Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1879-08-02

that as we'll as he; and we do not ques-
ton their right to employ as many as
they think proper. But we maintain
that it is his duty to see that the
work is conducted on the safest prin-
ciples of modern mining Hence
we would refer him to the 9Th section
of the Ventilation Law:
And be it enacted, That 1t shall be the
duty of the said NINE inspector to care
fully examine all mines that may be in OPP
Grafton IN the counties of Allegany and
Garrett, at least once in every month, and
oftener if necessary, to see that every pre-
caution is taken to insure safety to all
workmen that may be engaged in said
mines and to see that the provisions of
this act are strictly observed.
Here the question would arise,
what are the provisions of this act ?
In the 9th section it reads as follows:
And be it enacted, That to secure and
provide for the proper ventilation of every
coal mine in the counties Of Allegany and
Garrett, and to provide for the health and
safety of the men employed therein, the
owner lessee, or agent of each respective
mine, shall employ o competent and prac-
teal inside oyerseer whose duty it shall
be to keep n careful watch over all the
ventilating apparatus that may be- placed
| in said NINE, as well as the airways, all
the travelling ways and all the tlmberlngs,
| and to see that all loose coal or rocks over
| head be carefully secured against falling
| upon any of the miners engaged at work
| therein, as they advance in th.ir eXcaYa
tons; and it shall be the duty of the inside
| ,,l,n Of
and keep q careful watch over all things
connected with and appertainlng to the
safety of the men at work in the mine.
Now, Mr.. Editor, l would appeal
to you as one who fought so hard for
the passage of the Ventilation bill, to
inform US whether that act was in
tended to be understood as it passed,
or whether it was to be construed into
other and different meanings. If the
former Was the spirit Of the bill, then
| contend that it is the duty of the
Inspector to see that too many men
are not crowded together to endanger
their lives.
| believe every man in the county
who has had any experience in min
ing will agree with me that it is safer
for two men to work in a room than
it is fer four or five. Let us place two
msn at mining-one shoveling, the
other shearing; fifth may be raising
bottom coal; so that between the ring
ing of the shovel, and the noise of the
pick aud sledge, it is impossible to
hear anythingmoving, which renders
it unsafe, particularly for the men in
the mining.
But that is not the worst feature.
If we turn our attention to the sys-
tenn which is carried on in taking out
the pillars, where we have instances
of six to eight, and even sixteen men
working on the same pillar, which
compels them to work in g line along
the road, something similar to the
long-wall expansion system. Some
of those rooms may have been driven
up and left standing for years, which,
OF course, has given the roof time to
crush and settle on the props and pill
lars. More especially on the latter.
Now we will allow those men to open
raising Of from forty to fifty feet
along the roadway, which is but a
small space for eight or ten men to
work in. If the pillar is thick and
the coal reasonably strong, we may
expect to find the break of the roof
in, from two to four feet from the
edge of the pillar, distance which
the miner is liable to take down al
the first cut. If the pillar be thin
the squeeze in general falls unon the
whole Of it, rendering it equally dan
gerous to the miner. Suppose eight
men to be busy at work with four
cars in their road, and, all of sud
den, the roof was to work through,
having the edge Of the break cleared
otl. would they be likely to hear the
first whispering sounds of that break.
ing roof through the jing!ing sound
Of shoveIs, picks and sledges? No;
methinks they might be something
ike the British officer on the banks
ofthe Delaware merry making when
the sword of Washington and his
followers were lowering over their
heads, and the grim monster, death,
staring them in the face. When the
aignal Of alarm was given by the
sontiual each man eprang to his feet
with sword il hand as bold and
dauntIess soldiers, but only 10 face
their opponents, these valiant revo-
lutionists who were determined to Sc
cure the freedom Of this country.
Even so With the miner. When, in
addition to the noise of their tools
you hear the merry laugh resounding
and the passing Of innocent jokes
bark the alarm Of danger is given !;
the roof is caving in; maybe the
squeeze is coming from the outer end;
if so, what were the chances OF escape :?
They may make bold rush over tools,
Goals and cars, but ottimes into etegn-
ity Now who shall We blame, or,
where shall we lodge the RESPONSE
bility? The projectors have invested
their money for the sake Of gain; they
have employed their officials and pay
them to watch their interests. The
Mine Inspector is employed in behalf
of the people, and paid out of the
peoples money to kesp a diligent