The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-11-14
FROM OHIO.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR or MINES,
CnIIMRrs % Nnv q

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR or MINES,
COLUMBUS, o., Nov. 9.
To the Editor u the woAkHsAAS's ADVOCATE
| observe a statement in tho Labor Trib-
Ute of last week, made by q correspondent
from near Youngstown, To the effect that
the mine in which he works has very bad
air, and men are discharged, or ordered to
take vut their tools, for speaking to the
boss about the matter Let the men who
are suffering notify me, and | will give the
matter prompt attention, and investigate
And here allow me to state for the benefit
Of all concerned, that it will nOt do to wait
On my coming around, as there are up
wards Of 800 coal mines in the State, over
which have official supervision, embrac-
ing 10000 square miles Of area which |
would find it impossible to visit and in
spect once in whole year have tried to
get around all the mines as rapidly as my
other duties would permit, so as to &C
quaint myself with the manner Of working
and the system Of ventilation in practice.
Many places have not visited at all yet !;
to some mines ! have made two visits.
Wherever | find things wrong 1 forthwith
notify the responsible parties Of the facts
and suggest such changes and improve
ments as the law demands. The parties
notified have, in every case, promised to
do as | suggest, except one-that Of the
contractor and manager u the Sedan
SLOPE, who took exceptions to my conclu-
sions, informing me by letter that the mine
was well ventilated, etc. | replied that
il my recommendations " ere not complied
with ] had but one duty left ; at the same
time | wrote to the owners Of the mine,
notifying them that | would find it neces
sary to appear against them in court unless
the ventilation Of the mine was improved,
etc | received very gentlemanly reply,
stating that the matter complained Of
would be looked into at once, and the
cause If complaint removed
Now, whether my suggestions have been
carried out IN every case, or IN any case,
| do not know, as l have had no word
from any Of the miners Ia the contrary,
and in making inquiry ~ the operators, or
managers, are informed that they hear NJ
complaint In visiting a mine ! hnd III
many cases that the men represent the
matter IN it, worst lIgh;. aud the operator
in its best light, and find 1t necessary. az
1t is my duty, 70 rNslniue fer myself / he
miners are entitled Ia g..Hl air under the
Law, but they must take some intpIvsr III
the law 10 derive benefit from II. The
same complaint was made to me alb, ut a
check weighmaster, as was made in the Ia
Dor Tribune about bad air. The men IF
some mines wanted check weighmen, and,
on speaking to the boss, he said he would
not have it, Then the men asked me what
they should DO. 1 replied, appoint your
man, direct hun to go and see the coal
weighed, AMI not to leave his post till
driven awas by force, then report to me. -
The miners Of Ohio have now the same
right to have check weig hmen to see their
coal Justly weighed, and to have good air,
etc, as hey are to get their pay, after they
have armed their money IN the nine
What would they think if, on going to the
Office for their months pay, they we're told
by he clerk The company are not GO
lns to pay you anything for last months
wrk." The Law ~ald compel the COM
JAny to pay, so would the Law compel the |
company to allow a check weighman, and |
10 provide good air, but the miners would |
have to apply to the proper officers for re-
dress. l repeat, let miners notify me Of
causes IT complaint, and If, after | have
InyestH ated the same and directed certain
things to be done as the Law requires, let
them again notify me If they are not posi-
lively done. | will resort to extreme
measures only after | find no other way
will avail, and when do 81 the company
must look for mercy in the Law, If there IL
any there, for ] would have no longer any.
Very truly yours,
ANupEW Row