safe in mines generating marsh
gas.

The chemical formula for calcium car-
bide is CaC.. The chemical equation ex-
pressing the reaction of this carbide with
water is:

Calcium
carbide Water hydrate
Cae, 2 HO = Ca: (OH), + CLE.
The equation that expresses the combus-
tion of the acetylene gas in oxygen is:
Water

lene vapor
2 ¢.H, 2 HO

The Ohio mining law, as revised June
11, 1910, and again the following year,
1911, prohibits the use, in any coal mine
in that state, of “any fish oil or other
luminant whatever, other than those spe-
cifically provided for’ in the section
(974).

The chief mine inspector, June 5, 1911,
issued a circular drawing attention to the
new law and notifying all mine foremen
in charge of mines, in the state, that they
would be held responsible for the use of
any illuminant, in their respective mines,
other than oils of the standard required
by law.

Calcium

Carbon
dioxide
4:€o,

Acety- Oxy-
een

5 O. =

Safety Lamps, Types and Con-

struction, Relative Safety
lease explain the essential differences
and the construction of the Davy, Clanny
and Wolf lamps. Which of these is the
safest lamp to use in a gassy mine; and
in what does this safety consist ?
STUDENT.

Altoona, Penn.

The Davy lamp has no glass but a full
gauze chimney surrounding the flame,
which permits a free circulation of air
passing in and out of the lamp. While

*The term artificial atmosphere as
here used, means an atmosphere contain-
ing a normal percentage of oxygen, the
COz being added; in distinction to a
residual atmosphere, which is the atmos-
phere resulting from the burning of a
lamp, or some other form of combustion,
by which the oxygen content has been
depleted. Practically, all mine atmos-
pheres containing blackdamp or other
gases are artificial atmospheres, except
the afterdamp of an explosion, which
may } residual.

this free circulation of air renders the
Davy more sensitive to gas than is the
case with other lamps, the same fact
makes it an unsafe lamp for general work
or to place in the hands of the ordinary
miner. The lamp, because of its sensi-
tiveness, “flames” readily in gas. When
this happens it requires much presence
of mind and self-control to avoid making
a sudden movement that may force the
flame through the gauze and fire the gas
outside of the lamp.

The Clanny lamp differs from the Davy
in having a glass cylinder surrounding
the flame and which forms the lower half
of the chimney; the upper half being
gauze the same as the Davy. This’ im-
proves the light, which is not obstructed
by the gauze mesh. The air enters the
Clanny lamp through the lower portion
of the gauze, above the glass, and must
therefore descend to the flame. There
are, thus, two conflicting air currents in
the Jamp, which gives all Clanny lamps
a tendency to smoke. This lamp is not
as sensitive to gas as the Davy lamp, but
affords greater protection of the flame
against strong air currents.

The Wolf lamp is an improved type
of Clanny lamp, having a glass cylinder
surmounted by a gauze chimney. It dif-
fers from the Clanny in the fact that the
air enters this lamp through a gauze ring
below the glass, which gives a better cir-
culation in the lamp and improves the
light. The Wolf lamp is particularly de-
signed to burn naphtha, a highly volatile
and explosive oil. The oil vessel of the
lamp contains a specially prepared cotton
that is used to absorb the oil and reduce
the danger of explosion in the lamp. Ow-
ing to the ease with which the naphtha
flame is extinguished, the Wolf lamp is
supplied with a special igniter for relight-
ing the lamp when accidentally extin-
guished.

No so called safety lamp is safe unless
properly handled, and kept in good con-
dition. Its safety depends on the isola-
tion of the flame from the outside air,
by means of a chimney of wire gauze, o1
glass and gauze combined. The cool wire
forming the mesh of the gauze allows the
free passage of the air and gas, but kills
the flame by absorbing its heat whenever
the flame approaches the wire. If the
gauze becomes heated, or is imperfect or
dirty, or the lamp is exposed to a strong
air pressure, the flame may pass through
the mesh of the gauze. In other words,
under these conditions, the lamp may
fail.

1020

COAL AGE

Vol.

1, No. 31

Examination Questions

Selected from State Examinations, or Suggested by Correspondents |

Sundry Examination Questions
(Answered by request)
VENTILATION, TO FIND AREA FOR GIVEN
LENGTH OF AIRWAY, QUANTITY OF
AIR AND WATER GAGE

Ques.—What must be the sectional
area of an airway 5000 ft. long, in order
that it wili pass 10,000 cu.ft. of air per
under a water gage of 1.7 inches?

Ill. Exam.

Ans.—In order to solve this question it
is necessary to know the shape of the
cross-section of the airway, so as to be
able to reduce the two unknown quantities
(perimeter and area) to a single term
(diarheter or side).

The formula for unit pressure, in terms
of the airway and quantity of air, is

kloq?
p= 3
in this case, the values are all given ex-
cept the perimeter (0) and area (a);
therefore,
a® _ 0.00000002 X 5000 X _ 10,0007
"alle 29K a7
== 9030.22
For circular airway,

a (wrr?)? wr 75

min.,

= 4.9348 r®

aaa i gd

Ps r= fy
4.9348
The diameter of this airway, to meet the
requirements in the question, must
be practically 6 ft., and its area is then
0.7854 « 6? = 28.27 sq.ft.
For square airway (side = d, area =
a‘),

230.23— 2.06, say: 3 ft.

a® (d?)* 5
oe
Then
d—y] 4 ‘XX 1131.22 — 5.384 ft.
Area -= 5.384" = 29 sq.ft.

For a rectangular airway (height =
a, width == b), perimeter = 2(a + Db);
area = ab.

Assume b = na; then,
Perimeter = 2(a + na) =2a(n + 1)
Area = xX me =
Then,
a* (ne*)* n° .
0. 2a(n+1) 2(n- a

Suppose the width of the airway is

double its height; then, n = 2; and
oe 2" ‘—
0 2(244 1) ° ois ed

Finally,

a=} 0.75 X 1131.22 = 3.85 ft.
Db. == 2) X2389' — 4B

The airway, in this case, is 3.85 x 7.6
ft.; its area is 3.85 x 7.6 = 29.26 sq.ft.

It is thus seen that a circular airway
requires the smallest area; the square
airway the next; and the rectangular the
largest, to pass a given quantity of air
under a given pressure.

VENTILATION—COMPARING Two AIRWAYS

Ques.—Of two airways, one 7 ft. wide
and 6 ft. high, the other 14 ft. wide and 3
ft. high, which will pass the greater quan-
tity of air, other conditions being equal;
and why ?

Tenn. Exam.

Ans.—The areas of these airways are
equal: 7 + 6 = 42 sqaift., and 14 x 3 =
42 sq.ft. Assuming the airways have the
same length, the one having the smaller
perimeter will have likewise the smaller
rubbing surface, and will pass the greater
quantity of air, for the same pressure or
power on the air.

The perimeter of the airways, in this
case, are, respectively,
6x7 -ft. airway, 2(6 + 7) = 26 sq.ft.
3x14-ft. airway, 2(3 + 14) = 34 sq.ft.

The 6x7-ft. airway will therefore pass
more air, under the same pressure or
power, than the 3x14-ft. airway. The
ratios of the quantities are as follows:

Equal pressure.

qi 3077 = 1.1474
q2 4d 4

Equal power,

:' |
: —

ties is to say, for each 10,000 cu.ft. of
air in the 3x14-ft. airway, under equal
pressure, the 6x7-ft. airway will pass 11,-
400 cu.ft.; or, under equal power, 10,900
Cudtt.of-air.

1.3077 = 1.09-+

PERCENTAGE OF GAs, HEIGHT OF CAP

Ques.—What is the formula for calcu-
lating the percentage of gas from the
height of flame cap observed? What per-

centage of gas is indicated by a 34-in.
cap 7 4
Ans.—When using the unbonneted

Davy lamp, the percentage of gas is given
by the formula

J=¥9

Or, for a 34-in. cap

J=WP 36 x 0.75= 27= 3%
When using a bonneted Davy

J=V

Or, for a 34-in. cap

36h

70h

J= P70 X075=¥ 52

HORSEPOWER IN VENTILATION

Ques.—(a) If 10 hp. is producing a
circulation of 60,000 cu.ft. of air, in a
mine, what is the water gage? (b) What
quantity of air and what water gage will
be produced in this mine, when the
horsepower is increased to 25 hp. ?

Ans.—(a) The water gage is

2 10 x 33,000 __
— ™ 5.2 X 60,000 _

(b) In any given mine or airway the
quantity of air circulated is proportional
to the cube root of the power producing
the circulation. Or, in other words, the
quantity ratio is equal to the cube root of
the power ratio. Then since the water
gage (or pressure) varies as the square
of the quantity, the water-gage ratio is
equal to the cube root of the square of
the power ratio. Hence, for the quan-

tity,
a
q 25 3
a a 245
60,000 10

= 60,000 X 1.357

q = 60,000 ? “2

= say 81,400 cu.ft. per min.

For the increased water gage due to 25
hp.,
—om age ee
wg. = 1057 7% 6.25 = 1.057 X 1.84
== 1.947 41.
COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION
Ques.—What is meant by the term

coefficient of friction, as used in mine
ventilation? Give an example showing
hew such coefficient is used.

Ans.—For a full explanation of the co-
efficient of friction and its use in mi:
ventilation, see CoAL AGE, Feb. 24. *
653.

WATER GAGE REQUIRED TO DOUBL!
CiRCULATION

Ques.—If 20,000 cu.ft. of air per ™!
is circulated in a certain mine, by a wate!
gage of 3.5 in., what water gage wil!
required to increase this quantity to
COO cu.ft. per min.; in other words
double the circulation ?

Ans.—For the same mine or airy
the pressure or water gage varies as +
square of the quantity of air circi’

In other words, the water-gage ral
then equal to the square of the quanity
ratio. In this case, calling the required
water gage x,

2 aa (2000) 22 =

3.5 20,000
x—= 35 x 4 = 14 in.

