ore, a sufficient pillar of ground must be left standing on each side of the shaft.

Bowers. The laws of California and New Mexico require that boilers used for generating steam in and about coal mines shall be kept in good order and shall be examined by a competent boiler maker at least once in three months. Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, New York, Tennessee, and Washington similarly require inspection of boilers by competent persons once in six months. Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, New York, and Washington add that boilers shall be furnished with proper steam gauges, water gauges, and safety valves. Illinois and Ohio declare that boilers and buildings containing them shall not be nearer than 60 feet from any shaft or slope. Pennsylvania prescribes the duties of firemen in caring for boilers (sec. 333). For Pennsylvania and Illinois laws in full see pp. 289, 296.

Hoisting engineers.-Most States which regulate mining require that the engineers in charge of hoisting machinery shall be sober and competent persons. It is usually provided also that they must not delegate the control of the machinery at any time to any other person, and that no person shall interfere with them in their duties. Thus in Alabama, Arkansas (engineers must be at least 18 years of age), Colorado (for both classes of mines), Iowa, Kansas (at least 18 years of age), Michigan, Missouri (18 years of age; same requirements for firemen), North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania (at least 21 years of age; see sections 328, 370), Tennessee, Utah, United States, Washington (not less than 18 years of age), and West Virginia. Illinois and Indiana require hoisting engineers to submit to examination in the same way as mining bosses (see p. 241). The duties of engineers are specially regulated in Illinois and Pennsylvania (see pp. 288, 302).

Hoisting gear.-Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Montana, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and West Virginia provide that the drums on which hoisting cables are run must have adequate brakes. Colorado (as to metalliferous mines), Alabama, Illinois, and Indiana provide that the drum shall have an indicator by which the engineer shall know where the cages in the shaft are at the time. Illinois regulates the manner of fastening cables.

In Colorado (as to coal mines), Illinois, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee the law requires that the drum shall have proper flanges; in Illinois and Pennsylvania these must extend at least four inches beyond the cable when all of it is wound upon the drum.

Pennsylvania, New York, and West Virginia require that the hoisting machinery shall be carefully inspected daily to see that it is in proper condition. California and New Mexico declare that the hoisting machinery shall be kept constantly in repair.

In Colorado (coal mines), Kansas, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee the main link or coupling chain attached to the swivel of the wire rope used for hoisting must be of the best quality of iron and tested satisfactorily; bridle chains must be attached to the main link from the

1Ark., Dig. 1894, sec. 5052; Cal., Act Mar. 27, 1874, sec. 10; Colo., An. St., sec. 3187; Ill., L. 1899, Act Apr. 18, sec. 4; Kan., G. S. 1897, ch. 149, sec. 15; Mo., R. S. 1889, sec. 7068; N. M., Comp. L., sec. 1584; N. Y., L. 1897, ch. 415, secs. 123, 124; Ohio, R. S., sec. 299; Pa., Dig., Coal Mines, sec. 333; Tenn., L. 1881, ch. 170, sec. 13; Wash., Codes and Stats.. sec. 2228.

crosspieces of the carriage, and no single-link chain shall be used for lowering or hoisting persons.

Indiana requires that the rope used for hoisting must be of wire and shall be examined every morning. Illinois demands careful inspection of all hoisting apparatus every morning and testing of the ropes by hoisting the cages (sec. 16).

Safety of cages.-Practically all of the States which regulate mining provide also that the cages used for lowering and hoisting miners shall be provided with proper safety catches to prevent them from falling in case the cable shall break. In Montana, Nevada, South Dakota, and Washington (sec. 2269) it is specially provided that the safety apparatus, whether consisting of eccentrics, springs, or other devices, must be securely fastened to the cage, and must be of sufficient strength to hold the cage at any depth to which the shaft may be sunk. The laws also provide that the cage shall have a cover to protect the men from falling substances. In Colorado (as to coal mines), Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, the United States, and West Virginia the statute merely declares that this cover shall be "sufficient." In Arkansas, Illinois, and Missouri it must be made of boiler iron or iron plate. In Indiana this boiler plate must be at least one-fourth of an inch in thickness, while in Nevada (where the statute applies only in case the shaft is at least 450 feet deep) the boiler plate must be three-sixteenths of an inch thick. South Dakota, which applies the act only where the shaft is at least 200 feet deep, also requires the thickness to be three-sixteenths of an inch, and Washington has the same provision as to shafts over 150 feet deep (sec. 2269). The Montana act is more detailed than the others. It declares that the iron cover must be at least three-sixteenths of an inch thick, and must cover the top of the cage so as to afford the greatest protection. The cage must also have an iron or steel casing not less than one-eighth of an inch in thickness, or a wire netting with wires not less than one-eighth of an inch in diameter. The doors of the cage must be made of the same material as the sides, and must be not less than 5 feet high. In Colorado metalliferous mines the hood must be three-sixteenths of an inch thick, oval if solid, and if divided in the middle the sides must slope not less than 45 degrees.

