270

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

August 11, 1916.

omitted to mention his connection with South Wales.
In addition to being a director of the Tredegar Company,
he took up a large area of minerals from the Llanover
and other estates in Monmouthshire, and opened out
the Markham Colliery, which afterwards became incor-
porated with the Tredegar undertaking. He was parti-
cularly interested in the housing question; and at Oak-
dale established a model colliery village. Not alone in
respect of housing is this model village remarkable, but
it is also noteworthy because its public house is worked
on public lines, the profits going to local institutions.
It is understood that, had Sir Arthur lived, his interests
in South Wales would have extended by association with
enterprise in the western area.

The interment in the family burial ground at Tapton,
Chesterfield, was attended by a great number of mine
owners, including representatives of associations and
public bodies. Messrs. J. G. Hancock, M.P., and Mr.
C. Bunfield represented the Notts Miners’ Association,
and Mr. F. Lee the Derbyshire Miners’ Association.

PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—August 9.

Coal Prices.

Sir Clement Kinloch-Cooke asked the President of the
Board of Trade whether the Order authorising the advance
of 2s. 6d. per ton on coal was retrospective, and, if so,
whether ho was aware of the position in which coal merchants
were placed thereby, in view of the fact that it was practically
impossible to recover from small buyers any additional sum
to that already paid; and whether he had any statement to
make on the subject.

Mr. Harcourt replied that the Order merely increased the
maximum pit head price of coal in Monmouthshire and South
Wales from June 1. Whether the advance could be charged
on past deliveries depended on the circumstances of the case,
but the Board of Trade recommended that it should not be
so charged where the purchaser had himself sold the coal
and could not recover. The District Coal and Coke Supplies
Committee for South Wales decided that back charges should
not be raised in the case of household coal.

AUTOMATIC CAR RE-RAIL.*

By R. W. Mayer.

A simple, cheap, and effective device for re-railing
mine cars is made in the following manner :—Two full-
length rails, similar to those used for the mine track,
are employed. Both ends of these rails are bent into a
long curve. The bent part should be from 4 to 6 ft.
long, depending on the gauge of the track. Each of the
bent rails is spiked fast to ties, as close as possible to
the track rails, on the inside of the track.

The bent ends of the two rails should touch each
other in the middle of the track, and should be laid side
by side, one next each track rail. The space between
the two guard rails is filled with heavy planking laid
flush with the top of the rails. Heavy planking is also
spiked fast outside the track .rails, being laid snug against
the track rails, and flush with their tops on the side
next to the rail. Its outer edge should be higher, so
that it slopes toward the rail.

With heavy loaded cars, planks may not be strong
enough, and the use of heavier timbers is necessary.
These should be covered with plates of | in. iron or
steel, although this is not absolutely necessary. The
slope of the outside planks toward the track rails tends
to slide the car wheels in the direction of the track
rails.

The curve on the end of the guard rails catches against
the flanges of the derailed wdieels, and presses them
towurd the track rails. The straight length of the guard
rail holds the derailed wheel on that side, which is now
running on its flange, against the track rail. The space
between the guard rail and track rail is filled in suffi-
ciently to permit the car wdieel to run on its flange,
raising its tread above the rail top.

An 8 or 10 ft. length of plank is spiked fast, parallel
to the track rail and outside of it, on top of the other
planking. This is placed so close to the rail that the
car wheels will just clear it w-’hen they are on the track.
This plank should be thicker than the depth of the
wheel flanges, and tapered off at both ends, so that the
wdieels can run up on to it easily. It should be covered
with -J-in. steel plate, and be at least 1ft. wide. It is
placed half-way from the ends of the guard rails, one of
them being placed on each side of the track, outside the
track rail. The guard rails between the track rails and
the steel plate covered planking on the outside of the
track, sloping towmrd the rail, draw the car wheels
against the rails.

The car wheel on the outside of the track then climbs
this raised plank, elevating the car wheel and flange
above the rail. ’ The slope of the elevated planking and
the pull of the guard rail on the opposite side carry the
flange of the wheel over the rail, and on to the track.
If the plate iron is kept wet or oiled with car grease,
the wheels slide easier upon it.

The North-Western Improvement Company uses this
re-rail at its No. 6 mine tipple, which is at the end of a
long rope haulage. The cars bumping against each
other on coming from the kick-back at the tipple, to
make up a trip of empties, or the rope starting out-
with an empty trip, sometimes de-rails the cars. This
device is placed a few feet ahead of where the end of the
trip is when starting, and never fails to replace the
de-railed cars on the track.

The cars which are on the rails follow along* the track
without any interference from the re-railing device.
Each side and end of the device is a duplicate of the
other, so that it does not matter on which side the car
is de-railed or which way the trip is travelling.

* Coal Age.

