| Show FATE OF ENTOMBED ARGONAUT MINERS STILL SWINGS IN THE BALANCE the fate of the forty seven miners who became trapped in the deepest workings of the argonaut gold mine at jackson california about three weeks ago was still undetermined on tuesday when this was written notwithstanding standing that large crews of determined and expert miners working from the kennedy shaft workings on the and foot levels were doing the utmost to make connections and save them ahem it is hoped that by the time this issue of the mining review appears they will have been rescued tuesday mornin morning in the local press edwin higgins president of the california metal beital and mineral producers association cia tion who came to salt lake to attend the sessions of the western division of the american mining congress and who is an expert on mine ventilation sanitation and safety was quoted on the disastrous mine fire and its effects as follows the argonaut mine fire has had a depressing effect on practically everyone identified with the mining industry throughout I 1 the west as well as on the t general public the outstanding and most distressing feature of the occurrence is the possibility of the loss of forty seven human lives in the disaster along al with our sympathy for these entombed men goes the thought I 1 of their grief stricken relatives on surface who are hoping that the unfortunate men may be rescued that this happy culmination of the disaster may be realized is the devout wish of everyone As has always been the case in disasters of this nature the argonaut fire has been followed quickly by hysteria and wild rumors some of the latter reflecting on the mine management state and government officials and others the work vork of rescue rescue at the mine is being directed by three mining in men who have had from the beginning 0 the benefit of advice from some of the most experienced miners m mining ning Z engineers and svecia specialists lists of the west lit it is perfectly natural that some of the moves made in the rescue work should be misunderstood by those who have not sat in the conferences that have been held prior to every important decision without knowledge of the details on which decisions have been made it is also natural that criticism might arise when all is said and done recriminations crimi nations and accusations of blundering cannot contribute one whit to the rescue of the men on the contrary they can only store up resentment and tend to discourage those in charge of the rescue operations eventually all the facts in connection with this disaster will be established until that time let us suspend judgment there has been a flood of suggestions from various various sources as to what should have been done and what should be done in the future to prevent recurrences of similar situations uati tiati ons doubtless the forthcoming legislature will have to deal with bills for the proper regulation b of mine operations in this connection it should be remembered that blanket laws regarding fire protection are ini impracticable practicable every mine presents its individual grobl problem m in fire protection what must be done at one ond mine mane to guarantee protection might not full ful fill ifill the requirements rients at an adjoining b mine As to fire protection and safety in mines there are at the present time enough laws on the statute books and provisions in the mine safety orders of the industrial accident commission to bring about any corrective measures that may be suggested Is as a result of the argonaut fire it is a certainty that california mine operators w will ill operate cooperate co with state officials to the end that every advant advantage aze may be taken of the lessons taught by this regrettable disaster the latest word is that hope of fi finding anding any of the men alive has been abandoned though it is expected the workings in which they are entombed will be reached tonica tonight b h t the |