May 11, 1912

COAL AGE

Sociological Department

For the Betterment of Living Conditions in Mining Communities

Human Element in Coal
Mining
By Sim REYNOLDS* AND W. H. REYNOLDS

During the last 25 years, we have had
experience in mines of all kinds from the
crudest, dug in the side of a low hill, to
mines approached by deep shafts and
as nearly perfect as human thought and
effort can make them. And our experi-
ences have driven home, like reiterated
siedge-hammer blows, the conviction that
perfection is far from being attained
when the finest installation, mechanically
speaking, has been completed.

No mine, no matter how costly may
have been its development, no matter
with what almost excessive care it may
have been planned and its construction
executed, is safer than the most careless
employee permits it to be. The mine is
always at the mercy of an illiterate and
reckless foreigner, or of an over-am-
bitious, output-crazed mine foreman. The
whole chain of caution, mechanical per-
tection and provision snaps at its weak-
est link, the human element.

THe NEAR AMERICAN STEPS ASIDE FOR
THE WHOLLY ALIEN

arge capital is adopting improved
chines and systems, the former more
readily than the latter, but we face a
i! culty which new mechanism and im-
ed mining practice cannot over-bal-
The apex of our former labor
fF omid has become its base. While the
grants, who poured into our coal-
his, in the seventies and eighties num-
‘ nine of British, German or Scan-
d ‘an nationality to one from other
( ries, now there is but one man from
countries to eight or nine Italians,
( .s and Slavs.

juote the mine reports of the State
‘ansylvania in reference to under-
d labor:

rmation received from 98 per cent.
Operators shows that 40 per cent.
employees are of the English

s ‘ng races, while 60 per cent. are
nglish speaking. Of those killed,
‘ Der cent. were of the latter class,
ly 26.388 per cent. were Americans,
‘h, Seotch, Irish and German. If
cidents among these people had
proportionate to the total number
h class employed, 102 of the latter

‘-~ of men would have been killed in-
rE OF Ge

“Vittsburg-Buffalo Co., Marianna, Penn.

DISCIPLINE NEEDED More THAN
LEGISLATION

It is plain, therefore, to the most cas-
ual reader that the men in charge of
mines where such conditions exist are
working under a natural disadvantage,
regardless of all the aid which may be
given to the managements by generous
mine owners. It will be seen at once
that mining officials have a more difficult
proposition than confronts any other men
in charge of employees working in extra
hazardous occupations,

James E. Roderick may be
again:

quoted

Legislation of the proper kind would,

no doubt, bring about a reduction of
fatalities, but the most prolific cause,
which is carelessness on the part of mine
officials and employees, can be removed
only by greater discipline, discipline
which will enforce obedience to those

laws and rules which have been framed
to give a greater degree of safety, dis-
cipline that will mete out severe punish-
ment to the man in charge, and to the
employee alike, who, by their careless-
recklessness, place the lives of
the mines in constant

ness or

the men in

jeopardy.
POLYGLOT FOREMEN

The other day a suggestion appeared
which is more humorous and decidedly
less practicable than that quoted. It was
made at a meeting of the American So-
ciety of Mining Engineers. In brief it
was to the effect that the men in charge
of mines should learn the languages of
the different classes of workmen so that
they could instruct every employee in
his native tongue, regarding the rules of
the mine and the observance thereof.
The idea is good, very good indeed,
doubtless too good to be generally car-
ried into action in the great gas-coal
fields. Evidently the speaker was never
much nearer the average gas-coal mine
than an office on Broadway or some such
street in a large city.

If he had been, he would have under-
stood that the foreman of an uptodate
mine in a gas-coal region hardly has the
time to express himself properly in Eng-
lish, certainly not in all the tongues of
southern Europe. Unless he had learned
the several languages when a miner, or
while yet a boy in common school, he
could scarcely hope to find such an easy
berth that he would have sufficient time
left in each 24 hours to become an effi-
cient linguist, unless he could procure
his education in this respect by a cash
purchase.

If this be possible, we readily ac-
quiesce in the proposition advanced, and
think that in view of the chaotic condi-
tion of mine labor it would be a profit-
able investment for every mine operator
to purchase an assorted dozen of linguis-
tic proficiencies ready for use in each
large mine, as many a foreman or su-
perintendent in the gas-coa! country
could use them all, with the possible ex-
ception of Hebrew and Chinese.

The Care of Mine Mules
By MATTHEW J. DAVIES

The mule has never been supposed to
possess any surplus brains, while, on the
other hand, I believe it has never been
given full credit for the intelligence it
sometimes displays. Mules vary in their
temperaments and dispositions, much as
men do. Some are docile and tractable,
others lively and spirited, and some are
very refractory and even vicious. Occa-
sionally, we have known them to lie in
wait craftily for days and even weeks,
seeking an opportunity to kick drivers
who have mistreated them, and they
sometimes accomplish their purpose with
fatal results. But, on the whole, in my
experience with mules, I have found that
they readily respond to kindness, and
are amenable to good treatment.

IMPROVEMENT IN STABLES

As to care of mules, the first essen-
tial is a clean, comfortable and sanitary
stable, with plenty of headroom, sufficient
ventilation and good drainage, and an
abundance of pure water, rather than the
foul, ill-smelling and disease-breeding
quarters in which mules are stabled in
some collieries. The fact that the animal
survives any length of time in some of
the stables we have seen, despite the
hard and severe toil, it is called upon to
perform, is a remarkable tribute to its
hardiness and endurance.

It is gratifying to note that during ihe
last year, prompted by legislative enact-
ment, a notable change has taken place
along these lines. The mule is coming
to his own, even though the reform is ac-
tuated more from fear of fire and its con-
sequent results, than from any regard
for the poor beast’s comfort. But the
Delaware, Lackawanna & Western R.R.
Co. began improving its inside stables
many years ago, before there was a hint
of legislative compulsion.

There are four or five classes of
workmen in our collieries, who come into
personal contact with the mule. Upon

1022

their inteliigence, good judgment and
exercise of common sense, its usefulness
and efficiency, largely depend. These are
the barn boss, the driver, the driver boss
and the shoer, and we might also add, the
car runner. The barn boss must feed
the mules judiciously, and if an inferior
grade of hay and grain is furnished, he
should promptly report that fact.

THE BARN Boss

The barn boss should be responsible
for the proper preparation of a mule for
work, see that it is properly cleaned, for
which purpose curry combs and brushes
must be provided. Sufficient time must
be spent in cleaning and harnessing each
mule. The barn boss must give special
attention to the fit of the collars and thus
prevent shoulder galls, which are caused
in most instances by the collar being
either too large or too small. Drivers
should not, under any circumstances, be
allowed to change collars. It is the duty
of the barn boss to clean the collars every
night, and for this purpose he should
provide himself with scrapers. Next in
importance to the collar is a well fitting
hame.

On all harness, the trace chains must be
equal in length, about 8 ft. long,composed
of 4-in. links of 3¢-in. iron. To secure
this when a trace is sent for repair, its
mate must be sent with it. Leather chain
pipes and special pads for the protection
of the mule should be used when needed;
also a strong leather cap piece on the
bridle to protect its head.

The barn boss should be on hand
every night to inspect the mules when
they return from work and to see that
no injuries have been received during
the day. All injuries must be given
proper attention at once. If _ the
barn boss suspects the injury to be the
result of carelessness or abuse, he should
promptly report the matter to the mine
foreman for investigation.

The tarn boss must keep the barn dry
and in good order. The stables should be
cleaned every day and lime sprinkled on
the floor every other day. Water troughs
in front of the mules should be cleaned
at least two or three times each week, and
the food boxes cleaned regularly each
day. Mules should be given fine ‘salt
twice a week, not mixed with feed, but
placed in a little box provided for it on
the manger. Stables should be lighted
by electricity.

Mules should not be allowed to work
for two consecutive shifts, except in
cases of extreme necessity. Their hoofs
should be kept in good condition, and
each mule should be shod on all four
feet once a month. When a mule is taken
sick, the barn boss should immediately
administer the proper medicine, of which
a sufficient supply must be kept on hand.
Cases of severe injury, accompanied with
loss of blood, must receive prompt at-

COAL AGE

tention until the bleeding has ceased and
the animal made comfortable. In addi-
tion to medicines, the barn boss must
keep on hand other articles and supplies
appropriate in emergency cases, such as
oakum, cotton, bandages, antiseptics, etc.

DuTIES OF DRIVER

Another important person in connec-
tion with the care and welfare of the
mule is the driver. We cannot fail to
realize this, when we consider that both
are closely associated, as a rule, for about
10 or 11 hours each working day. Drivers
should not drive their mules faster thana
walk, either when working them or in go-
ing to and from the barn. Asa rule, drivers
are in a bigger hurry to get to the barn
than to leave it, and are prone to compel
the mules to trot and hurry, which se-
verely tries them after a hard day’s work.

CARE OF THE MULE

When leaving mules, drivers should
first tie them in a safe place, out of dan-
ger from moving cars, or other sources 01
injurv. On descending grades, mules
should alwavs be unhitched from the
trip and walked down behind it. They
should always be led, never driven,
through narrow places, for the instant
they feel pressure in a narrow passage,
they fear danger and make a sudden
spring forward. I have known mules to
receive Serious injury in this manner.

When shifting cars into chambers,
mules must not be driven beyond the
last point at which they can turn easily,
nor driven over loose coal lying on of
beside the track. The practice of breast-
ing cars into the chambers should be
strictly prohibited. The summits of all
grades, toward which mules are used to
haul cars, should be furnished with safe
and reliable headlocks, to prevent the
cars from running against the mule. In
fact, headlocks should be placed wher-
ever necessary to prevent accidents.
When ascending grades, drivers must
have drags in place on the rear car of
each trip.

Mules should not be allowed to pass
under charged electric wires, and in re-
turning to the barn, they should always
be accompanied by the driver. The driver
must also watch the feet of his mules,
and, when shoes are lost, have them re-
placed at once. Mules must not be
worked unshod.