NEED OF GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR THE
MINING INDUSTRY OF ALBERTA/*

By J. L. Cote.

Alberta has an inexhaustible supply of coal, asphaltum,
salt, gypsum, etc. The mining lands are controlled by
the Dominion Government, and are administered by the
mining branch of the Department of the Interior.

At present coal is the only mineral mined extensively.
The actual annual output is 4,000,000 tons; but the mines
now in operation are capable of producing 14,000,000 tons
annually, and could maintain such a production if market
conditions were more favourable. The provinces of
Manitoba and Saskatchewan should undoubtedly be the
undisputed markets for Alberta coal, but under existing
conditions this is not the case owing to Pennsylvania
competition. Clearly the situation is such as to demand
action with a view to placing the local industry on a
better and more satisfactory footing; and the first steps
in this direction should be (1) the appointment of a com-
mission of mining men acquainted with western condi-
tions to investigate and study the problems with which
the industry is now confronted, and showr how they may
be most effectively solved; and (2) the establishment in
Alberta of a bureau of mines to carry out the recommen-
dations of such a commission. There should also be a
testing plant in connection with the bureau.

From neither the Provincial nor the Dominion
Government does the mining industry receive the recog-
nition to which it is entitled if a comparison is made with
the aid afforded agriculture, for though the annual output
of the Alberta mines is valued at about 13,844 dols., or,
roughly, one-third of the total value of the production of
the farms, little or nothing has been done locally by the
Dominion Government to advance the interests of
mining, while very large expenditures have been made
in the interests of agriculture. In the estimates for
1916 a direct appropriation of 285,000 dols. has been pro-
vided in the interests of agriculture, while the vote
apportioned to the mining industry is 32,000 dols. only,
and this money is to be employed merely for the purpose
of protecting life and property. Naturally, however, the
Provincial Government does not feel called upon to spend
money in furthering the interests of the mining industry,
so long as the entire revenue from royalties, etc., con-
tinues to find its way into the coffers of the Dominion
treasury; and it is contended, therefore, quite justly and
properly, that the duty and responsibility of taking the
necessary measures for the upbuilding of this industry
devolves on the Dominion and not on the Provincial
Government. That the members of the Provincial legis-
lature are fully in accord with the author’s viewzs on the
need of aiding the mining industry is attested by the
fact that a resolution was carried unanimously by the
Assembly last year directing the attention of the
Dominion Government to the condition of the coal
industry in Alberta to the end that the necessary data
relating to : (a) The preparation of Alberta coal for
market, by screening and briquetting or by other pro-
cesses; (5) elimination of waste; (c) utilisation of by-
products contained in the various grades of Alberta coals,
be secured and correlated so as to obtain that reduction
in cost of production that shall enable coal operators in
the province to engage in equal competition with the
producers of foreign coal; and, further, that, in viewz of
the fact that many commodities manufactured from
hydrocarbon and ammonia compounds hitherto imported
from Germany will cease to be imported from that
country, scientific and technical investigation be under-
taken by the Dominion Government to ascertain howz
far such commodities may be produced from the vast
deposits in this province, of lignites and bituminous coal,
bituminous sands, natural gas and other non-metallic
minerals.

If a commission composed of men who are acquainted
with conditions and who would have the authority to
conduct a thorough investigation on the lines suggested
in the above resolution were appointed, it wrould find that
American coal is exclusively employed for the heating of
the Dominion and Provincial buildings in Manitoba and
Saskatchewan; that as many forest fires are started by
railway locomotives using California oil fuel as by those
employing coal; that practically all blacksmiths are
using Pennsylvanian coal at high cost, because they
have not learned howz to use Alberta coal; that the use
of Alberta coal could be extended by the Government
subsidised railways to replace the American coal nowz
being used; that briquetting must be encouraged to
eliminate waste; that the dumping clause of the tariff
should apply to coal as it does now7 to manufactured
articles; that the burden of taxation of mines might be
lightened by providing for an increased output of coal;
and that the several millions of dollars now paid for coal
each year to Pennsylvania mine operators could be
diverted for the benefit of producers at home.

In conclusion, it should be obvious that if it is good
business for Government to spend large sums of money
on the grading and marketing of Alberta wdieat, it would
be equally good business for Government to make pro-
vision for the more advantageous marketing of Alberta
coal, and so ensure that the money obtained on the wheat
should not be spent in the purchase of foreign coal while
there are unlimited home supplies to satisfy that demand.

* Canadian Mining Institute Bulletin.

Belative to the third trade fair of British and Allied goods,
organised by the Sydney Chamber of Commerce, intended to
be held in Sydney, New South Wales, in September next,
the Sydney office of H.M. Trade Commissioner in Australia
reports that it has been considered advisable to postpone the
fair until 1917.

