24 PROCEEDINGS OF THE WASHINGTON MEETING 



bestowed the directorship of the Bureau of Mines on some one else. His 

 friends' belief in what President Taft would finally do was confirmed a 

 few days' later, when the appointment of Doctor Holmes was announced 

 from the White House. 



That he was a wise selection is evidenced by the wonderful develop- 

 ment of the Bureau under his administration. The work he had planned 

 as Chief of the Technologic Branch of the United States Geological Sur- 

 vey developed rapidly, aided by Congress, which widened the scope and 

 enlarged the purposes of the Bureau. The principal investigations taken 

 up under Doctor Holmes' directorship and the results accomplished are 

 as follows : 



An investigation in regard to the improper use of explosives and the 

 use of improper explosives. 



Investigation in regard to better lights for mines. Eesult, the estab- 

 lishment of a permissible list of portable electric lamps for use in danger- 

 ous mines. 



In developing rescue work Doctor Holmes introduced into this country 

 the so-called "oxygen breathing apparatus." Eesult, such apparatus is 

 now not only widely used in mine-rescue work, but is being adopted by 

 manufacturing plants and by city fire departments. There are today six 

 mine-rescue stations, eight mine-rescue cars, and one rescue motor truck 

 operated by the Bureau of Mines. There are 76 mine-rescue stations that 

 have been established by mining companies, at which there are 1,200 sets 

 of artificial breathing apparatus in addition to the auxiliary equipment 

 for first-aid and lire-fighting work. There are also twelve mine-rescue 

 cars being operated by mining companies. 



Investigations into the cause of disasters and the recommendations 

 made by the Bureau have resulted in an ever decreasing death rate. 



The investigation of coal dust and explosions therefrom was one of the 

 most important lines of investigation that Doctor Holmes took up. The 

 result today is that the entire mining industry, including operators and 

 miners, is convinced that coal dust will explode, and' recognize the danger 

 from it; and mine operators and State officials are following the recom- 

 mendations of the Bureau to prevent dust explosions. 



Investigations have been conducted regarding smelter smoke wastes 

 and wastes in the treatment of rare minerals and metals. Doctor Holmes 

 emphasized the need of such investigations, indicating that there was at 

 least $1,000,000 a day being wasted or lost in the present methods of 

 mining and utilization of our mineral resources. 



Investigations regarding the extraction of radium from its ores have 

 resulted in the development of a process through which it will be possible 