4
DRIVER Bosses

The driver boss should confer and
work in harmony with the barn boss in
all matters relating to the care, protection
and general welfare of the mules; and
in order to do this, he should be in the
barn every morning in time to see that
every mule is properly cleaned and pre-
pared for the day’s work. He should
also see that all haulage roads in his
section are kept smooth and level with

Vol. 1, No. 31

ashes or dirt and free from coal, rock and
timber, and properly drained where nec.
essary. Where headblocks or drags are
required for the safety and protection
of the mules, he should see that they
are provided.

The driver boss and the barn boss
should confer with each other and be
careful when making up a team tto se-
lect mules which will mate well. The
quick and the slow, the dull and the ner-
vous, the weak and the strong, should not
be placed in the same team. This is an
important matter, and cannot be given
too much thought and consideration.

Where biocks and chains are used, the
chains should be four feet long, and it
should be borne in mind that, “no chain
is Stronger than its weakest link.” The
driver boss should never allow a miner
to repair a broken chain with wire. In
all cases where a block and chain is used,
a drag shouid be attached to the rear
of the car. Wherever two rails form an
acute angle, into which a mule is liable
to thrust its hoof, it should be properly
wedged and blocked. The driver boss
should also see that all trace chains and
spreader sticks are of proper length. The
dimension of the latter is dependent on
the track gage, the standard lengths be-
ing 31 and 32 inches.

No side hitching should be allowed un-
less there is ample room to do so with-
out any danger of injury to the mule.
Mules should not be changed from one
working place to another without sufficient
reason. A change may be necessary some-
times, in order to lighten their work.

Great care should be exercised in hand-
ling a green mule. It should be first
placed in charge of an experienced driver
given light work, and gradually broken
in, until trained and fitted for the regula:
and mere difficult work. Overloading or
overworking a mule cannot be too strong
ly condemned. After the mules have le!
the barn, the driver boss should spend
as much time as possible near them anc
their drivers, and insist that the form
receive good treatment and a square dea’

My sympathy is with the poor anim
which is compelled to perform har
grinding toil, in more or less dust a!
smoke, for nine or ten consecutive hours
without even a drink of water or a gra
of food. At little expense, '4-in. or
in. pipe line could be laid to central |
cations, through which water could
conveyed to a trough, and at noon tie
mules could be watered with little os»
of time.

Every driver could be furnished wt
a canvas nose bag, containing a sms:
quantity of grain or corn for the mule 0
eat while the driver is having his ow"
dinner. The renewed vigor with which
the mule would attack its work and (he
resulting gain in efficiency would, in
my opinion, amply repay the loss of time,
if anv, and the expense incurred.

May 11, 1912

- COAL AGE

1023

Coal and Coke News

From Our Own Representatives in Various Important Mining Centers

Washington, D. C.

Dr. J. A. Holmes, of the Bureau of
Mines, has made a statement before the
House Committee on Appropriations con-
cerning the investigations of the bureau.
This has just been made public. He asks
for arrangements that will concentrate
the work more largely in Washington and
will render it more efficient.

Dr. Holmes states that the work now
being done outside the bureau offices and
laboratories is as follows: At the Uni-
versity of Ohio, a study of clays is be-
ing made in connection with general quar-
ry or mineral products; at Princeton,
chemical work is conducted in relation to
mine accidents. This should go partly
to Pittsburg and partly to Washington.
At New Hampshire College, work rela-
tive to mineral wastes is being carried
on.

“We get the supervision of the univer-
sity men free,” he adds, “but we have
a man at the University of Ohio, for ex-
ample, in our own employ, whom we
want to bring here. There is great ad-
vantage in having all these men and their
work brought to Washington; but unless
the bureau can get the increase in space
asked for, it will be compelled to send
other men out to such institutions as will
give us space rent free. We are study-
ing clays and other products from the
quarries examined, in connection with
the quarry methods, and the action of
clays and various mineral substances, on
coal and ores, and other substances of
that kind.”

It is expected that the changes thus re-
quested will be made. With further ref-
etence to the need of new quarters, Dr.
liolmes says that when the present build-
ng was arranged for, only about 33 per-

‘ns were connected with the work of
he Bureau of Mines in Washington. At

le present time, the building is occupied
’ between 90 and 100 people. “So the
‘tuation today is that the Bureau of
‘lines is exceedingly crowded in its work,
ind cannot continue its’ work efficiently
‘ithin the limited space of this building.”

MARKET FOR ALASKAN COAL

The Senate has had printed as senate
-ocument No. 573, a partial report of
e proceedings of the fourteenth annual
-onvention of the American Mining Con-
cress, under the title “Alaskan Prob-

ems.”

It is interesting to note that the
Problem which figures most prominent-

iy in this document is the mining and
transportation of coal.

Special attention is given to papers on
this subject and notably to a discussion
of “Coal Transportation in Alaska.” In
this paper, great stress is laid upon the
question of a market for the coal, stat-
ing, in part, that:

It is doubtful if there is a market for
much Alaska coal outside of Alaska.
Eastern people and those of the Middle
West do not appreciate that there is
plenty of coal on the Pacific coast, much
accessibly located than that of
Alaska, besides fuel oil in abundance,
and the most marvelous hydro-electric
power inthe world. Even in Alaska the
Treadwell mines and the Copper River
R.R. are being operated by California
fuel oil, and it is evident that Alaska
steaming coal has little demand upon
the Pacifie coast of the United States in
the face of such competition. A market
will ultimately be made for some Alaska
anthracite, and the Alaska coking coal
will be of great importance, especially in
the treatment of the low-grade copper
ore along the Alaska coast. The United
States Navy, which is now importing
coal from West Virginia, might save the

more

price of a battleship in a few years by
using Alaska coal, but the Alaska fields
really have little bearing upon the
great question as to the future policy for
the disposition of coal lands upon the
public domain of the United States.
Some new system must be adopted in
Alaska, however, and consequently this

subject has been given mature consider-
ation. Two methods have been sug-
gested: One a leasing system, and the
other, government operation of the coal
mines.

Alabama

B-:rmingham—An explosion took place
in the third right heading, bottom slope,
of the Roden Coal Co.’s mine at Mar-
vel, Bibb County, Ala., at approximately
10 a.m., Apr. 30. This resulted in the
injury of eight men. None of them was
seriously burned, although one was near-
ly dead when rescued, from suffocation.

At every mine in the Cahaba coal
field there is more or less gas. In the
Marvel mine, gas has only shown up on
four out of 28 headings, and in very
small quantities. The explosion was
caused by a driver carrying an open
lamp by a room in which men, employed
by the company, were fanning out the
gas to make the room safe for working
the next day. That the amount of gas
was small is evidenced by the fact that
there was very little concussion, merely
a sheet of flame, which lasted only a
few seconds. The force of the explosion
was not felt on the surface and in but

few of the other working places. The
news was telephoned to the top; and im-
mediately a rescue party was organized.
All the air was thrown from the top
slope to the bottom slope, giving it
double the usual quantity.

Helena—It is generally rumored here
that the Wadsworth Red Ash Coal Co.
is negotiating for a lease of the old No.
2 mine, from the Tennessee Coal, Iron &
R.R. Co. It is also stated that the Red
Ash company will purchase the Otto
Marks property which adjoins the No. 2
mine. The properties lie about two miles
from Helena and if the negotiations are
successful it is expected that operations
will begin at once.

Colorado

Denver—Coal operators in the south-
ern Colorado district have consented to
recognize the check weighing system and
hereafter this system will be in use at
the Green Canon, Suffield, Royal, Shaft
and Empire mines. Union weighmen
have been reinstated in all mines in the
Aguilar district. The men also have
been granted a “checkoff” of the check-
man’s wages. This recognition has been
the direct result, it is claimed by union
labor leaders, of the efforts of the United
Mine Workers’ organization in this state.

Pueblo—By a compromise effected be-
tween the federal land office and the
Denver and Rio Grande R.R., 8465 acres
of coal lands in Colorado, having a mar-
ket value of $1,755,750, held by the Atlas
Utah Fuel and the Calumet Fuel com-
panies, subsidiaries of the railway sys-
tem, have been conveyed back to the
United States government and will be
thrown open to purchase. The lands are
situated in Gunnison and La Plata coun-
ties and comprise some of the best bi-
tuminous coal deposits in the west. The
largest tract is in La Plata County and
embraces 5385 acres of unpatented and
640 acres of patented lands. Close to
the city of Pueblo is a tract of 400 acres
and the remaining 840 acres are in Gun-
nison County. The last named acreage
is the most valuable, there being 8
seams, which have a total thickness of
70 feet.

Illinois

Panama—An explosion in the mine of
the Shoal Creek Coal Co., recently killed
two men who had been left in charge of
the mine, which was idle at the time

1024

Other men who were in the mine es-
caped without injury.

Canton—The tipple of Star mine, No.
2, burned to the ground recently before
help could arrive to extinguish the flames.
The fire is supposed to have been started
by lighting, but the blaze did not break
out until about half an hour after the
storm. The tipple was built 5 years ago
and will probably be rebuilt inmmediate-
ly as there is still much good coal on the
property.

Republic—The Interurban Electric Co.,
which operates an electric line between
Carterville and Herrin, Ill., has been re-
organized by officials of the National
Light & Power Co. of St. Louis, who
have arranged to extend the service to
the coal-mining district of southern
Illinois. St. Louis capital will finance
the proposed extensions. The present
plan is to extend the line from Herrin
through the towns of Craneville and
Reeves, and to supply power for the
operation of the coal mines, of which
there are about 60 in the territory
reached. The present headquarters of
the Interurban company are at Carter-
ville, Ill.

