August 11, 1916.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

some doubt as to th© purity of the bismuth and anti-
mony, however; the copper was electrolytic. The speci-
mens were fused under layeins of salts, cast and annealed.
The specimen plate was laid on a plate of steel within
the electrically-heated bath, which consisted of a
cylinder oil for temperatures up to 300 degs. Cent., and
of nitrates for temperatures up to 600 degs. Cent.; the
range investigated was 20 to 600 degs. Cent. A fairly
steady decrease of the hardness with rising temperature
was observed in all the cases. The curves were nearly
straight or only slightly hollow (when the hardness
diminished, first rapidly and then slowly) in the case of
tin and bismuth; cadmium, lead, zinc, antimony yielded
more hollow curves; aluminium and copper yielded
graphs curved in the opposite sense and somewhat
S-shaped, i.e., the decrease in hardness with rising
temperature was first slow, and became more rapid after-
wards, to diminish again. There was some questionable
indication of the influence of the different modifications
of a metal in the case of tin, c.g., but those influences
appeared weak, whilst tensile tests of iron and nickel
show a decided influence of the allotropic modifications.
All the metals heated up to their melting points
possessed still considerable hardness immediately before
melting, when the internal friction of the solid would
thus appear suddenly to, pass into the viscosity of the
molten metal. Thus, near its melting point, tin (and
also bismuth) still marked 10 per cent, of its internal
friction at 20 degs. Cent.; lead went down to 7 per cent.,
cadmium to 2 per cent., zinc to 1-|- per cent, of the
original R. "When the curves for the different metals are
plotted in one diagram, some of the hardness curves are
seen to cross; this holds for equal temperatures as well
as for homologous temperatures; in the latter case the
melting-point temperature is taken as unit. This shows
that the change of hardness with temperature is not
uniform for different metals. The rate of applying the
pressure has also to be considered; the above-given
figures for the reduction of the hardness refer to slow
loading.—Engineering.

TRAINING FOR MINE RESCUE WORK*

By Henry James.

The Alberta Government’s mine rescue car No. 1
for service in the Crow’s Nest Pass is at the call of ten
mines. The number of men employed at these mines is
approximately 2,500. The car visits each mine periodi-
cally, to give the men an opportunity of being trained
and to enable those who have been trained to maintain
their efficiency. A full equipment of life-saving
apparatus and supplies is kept at this station. This
includes : 10 complete sets of the Proto (two-hour type),
one inhalation apparatus, one compression pump, two
Valeda stretchers, 14 large storage cylinders, a number
of electric lamps, one electrical unit for lighting up the
car and charging the electrical lamps; and, in addition,
duplicate parts of apparatus, as well as complete supplies
and equipment for rendering first aid. Since this station
was established about 220 men have been instructed in
mine rescue work, and a large proportion have main-
tained their practical efficiency. Incidentally it may be
remarked that a large percentage of the men are inclined
to be nervous at the commencement of their training.
The reason of this is that they do not have the necessary
confidence in the effectiveness of the apparatus, but in
nearly all cases this difficulty is overcome long before the
completion of the training course. It has also been noted
that some men who have been trained, but have allowed
a year or so to pass without practising with the
apparatus, abhor the thought of again going through
a long spell of work with it. This, too, is due to lack of
confidence, and signifies the need for more practice. It
is important that a man wearing the apparatus for the
first time should remember that the lungs are never
exhausted of air, for after the greatest possible expiratory
effort the lungs of the average adult will still contain
1,000 c.c., or about 60 cu. in. of air. This is called the
“ residual air.” Between the amount of air in the lungs
at the end of an ordinary inspiration, and the amount
at the end of the greatest possible inspiration, there is a
difference of about 1,700 c.c. or about 106 cu. in. This
knowledge should give the beginner confidence. Of
course, no man whose pulse beat is abnormally high
should be accepted for training, as in actual work he
would not be reliable. The following is a record of work
accomplished by trained men who had complete confi-
dence in the apparatus :—

Mine A (1) A team was set to practise in dense
sulphur fumes in the smoke chamber. Attached to the
ceiling was a pulley carrying a half-inch rope with a
weight of 561b. attached to it. Each man took his turn
at the rope, drawing the weight to a height of 7 ft. 30
times without stopping. On leaving the sulphur
chamber the superintendent examined the pressure
gauges and noted that No. 2 of the team had only used
ten atmospheres during the two hours’ confinement and
exercise. He was asked how he felt, and his reply was
“ fit,” but the soda in his breathing bag was almost a
liquid. The other men had used an average of 35
atmospheres.

