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By Robert M. von Storch

Chairman Doc, distinguished guests, and fellow members of the Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute: It's a genuine pleasure to meet with you again at the 54th regular meeting. I might add that it is always pleasant to be at the top of the batting order. The field is wide open since there is no danger of repeating something already said. At the same time, I am aware that the lead-off speaker has a responsibility to avoid stepping on the toes of subsequent speakers. I promise to confine my remarks to areas other than those to be covered by the well qualified speakers that follow. During our meetings at this convention, many fine papers will be presented. Our thanks are due Bob Williams and his hard working program committee for the superior selling that brought so many eminent speakers to our meeting. And, of course, our special thanks go to Doc Schloss, general chairman of this meeting. Doc and his able colleague, Stan Shubart, have been the spark plugs that fired up all of the arrangements we are enjoying here in Glenwood Springs. I'm sure all of us are appreciative of the many hours Doc has devoted to seeing that our meetings will be pleasant and profitable. When we mention arrangements, we always think of that master arranger, Fred Whiteside, who, as a charter member and secretary-treasurer of the Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute, has had more to do with more matters around these parts than just about anyone I can think of.

Jan 1, 1958

By Graham Bright

Up until a few years ago most of the electrical equipment used in the mines of this country was developed for industrial purposes and was adapted for use in mines by slight modifications. It became apparent, however, that mining conditions differed widely from most industrial applications and it became necessary to design and develop apparatus, particularly suited for use under mining conditions. Most of the electrical apparatus used in mines today, however, does not owe its success entirely to mining development, but in many cases developments in other branches have been taken and improved upon and modified to meet mining conditions. Power Plant: In the earlier days the power plant for the production of electric power usually consisted of fairly small belt driven direct current generators operated from reciprocating non-condensing steam engines. Today where possible the mines purchase power from central stations and where not possible it is ususally produced from turbine driven plants using non-condensing turbines for the smaller plants and condensing turbines for the larger plants. The bad water conditions at many of the coal mines in this country is, responsible in a large measure for the high cost of upkeep and repairs in isolated power plants. This feature with the type of labor available makes it difficult to operate an isolated plant condensing except in the larger mines where water conditions are good and the apparatus can be taken care of. The geared turbine is a particularly simple and rugged piece of apparatus and requires very little attention over long periods of time. Hoists: The first electric hoists to be installed used various types of motors designed for railway or industrial purposes, and the control furnished was far from satisfactory. Today most of the mine hoist motors are of the alternating current type, especially designed for hoisting service. The control for motors of 200 H. P. or over is usually of the magnetic of liquid rheostat type, and as built today will operate over fairly long periods with a very moderate cost of up-keep. Hoists of 1000 H. P. or larger are usually of the direct current type using field control and receiving power from a flywheel or synchronous M. G. set. Hoists of this type have made remarkable records in regard to continuity of operation and low cost of up-keep. Where high speed operation is desired in either coal or metal mines, the D. C. equipment using field control and a separate M. G. set to supply power to the hoist motor is not only the safest and most economical but in many cases is the only type of equipment capable of satisfactorily obtaining the output required. A number of improvements have been brought out with the field control scheme in connection with the acceleration, retardation, overfeed and overwind of the hoist. With these new developments the hoist operator can no longer abuse the hoist by improper manipulation of the control handle. Until a few years ago the matter of safety devices was not given much consideration when installing hoisting equipment. At the present time the safety devices are considered one of the most important items in connection

Jan 1, 1922

By Lyman Fearn

Men and institutions are what they are largely because of inheritance. Out of the past comes experience that enables men to build more wisely than did preceding generations. The field of possibilities has widened as the horizon of men's vision has been extended. The realization of these possibilities has depended largely on the application of men's natural endowments, brain and brawn, to the problems at hand. In the field of mechanized mining, Wyoming has a greater percentage of men with vision, who have a realization of the possibilities of mechanized mining, than any other state in proportion to tonnage production. With the introduction of mechanized mining systems have come problems that have caused the men who are connected with the safety work much thought. Discussions on mechanical drilling, cutting, loading, conveying, haulage, etc., have come in for their share of the debate. There have been a few attempts made to show that mechanical mining is safer than are the more primitive ways of doing underground work by man power. We also have a number of places in the coal producing States of the United States, where the mechanized systems have been abandoned chiefly on account of the safety element involved bringing about condemnation of the system by State inspection forces. Certain types of scraper systems have been condemned, and some have voiced opposition to long faces. This would lead us to believe that the question is still a debatable one as far as the safety element is concerned. It is only fair that we discuss the operations of mechanical systems and from the results obtained take analysis of conditions as they exist, basing our conclusions from the results obtained.

