February 25,: 1916. 363 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. ________________________________________________________________________________ probably under pressure, over long distances. The industry at large and the use of fuel should be brought •absolutely under •scientific control. To that end, it would be necessary to establish one or more central laboratories, at which the major problems could be studied. Probably, in the near future, the coking industry, as well as the gas industry, would be closely linked with manufacturing industries, especially with that of organic chemicals, including dye stuffs. It would probably be desirable at some works to make intermediate products from the raw materials separated during the coking process, as the sole value of those raw materials, when very large quantities were produced, might in some cases be so low that a remunerative return would not be obtainable in any other way. It appeared already desirable that those who had by-product recovery coking plants should co-operate from that point of view, and, without further delay, should establish a central research department to serve the special purposes of the industry. He commended his proposals to the careful considerations of the society, asking not only for immediate consideration, but for lithe short of instant action. Discussion. Dr. Dunn, Newcastle city analyst, thought that there was an enormous future for a smokeless fuel of the nature of coalite—using the term “ coalite ” to signify the coke produced from any system of low temperature distillation. He knew that, in one small experimental works in London, where smokeless fuel was being pro- duced, the whole of the output was taken by coal merchants, who, indeed, were prepared to take any addi- tional quantity the wurks could produce. That fuel was being paid for at a price very much higher than the price in London of good household coal. With a view to testing the suitablity of such products for domestic fires, he had had a ton of it sent down to his own house. They all knew how conservative the domestic servant was, but, after a month’s use of that soft coke, his cook was disconsolate at the idea of not being able to procure any more. It entailed far less labour, no cleaning of the flues was necessary, it was more under control, and in every way, quite apart from producing no smoke, was preferable to coal. Dr. Paterson, chief chemist to Messrs. Swan, Hunter and Wigham Richardson Limited, Wallsend, said that his one criticism of the methods of utilising fuel in those two counties was that they knew hardly anything about it. The would scarcely find one manufacturer who knew the resources of his own coal field, so far as the coal he wanted to burn was concerned. His coal agent was the only one who seamed to know about it. The manu- facturer ordered thousands of tons of coal because he had had that grade of coal before, and had been satisfied with it, and he did not know whether he had a more satis- factory fuel next door to him. The nationalisation of an industry might remove the incentive to make money out of it and, if they took away that incentive, they took away the spur to usefulness. Mr. Nesbit stated that he was quite in agreement with the lecturer as to the wastage of coal, because, down in the Derbyshire district, for example, he understood that there coal below a certain size, which they in Northumberland would consider a nice-sized coal, had no market value to speak of. In Northumberland and Durham, however, they were really very particular in getting every possible ounce of coal out. As to the lecturer’s idea that coal was being wasted during the cleaning process, judging from the complaints they got, Accidents at Coke Ovens during the Year Ended December 31, 19...... Killed. Seriously injured. (Time lost, more than 14 days.) Slightly injured. (Time lost, 1 to 14 days.) Permanent disability. Others. Total. Partial. 1. By cars, lorries, and motors 2. By railway cars and locomotives 3. By coke-drawing machines 4. By electricity 5. By falls of persons 6. By hand tools 7. By suffocation Tom gases 8. By burns 9. By other causes Total number killed or injured Location of ovens : Post office _____________________ ________________________________________________________________ State .................................................................................................................................................... they were trying fo make the coal go as far as it possibly could, and were accused of trying to sell stone for coal. Prof. P. Phillips Bed son, Armstrong College, New- castle, said that it always seemed to him that one of the consequences of the cheapness of coal was that we valued it too lightly. In connection with the suggestion that it should be taxed to provide money for researches, that was already done in Westphalia. There was a tax on coal at the pit mouth, and the money was expended partly for the benefit of the working people and very largely for the education of the miners and others taking part in the coal industry. At Bochum, for example, they maintained a school of mines for the training of under- officials, and conducted work on the analysis of the gases in pit air, so that the ventilation was regulated by analysis. In Westphalia, gas was used -as a fuel for the production of steam, and that steam was used for the generation of electricity which, produced at different collieries, was pooled and distributed over the district. There was waste heat at Middlesbrough, and from many of the coke ovens and by-product plants, which might be used to produce electricity. They might have electricity as cheap in that district as in any part of the world, and in such case they might set up a number of electro-chemical industries and see the complete utilisa- tion of coal. Mr. Gerald Stoney, Newcastle, drew Prof. Bedson’s attention to the by-product ovens of the Priestman Collieries, where the gas was put under boilers, and the power thus produced put into the general system of the Electric Supply Company. There were other local collieries at which the same thing was done. Dr. Bed son replied that he was quite familiar with the facts mentioned by the last speaker, but his point was that the community did not benefit. He wanted to see that sort of thing done for the benefit of the com- munity generally, and not for the shareholders in any particular company. The President, after dealing with the sulphur problem, said that, of late years, the great anxiety of large buyers of coal, certainly in the South, had not been to get coal which would pass the proper physical and chemical tests, but to get supplies of any kind. Replying on the discussion, Prof. Armstrong said his mind was entirely open as to the character of the fuel ultimately required. What he wanted was a full and complete enquiry into the whole question. The matter was of such enormous public importance, that the enquiry should be made by some public body. Most severe remarks were made in financial circles against them and their profession, because they did not come forward for the protection of the public, and the society must do so if it were to be of any use at all. A good many of them were beginning to think it time ihiat they began to look at these things from the point of view of future generations, and that they should take steps to avoid waste. Votes of thanks concluded the proceedings* ________________________ MINE ACCIDENTS AND UNIFORM RECORDS.