Indiana

Terre Haute—Indiana coal operators
and members of district No. 11 United
Mine Workers, after three sessions of
the joint wage conference, which opened
at Terre Haute, Apr. 30, were no near-
er an agreement than they were at the
beginning of the conference. The ques-
tion of resuming work at the mines pend-
ing a settlement of all differences and
demands was the principal contention,
and a motion advocating resumption
made by Mr. Penna was promptly voted
down by the miners. It now looks as
though there will be weeks of parleying
before an agreement will be reached and
work resumed. This is unfortunate and
disappointing because the demand for
coal is becoming persistent. The oper-
ators charge that the miners are going
beyond their sphere in trying to set the
price of powder, the selling price of coal
and in making other demands. Some of
the demands made by the men are:

A weekly pay. A reduction in the
price of blacksmithing to %e. on the
dollar on the gross earning for pick
miners and nothing for machine miners.
A charge of $1.25 a keg for powder.
That when a part of a mine is shut

adown the men so affected shall be en-
titled to their share of work in the parts
of the mine that continue at work. That

a reasonable price for house coal be

charged from those working in or
around the mines. Reasonable price not
to exceed 5 per cent. of actual cost. That
where a company wrongfully stops a

man’s turn such company shall remun-

erate him for time so lost.

A deadlock likewise has been reached
by the scale committee of District No. 8
meeting at Brazil, and there is no indi-
cation of an early settlement. The matter

COAL AGE

has been referred to a supd-committee
composed of four miners and four oper-
ators. The operators refuse to even con-
sider the clause which provides that they
shall not discriminate in the employment
of men on account of creed, color or
their activity in matters affecting the
miners’ union. The operators declare that
they have a perfect right to consider the
kind of men that they employ, and under
no circumstances will they sign the scale
containing a clause which provides for
the employment of men in the order in

which their cards are deposited. The
miners insist that this clause must
stand.

Kansas

Pittsburg—Two new coal companies
have recently been organized to conduct
stripping operations in this vicinity.
These are the Nesch Coal Co. and the
Pittsburg-Scammon Coal Co. The latter
concern is allied with the Pittsburg Brick
Co. and will not place its product on the
market to any great extent.

Kentucky

Louisville—Failure to agree upon an
interpretation of the Cleveland wage-
scale compromise which was to be the
basis of settlement between the miners
and operators of western Kentucky, led
to a proposition on the part of the West-
ern Kentucky Coal Operators’ Associa-
tion to submit the matter to arbitration.
The wages offered by the operators will
be submitted to a referendum vote of
the miners. The mines affected have
been idle for more than a month pend-
ing a settlement of the questions at issue.

The Interstate Commerce Commission
has suspended, until Nov. 1, tariffs of the
Louisville & Nashville R.R., advancing
rates on coal and coke from points on its
line to points on the Big Four. The rates
were to have become effective May 1.

Providence—The coal mine and other
property of the Fairmount Coal & Mining
Co., of Providence, will be sold at pub-
lic auction May 22 Glenn R. Fudaley, of
Madisonville, Ky., is trustee in bank-
ruptcy for the company.

Whitesburg—The Schoberth Syndicate
of Philadelphia, has purchased 5000
acres of coal and timber land along
Carr’s Fork and Beaver Creek in Knott
County.

Henderson—Thinking he. was hoisting
a load of coal the engineer of a mine
at Clay, Ky., recently ran the cage up
hastily and dumped it, dropping a miner
100 ft. to the bottom of the shaft and
killing him instantly. Two others were
hurt.

Ashland—A new company has been in-
corporated in Kentucky by officers of the
Norfolk & Western Ry. Co., to build a
line from Williamson, W. Va., to Pike-
ville, Ky. It will be 20 miles long, with

Vol. 1, No. 31

branches, and is to be completed by June
1, 1913.

Missouri

Kansas City—Conferees representing
coal miners and operators of the South-
west have renewed their agreement that
there shall be no suspension of opera-
tions while negotiations for a new con-
tract are pending. This provision of the
old contract expired May 1. It is said
that the sub-committee which is con-
sidering the arbitration clause of the new
agreement is making good progress.

Montana

Missoula—After a thorough examina-
tion, the Butler Creek Coal Co. is about
to commence active development work on
its properties located between La Valle
Creek and Butler Creek, about seven
miles from Missoula. A shaft is now
being sunk to a coal seam having a thick-
ness of between 5 and 6 ft. The coal is
a lignite of the miocene formation and
carries only about 4 per cent. of ash.
It is particularly adaptable to briquetting,
and with this treatment its fuel value
will be increased materially. It is pro-
posed to install a briquetting plant in the
near future.

Ohio

East Liverpool—Six thousand acres of
valuable coal land, north of East Liver-
pool and Wellsville have been taken
over by the West Point Coal & Coke Co.
Confirmation of this deal, the most ex-
tensive in some years, was secured re-
cently from J. L. Francis, president of
the company. The deal involves an im-
mediate outlay of from $100,000 to
$150,000. It is conjectured that the pur-
chase means an early beginning on the
construction of the proposed Ohio River
& Northern R.R. from Midland, Penn.,
past East Liverpool and Wellsville and
thence to West Point. Mr. Francis stated
that the newly acquired coal lands for
the most part face the railroad right of
way. The opening of this coal territory
means direct delivery to the Crucible
Steel company’s plant at Midland, Penn.
This company is spending over $5,000.-
000 in improvements. The exact bound-
aries of the property acquired by the
West Point Coal & Coke Co. have not
been announced. However, it extends
from about three miles back of Wells-
ville, north for a distance of five miles
to West Point.

Columbus—A ruling by the State Pub-
lic Service Commission makes the Hock-
ing Valley R.R. Co. liable for a numbe:
of damage claims on short weights. 4
test case was brought, to determine
whether or not the practice of underbill-
ing coal 1000 Ib. to the car, released tlic
carrier from shortage claims when a car
arrived at destination with contents un-

May 11, 1912

er the weight called for by the shipper’s
ll of lading. Underbilling has now been
‘one away with, but the case was filed
under the old system. Other claims that
have arisen will-now be pressed. The
railroad company will probably carry the
atter into the courts.
Massillon—A committee representing
e operators and miners of subdistrict
No. 3, of district No. 6, United Mine
\‘orkers, met here May i, to draw up a
wage contract for the next two years.
The cost of supplies, such as oil, powder,
and house coal promised to be the prin-
cipal bone of contention. The commit-
tee have no power to change the basic
scale of S1 a ton and proportionately in-
creased wages for other kinds of work,
fixed by the Cleveland conference in
March. They will deal exclusively with
questions arising out of conditions that
exist in this sub-district.

Pennsylvania
BITUMINOUS

Pittsburg—Maintaining that the reduc-
tion of 10c. a ton in the freight rate on
coal from Pittsburg to the lakes, re-
cently ordered by the Inter-State Com-
merce Commission, does not grant them
the relief desired or necessary to enable
them to compete with West Virginia, the
Pittsburg coal operators, through John
W. Boileau, with the Pittsburg Coal Co.
intervening, have filed another petition
asking for a further reduction in the rate.
hey want the rate reduced to 50c. a ton,
ie figure named in the original petition;
it whether this is granted or not, they
hold that the Inter-State Commerce
Commission should further modify the
ra

a

o>

'|'aynesburg—Josiah V. Thompson and
issociates of Uniontown have closed a
deo! by which they have sold to Edward
H. Jennings of Pittsburg 2896 acres of
ci ind 220 acres of surface located in
\\-hington township, Greene County. It
is “sported that $780,000 was the amount
p The land is on Ruff Creek. It is
Ww \f the holdings of the Emerald Coal
Co ind is bounded on the north by hold-

I of the Westmoreland Coal Co.
T ‘Ss Ross of Washington township,

Gr one County, sold to Thompson, 370
ac of coal land om Ruff creek, for
“11000. The purchase of the Ross
Pr-.ty gave Thompson possession of
Me tract which amounted in all to about

3 .cres,

Di Bois—Reports from the locals of
dis t No. 2, United Mine Workers, in-
dic that the referendum vote of the
men will ratify the wage-scale agree-
ment which was reached at a confer-
enc

ere several weeks ago.
The contention between the Cascade

= any and their Sykesville miners over
me taking in and out of cars has been
ag and the mine resumed work re-
ently

after a suspension of over a

COAL AGE

month. Not all the men returned to work
at once, as it will require some time to
get the big plant in full operation and the
entire 600 miners and cokers back at
work.

The coal mines at Savan, Indiana
County, which have had a hard time of
it, financially and otherwise, are at last
to be opened up and put in active oper-
ation. Work was commenced recently
on a new tipple and also on a new open-
ing.

Brockwayville—According to reports,
the Shawmut Mining Co. is preparing to
open up a coal field in the Shawmut val-

ley that has hitherto remained unde-
veloped. The main opening will be in
the vicinity of former operations at

Shawmut which have been closed down
for several months and sufficient terri-
tory will be tapped at once to insure the
employment of a large number of men.

ANTHRACITE

Scranton — Women were the lead-
ers in a riot in the Scranton district May
7, leading a force of men in an attack
upon repairmen at the Dickson shaft of
the Delaware & Hudson Co. at Green
Ridge. Forty repairmen were routed by
500 men, women, and children. Four
of the 40 fell in their tracks, and two of
them were seriously injured. The riot-
ers gathered at the colliery as the 40 men
reported for work, which the union had
said they were privileged to do. The
mob was made up of foreigners, but
many English-speaking people joined in
the attack because they were led to be-
lieve that some wrong had been com-
mitted, and that they were justified in
taking the law into their own hands.

Wilkes-Barre—At a conference of the
general scale committee of anthracite
miners and operators, held in New York,
May 2, the representatives of the miners
refused to accept the terms of the agree-
ment which was reached by the sub-
committee of four operators and four
miners on Apr. 25. A general conven-
tion of mineworkers of the three an-
thracite districts has been called to meet
in Wilkes-Barre, May 14 and the ques-
tion of ratifying the proposed agree-
ment will be decided at that time. The
operators decline to enter into a further
discussion of the matter, insisting that
the men should endorse the work of their
committee. In the event of the miners
refusing to do this the proposition of the
owners to refer the controversy to a
strike commission still remains as a basis
of negotiations.