Arkansas, Illinois, Montana, Missouri, and Washington also require that the cage shall be furnished with proper guides. In Illinois, proper handholds for each man allowed on the cage must be furnished (sec. 2).

Men on cages.-Indiana and Kansas limit the number of persons who may ride on any cage at one time to six. In Arkansas the number is limited to eight, and in Iowa, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia the number of persons who may ride on one cage is ten. Other States, Montana, Missouri, and Washington, limit the number to twelve, while Iowa, Montana, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Utah, the United States, and Washington leave it to the discretion of the inspector to prescribe the number. Illinois declares that no person shall ride on a cage containing either a loaded or empty car. All of these States, and also New York, forbid any person to ride on a loaded

cage.

Colorado (coal mines) and Washington provide that not more than

1Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado (both classes of mines), Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, United States, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia.

five persons shall be lowered or hoisted for each ton's capacity of the hoisting machinery. In metalliferous mines of Colorado a notice of the maximum number allowed on the cage must be posted, and it is a misdemeanor to ride on an overloaded cage.

In the following States it is also enacted that no person shall descend in a car or cage while coal is being raised in the other cage: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Montana, Michigan, Missouri, and Washington; and several of these add that props and timbers shall not be lowered while men are on cages.

Arkansas, Montana, and Missouri declare that cages shall not move more rapidly than 500 feet per minute when persons are being lowered or hoisted. In Illinois (except by consent of the inspector) and Washington the speed is limited to 600 feet per minute.

Illinois prohibits the use of any unstable or self-dumping platform for carrying men or materials unless provided with some convenient device for locking it. (See law in full, p. 307.)

Signals. Most of the States have regulations concerning signaling between the top and bottom of the shaft. In Arkansas, Missouri, and Washington the law merely provides that suitable means for signaling shall be furnished. In Indiana, Ohio, Utah, and the United States a metal tube, such as to permit conversation between the top and bottom of the shaft, is required. In Colorado this metal tube is made alternative with a telephone, and in Iowa with other suitable means. In Kansas, Pennsylvania (sec. 238), Tennessee, and West Virginia a metal tube is required, and also other proper means of signaling. Pennsylvania (sec. 340), Illinois, Missouri, and Montana specifically require that a competent man shall be placed at the top and another at the bottom of every shaft to attend to the signals and to supervise generally the lowering and hoisting of men. Missouri, Montana, and Illinois require that these men shall be at their posts at least thirty minutes before the hoisting begins in the morning and for thirty minutes after it has ceased at night. Colorado requires a "cager" at each level in metalliferous mines having two or more levels.

Several States provide especially for a code of signals with regard to hoisting. Montana and California leave it to the mine operators to establish such a system of signals, but require that a proper set of rules shall be posted for the guidance of the men. Colorado requires

the commissioner of mines to establish a code in metalliferous mines. A separate section in Montana requires the mine inspector to prepare a complete code of signals for use in all mines worked through a shaft of 75 feet or more in depth. Apparently this latter section would take precedence in ordinary cases over the other provision. In Illinois, Indiana, and Pennsylvania (sec. 378) the code of signals is fixed by the law itself, different numbers of raps, bells, or whistles having different significations. These States also require that the rules concerning the signals shall be properly posted.

