December 29, 1916. 1267 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. ________________________________________________________________________________ the employment of coal-cutting machines in Great Britain between 1902 and 1914, together with the propor- tion of machine-mined coal to the total output :— Collieries No. Total outout t-. . Year. with of Output. of Great jrer machines. machines. Britain. cent. Tons. ________________________ Tons. 1902 ... 166 . 483 ... 4,161,000 . .. 227,095,000 .. . 1’8 1903 ... 225 . 643 ... 5,245,000 . .. 230,334,000 .. . 2'3 1904 ... 249 . 755 . ... 5,744,000 . .. 232,428,000 .. . 2*5 1905 ... 295 . 946 . ... 8,102,000 . .. 236,128,000 .. . 3’5 1906 ... 333 . . 1,136 . ..10,202,000 . .. 251,057,000 .. . 4’0 1907 ... 390 . . 1,493 . ...12,877,000 . .. 267,830,000 .. . 4’8 1908 ... 414 . . 1,659 . ...13,590,000 . .. 261,512,000 ... . 5’1 1909 ... 420 . . 1,691 ...13,769,000 . .. 263,758,000 ... . 5'2 1910 ... 432 . . 1,959 ...15,878,000 . .. 264,417,000 .. . 6’0 1911 ... 471 . . 2,146 . ...18,667,000 . .. 271,878,000 ... . 6’8 1912 ... 626 . . 2,444 , ...20,270,000 . .. 260,398,000 ... . 77 1913 ... 645 . . 2,897 . ..24,609,000 . .. 287,411,000 .. . 8’5 1914 ... 652 . . 3,093 .. 24,274,000 . .. 265,643,000 .. . 9’1 When a longwall face is being cut by machine, it is desirable to arrange lengths of face, which can, on the average, be cut in a given time. This will vary accord- ing to the conditions of each seam or colliery, but a multiple of 60 running yards is a convenient length. Tally Sheet for Mine Rescue Contest. Name and number of event ................................. No. Cause of penalty. Team [Team Team counted■ No.... No. ... The output of coal-cutting machines in the United States is nearly 50 per cent, greater than that of those working in Great Britain. The main factors which, have contributed very largely to the more rapid adoption of mechanical appliances in the United States have been the generally flat and regular lie of the coal seams, and the much higher wages paid to the miners. Nearly 50 per cent, of the coal produced in America is obtained by mechanical coal cutting. American machines, which differ in working details from those in use in this country, are one of the following types : (1) Chain, (2) percussive, (3) shortwall, (4) longwall, and (5) radial axis, or post machines. The second of the series is the type mostly used, the chain machines coming next, whilst the other types are only very occasionally in use. The relative number of machines employed are : Per- cussive, 6,833; chain, 6,425; shortwall, 1,371; longwall, 545; radial axis, 124—total, 15,298. The following figures show how rapidly the use of coal cutting machines developed in the United States : In 1899, 3,125 machines; 1906, 10,212; 1909, 13,049; 1911, 13,819; 1912. 15,298. The output of machine-cut coal has more than doubled in recent years:—1905, 103,396,000 tons; 1908, 123,183,000 tons; 1909, 142,496,000 tons; 1910, 174,012,000 tons; 1911, 178,158,000 tons; 1912, 210,538,000 tons. Advantages of Machines. The advantages to be obtained by the use of coal- cutting machines have been summed up as follow :— (1) There is an increased output of large coal in a firmer and better condition. (2) A more regular line of face is obtained, resulting in more systematic timber- ing ; the roof can therefore be easily kept up; the great rapidity of working tends to keep down the cost of repairs, and causes less damage to overlying seams and to the surface; any subsidence is consequently more even. (3) The safety of the miners is increased by the regularity of the work. (4) Many seams which, whether on account of thinness or hardness, could not be worked, or could only be worked at a profit in good times, can be worked profitably by machines. (5) Holing is less frequent. (6) The output is both more regular and larger, and the work can be more readily supervised; less or no explosives are required; the work is both safer and easier for the men, an important point when the mines become deeper and the temperature higher. Where the roof or the floor is bad, where there are numerous faults or dykes, or where the seams are highly inclined, the use of coal-cutting machines is not advis- able; whilst where the coal is soft, there is a danger of falls from the face, which may damage the machines. The advantages obtained from the use of coal-cutting machines depend to a considerable extent on the wages paid, high rates of wages being a strong inducement, other conditions being suitable, to introduce mechanical appliances. On the other hand, with fluctuating wages, machines may show good results when wages are high> but result in a loss when they are low. Abroad, where- ever wages are high, coal-cutting machines are exten- sively used, as in the United States and in some of our colonies. It is also possible that the introduction of coal-cutting machines would lead the miners to demand such an advance of wages that any possible economy would be lost. USEFUL COUPLING HOOK.