COAL - Clpdigital.org

of mines that has the least application to the
dangers of electric wires, mining machines or
hauling motors; in fact, the word 'electricity' or
'mining machine' is not to be found in the mininglaws,
which, no doubt, is attributable to the fact
that at the time the present mining laws were
enacted electricity in the mines was practically
an unknown experiment. Now the greater percentage
of our coal is produced from its use, and
the amount of machinery introduced in the mines
is rapidly on the increase yearly.
"Many lives have been lost by coming in contact
with live electric wires and by men being
wound into chains, cogs and machinery of coal
cutting machines and many limbs are sacrificed in
that way. We even have record of a case during
the year where a man was drawn into the machinery
of a chain mining machine, and could not
be extricated until a physician went into the mine
and amputated the limb. It is not necessary to
state that the man lost his life from the effects
of this terrible experience. The dangerous parts
of mining machines should not be exposed, but
should be shielded by some device; some of them
are shielded, but in nine cases out of ten those
who work with them are permitted to remove the
shields and uirow them away, because they are
a little troublesome to handle. The law ought
to require proper shielding of the dangerous parts
of mining machines, and it ought also to require
a safe and proper system of stringing electric
wires in any part of a mine where men are liable
to come in contact with them. Indisputable evidence
recorded in this office shows that a very
large per cent, of all accidents is due to the wanton
carelessness on the part of the victims themselves
and a want of proper diligence and performance
of duty of those in charge of the mines
which can be remedied by the enforcement of
proper rules.
"While Ohio has so far enjoyed immunity from
serious mining calamities such as have been the
misfortune of other states, caused by the reckless
use of blasting powder and resulting in coal
dust and smoke explosions with serious loss of
life, this department is in constant fear of such
a disaster in some part of the state where coal
is blasted off the solid, and where the most careless
and excessive use of blasting powder is indulged
in, and while every effort possible has
been put forth by us to prevent such calamities,
but little success has been attained, as there is
no specific law to apply.
"There is no other subject so worthy the attention
of the legislature in their duty of framing
and placing on the statute books proper legislation
for the protection of life and property as
that which the mining industry of to-day requires
THE COAL TRADE BULLETIN. 33
if we would place ourselves in the spirit of development
and progress which the intelligence
and humanity of this twentieth century demands.
"To avoid conflict and unnecessarily take up
the time of the general assembly, we would suggest
the appointment of a commission on which
tne parties directly interested will constitute a
part and have full and equal representation for
the purpose of drawing up and presenting to the
next general assembly su< h measures as are
deemed necessary to meet the changed conditions
of mining, and more adequately safeguard life
and property.
"We are pleased to testify to the willingness on
the part of both operatois and miners generally
FRANK L. POWELL,
One of the Leading Bankers of Indianapolis,
Treasurer of the Vandalia Coal Co.
to do their part in this direction, and in the revision
of the mining laws, in the interest of both,
care should be taken to avoid inflicting undue
burdens on either, or to place the industry in
Ohio at a disadvantage with that of other states."
Sunday Special $1.50 Excursion
Allows 9% Hours in Wheeling.
Pennsylvania Lines A'cm Train.
Leaves Union Station 7 a. m. Central time, Sundays.
No stops between Pittsburgh and Wheeling.
$1.50 to Wheeling and return also sold Sunday
morning for 8.20 a. m. train.