Duties of men in charge. The law in Pennsylvania is especially detailed as to the duties of hoisting engineers, topmen, and cagers (or bottommen), requiring them to exercise special care in various details to protect the safety of men being lowered or hoisted. Thus the engineer must see that his boilers are properly cared for and that the steam pressure does not exceed the limit. He must not allow any

1 L. 1899, Mar. 15, p. 310.

unauthorized person to enter the engine house and must take special precautions to keep his engine well under control (secs. 328-331). The cager shall not withdraw the car until the cage comes to rest; shall be careful to attend to the safety springs of catches; shall not allow tools to be placed on the same cage with men or boys, and shall personally attend to the signals (secs. 339-342). The topman of every shaft shall see that the springs for the cages are kept in good order and must be careful not to let coal or other material fall down the shaft; must not allow tools on the same cage with employees, and must take special precautions in lowering horses or mules into the mine. Special provisions are also made concerning the topmen at the head of slopes or inclined planes (secs. 343-347). The Pennsylvania law in full is quoted on p. 289.

SEC. 8. VENTILATION.'-Quantity of air.-In all the mining States except Idaho and Nevada the operators of mines are required to provide proper means of ventilation to secure the circulation of air

Ala., Acts 1896-7, No. 486, secs. 8, 9, 11, 21, 23, 26; Ark., Dig. 1894, sec. 5048; Cal., L. 1874, Act Mar. 27, secs. 4, 5 (in Stats. of 1885, p. 633); Colo., An. St., secs. 3184, 3198; Ind., An. St., secs. 7435, 7443, 7476-7478, as amended by L. 1897, ch. 111; Ill., L. 1899, p. 317, secs. 16, 19; Ia., Acts 1884, ch. 21, sec. 10, as amended by Acts 1888, ch. 56; Kan., G. S., ch. 149, secs. 34, 35, 41, 43; Ky., Stats. 1894, sec. 2731; Md., L. 1898, ch. 34, sec. 201; Mich., L. 1899, No. 57, sec. 8; Mo., R. S., secs. 7064, 7064a (added by L. 1895, p. 228), 7065; Mon., Pol. Code, part 3, secs. 3355–3360; New Mexico, Code, sec. 1578; N. Y., L. 1897; ch. 115, sec. 122; N. C., L. 1897, ch. 251, sec. 5; O., R. S., secs. 298, 301; Pa., Dig. 1895, Coal Mines, secs. 242-266; Tenn., L. 1881, ch. 170, secs. 7-9; Utah, L. 1896, ch. 113, sec. 7; U. S., Stats. 1890-1, ch. 564, sec. 6; Wash., Stats. and Codes, 1891, secs. 2223, 2224, L. 1897, ch. 45, secs. 4, 6, 9; W. Va., R. S. 1891, p. 991, sec. 10; L. 1897, ch. 59, sec. 10; Wyo., L. 1890–1, ch. 80, secs. 4-6.

The Pennsylvania and Illinois laws are given in full below (pp. 276, 303). The Colorado provisions, being fairly typical, are here quoted:

SEC. 3184. The owner or agent of every coal mine or colliery, whether shaft, slope or drift, shall provide and maintain for every such mine an amount of ventilation not less than one hundred cubic feet, and such additional number of cubic feet as may be ordered by said mine inspector, per minute, per person employed in such mine, and also an amount of ventilation of not less than five hundred cubic feet per minute for each mule or horse used in said mine which shall be circulated and distributed throughout the mine in such a manner as to dilute and render harmless and repel the poisonous and noxious gases from each and every working place in the mine, and break-throughs or airways shall be driven as often as the inspector of mines may order, at the different mines inspected by him, and all break-throughs or airways, except those last made near the working faces of the mines, shall be closed up and made air tight, by brattice, trap doors or otherwise, so that the currents of air in circulation in the mine may sweep to the interior of the mine, where the persons employed in such mine are at work; and all mines governed by this statute shall be provided with artificial means of producing ventilation, when necessary, to provide a sufficient quantity of air, such as fanning, or suction fans, exhaust steam furnaces, or other contrivances of such capacity and power as to produce and maintain an abundant supply of air; but, in case a furnace shall be used for ventilating purposes, it shall be built in such a manner as to prevent the communication of fire to any part of the works, by lining the uncast with an incombustible material for a sufficient distance up from the said furnace. All mines generating fire damp shall be kept free from standing gas, and every working place shall be carefully examined every morning with a safety lamp, by a competent person or persons, before any of the workmen are allowed to enter the mine; and the person making such examination shall mark on the face of the workings the day of the month; and in all mines, whether they generate fire damp or not, the doors used in assisting or directing the ventilation of the mine shall be so hung and adjusted that they will shut up of their own accord, and can not stand open; and the owner or agent shall employ a practical and competent inside overseer, to be called a "mining boss," who shall keep a careful watch over the ventilating apparatus, and the airways, traveling ways, pumps, timbers and drainage; also, shall see that, as the miners advance their excavations, that