Mayor John V. Kosek has notified the
various coal companies with mine work-
ings under the city, to send maps of their
mines to the city clerk. The action of
the mayor followed a mass meeting of
the citizens of North Wilkes-Barre, who
have taken steps to protect their homes
from surface subsidences.

1025

Shenandoah—Serious riots took place
here and at Mt. Carmel on May 6, and
some trouble of the kind was also ex-
perienced at Mahanoy City. The rioters
were Italians. They went armed upon
the highways and clubbed and stoned
workmen, overran two collieries, and
prevented union men from reporting for
work, which the union had declared per-
missible.

At Mt. Carmel, the rioters took up
positions along the road leading to the
Richards colliery of the Susquehanna
Coal Co. Four union men were stopped
and the rioters beat them until they were
helpless. The rioters then marched to
the Sayre colliery of the Lehigh Valley
Co. and stretched ropes across the road-
way, refusing to permit workmen to leave
the colliery, and refusing admittance to
those who wanted to work.

At Shenandoah the rioters’ started
marching early. They went to a stripping
and drove away the men and then went
to the William Penn Colliery of the
Susquehanna Coal Co. and the Shenan-
doah City Colliery of the Reading. Pump-
men, engineers and firemen were driven
from their posts and the rioters refused
to allow anyone to work. The sheriff
sent to Pottsville for a squad of state
troopers and they charged the rioters
and drove them from the highway. The
police remained upon the scene and are
patrolling the highway.

West Virginia

Clarksburg—The mine of the High
Grade Coal Co. at McWhorter, near here,
was placed under a heavy armed guard
Apr. 27, following threats of striking
miners to blow up the mine with dyna-
mite. The situation in the coal fields be-
came so menacing that calls were mo-
mentarily expected to be made on Gov.
Glasscock for state militia.

Charleston—The miners and operators
who have comprised the subscale com-
mittee in conference here formulated a
wage agreement on May 1 which was
ratified immediately by the miners in
convention, while the operators now
have the proposition under discussion.
Under the new agreement the Kanawha
miners will receive one-half of the in-
crease stipulated in the Cleveland wage
scale and the semi-monthly payday will
be restored. The miners abandoned their
demand for the check-off system.

Wellsburg—About 600 acres of coal
land, the tipples, cars and equipment of
the La Bell Coal Co. have become the
property of the Lewis Finley Co. and it
is expected that the new concern will
greatly increase the coal output of this
section.

Welch—Contributions to the Jed relief
fund asknowledged by H. N. Eavenson,
Gary, W. Va., secretary of the com-
mittee, up to May 2, amounted to $12,-
030.66.

1026

Personals

E. L. Sternberger, of the E. L. Stern-
berger Coal Co., Cincinnati, recently
made a business trip to Chicago, Cleve-
land, Toledo and other Lake cities.

Carl Scholz and W. H. Skaggs, both of
Chicago, Ill., are prospecting a large area
of coal land, presumably in the Corona
Seam, in Walker and Fayette Counties,
Alabama.

William Monay, superintendent of the
Central Coal & Coke Co.’s coal mines, at
Rock Springs, Wyo., has accepted a posi-
tion as assistant general manager of the
Kemmerer Coal Co., and will enter upon
his new duties at once.

Frank H. Crockard, vice-president of
the Tennessee Coal, Iron & R.R. Co., has
returned to Birmingham from New York,
where he attended a meeting of the rail
committee appointed by Judge E. H.
Gary, of the Steel Corporation, to discuss
the betterment of steel rails.

C. P. Collins, civil and mining engineer,
of Johnstown, Penn., has been appointed
mining engineer of the Berwind-White
Coal Mining Co., with headquarters at
Windber, Penn. Mr. Collins has leased
his engineering business in Johnstown to
S. E. Dickey, preparatory to taking up
his new duties.

A. B. Jessup, mining engineer of the
Lehigh Valley Coal Co., Wilkes-Barre,
Penn., has resigned, effective May 1, to
become general manager of the J. B.
Markle coal properties, at Jeddo, Penn.
Mr. Jessup was tendered a banquet by
the employees of the Lehigh Valley com-
pany, on May 4, and will take up his resi-
dence in Jeddo in the near future.

C. P. Ludwig, general superintendent
of the Alabama Consolidated Coal & Iron
Co., and S. B. Sheldon, of New York,
representing a large number of men
financially interested in the properties of
the Southern Iron & Steel Co. and the
Alabama Consolidated Coal & Iron Co.,
were in Birmingham recently, inspecting
the properties of the two companies.

E. Kelly Rothstein, formerly vice-
president and general manager of sales
for the Davis Coal & Coal Co., has be-
come manager of the Messrs. B. Nicoll
& Co.’s coal and coke department, with
offices in the Singer Building, New York.
The latter company has been appointed
sales agent for the Davis Coal & Coke
Co. in all territory except New England.

William L. Martin, for several years
assistant superintendent of Pratt No. 1
division of the Tennessee Coal, Iron &
R.R. Co., who, on Apr. 1, this year, was
engaged by the State of Alabama as sup-
erintendent of the Banner mine, has re-
signed this position, effective at once. The
Banner mine is being operated with con-
vict labor bv the state for the Pratt Con-
solidated Coal Co.. cf Birmingham.

COAL AGE

Chronology of Coal Mining
for April

Apr. 2—Complete suspension of work
at anthracite mines of Pennsylvania and
at a large proportion of bituminous mines
in central competitive field—Wage in-
creases granted in southern Colorado
field.

Apr. 6—Coal strike in Great Britain
officially declared at an end.

Apr. 10—Bituminous miners ratified
Cleveland wage-scale agreement by a
referendum vote of 109,709'!5 to 32,-

139',.—Conference of anthracite oper-
ators and miners opened in Philadelphia.

Apr. 18—Fifty thousand miners in
Pittsburg district returned to work.

Apr. 20—Central Pennsylvania oper-
ators and miners agreed on a two-year
contract.

Apr. 21—An explosion of gas in the
Coil coal mine, Madisonville, Ky., killed
six men.

Apr. 25—-Two-year bituminous wage
contract formally signed at Indianapolis.

Subcommittee of anthracite operators
and miners reached wage-scale agree-
ment.

Apr. 30——Explosion in Hokkaido Coal
Co.’s mine, Yubari, Japan reported to
have entombed 283 men.—Miners_ in
southwestern field agreed to remain at
work pending the signing of a contract.
—Explosion in Roden Coal Co’.s mine at
Marvel, Ala., injured 8 men.

Book Review

THE USE OF MICE AND BIRDS FO!
DETECTING CARBON MONOXIDE
AFTER MINE FIRES AND EX-
PLOSIONS. By Geo. <A. Burrell.
Technical Paper No. 11, Bureau of
Mines, 1912. Paper Covers. 15 pp.,
6x9 in. No. illus.

This is a valuable monograph, but as
it contains, to all appearance, nothing
new, there would seem, therefore, no
reason why it should depart from the
announced purpose of the bureau to
make these technical papers easy for the
average miner to understand. How, for
instance, he would stumble over the
words, “physiologically indifferent,” on
page 7, is not clear. The bulletin con-
tains a complete account of the prop-
erties and sources of carbon monoxide
and the dangers to be apprehended from
it.

It discourages the prevalent idea that
a small percentageg of monoxide will
form a cap and will warn the miner of
danger. Mr. Burrell declares that less
than 2 per cent. of carbon monoxide
cannot be detected by the use of a lamp,
a percentage which would kill a man in
a few seconds. Some short remarks are
made on the chemical tests used for de-
termining the presence of the gas. The
last section treats of the action of
monoxide on birds and mice and of their
use in exploration of mines after an ex-
plosion.

Vol. 1, No. 31

Construction News

Viper, Ky.—The Kelley Coal Co. is con-
sidering the construction of a coking
plant at Viper.

Nanty-Glo, Penn.—The Estep Coal Co
has under consideration the complet:
electrification of the Nanty-Glo mine and
contemplates making an additional
opening.

Salt Lake City, Utah—The Castle Val-

ley Coal Co. has increased its capital
stock from $5,000,000 to $7,500,000, to
provide a new tipple at Mohrland and
make other improvements.

Boswell, Penn.—The Merchants Coal
Co. contemplates opening a new mine
and making necessary improvements to
tracks, yards, etc.; $25,000 will be ex-

pended on the erection of miners’ houses

ted Ash, Ky.—The Proctor Coal Co
will develop several additional mines to
a total daily output of 2000 tons. Ma-
chinery will be electrically 9 driven.
Charles F. Finley, Williamsburg, Ky., is
president.

St. Paul, Minn.—The [Pittsbure Coal
Co. has taken out a permit for the eree-
ticn of a coal elevator on East Eighth
St., to cost, with machinery, about $4000

The building will have a storage capac-

ity of 2500 tons of hard coal.
Morgantown, W. Va.—Mine No. 7, of

Elkins Coal & Coke Co., is now being

opened up, two miles southwest of Bretz,
is estimated that the min-
will be under way within
months. <A tipple, houses,
ete, are to be built.

The Kentucky
Coke has purchased a
in this city and plans the’ immediate
construction of a large coking and by-
product plant. The the
will total $900,000, it is stated. The tract
was !
Iron Co

und it actual
ing of
three

coal
Stores,
tracks,

Ashland,

Co;

Ky.- Selvay

bo-acre site

cost of plant

hase

has been secured
Ashland Coal &

which pur

from the

Birmingham, <Ala.—A. H. Woodward,
Vice-president and general manager of
the Woodward Tron Co. has’ announced
that $2,000,000 will be spent on improve-

ments to the company’s properties. — It
is estimated that $1,000,060 of this will
be applied to the mining properties, but
no definite plans for this work have been
announced.