Jan 1, 1928

By D. C. McClure

MR. McCLURE: Mr. Chairman, you sprang a surprise on me; I really came over here for a good time. Gentlemen, I am not at all qualified to pose as an expert on pulverized fuel; I have merely been making some rather interesting observations, and unfortunately at the present time, a great deal of substantial data, the technical data, I don't happen to have with me; it is still in the process of being calculated, but I will be very glad to tell you some of the observations as I have made them, and in as truthful and complete a way as I can. The question of how we would handle fuel became a very pressing subject in this new Valmont electric plant, which is now under progress. We have studied the methods of burning fuel for a number of years on different types of stokers at the existing plants in Denver; we are burning it with a natural draft chain grate and with underfeed and with forced draft chain grates, and I am very frank to confess at the present time that I have no answer as far as stokers are concerned for a better solution of the problem of burning lignite. In other words, I could not tell you that this or that is a better type of stoker to use for that coal. However, to boil the thing down, after considerable trials, the underfed stoker was chosen as the one most adaptable for the utilizing of lignite fuel if stokers are to be used. In other words, the chain grate was put aside. I might say in support of the chain grate, the prime reason for which that type of stoker was condemned, as far as lignite goes, is the initial investment charge and the large maintenance which is involved.

Jan 1, 1923

Dear Fred: Bobby Schultz sent me the attached copy of the 1926 Proceedings owe Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute which he borrowed from you after I had requested to get the volume containing a paper of mine on the hazards of electricity. I am returning it direct to you as requested by Bob. [ ] Thanks much to both of you. Very truly yours, [ ] D. HARRINGTON, Chief, Health and Safety Branch.

Jan 1, 1926

The following is the list of those who have become charter members of the Rocky Mountain Coal-Mining Institute COLORADO Adamson, W. H., mine examiner, Leyden Coal Co., Leyden. Addison, Herbert, vice-president, Big Horn Collieries Co., Denver. Allen, Carl A., assistant professor of mining, Colorado School of Mines, Golden. Alley, Gerald, chief draftsman, Fuel Department, Colorado Fuel & Iron Co., Pueblo. Anderson, A. E., Denver. Arnott, John, superintendent, Colo¬ rado Fuel & Iron Co., Crested Butte. Babcock, C. W., Denver. Ball, Joseph, Walsenburg. Bayles, F. P., superintendent, Car¬ bon Coal' & Coke Co., Cokedale. Beach, Benjamin, superintendent, Colorado Fuel & Iron Co., Coal Creek. Beere, W. J., pit boss, Victor-Ameri¬can Fuel Co., Maitland. Berryman, Charles. H., secretary¬treasurer, Southern Superior Fuel . Co., Denver. Beuchat, Charles, Pryor. Bickerton, Richard, mine foreman, Colorado Fuel &. Iron Co., Tabasco. Bortman, John, miner, Colorado Fuel & Iron Co., Pictou. Bock, Henry, Box 1602, Denver. Bostwick, Fred H., Wellman-Seaver¬Morgan Co., Denver. Bowen, James V., Denver. Bowie, Alexander, general manager, Juanito Coal & Coke Co., Bowie. Bowie, Wallare D., Bowie. Breen, J P. Walsenburg. ,Brown, D. W., vice-president, Rocky Mountain Fuel Co., Denver. Bullock, W. H., salesman, Westing¬house Electric & Manufacturing Co., 1152 Gas & Electric Building, Denver

Jan 1, 1913

Jan 1, 1951

[HORACE MOSES President Gamerco, New Mexico BENEDICT SHUBART Secretary-Treasurer 521 Boston Bldg., Denver, Colorado ROBT. L. HAIR Vice-President for Colorado VIRGIL R. McKNIGHT Vice-President for New Mexico A. E. GIBSON Vice-President for Utah THOS. FOSTER Vice-President for Wyoming EXECUTIVE BOARD COLORADO: J. B. DICK Walsenburg C. M: BILLINGTON Lafayette NEW MEXICO: W. C. HOLMAN Dawson ROBT. WYPER Gallup UTAH: R. R. KIRKPATRICK Sunnyside GEO. A. SCHULTZ Latuda WYOMING EDWARD BOTTOMLEY Kleenburn QUINCE RICE Superior]

Jan 1, 1926

[JOHN B. MARKS President Boston Bldg., Denver, Colo. BENEDICT SHUBART Secretary-Treasurer 521 Boston Bldg., Denver, Colo. H. H. BUBB Vice-President for Colorado Cokedale, Colo. W. J. REID Vice-President for Utah Wattis, Utah WM. MOORHEAD Vice-President for New Mexico Dawson, New Mexico GOMER REESE Vice-President for Wyoming Frontier, Wyoming EXECUTIVE BOARD COLORADO: E. H. McCLEARY Alamo SAMUEL TESCHER Denver UTAH: DAVE BROWN Storrs JOHN JENNINGS Hiawatha NEW MEXICO: JAS. McDOUGALL Van Houten GEO. MIKSCH Gallup WYOMING T. H. BUTLER Hanna L. A. NORMAN Sheridan]