2

through the working places of the mine to an extent sufficient to render harmless the obnoxious gases generated. The amount of air required is not specified in Alabama, Michigan, Maryland, or New York. In California, New Mexico, Tennessee, and the Territories under the United States act, there must be 55 cubic feet per second of pure air, or 3,300 cubic feet per minute, for every 50 men employed. In all of the other States 100 cubic feet per minute for each man must be furnished, and in Washington an equal quantity for each animal in the mine. In Colorado and Iowa 500 cubic feet per minute must also be secured for each horse or mule used in the mine. In Illinois, Missouri, and Montana 600 cubic feet are required for each animal, and in Indiana and Utah 300 cubic feet. In Pennsylvania 150 cubic feet per minute are required for each man in mines where fire damp has been discovered, and in Utah 200 cubic feet. In Illinois, Missouri, and Montana the law provides that the currents of air in the mines shall be divided or split in such a way as to give a separate current for each 100 men, or for a

all loose coal, slate and rock overhead are carefully secured against falling in or upon the traveling ways, and that sufficient timber, of suitable lengths and sizes, is furnished for the places where they are to be used, and placed in the working places of the mines; and he shall measure the ventilation at least once a week, at the inlet and outlet, and also at or near the face of all the entries; and the measurement of air so made shall be noted on blanks, furnished by the mine inspector; and on the first week day of each month the "mining boss" of each mine shall sign one of such blanks, properly filled, and forward the same by mail to said mine inspector, a copy of which shall be filed at the office of the coal company, subject to inspection by miners.

SEC. 3198 (as amended by chapter 123, acts of 1893). The owner, agent or lessee of each coal mine or colliery in this State employing ten or more men shall, when working in close proximity to an abandoned mine or part of a mine containing water or fire damp, cause bore holes to be kept, at least twenty feet in advance of the coal face and sides of all working places in such mine or colliery, known to be approaching old and abandoning workings. Side holes to be not more than twentyfive feet apart and to a like depth; also that it shall not be lawful for any owner or agent operating vertical coal veins, to mine or extract coal from levels under any portion of said mine or adjoining mines where water exists, without first having pumped out such water. All veins pitching over seventy degrees shall be understood as vertical veins, under this act. And said owner or agent shall cause all abandoned shafts, air shafts, slopes, slack piles or cave holes to be securely and safely fenced off; and in all bituminous and lignite coal mines coming under the provisions of this act, the state inspector of coal mines shall have the authority to compell [compel] the owners, agents or lessees of coal mines to remove any or all fine coal or slack which may accumulate in the working places or gobs, and where gob-fires or spontaneous combustion are known or even suspected to exist, a careful inspection shall be made daily of the workings, by the mine boss or an other competent person, and if an increase of temperature be localized in any part of the gobs or other places, prompt action shall be taken to remove the heated gob or debris, or extinguish the fire by water or other contrivance; but if the fire has already reached such proportions that it is impossible to extinguish it in that way, then it shall be the duty of the superintendent, or mine boss in the absence of the superintendent, to at once build suitable stoppings of double walls of a concave shape, and at least two feet apart, with ends, top and bottom, built into cuttings made into the coal or rock, and the center between the walls to be filled in with sand or other fire earthy matter, which shall be closely tamped, so as to fill up all cracks and crevices, the outside of said walls to be carefully plastered with lime and cement, so as to completely isolate the fire from air. Should combustion still be suspected to be going on, then steam, where practicable, shall be injected toward the fire from pipes in connection with boilers, and passing through said walls or stoppings, or to flood with water the site of the fire; and that in all coal mines known to generate explosive gas, that the owner or agent shall provide and adopt a system, by which water under pressure, or otherwise shall be sprinkled, and make damp all accumulations of fine coal dust from time to time that may accumulate on any haulage road, rooms, stopes or any other working places.