(2)	The same team was placed in the smoke chamber
under similar conditions for two hours. Upon leaving,
the pressure gauges were examined, and it was noted
that No. 2 had used eleven atmospheres. Again his
physical condition was enquired into, and as before
reported satisfactory, but the soda in his breathing bag
was again almost a liquid. This man took an interest in
learning how to economise his resources.

(3)	This team visited the mine for practice, and
undertook strenuous work, such as carrying one another,
pushing cars, etc. The amount of oxygen used averaged
50 atmospheres.

Mine B.—A team was placed in sulphur fumes in the

* Canadian Mining Institute Bulletin.

smoke chamber. Nos. 2. and 3 of this team with a
monkey wrench tampered with the gland of the main
valve, with the result that the valve on the apparatus
worn by No. 3 was shut and his supply of oxygen cut
off. Fortunately, it was discovered before any serious
trouble occurred". This incident manifested in a striking
manner the danger of abusing the apparatus.

Mine C.—A team entered the mine for practice. It
had not gone far into the mine before the captain
appeared to be in distress. The inhalation valve of his
apparatus was removed, and it was found that he had not
swallowed his saliva, but thoughtlessly permitted it to
run down both tubes, thus making it difficult for him to
breathe. This is an instance to show how important it
is that the men should constantly keep up their practice
in order to be proficient. Every trained rescue worker
■should wear the apparatus >at least three hours in every
three months. Accidental or mistaken manipulation
of the valves is dangerous, and liable to cause trouble.
On one occasion the team entered Mine D for practice.
The fifth man thought by opening the main valve to
its extreme limit that he could obtain a greater volume
of oxygen. This wTas observed by the superintendent,
who halted the team while he examined this man’s
valve, and found that the man, in his endeavour to get
more oxygen, had shut off the supply completely. This
incident suggests that the captains of teams should be
especially proficient and cool-headed, so that they may be
able to detect and remedy immediately errors com-
mitted by the men under them. Here it may be pointed
out that a definite amount of oxygen to suit each indi-
vidual cannot be fixed. The amount necessary for one
man may be over much for another. Hence, each man
should know how to control the supply of oxygen in
order to meet his own requirements.

It is essential that the apparatus should fit the wearer
comfortably, as otherwise his mind will dwell on the
discomfort and cause irritation, thus decreasing his
efficiency. When about to engage in actual rescue work
a man should be perfectly fresh and in good physical
condition; he should not work on a full stomach.

In training the men they are cautioned that on no
account must they over-exert themselves, and they are
warned that if they do so they will very probably
collapse. If this happened in an irrespirable atmosphere
the result would be fatal. The amount of oxygen
supplied to each man is 14 litres per minute, which has
proved to be quite sufficient.

The absolute necessity of attending to the most
minute details should be steadfastly recognised by all
mine rescue workers. Nothing should be left to chance.
It is important that mine rescue workers should be
examined periodically to determine their physical fitness.

OBITUARY.

Capt. James Stanley Foot, formerly an assistant manager
at the Bradford Colliery Manchester, and more recently
his Majesty’s inspector of mines for South Wales, is reported
killed in action.

The Right Hon. Thos. Burt, M.P., has suffered a bereave-
ment by the death of his eldest daughter, Miss Rebecca Burt.