The Japan-Chinese Industry Company have received a
concession from the Chinese Government for exploiting the
iron mines of Taotchung. in the province of Anhui. A
syndicate composed of Japanese manufacturers is planning
the founding of a company, with a capital of 50,000,000 yen,
for erecting works on the spot.

PREVENTING ACCIDENTS FROM
MISFIRES.*

By Edwin Higgins.

Of the 10 fatal accidents reported in California mines
during the first four months of 1916, three of them
resulted from missed holes. In addition to these fata-
lities, several men were seriously injured. Such a large
percentage of accidents from misfires is very unusual.

There are many things to be considered in the preven-
tion of accidents of this nature. In the first place, it is
necessary that powder, caps, and fuse be of good quality.
The storage and care of explosives have much to do
with their action when put in use. They should not
be stored in damp places, nor exposed to dampness after
removal from the magazine. Fuse should be observed
closely to see that it is not damaged. It should be
freshly cut when put into the cap. Capping fuse more
than 36 hours before using it is poor practice. All explo-
sives should be used as soon as possible after removal
from the magazine.

If the face to be blasted is very w7et, it is important
that holes should not be loaded too great a length of
time before blasting. In wet places care should be taken
to protect the joint between the cap and fuse. The use
of oil or grease for this purpose is very objectionable,
for the burning. fuse, coming in contact with such
material, causes it to form a spray which may easily
cause a misfire. Fuse manufacturers supply a satis-
factory compound for waterproofing. Also there is on
the market a rubber covering for protecting the cap from
moisture. Good roofing paint gives satisfactory results.
Ordinary w’hite laundry soap will waterproof a joint for a
short period of time.

The making of the primer is a very important con-
sideration. The United States Bureau of Mines has
made many and extended tests to determine the best
method of making primers, and has found that any
method of making the primer necessitating the bending
of the fuse at a sharp angle is very Undesirable. The
double lace, or placing the cap in the bottom of the cart-
ridge, and bending the fuse back through 180degs., are
objectionable.

After everything possible has been done to ensure the
proper detonation of the charge, the next matter of
importance is to see that misfired holes are handled
safely. This appears to be simple enough, but there
will always be men who, from time to time, will violate
rules; and frequently an experienced man will take
' even greater chances than will a greenhorn. It is second
nature to most miners to count the number of reports
from a round of holes. It is at this point, however,
that many misfire accidents originate. The miner either
goes back to a missed hole too soon, or he fails to report
the misfire. If he does report it, there often develops
some mistake in transmitting the information to the
proper man on the next shift.

The following plan has been found satisfactory in
handling misfires :—See that miners count the number
of blasts, and, if the entire round has not exploded,
provide means so that a report can be made to the
shift boss of the next oncoming shift as to the number
and location of the missed holes. A record may be
kept on a bulletin board either underground or in the
change house. Some companies provide printed forms,
and cause their miners to report misfires to the shift
boss, wrho in turn delivers the printed report to the shift
boss of the next oncoming shift.

Misfired holes should be handled under the super-
vision of the shift boss, or someone experienced in this
class of w’ork. To ensure safety in recovering a missed
hole, the following procedure should be observed :—In
no circumstances should anyone be allowed to return to
the face within 45 minutes of a misfire. An attempt
^should first be made to fire the missed hole by means of
a new primer. If this is not possible, or if it fails, a
new hole should be drilled at least 2 ft. from the missed
hole, in such a direction that it will not encounter the
defective charge in the old hole.

The only method of ensuring compliance with require-
ments laid down for the proper handling of missed holes
is to. use the strictest discipline in every case of dis-
obedience to. rules. No matter how valuable a miner
may be, he is a menace to himself and those wrorking
with him if he will not use care in the handling of
missed holes.

* Mining and Engineering World.

In ordinary times it would seem absurd to supply Italy and
Switzerland with coal from France; but, in view of the high
freight rates to Italian ports and the possibility of a stoppage
of the German export to Switzerland, a Swiss trade paper
suggests that it may be done now. The French coal fields
not in enemy occupation, in the south and centre of France,
which furnish about 30 per cent, of the total output in peace
time, would be appropriated exclusively to the supply of these
countries, and France would make up the whole of her
deficiencies by importation from England and Wales. The
Swiss Federal Bailway administration W'ould ensure that the
coal should pass without delay by Geneva and the Simplon
Tunnel, and would be paid the railway rates in coal. The
Swiss Government would monopolise the supply in its own
country, as it has already monopolised the supply of cereals,
and would distribute the coal to the railways and other con-
sumers according to the quantity available for their needs.
Thus Germany would find her menace to stop the Swiss
supply ineffective. The chief difficulties in the wzay are the
congested state of the French railways and the shortage of
wagons, but it is thought that these may be overcome.