Shamrock, Ky.—The Climax Coal vo
has organized with Edward L. Douglass.
vice-president and general manager, ani

has taken over the Edgewood Consoli-
dated operation at Shamrock. It is mak-
ing numerous improvements. Shak:
screens, a washer and other mod
equipment are to be installed. The Hiz-
nite seam will be opened.

Louisville, Ky.—The Oliver Chilled
Plow Works, of South Bend, Ind., is re-

ported to have purchased 15,000 acres of
coal and timber land in Harlan County,
Ky., for immediate development. The
land was purchased from the Wisconsin
Steel Co., a subsidiary of the Interna-
tional Harvester Co. The steel company
now has several hundred coke ovens in
operation in Harlan County.
Cincinnati, Ohio—The Reliance Coal &
Coke Co. has determined to expend about
$20,000 in modernizing the property
formerly occupied by the Cincinnati (as,
Coke, Coal & Mining Co., recently pur-
chased by Julium Fleischmann and is-
sociates, at the southwest corner of
Blair Ave. and Weatherhead St., Avor-

dale. A new system of overhead trestles,
bins and a modern stable will be [-
stalled, the work to be started in the

near future.

May 11, 1912

COAL AGE

Coal Trade Reviews

Current Prices of Coal and Coke and Market Conditions in the Important Centers

General Review

The opening of the Lake trade and the
unexpected deadlock in anthracite have
steadied the market up materially. Hard-
coal supplies are down to a low point,
and the unprecedented action of the min-
ers in rejecting the scale fixed by the
sub-committee is causing considerable
apprehension among consumers. This has
also had a stimulating effect on bitumin-
ous and tended to check a further de-
cline in this branch, which has about
held its own during the past week. The
outlook in soft-coal is not, however, so
bright, as there are still evidences of
strike surpluses, and some difficulty ‘s
experienced in placing the new arrivals
which are again about normal.

The Eastern bituminous market is set-
tling down to the usual spring dullness,
although fairly active and with a satis-
factory movement. The arrivals are most-
ly on contract and are naturally slow,
due to the heavy shipments in March and
April. Very little anthracite is coming
in, but there is as yet no evidence of
any particular distress over the shortage
in this grade. Production in the Pitts-
burg district is increasing, but is still
low, probably only about 50 per cent.
capacity. The new circular of the Pitts-
burg operators has not been severely
tested as yet, but there is already tangi-
ble evidence that it will not hold.

The Ohio mines in the Lake trade are
starting up and operators are anticipating
1 banner season in that market this year.
Production in West Virginia has eased
off some, but the tonnage dumped at the
Virginia piers during April was the high-
est on record. The union mines in the
western Kentucky fields are still closed,
and the demand is light, although a good
season is expected. In the Middle West
there is a fair buying movement, princi-
pally from the railroads and large steam
users, and the market is somewhat
stronger,

Boston, Mass.

The bituminous market is settling down
(0 the usual spring dullness. Prices
are easy on only a slightly higher basis
than last year, but buyers are not show-
ing the interest that was expected. The
few cargoes of Southern coals that ar-
rive are mostly on contract and for the
largest consumers. Inland trade is well
Supplied for the present and it will take
lower prices than now prevail to induce
any buying, ahead of actual needs.

Reading transportation is still avail-
able for bituminous out of Philadelphia
and a fair tonnage is coming from
Pennsylvania in that way. All the ship-
pers are in a position to clear boats
promptly. Transportation generally is
easy, with rates from Hampton Roads
at 70c. or less for large boats.

Shipments all-rail are rather slower
than usual for this season, due to the
heavy volume moving in March and early
April. Few contracts are reported placed,
and those only by large concerns, and at
prices little if any in excess of last
year.

The news of the disagreement in the
anthracite scale conferences, following
the meeting May 2, came as a surprise.
If negotiations are much further ex-
tended the dealers will be getting ap-
prehensive again. There is practically
no premium coal offering, and so far
as the trade goes, hard coal is at a stand-
still.

In Boston retail contract prices on
soft coal are $4.50 to Oct. 1, and $4.75
from Oct. 1 to Apr. 1, net tons de-
livered, or 25c. higher than last year.

Wholesale prices are about as follows:
Clearfields, f.o.b. mines...... $1.10@1.35

Clearfields, f.o.b. Philadelphia 2.40@2.60
Pocahontas, New River, f.o.b.

Hampton Heads... .. ce. 2.70 @ 2.80
Georges Creek, f.o.b. Balti-
FROG” co oloue vec ene eee 2.60 @ 2.70

New York

The refusal of the anthracite miners’
full committee to ratify the agreement
reached by the subcommittee, resulted in
a decided stiffening in the hard-coal mar-
ket here the early part of the week.
While the larger companies continue to
quote their regular circular, they concede
that there is little or no coal available
at these figures, and that there are pros-
pects of an acute shertage should the
lockout continue. Coincident with the
announcement of a break in the wage-
scale conferences, the dealers withdrew
the low prices put in effect May 1 on the
supposition that this matter had been set-
tled, and domestic is now back to the full
March circular.

The bituminous trade, in sympathy with
the anthracite, developed some strength
during the past week, in that no further
decline was in evidence, as has been the
case during the past month. Spot quo-
tations are slightly higher than last week,
the lower grades being quoted around
$2.65, f.o.b., with the better grade Penn-
sylvanias about $3.05. Some demurrage

coal was disposed of at $2.50, .but this
cannot be considered the market. Tie
trade reports plenty of fuel available, and
the large operating companies say the
mines are working well up to capacity
and normal tonnages for this period are
coming in.

The anthracite companies do not ex-
pect operations to be resumed at the
mines before June 1. While buyers in
the open market find it necessary to pay
substantial premiums, the companies con-
tinue their regular circular as follows:

n=)

Mm DODO WO ONO

Broken
Eee and stove.
Chestnut Sarat
| oC) i Sey ee arene alo Pans eee
Buckwheat
th:

Pittsburg

Bituminous—There has been a slight
increase in activity at the mines in the
Pittsburg district, but production is still
far below normal and hardly amounts to
more than one-half capacity. The stocks
accumulated by consumers are still in
evidence, so that buying is light. Ship-
ments in the lake trade were started May
1 but have not yet reached important
proportions, little coal being loaded since
navigation is only getting started. Only
a few vessels started last week on the
down trip from the head of the lakes,
ice having interfered to a much later
date than usual. The new season prices
have not been seriously tested as yet,
but there is already tangible evidence
that they will not hold universally. -We
repeat them, however, as there is no
other basis for quotation: Mine-run and
nut, $1.22'4; 34-in., $1.321%4; 1%-in.,
$1.4714; slack, 82'4c. per ton at mine,
Pittsburg district.

Connellsville Coke—Production is back
to normal, about 400,000 tons weekly,
and the prompt furnace market has
grown still easier. There is little coke
offered, but demand is almost equally
limited. There have been negotiations
on second-half contracts for furnace
coke, but none appear to have reached
a head yet. There is no reason to be-
lieve the recent report that a contract for
the second half has been made at $2.35.
Foundry coke continues in fair demand.
We quote: Prompt furnace, $2.40@ 2.50;
contract (nominal), $2.25; prompt foun-
dry, $2.75; contract foundry, $2.40@
2.50, per ton at ovens.

The Courier reports production in the
Connellsville and lower Connellsville re-
gion in the week ending Apr. 27 at 401,-

1028

494 tons, an increase of 5000 tons, and
shipments at 4313 cars to Pittsburg,
6281 cars to points West and 1288 cars
to points East, a total of 11,882 cars, or
an increase of 228.

Philadelphia, Penn.

The unexpected developments of last
week entirely changed the situation in the
anthracite trade. It was confidently ex-
pected that it was a mere matter of form
for the general committees to confirm the
findings of the subcommittees of the op-
erators and miners, but opposition devel-
oped which will more than likely post-
pone operations at the mines for at least
a couple of weeks. The first of June is
now the prediction for a resumption of
work at the mines, and this entirely de-
pendent on the attitude of the convention
ta be held on May 14, at Wilkes-Barre.

The idleness of the mines is not, how-
ever, causing any particular stress up to
the present time. There seems to be a
fairly plentiful supply of coal for domes-
tic purposes, and the storage supplies
acquired by the manufacturing interests
and other steam users early in the spring,
seem to be holding weil. Of course, some
sizes are very short, notably pea coal,
and this seems to be the rule rather than
the exception, although there are a few
dealers who are fairly well stocked on
this size, and claim that they have suffi-
cient to carry them for a month or so.

Spasmodic arrivals of anthracite are re-
ported, some domestic sizes and a little
buckwheat coming in, but most of the
dealers are doing very little beyond look-
ing forward to the announcement of
prices and the resumption of work at the
mines. Nothing definite has been an-
nounced as yet regarding prices or what
the policy will be, and the operators are
noncommital when asked as to what
changes, if any, are likely to be made.
The invariable reply is that prices will
not be discussed until there is a definite
understanding with the miners, and until
this takes place, it is useless to specu-
Jate.

Baltimore, Md.

A strike among the laborers employed
at the coal piers of the various railroads
in Baltimore, arose during the past week,
which seriously interfered with business
in the local market. For two days matters
were simply at a stand-still at both the
Curtis Bay pier of the B. & O. R.R., and
the Port Covington piers of the W. M.
ky., and as the differences between em
ployers and employees have not yet been
settled, there is no telling just how long
present conditions will continue. The
laborers employed to unload at the piers
have been receiving 20c. per hour, while
the coal trimmers, who handle the fuel
after it is loaded on the steamers, have
been paid 25c. per hour. The men have
Struck for an increase of 5c. an hour,

COAL AGE

and recognition of their union. The rail-
roads will probably act together in any
settlement which might be made.

Buffalo, N. Y.