* By Albert H. Fay, U.S. Bureau of Mines. (Concluded from page 325.J Appendix. The accompanying forms are those used by the United States Bureau of Mimes for the collection of accident statistics at coal mines, coke ovens, metalliferous mines, metallurgical plants, and quarries. These forms are the result of the Bureau’s four years’ work in the collection of accident statistics, and while they may be lacking- in some features, yet they are submitted as a guide to those who are considering the adoption of a system for the collection and study of mine accidents. The coal mine fatalities are now reported by the State mine inspector at the end of each month, on the appended card. In this way the Bureau is enabled to publish, within 30 or 40 days after the close of the month, a complete statement of all fatalities at coal mines in the United States during the month in question. The forms covering accidents at coke ovens 'are sent to each operator at the close of the year, with the request that they render as complete a report as possible for their individual plant. In a number of the States a co-operative arrange- ment has been made whereby the form is sent to the mine operator, and he in turn forwards it to the State mine inspector for his information, and for checking against his individual records. The inspector in turn forwards the card to the Bureau for tabulation. COAL MINE FATALITIES. In..................... Please fill out replies to the following queries and return as promptly as possible to the Bureau of Mines, Washington, D.C. State ............................................ District .......................................... Signature of inspector ............................ Address ......................................... Date ........................................... _____________________________ _________ * From a paper read before the Second Pan-American Scientific Congress, held in Washington, on Dec. 31, 1915. Number Killed in Coal Mines During the Month ended................... Killed. Number killed underground. 1. Falls of roof (coal, rock, etc.) .........•........ (a) At working face .............................. (b) In room or chamber............................ (c) On road, entry, or gangway ................... (d) On slope...................................... 2. Falls of face or pillar coal: (a) At working face .............................. (b) On road, entry, or gangway ................... 3. Mine cars and locomotives : (a) Switching and spragging ...................... ( b) Coupling cars ................................ (c) Falling from trips ..................... .... (d) Run over by car or motor ..................... (e) Caught between car and rib....................... (/) Caught between car & roof while riding......... (g) Runaway car or trip .......................... (h) Miscellaneous ................................ 4. Gas explosions and burning gas : (a) Due to open light ............................ (b) Due to electric arc .......................... (c) Due to blown-out shot ........................ (d) Due to explosions of powder ................. (e) Miscellaneous ................................ 5. Coal-dust explosions (including gas and dust combined) : (a) Due to open light ............................ (b) Due to electric arc .......................... (c) Due to blown-out shot ........................ (d) Due to explosions of powder................... (e) Miscellaneous ................................ 6. Explosives .- (a) Handling and transportation .................. (b) Caps, detonators, squibs, fuse ............... (c) Thawing....................................... (d) Premature blast and short fuse ............... (e) Charging and tamping ......................... (/) Blown-out or windy shot ....................... (g) Sparks from match, lamp, or candle............ (h) Returned too soon ............................ (i) Delayed blast ................................ (j) Shot breaking through rib or pillar........... (/.;) Suffocation by powder gas.................... (l) Drilling into unexploded charges.............. (m) Miscellaneous ............................... 7. Suffocation from mine gases ....................... 8. Electricity :a (a) Direct contact with trolley wire ............. (b) Bar or tool striking trolley wire ............ (c) Contact with mining machine .................. (d) Contact with machine feed wire ............... (e) Contact with haulage motor ................... (/) Miscellaneous ................................. 9. Animals ......... .................... ............ 10. Mining machines (other than 8c)) ................. 11. Mine fires (burned, suffocated, etc.)............. 12. Other causes: (a) Fall of person ............................... ( ) Machinery (other than 10) ..................... (c) Rush of coal or gob........................... (d) Falling timber ............................... (e) Suffocation in chutes ........................ (/) Miscellaneous ................................. Total number killed inside of mines. ......... Number killed in shaft. 13. Falling down shafts or slopes .. 14. Objects falling down shafts or slopes 15. Cages or skips ................. 16. Other causes : (a) Overwinding................. (b) Breaking of cables ......... (c) Miscellaneous .............. Total number killed by shaft accidents............ Number killed < n surface. 17. Mine cars and mine locomotives ...................... 18. Electricity51........................................ 19. Machinery ........................................... 20. Boiler explosions or bursting steam pipes............ 21. Railway cars and locomotives ........................ 22. Other causes: (a) Explosives...................................... (b) Fall of person ................................. (c) Falling objects................................. (d) Suffocation in chute, bin, or culm. ............ (e) Miscellaneous .................................. Total number killed on the surface. Grand total ..................... a Please state voltage of current. Number of Men Employed, Days Worked, Accidents, Etc., at Coke Ovens in 19.......... How many ovens operated during year ? .............. Average number of persons employed about ovens, not including those in office............................. Number of days plant was operated in 19 .............. If plant was idle, so state ......................... Length of shift (hours) ................................................. Average number of shifts worked per employee in 19_________.............................................. Number of wives left widows ..................... Number of children under 16 years of age left fatherless ...................................................... __________________________ A meeting- of the Monmouthshire Colliery Officials’ Asso- ciation will be held at the School of Mines, Crumlin, to-morrow (Saturday) at 6 o’clock, when a lecture on “ Coal and Coal Smoke ” will be delivered by Mr. E. C. Evans.