Jan 1, 1925

[WILLIAM LITTLEJOHN President Castle Gate, Utah BENEDICT SHUBART Secretary-Treasurer 521 Boston Bldg., Denver, Colo. .JAMES DALRYMPLE Vice-President for Colorado State Office Bldg., Denver, Colo. HORACE MOSES Vice-President for New Mexico Gamerco, New Mexico .J. B. FORRESTER Vice-President for Utah Hiawatha, Utah P. H. BURNELL Vice-President for Wyoming First National Bank Bldg., Ogden, Utah EXECUTIVE BOARD COLORADO: J. B. DICK Walsenburg R. A. McALLISTER Trinidad NEW MEXICO: W. W. RISDON Albuquerque J. B. MORROW Dawson UTAH: CHAS. LEGER Rolapp R. R. KIRKPATRICK Sunnyside -WYOMING: F. L. McCARTY Rock Springs J. C. RAE Gebo]

Jan 1, 1924

By Grainne A. Matthews

Jan 1, 2008

Jan 1, 2006

Jan 1, 2008

By Ron Harper

Jan 1, 2006

By Scott Jones

New Mexico Coal Operations ?San Juan, La Plata, And Navajo Mines ?Three Sites 100% Owned By BHP Billiton ?San Juan And La Plata Mines Owned/Operated By San Juan Coal Co. Supplies Coal To San Juan Generating Station ?Navajo Mine Located On Navajo Nation Lands Supplies Coal To Four Corners Power Station

Jan 1, 2008

By Glen A. Knox

The writer has been asked to set forth for this Institute, the experience of the past eleven months in the mining operation conducted at Sweetwater Mine in which coal has been produced by the use of Link-Belt Conveyors on long faces. The coal in this mine has an average of six feet three inches in thickness, and lies on an average pitch of five degrees. The roof is a sandy shale of medium hardness and has been generally considered as good top in the room and pillar method of mining. When our company became interested in conveyors, the writer visited most all of the mines in the East where conveyors and other mechanical methods of mining were in use and decided that the modified method of w-hat is in use at the Norton-West Virginia mine would be the most feasible for our conditions. We in- stalled three hundred feet of conveyor as an experiment to see whether or not our roof could be handled and taken care of on long faces. This three hundred feet was installed as two separate conveyors, one as a face conveyor-100 feet in length, the other as a heading conveyor that delivered the coal into the mine car on the main entry. This face was worked directly on .the strike and down the pitch. This did not prove to be a success as the caving of the roof carried over to the working face and necessitated propping between the conveyor and the face and it was also necessary to shovel coal on the conveyor up the pitch. After working out this block, 200 feet in length, we installed these two conveyors at a place adjoining this worked out block, but on a half V shape shown on the sketch. This block of coal was sixty feet wide. This method proved to be very successful. We cut a place, moved the conveyor against the face before shooting and carried two rows of cribs between the conveyor and the cave, and caved the roof every second cut. After working out this block we were satisfied that this system was feasible with our mine. We then ordered twelve hundred feet more of the same type as the trial conveyor with the exception of a very few modifications. We then installed this fifteen hundred foot unit on the four faces shown on the sketch, with one hundred feet to each face, two hundred feet on each heading and three hundred feet on the main conveyor that delivered the coal into the pit cars. We also had a head and rear section for each of the four advancing places shown on the sketch. As the sections were taken out of the heading conveyors they were installed on the advancing conveyors, and when the faces approached the main conveyor, the main conveyor was taken out and installed in the next uphill or main conveyor place. The roof caved very well in line of the points and was broken about every twenty feet. It broke in a straight line and did not curve at each V. We encountered no trouble unless we permitted one of the points to get behind. The maximum tonnage possible to be produced on this method was estimated to be seven hundred and twenty-five tons a day, assuming that all places were cut and cleaned up in one shift, and this we did for several consecutive days. While this was a success from a cost standpoint, we felt that we could