The bituminous market sagged slowly
all the week, till there came news that
the anthracite miners might not go to
work right away, when there was a vis-
ible stiffening. After two or three days
it again locked as though there would not
be a strike, which left the market weak
again. There is plainly more bituminous
coal mined than is needed, even though
a good inany mines returned to work only
partially, or to meet business in sight. A
week ago the reports made by the bear
members of the trade that they could get
Allegheny Valley mine-run for 95c. at the
mines was stoutly denied by operators,
but there appears to be much truth in
the statements now, though some mines
are refusing such offers and would close
rather than accept them.

All that can be dene in the line of quo-
tations is to repeat former figures, which
some are getting and some not, as fol-
lews: Pittsburg three-quarter, $2.87'2;
mine-run, $2.47!4; slack, S2.25, with Al-
legheny Valley about 25c. lower. Coke
went too high and is now suffering a re-
action, being down to $4.50 for best Con-
nellsville foundry.

There seems to be plenty of anthracite
in Buffalo and none of the consumers
have so far complained, but there is none
for Lake shipment, though the demand in
that branch of the trade is urgent. It now
looks as if it would be impossible to meet
that demand this season, even if mining
should begin very soon. The anthracite
operators always take care of the Eastern
trade first and regard the Western trade
as a sort of an overflow.

Columbus, Ohio

Within the past week, mines have
started up in both the Hocking and east-
ern Ohio fields; this activity is confined
largely to the lake-shipping companies.
Though the ice in the upper channels
makes it uncertain as to when the first
fleets will be able to move, cargoes are
being taken on by boats in their winter
quarters at the Ohio ports. Coal will
also be loaded on cars and held at the
mines ready for movement to the docks
as soon as navigation is fairly under way.

Aside from the Lake trade, the market
is lifeless and mines might remain idle
for several weeks to come without incon-
venience. Stocking of fancy domestic
coals, which usually sets in early in May,
is slow, as dealers seem inclined to take a
breathing spell after an exceptionally
busy winter and spring. The prospects,
however, are for an excellent business
along this line. Owing to the increased

cost of mining, producers will attempt to
hold summer domestic prices well up to
the formal circular of $1.50, although

Vol. 1, No. 31

this figure will probably be subject to
some shading at the outset.

Fine coal is on the down grade with re-
spect to price, because of the large ton-
nage that will soon accumulate as a by-
product of lump in the Lake trade. The
average selling price has dropped to 75c.
and there is only a fair demand, Railroad
fuel and mine-run for general industrial
purposes is suffering from a period cf
readjustment, many big consumers still
having storage on hand. This is having
a bad effect on the closing up of con-
tracts. Many large steam users seem in-
clined to take a chance on the open mar-
ket for the coming year’s requirements.

Hampton Roads, Va.

While there appears to be a lull in
the market, coal has been moving quite
freely through Hampton’ Roads this
week, and prices are still good, though
probably from 10 to 25c. less than last
week.

Shipments here during the month of
April set up an enviable record, reaching
the high mark of 1,213,164 tons, and ex-
ceeding any previous for a month’s load-
ing at this port. These figures exceed
by 94,014 tons the shipments during the
month of March, which hitherto had
been the record month, and is at the
rate of 14,557,968 tons a year.

Both the Norfolk & Western at Lam-
berts Point and the Chesapeake & Ohio
at Newport News, broke all their pre-
vious records. The Virginian Railway at
Sewalls Point fell considerably below its
usual dumping and was the only rai!
road that did not have a big month, which
was due to washouts and other troubles.

Lamberts Point easily led the others,
having a total dumping of 571,187 tons
during the month, or an average of
21,968!» tons a day for the 26 working
days. Newport News was second with a
total dumping of 475,801 tons, while
Sewalls Point was last with 166,176 tons.

From present indications the
railroads at Hampton Roads are enter
ing upon the greatest prosperity in their
existence. While a great part of the in
crease in shipments from Hampton Roads
was caused by the strike in England
considerable of the business will be held
The English strike was the opening weds:
for Pocahontas and New River
shipped from Norfolk and Newport Ne
into ports heretofore supplied by We!-
coal exclusively and it has proved =<"
satisfactory that new and steady !)
kets have been opened.

Charleston, W. Va.

Practically all the mines in the \%-
nawha district are again in operat,
after about two-thirds of them had Sven
idle for a month, owing to the failure of
the operators and miners to get toge!h<?
on the wage question. The settlement of
the difficulty late last week was due (0

coal

May 11, 1912

the miners waiving the check-off and the
operators granting an increase of one-
half of the Cleveland scale. This means
an increase ranging from 3c. to Sc. per
ton. an increase in all other labor, and
the two weeks’ pay. Many of the opera-
tors had been willing for some time to
give a small increase, providing the
check-off was waived, but all efforts
earlier in the contest failed because the
miners were willing to concede everything
as a compromise, providing the operators
would agree to the check-off. The latter
concession, however, the operators of the
district absolutely refused to grant under
any condition,

It is expected that before long, many
of the cars that have been used in this
section will be returned to the roads
which loaned them, and that West Vir-
ginia will then again suffer through a
lack of cars.

Birmingham, Ala.

The Birmingham coal market main-
tains a satisfactory firmness with bright
prospects for the year. The most vital
factor affecting the market during the
week has been the advance in the wages
granted a large percentage of the Ala-
bama miners. The advance was 2!c.
per ton, effective May 1, for all opera.
tions on what is known as the Pratt
seam. Practically all mines were com-
pelled to follow some of the leaders who
agreed to make the advance.

Contracts for domestic coal which
have been pretty well concluded for the
year, were negotiated at a slightly better
price than last year. In the Alabama
market, domestic coal contracts are
largely covered during April and steam
contracts date from July 1.

The commercial coke plants are run-
ning full capacity in Alabama with a
ready market at firm prices, The Ala-
bama coke producers have not followed
Pittsburg and Virginia in coke advances,
for the reason that Alabama’s general
prices are higher than in Pennsylvania
and Virginia and local labor conditions
have not operated against production 4s
1 the more northern market. Standard
‘2-hour foundry coke is very firm at
*2.2502.50 per net ton at Alabama
vens, with retort grades quotable at
from $2.75@2.85 per ton at ovens.

Nashville, Tenn.

The union operators in the west Ken-
tucky field on the L. & N. R.R. and I. C.
have not as yet effected a settle-
nent and their mines are still idle. There
nave beenmanyconferences held between
the operators and miners in Louisville
ior the past six weeks. A meeting was

NCR:

neld last week in which the operators
delivered their final ultimatum and this
‘s t0 be acted upon this week by a refer-
endum vote of the miners in this dis-
EFIE€.

It seems as though the principal

COAL AGE

contention has been to get a correct in-
terpretation as to the meaning of the
Cleveland agreement.

The nonunion mines in this field, lo-
cated both on the I. & N. and I. C., have
been supplying all the coal from this
district. As the demand is light they
have been able to do this very easily,
and at the same time it has given them
an unusually good tonnage for this sea-
son of the year. There is very little re-
quest for any coal except the finer
grades, which are in great demand at
high prices.

It looks as though better prices will
prevail on contract coal for the coming
year and a rather good season is looked
forward to by the mining interests in this
field.

Chicago

While coal dealers are not inclined to
make predictions, it is regarded as cer-
tain that the present buying movement
will absorb a very substantial amount of
coal during May. It is expected this will
increase in vigor during the latter part
of the present month. At present the
buying comes principally from the rail-
roads, although there has been a certain
amount of Lusiness coming from the
users of steam coal who recently found
themselves at the end of their resources.
This enables the commercial mines to
continue doing some business, but it is
not expected these minés will have a big
market until toward the end of May.

The coke market is active and spot
business in furnace and foundry coke
is fairly good at firm prices. The supply
of Indiana and Illinois coal is not suf-
ficient now to warrant any fixed market
quotation.

Prevailing prices at Chicago are:
Sullivan County:

Domestic: WMD... 6.4.5. s.<5:00:20 01 $2.62@2.87
3 GA DARE UR a Rare Rare eee cccar ie 2.50@2.75
Steam lump..............-.-- Zu
SGIGGIS 650k -s ec cob aceos 1.67@1.82
Springfield:
DOMeSte MUM Disc ke cc ce viesicwes $2.57@2.82
SUCGHWEIUEIEN.. ... cccicesccee cee. ye 2
MEIIG-FUN cc cece ceeecceevees 1.97@2.07
SGRCGMINNG. «voc. ccavecceeecess 1.67@1.82
Clinton:
Domestic lump. .......+-++++--- $2.52@2.77
Slane AUR. «5 sk ccecseneceus 2 moke
NEMO MUIBI ns octane ce ceea snes 1.97@2.07
GROOMS eo wo cereale weterercrerene’s 1.67@1.77
Pocahontas and New River:
VES 11) Oa Reercc circa react oe ones Le
Lump and egg : Sa $3.30@3.55
Coke—Prices asked for coke are:

Connellsville and Wise County, 54.75;
byproduct, egg and stove, 54.55; bypro-
duct, nut, $4.55; gashouse, 54.75.

Indianapolis

There is nothing particularly encour-
aging about the coal-mining industry in
this state. Both operators and miners
are greatly disappointed because the
mines have not resumed work. The op-
erators say that orders are piling up and
the scarcity of coal in localities is be-

1029

coming acute. Public institutions and
manufacturing plants are borrowing coal
of railroads fortunate enough to have
some in storage.

When the joint conference of oper-
ators and miners meets again, it will be
to hear a report from a policy committee
composed of Kelsheimer and Stewart for
the miners, and Hewitt and Gould for
the operators. The operators, notwith-
standing their desire to open the mines.
seem determined to refuse to enter int)
negotiations until the men return to work,
and the men are as determined to obtain
some of their demands first. It is said
that President Walker, of the Illinois
United Mine Workers, has promised
money to aid the Indiana miners during
the prolonged deadlock.