* The coupling hook illustrated was invented by John R. Jones, motorman on the 2,000 ft. level of the Leonard Mine of the Anaconda Copper Company. It is used in disconnecting a train of mine cars from the electric haulage motor when the train is connected to the end of the motor opposite to that at which the motorman’s seat is situated. The operation is very simple, and is accomplished by the motorman pulling a cord which is attached to the hook at offset eye. This causes the hook to turn in the connecting chain link, and to be disengaged from it. C or at /eocfrty from motor-man's In some cases it is necessary to have a man on the train to do this work, and the uncoupling is often done while the train is in motion. This, however, is a dangerous practice, and one which the men are not sup- posed to indulge in. The new hook makes it unneces- sary for a man to get his hands and arms between the motor and the cars to uncouple them, and in some places it will save the labour of one man on the train. The motors on the 2,000 and 1,800 ft. levels of the Leonard Mine have been equipped with these hooks, which have proved satisfactory. * The Anode. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Apparatus not having a full charge of oxygen ....... Apparatus not properly assembled ............ Failure to test apparatus before putting on....... Failure to make record of tests .................. Failure of captain to com- mand properly ......... Failure of any member of crew to obey command ... Failure to maintain proper interval in marching ... Failure to rest at stated f intervals .............. Failure of a member to I pass doctor's examination before going in and after coming out .............. ^Failure of apparatus to deliver oxygen in quantity equivalent to the time in actual service__________ Failure of lamps to burn or be in proper and safe condition____............... 5 10 10 5 5 10 5 5 5 10 10 Total............ : 80 The most important work in a coal mine is hewing, the necessary experience and skill for which can only be acquired in the course of years, and, naturally, the men possessing these expert qualifications are disinclined to become mere machine minders. New collieries have the advantage that machine- cutting can be introduced at the start, with a specially trained set of men. The cost of motive power, main- tenance, repairs, and interest on capital, have to be provided for. Colliery managers know that the cost of hand-holing in the coal face may be much greater in one coal mine than in another; and the point must be con- sidered when the question of introducing machinery is suggested. The thickness of seams is a controlling factor; those exceeding 50 in. in depth can generally be more economically worked by hand. Increased produc- tion per man is the attractive feature of the coal-cutting machine; decrease of waste is another. Motive power and safety have to be considered together, without regard of cost; there is the choice of compressed air and electricity. Many colliery engineers prefer the former, but its use involves loss in trans- mission and noise from the exhaust, whilst many experts object to electricity where outbursts of firedamp are always possible. At present the output of coal from electrically-worked coal cutters is much greater than that from machines worked by compressed air, the rela- tive outputs being in the proportion oif 11 to 8. Danger from sparking has been rendered almost impossible by making the casing of the electric motor similar to that of a safety lamp, all moving parts being enclosed, as in the case of a lamp, but by a stronger material. __________________________ FIRST-AID AND MINE RESCUE CONTESTS. The Rocky Mountain branch of the Canadian Mining Institute issued the following rules for contests in first-aid and mine-rescue team work held under its auspices :— (1) Each team shall consist of five men, one of whom shall be the captain. Each man shall be provided with a breathing apparatus, electric lamp, and each team shall carry a canary bird in a cage to the base of opera- tions and three safety lamps. (2) The captain shall command his men by signals given by a gong or horn, after the men have put on the apparatus and turned on the oxygen. (3) Before putting on the apparatus the pulse and respiration of each man shall be taken by a surgeon. The apparatus shall be placed at a point convenient to each man, and upon the command of the captain each man shall first examine his apparatus, make such tests as will convince him that the apparatus is in proper working order, and put it on without assistance. (4) The captain shall inspect each apparatus, noting the number of each apparatus worn, and the reading of the oxygen pressure gauge. Rescuer No. 1 shall inspect the apparatus worn by the captain. (5) The team, with its captain, the latter wearing apparatus, shall appear before the judges, who shall be men trained and experienced in the use of breathing apparatus and lamps. The judges shall make rigid inspection of each apparatus, and discount for any