Mr. Lionel Clapham, who died at Whitley, Northumber-
land,, at the age of 53 years, was formerly well known as a
coal exporter on Newcastle Quayside. Latterly he had
devoted his attention to a large seed business, which he and
other members of his family had acquired. He was secre-
tary for Dr. Fridtjof Nansen during the latter’s lecturing
tour in England and in the United States about 20 years
ago.

The death has occurred, in his 78th year, of Mr. Charles
Redshaw, who was a coal merchant in Leeds.

The death took place in London last week of Mr. Edwin
Carlisle, aged about 60, general manager of Messrs.
Cammell, Laird, and Company’s iron and steel works at
Workington, before they were taken over by the Workington
Iron and Steel Company. Mr. Carlisle acted as cupola fore-
man when Cammell and Company transferred their works
from Dronfield to West Cumberland, and he filled the posi-
tion until he left to take up the post of mill manager at
Ebbw Vale. He afterwards became mill manager at
Dowlais.

Miners and the Government.—Mr. R. Smillie, president
of the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain and of the
National Union of Scottish Mine Workers, in his address at
the annual conference of the latter body in Edinburgh on
Thursday, condemned the Government’s refusal to increase
old-age pensions, and said the statements of the Prime
Minister and'the Chancellor of the Exchequer that no case
had been made out for increased pensions were as utterlv
unworthy as they were untrue. Recent revelation as to the
conditions under which soldiers’ working parties were being
employed in industrial life showed that they were not with-
out cause for apprehension regarding the militarising of our
works. A pledge had been given to the miners again and
again that when these men returned to civil employment they
should not continue under military discipline, but some were
not being so returned at the present time. Whether that
was due to a decision of the War Office or to the arbitrary
action of the local military officials he did not know. The
miners could not, and would not, have that sort of thing.
If it was a War Office instruction, they were going to be
up against the War Office; if it was the action of a local
official, then it must be ended. Their men must return as
free as they were before they enlisted: otherwise they were
in for the worst form of industrial conscription. But he
believed the War Office would carry out their agreement
with them. Mr. Smillie also condemned the Government
for inaction in regard to the rise in food prices, and for their
authority to the coal owners of South Wales to raise the
price of coal to consumers. He denied that coal went up
because the miners demanded more wages; as a matter of
fact, it was only after the increased price had been in opera-
tion that the miners, whose wages were based on selling
price, could get a rise. The South Wales owners ought to
make public their arguments and their figures, for in the light
of such publicity the case for the increase could not stand a
day. Referring to the work done by the Government in
organising the nation for war. Mr. Smillie declared that it
would be equally necessary that the nation should be well
organised for industry and peace purposes after the war.

261

SOME RECENT DECISIONS UNDER THE
WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION ACT.

[Specially Contributed.]

Appeals in Cases of Industrial Disease.

Special provisions in the .Workmen’s Compensation Act
make it applicable to certain industrial diseases scheduled
under the Act and added to from time to time. These pro-
visions are contained in Section 8, the mode of application
being to provide that in certain contingencies a "workman
suffering from one of the diseases, or his dependants, as the
case may be, shall be entitled to compensation as if the disease
were a personal injury by accident arising out of and in-the
course of the employment. One of the contingencies referred
to is that a certifying surgeon appointed under the Factory
and Workshop Act, 1901, should certify that a workman is
suffering from one of the scheduled diseases. Another con-
tingency is when a workman, in pursuance of any special
rules or regulations made under the Factory and Workshop
Act, 1901, is suspended from his usual employment on
account of having contracted an industrial disease.

One of a number of qualifying provisions is to the effect
that if an employer or a workman is aggrieved by the action
of a certifying or other surgeon in connection with the con-
tingencies mentioned, the matter shall be referred to a medical
referee, whose decision shall be final. In Bedford v.
Cowtan and Sons Limited, the Court of Appeal has this year
given a decision of general application. That is to say,
though the disease which gave rise to the case was lead
poisoning the decision will apply to any of the other
scheduled industrial diseases, which include certain com-
plaints to which miners are specially subject. In this case a
certifying surgeon gave a certificate of disability in accor-
dance with the terms of the Act.