Minneapolis—St. Paul

Coal trade in the Twin Cities and the
Northwest is still very inactive, and the
majority of coal men look for another
month of quietness before business will
be normal again. Prices have been re-
ceived on Pocahontas Smokeless, Splint,
Hocking and Youghiogheny Coals, and
contracts are being let at 10c. per ton
less than circular prices prevailing last
year on all these coals. Contracting this
year has not been quite as heavy as last,
owing to the fact that the shipper has not
known where he was at in the way of
prices, but of late many contracts have
been signed and it is rumored several
of the larger ones have been made at a
low price.

Franklin County and Harrisburg coal
is being quoted at S2 and $2.10 on lump,
egg and nut sizes at mines, screening
from $4.10 to $1.30, and Carterville and
Springield district coals are quoted at
from S#:75 to S2 for lump and egg, f.o.b.

“

mines. The retail business is very quiet
and will probably continue so.

St. Louis, Mo.

Mining has been partially resumed in
Illinois, although on a very small scale.
Mines in practically all the districts in
southern Illinois are working, but in some
sections there are but two or three that
have started up.

There is absolutely no demand, and that
produced is sometimes held at the mine
for a couple of days until a market is
found. It is evident from the prices
quoted that several operators are not fig-
uring the new insurance feature. The
casualty companies are asking approxi-
mately S12 on each S100 of the payroll,
as they claim it is impossible to do busi-
ness under the recent Illinois law at a fig-
ure less than that.

There would be a good demand in St.
Louis for anthracite, were it possible to
get any, and smokeless is not as lively
as it might be. The same applies to coke,
both byproduct and gas house. There
is nothing to indicate that the market will

1030

pick up on any of the fuels in St. Louis
in the immediate future, and it opened
the earlier part of the present week, as
follows:

Carterville
6-in. lump and 3x6 egg inthe anew
v4. « 1 | rae 1.35
Screenings. . 1.00
PEAS TUG 5 oo ods. c oes < 1,10
Standard
2-in. lump... Kateri cho Sees
3 in. sc ‘eenings. ; ‘ 0.90
Mine-run. 1 00
A ; 0.95

Portland, Ore.

While oil is being substituted for coal
in a good many instances, it is also true
that coal is taking the place of wood,
particularly in sections where the forests
have been thinned out. It is pointed
out that could coal be obtained at a little
less cost it would soon make a heavy in-
road on the demand for wood fuel.

The coal trade in Portland is not very
active at this time of year because spring
is well advanced, but dealers report busi-
ness this year about equal to the average
for May. There has been no change in
quotations here and it will probably be
another month before storage prices are
put into effect.

Receipts of coal are light in that the
stocks are pretty full and it is not ex-
pected there will be any heavy shipments
again until next fall.

San Francisco

For the past two or three weeks the
local trade has been very quiet and the
movement far from brisk. On the other
hand, deliveries of domestic have been
exceedingly meager, and as a _ conse-
quence the stock on hand has not de-
creased.

The arrivals up to nearly the close of
last month consisted of 4971 tons of
Australian and 4593 tons of Wellington.
The U. S. Government has received three
cargoes of Pocahontas for the Navy, ag-
gregating 16,683 tons, and the Pacific
Coast Co., 4524 tons of steam coal from
its Washington collieries, for use on the
coast steamers.

The receipts of Rocky Mountain coal
have been fairly good, considering pre-
vailing conditions.

Prices to the trade are as follows per
ton:

Wellington (British Columbia)... $8.00

&

Pelau Main (Australian)......... 8.00
ele eae LOTT Ue) El ae eer irr 8.50
Anthracite (Lehigh) 5.00
Cumberland ..... 2.50

Production and Transportation
Statistics

THE CAR SITUATION

Increases in number of idle coal
cars were most noticeable through the
Middle Atlantic States and Middle West.
In the Middle Atlantic territory the car
surplus jumped from 22,500 to almost
50,000. and in the Middle West the in-
crease during the fortnight exceeded 100

per cent. Both of these sections have on

COAL AGE

large number of
present surplus

hand a comparatively
idle cars, although the
of cars in the Middle West is not as
large as the surplus at this time last
year. In the Northwest there was about
a normal number of freight cars idle.
While the increase in the box-car sur-
plus was not as marked as the gain in
coal cars, it was by no means confined
to any particular section of the country.
There was a better demand for box cars
in Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, and on
Canadian lines, but not sufficiently large
to reduce the total surplus in those ter-
ritories ’

The following table shows the surplus
and shortages of cars on 169 roads on
Apr. 25 last:

Net
Surplus Short Surplus
RN 5 aiigt cierecoreiane 19,583 6,152 13,431
LUN SR eras 6,857 1,673 5,244
Coal, gond. and

hopper ..... 94,692 2,144 92,548
Other kinds... 30,054 2,396 27,658

DOUBL 4544555 151,186 12,305 138,881

VARIOUS RAILROADS, RIVERS AND CANALS

The following is a comparative state-
ment of the fuel movement over various
railroads, rivers and canals for February,
1911-12’:

Railroads 1911 1912
Baltimore & Ohio?....... 2,187,226 3,397,088
Buffalo, Rochester &

Pittsburg? i 612,341 790,801
Buffalo & Susquehanna®. . 157,031 167,375

Chesapeake & Ohio? * 1,530,710 1,337,216

Erie 37,734 721,481
Huntingdon «& Broadtop

Mountain? 4 83,127 136,811
New York Central & Hud-

eon River®........ 632,564 706,573
Norfolk & Western? *. 1,402,765 I 922°: 225
Pennsylvania (east of

Pittsburg & Erie)? >.... 4,646,198 6,217,396
Pittsburg & Lake Erie? © 1,023,056 1,476,748
Pittsburg, Shawmut «&

Northern? jie ae 114,239 202,137
Southern* 358,917 451,081
Virginian? °.. 162,343 294,041

Western Maryland... 192/284 255,063
Rivers and Canals

Canals and Falls at Louis-

ville 239,173 18,050
Chesapeake & Delaware

Canal 8,193 2-9
Davis Island Dam. 448,160 101,245
Green River, Lock No. :. 2,202 1,356
Kanawha River... 93,580 78,320
Kentucky _ River, Lock

iS: eee . 6,100 4,600
Monongahela River 1,005,461 450,352

‘Figures throughout this table have been

reduced to a uniform basis of short tons
2Includes coal received from connecting lines.
Includes company’s coal.
‘January figures.

®Does not include company’s coal hauled free.

Foreign Markets
RUSSIA

production of the
Donetz district for 1911 was 16,607,600
tons, as compared with 14,013,390 tons
for 1910 and 14,952,745 tons for 1909.
Production of anthracite in 1911 was 2,-
903,870 tons, aS compared with 2,398,-
000 tons in 1910 and @;546,300 tons in
1909. The production of coke was 2,-
705,000 tons in 1910, as compared with
3,292,000 tons in 1911.

Bituminous-coal

FRANCE

The imports of coal into France during
the first two months of this year totaled
2,751,400 tons, as compared with 2,906,-
000 tons in the corresponding period of
1911. The imports of coke for the same
period of 1912 were 388,900 tons, as

Vol. 1, No. 31

compared with 446,200 tons in 1911,
while the imports of briquettes were 204,-
300 tons, as against 207,000 in 1911.
The exports of coal during the first two
months of 1911 were 192,736 tons, as
compared with 356,209 tons for the same
period of the current year. Coke ex-
ports during this same period of the
current year were 27,831 tons, as
against 30,488 tons in 1911.

AUSTRIA-HUNGARY

During 1911, 10,872,928 tons of coal
were imported into Austria-Hungary, as
compared with 9,864,462 tons in 1910
and 10,482,264 tons in 1909. The im-
ports of coke in 1911 totalled 702,707
tons, aS compared with 670,089 tons in
1910, and 701.281 tons in 1909.

Exports of coal during 1911 were 609,-
737 tons, as compared with 615,082 tons
in 1910, and 633,253 tons in 1909. Coke
exports for 1911 were 299,915 tons, as
compared with 230,735 tons in 1910, and
198,313 tons in 1909.

Financial Notes

The Lehigh Coal & Navigation Co. has
listed $3,000,000 collateral trust 4%%
gold power bonds, due Dec. 1, 1921, and
$1,750,000 collateral trust 4%% gold
bonds due Nov. 1, 1930, on the Philadel-
phia Stock Exchange.

Although comparatively speaking the
Nova Scotia Steel & Coal Co.’s earnings
are small, 8% has already been paid on
the preferred stock, the issue amounting
to $1,030,000. In 1909 a common stock
dividend of $1,000,000 was. distributed,
which increased the total outstanding to
$6,000,000.

It is estimated that the Pittsburg Coal
Co. will benefit to the extent of $1,160,000
a year by the ruling of the Interstate
Commerce Commission in reducing the
freight rate to lake ports 10e. per ton,
but this will be offset to some extent by
the increase of 5c. a ton in wages to min-
ers. The net advantage to the company,
however, will be about $600,000 a year.

The Delaware & Hudson coal opera-
tions during 1911 included the mining of
7,280,939 tons of coal, an increase of
633,280 tons. Gross revenue from the
coal mining department was $13,355,014,
an increase of $1,548,126 over 1910: gross
expenses amounted to $13,238,304, an in-
crease of $1,790,077, leaving a net rev-
enue for this department of $116,710.
decrease of $241,951 for the year. Con-
struction and betterments included
the coal department expenses amounted
to $823,654, as against $766,673 in 1910

In the year to June 30 last, the Phila
delphia & Reading Coal & Iron Co.’s in-
come account wound up with a loss of
$103,316. For 1910 the loss was $71,5'0
and fer 1907, $71,482, an aggregate d°-
ficit for the three fiscal periods of $24%.-
298. In 1909 and 1908 profits of $66,973
and $207,523, respectively, were shown,
or $274,496 in total. Thus the net pro-
fits for the five years were $28,198. This
only partially measures the unprofitabie-
ness of Reading’s coal business, as the
foregoing balances make no allowance
for full interest on capital invested in
coal lands.