improper connection or adjustment of the apparatus, lamp, or accoutrement. (6) Each team shall then be required to walk 117 yds. at the rate of four miles an hour (352 ft. or 117 yds. a minute), then immediately enter an airtight smoke room containing strong formaldehyde fumes, and remain 10 minutes. As the men come out of the smoke room their condition shall be ascertained by a surgeon to determine the pulse and respiration of each man; and if the pulse or respiration of any man is abnormal, the team shall be penalised by a discount. (7) If during the recovery work consecutive members of a team become separated beyond an interval of 3 yds., a penalty will be applied. (8) Failure to stop at intervals of 300 ft. for periods for resting will be penalised. (9) For not having a full charge of oxygen and a fresh charge of chemical at the time the apparatus is first put on, a penalty will be applied. (10) For failure on the part of any member to comply with the commands of the captain, a penalty will be applied. (11) A fire boss will be stationed at the entrance to the mine, who will examine the safety lamps carried by the rescue crew. (12) A recorder designated by the judges will check each member of- the crews as he goes in and comes out of the mine, taking his name and giving him a check as he enters, and replacing on the board the check as he comes out. First-Aid Contest. (1) A team shall be composed of four men and a captain. Any employee of a coal company may be a member of a contesting team, provided he is not a physician or trained nurse and holds recognised certi- ficates from ambulance society. (2) The captain shall select the patient and designate the member or members of the team to perform the event. (3) The captain shall control his team in their field work by giving audible commands. (4) The captain may select himself as one of the members wrho will perform the event. (5) The captain or other members shall not prompt the person performing the event unless he be one of the performers. This rule will not apply in full team events. (6) At the conclusion of any event the captain shall raise his right hand and announce his team number. The team shall remain at the post until relieved by the judge. (7) Teams shall bring their own first-aid materials, including bandages, splints, blankets, etc., and shall not be allowed to leave the patient in order to obtain material. (8) The triangular bandage shall be the standard used in the contest, but roller bandages may be used, and equal credit will be given for their proper use. (9) All splints must be prepared on the field for each event requiring their use. Specially designed splints may be used, but they must be assembled during the time of each event requiring their use. (10) No practising shall be allowed on the field before the beginning of the contest. (11) The teams shall be numbered consecutively, beginning at No. 1, and they shall occupy their conse- cutive positions on the field. (12) The judges will perform their work progressively, judging such memben of teams in each event as the judges may determine and announce before the begin- ning of the contest. (13) In events involving resuscitation, the rescue of the patient, and stretcher drill, the judge may require the teams to perform separately. (14) Each judge will mark the team number, event, and discounts for each team judged, sign his name, and deliver to the recorder his record. (15) The recorders will add the discounts and mark the points made by each team in each test. The total points will be divided by the number of tests, and the quotient will be the average for each team for the whole contest. (16) Time will not be an element unless the team or men performing exceed the allotted time or fail to give treatment promptly. All events shall commence and be finished at the sounding of a gong or other audible signal. Judges shall allot time for each event. (17) The prizes will be listed by the committee on awards. Tally Sheet for First-aid Contest. Name and number of event............................. No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Cause of penalty. Team Team Team counted • No- No- - Not doing the most impor- tant thing first __........ Failure to captain to com- mand properly ......... Slowness in work and lack of attention ......... Failure to entirely cover the wound or ignorance of location of injury..... Ineffective artificial res- piration ............... Splints improperly padded or applied ............. Tight, loose, or improperly applied bandages....... Insecure or“ granny knot" Unclean first-aid material Failure to have on hand sufficient and proper material to complete a dressing ............... Lack of neatness.......... Awkward handling of patient on stretcher ... Assistance lent by patient Tourniquet improperly applied................. Failure to stop bleeding ... Not treating shock....... Failure to be aseptic..... Incorrect treatment ..... Not above named (a)..... Total.................. 5 2 4 4 10 2 6 5 5 5 2 5 5 ..... 5 5 5 10 10 5 95