Demonstration Coal Mines

THE United States Bureau of Mines established at Bruceton, Pa., in 1909, an experimental mine, for the purpose of testing the means of preventing and limiting mine explosions. During the last ten years numerous explosions have been caused to originate in .this mine for investigative purposes and the rate of propagation of the explosion wave, the pressure developed per unit of area by the explosions, and, the general results of the explosions have been carefully recorded and. studied. Means of preventing mine explosions or of limiting them to the areas in which they originate have been developed. A great deal of valuable information has been derived from the work in this mine and much more useful and valuable information will be obtained in. the future. The writer would plead, not for the opening of experimental mines in all the important coal-producing fields in the United States, but for the opening of demonstration mines, or mines in which experiments could be made with the various details of coal mining. The United States Department of Agriculture has established, in nearly every state, stations that undertake experimental work for the benefit of the agricultural interests. In addition, small demonstration plats are set aside, in suitable locations in the farming districts, where various crops are grown under scientific direction, so that the farmers in the neighborhood can note the results obtained and profit thereby. Something like this should be done for the coal-mining industry. If experimental or demonstration mines were established, methods of working adapted to local conditions could be worked out. Owing to competition in the same markets, small capitalization, or low profits, it may be an utter impossibility for any one company to try a new method of mining. Labor conditions may prevent the trial of a new method of working. It may be impossible or inadvisable to disturb existing working conditions for fear of causing trouble among the miners through real or fancied changes in the scale of wages.