The employers disputed the certificates, but instead of
having the matter dealt with by a medical referee, they
appealed to the county court, where evidence was given both
for and against the certificate, two medical witnesses being
of opinion that the man was suffering from another disease
altogether. On the evidence the county court judge came to
the conclusion that the man was suffering from a disease
which was due to the nature of his employment. His
Honour, however, was not satisfied that the disease was lead
poisoning, but held that the certificate was conclusive and
the man entitled to compensation. This decision the Court
of Appeal affirmed, holding that the only appeal from the
certificate was to a medical referee as provided by Section 8,
and that in the absence of such an appeal the correctness of
the certificate could not be disputed.

Total Incapacity Only Partially Due to Accident.

In Lewis v. Wrexham and Acton Collieries Limited, the
Court of Appeal on July 18 had to consider the basis on
which compensation should be awarded to a workman who
had met with an acident arising out of and in the course
of his employment and suffered from total incapacity, which,
however, was only partially the result of the accident. He
was a colliery labourer over 60 years of age, and already in
a bad state of health, when he met with an accident, in which
three of his ribs were broken. The employers paid com-
pensation for about five months, but then discontinued it on
the ground that the man had recovered from the effects of
the accident. The workman took proceedings to obtain a
continuation of the compensation payments, and at the
hearing medical evidence was given to the effect that the man
had suffered from goitre for fourteen or fifteen years, that
his arteries had thickened, and that he had kidney disease.
It was agreed that the ribs had completely healed up, but
the medical witnesses differed as to whether the general
breakdown and incapacity for work from which the work-
man admittedly suffered was due solely to his previous con-
dition or had been aggravated by the accident. The county
court judge found that the incapacity was only partly due to
the accident, being partly due to other causes, and he
awarded compensation on the basis of partial incapacity
instead of the full amount of half wages. The Court of
Appeal held that though the man was at the time totally
incapacitated owing to various causes, in view of the finding
that the incapacity was only partially the result of the
accident,, the county court judge was justified in awarding
compensation as he did.

The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries announces the
publication of a second edition of the first volume of the
special reports on the mineral resources of Great Britain,
which have been prepared by the Director of the Geological
Survey. In the main, it is a reprint of the first edition,
wherein the uses, distribution, treatment, and output of
tungsten and manganese ores are dealt with, and particulars
of-the mines, active and inactive, are given. It is published
at Is. by Messrs. T. Fisher Unwin Limited, 1, Adelphi-
terrace, London.

Embargo on French Gas Coke. — French gas works
have been informed that factories which are occupied
with work connected with the national defence must
have the first call, and that no coke is to be sold for domestic
purposes except in so far as there may be a surplus available.
The military and munition authorities will, if their require-
ments are fully met, grant licences to the gas works to sell
coke for domestic purposes, but not otherwise, and any pur-
chaser must present a certificate from the military authorities.

Colliery Fire at Treharris.—Fire broke out on Thursday
morning at the Ocean Company's No. 2 Pit, Treharris. The
outbreak was discovered about half-past four, when flames
were seen to be rapidly spreading around the upcast at the
pit head. The bonnets were burned, as well as the wood-
work on the surface where the cage usually rests, and the
flames severed the rope supporting the cage. There were
about 350 men on the night shift down the pit at the time,
but all were brought up safely. The damage caused was
considerable, and it affected many hundreds of workers.

Genoa Coal Trade.—The harbour is congested with tonnage,
and dissatisfaction is reported in consequence of alleged
inferiority in the coal supplied direct to the consumers by the
Government. Business is on a restricted scale. Mail
advices state that two unsold cargoes of Cardiff seconds are
on the market at less than 100s., and several floating cargoes
(mixed) from Cardiff and Newport cannot be disposed of
readily at low prices. Anthracite is practically unsaleable,
chiefly through buyers waiting for further declines. The
market is likely to be affected in this way for some time,
through heavy arrivals and the deficiency of lighters and
wagons.