Jan 1, 1925

FEBRUARY 26TH. MORNING SESSION: The sixteenth regular meeting of the Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute was called to order in one of the private dining rooms of the Albany Hotel, Monday morning, at 11 o'clock, with the President, F. W. Whiteside, in the chair, one hundred and one members being registered. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. The Treasurer reported the finances of the Institute in excellent shape. The President appointed J. B. Marks, J. S. Veach and W. A. Ream as a Resolution Committee, and Frank A. Young, M. B. Urquhart and G. A. Murphy a Nominating Committee. There being no further business the meeting adjourned. AFTERNOON SESSION: The afternoon session was called to order in the Ball Room of the Albany Hotel, with approximately one hundred members present, President Whiteside presiding. A. L. Jones read his paper entitled, "The Power Problem of the Coal Mine," and C. E. Drennan, his paper, "Why Alternating Current." These papers were thoroughly discussed, after which the meeting adjourned. EVENING SESSION: At 6:45 p. m. two hundred and fifty-three members and invited guests met in the Ball Room of the Albany Hotel for the banquet. Harry F. Nash was toastmaster, and George Sanford Holmes the principal speaker. Following Mr. Holmes speech, H. N. Wheeler delivered his humorous oration of the "Annexation of Cuba;" following this certain members of the Institute gave an entertainment depicting a fictitious meeting of the United States Coal Commission. Chester Mott, formerly a member of the Institute wrote the words and songs of the entertainment, and directed it. After the show the assembly enjoyed a dance.

Jan 1, 1923

The meeting was called to order with President George B. Pryde in the chair, and C. M. Schloss, acting Secrcetary. The meeting immediately pro¬ceeded to the reading of the papers. Mr. L. S. Ickis read a paper by A. L. Jones, entitled, "Underground Sub-Station Control," and elaborating on the general topic of automatic sub-stations. The discussion was led in part by Mr. E. H. Weitzel, acting as Chairman, in Mr. Pryde's temporary absence. Mr. S. R. DeBoer, who specializes on landscape architecture, gave an interesting talk on the subject of "City Planning and Landscape Architecture for Western Coal Camps." Notes were taken of this talk, which will be found in the proceedings. Mr. Pryde then resumed the Chair; There was no discussion of this paper. Mr. Thomas Foster, of Reliance, Wyoming, then read his paper on "Coal Dust in Mines." After the discussion of Mr. Foster's paper, the discussion of Mr. McKeehan's paper on track bonding, read at the Salt Lake meeting, was resumed, and this discussion will be found printed separately in the proceedings. Mr. Schloss then read an amusing and friendly telegram from C. H. Stevenson, of Price, Utah, which caused considerable merriment, and the Chairman asked Messrs. Weitzel, Littlejohn and Schloss to form an appro¬priate answer, and they answered it in the same spirit. The Chairman then announced the banquet for Wednesday evening and the Theatre Party for Thursday evening. The meeting then adjourned. The meeting resumed at 10:15 A. M., Thursday, February 14, 1924. The Chairman announced a photograph of the meeting to be taken at noon, on the Post Office steps, after which the Chairman appointed a nom¬inating committee, consisting of George A. Murphy, F. W. Whiteside and

Jan 1, 1924

By C. Arthur Carlson

"It now becomes my privilege and duty to call to order this fifty-first meeting of the Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute. "I bid you a hearty welcome and I know by your attendance at these meetings you will gain a great deal of valuable information, as well as have a wonderful time. "We have been very ably represented by Mr. John H. Emrick as General Chairman, assisted by our good friend Mr. Fred W. Whiteside, our secretary and treasurer. I know they have worked very hard in selecting the various committees, who in turn - by the looks of our program have gone all out to prepare material that should be of great interest to us. I trust we will be attentive to the subjects presented and freely enter into the discussions, also relating our problems and experiences. I am sure this will prove both profitable and beneficial to all present. "The main purpose of these conventions is to become acquainted with each other, renew old acquaintances, talk over our problems, and have a little fun and relaxation from our every day routine. "Let us not forget the manufacturers, the distributors, the operators, or the press because it is through their splendid support that this organization is successful. "Since our last meeting we have gained many new members, whom we especially welcome. We are sorry to have lost a few. I am mindful, at this time, of two very good members from my home state who have passed away, Walter Wetzel, a former president of this institute, and Lee Alger, at the time of his death, Vice-President from Utah. We also lost very recently our assistant Secretary-Treasurer, Everret Davis. These men contributed a great deal to the institute and the coal industry in general. I am sure they are greatly missed by all who knew them."

Jan 1, 1955

By V. F. Parry

The author wishes to acknowledge the advice and criticism of A. C. Fieldner, chief, Coal Division, Bureau of Mines, United States Department of the Interior; the assistance of Durbin Van Law, consulting industrial engineer, Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad, Denver, Colo., who furnished valuable information on trends of coal production in Utah by making available his unpublished report "Utah Coal Industry"; and the aid of J.C. Beltz, associate research chemist, Bureau of Mines, Washington, D. C., who reviewed and checked the data, and of W. S. Landers, assistant chemical engineer, Bureau of Mines, Golden, who assisted in the preparation of many of the statistical data, in this report.

Jan 1, 1942