224 Scientific Intelligence. 



6. Report of the Director of the Bureau of Mines, Joseph A. 

 Holmes, for the fiscal year ended June SO, 191Jf. Pp. 101. 

 Washington, 1914. — The work of the Bureau of Mines keeps 

 expanding in the two lines towards which its energies are being 

 especially directed : the increase in the safety of raining, and the 

 more effective conservation of the mineral resources of the 

 country. This breadth of field is made possible by the act of 

 February, 1913, which enlarged the earlier field of the Bureau. 

 How much is being accomplished for the safety of mine workers, 

 particularly in coal mines where the danger is greatest, is shown 

 by the summary given by the director (pp. 13, 14) of the many 

 important kinds of work accomplished with this object during 

 the year. In conducting the campaign for the increase in safety 

 and efficiency in mining, it is proposed that the National Govern- 

 ment shall carry on the general inquiries and investigations ; that 

 each State shall enact the legislation needed and make provision 

 for mining inspection ; that mine owners shall introduce improve- 

 ments looking in the directions named as rapidly as their prac- 

 ticability is demonstrated ; and that miners and mine managers 

 shall cooperate in making and enforcing all safety rules and regu- 

 lations shown to be practicable. 



The enormous loss in the present methods of mining is dwelt 

 upon, and the estimate is given that in mining 600 million tons 

 of coal during the last calendar year, one-half the amount was 

 wasted or left underground in unminable condition, while of this 

 yearly waste, 200 million tons might have been prevented under 

 existing economic conditions. The value of the natural gas 

 waste is estimated at $50,000,000. The director also discusses at 

 length the necessity for greater national aid for the mining 

 industry, and shows how the development of the latter has lagged 

 far behind in relation to the rapid increase in population. 



The publications of the Bureau for the year include some 

 eighteen bulletins and also a long series of technical papers and 

 miners' circulars ; recent bulletins are as follows (see also vol. 

 xxxviii, 102): 



No. 38. The origin of coal ; by David White and Rhein- 

 hardt Thiessen. With a chapter on the formation of peat ; by 

 Charles A. Davis. Pp. 390 ; 54 pis. 



No. 73. Brass-furnace practice in the United States ; by H. 

 W. Gillett. Pp. 298; 2 pis., 23 figs. 



No. 76. United States coals available for export trade ; by 

 Van. H. Manning. Pp. 15, with map. 



No. 77. The electric furnace in metallurgical work ; by D. A. 

 Lyon, R. M. Keeney and J. F. Cullen. Pp. 216 ; 56 figs. 



No. 82. International conference of mine-experiment stations. 

 Pittsburgh, Pa., September 14-21, 1912 ; compiled by George S. 

 Rice. Pp. 99 ; 4 figs. 



No. 83. The humidity of mine air, with especial reference to 

 coal mines in Illinois ; by R. Y. Williams. Pp. 69. 



No. 85. Analysis of mine and car samples of coal collected in 



