Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-02-05
BEYOND THE MINERS.
Operators Complain of the Tough
Questions Asked Pit Bosses.
NOT A FAIR TEST OF KNOWLEDGE.
A Law as Carried Out That Discriminates
Against the Men.
THE RESULTING EVILS OF TIE SYSTEM


time to call attention 10 the manner in which
pit bosses are examined by the board ap-
pointed under the law. Miners and owners
complain that the questions asked are too
technical, and do not fairly test the ability
of applicants for these positions.
In this State no one is allowed TO act as q
mine boss unless he possesses certificate
from the Board of Examiners. The natural
result is that monopoly in pit bosses is
being created, the miners feeling that many
deserving men are excluded and the opera
tors realizing that they are often compelled
to take bosses that they do not want.
Colonel W.,P. Rend, the Chicago coal
operator, was asked for his views at the
Monongahela House yesterday. He re-
marked, after he had talked for some time,
that Alex. Dempster. Mr.. McCulley, the
engineer. and others agreed with him.
All the Questions Not Pertinent.
The Colonel said: 1.-The law requiring an
examination of mine bosses is good one,
but think the questions are too difficult for
the average miner, and many of them do not
concern his work. A mine boss needs to know
two things above all others, how to discover
noxious gases and avoid explosions, and
to properly support the roof. For the first OBJ
ject he Is supplied with the Davy and other
safety lamps. Auy man in \ short time can be
taught the use of these appliances and be able
to detect the presence of gas
The board, however. in trying to see whether
the miner understands his business may
ask him for the component elements
of carbonic acid, for example, and if he can't
answer the question the point is scored against
him: The miner should understand that tins ms
bottom, and that it will not support human
life. The applicant may know these
important points about the gas. but because he
can't answer the question on composition
black mark is put down to his record. In
similar manner a mechanical engineer will
want to know the capacity of boiler OF
given horse power, or he is liable to ask some
other equally technical question.
Qualities of a Good Mine Boss.
"a good mlne boss should know how to look
after boilers, and the fact that he can't perform
these intricate calculations does not detract
from his practical knowledge. The engineers
and master machinists are hired to do this tech
nical work.
"The consequence is that the law, as it is car
ried out now, discriminates against the men. l
have plenty of intelligent miners among my
employees who would make good pit bosses, but
they can't pass the difficult examinations. l
wonder sometimes that the men stand it. One
OF my best pit bosses can scarcely write his
name.
Another feature which can't be overlooked
is that the law, as enforced, is creating scare
ity in Bosses and is liable to lead to bad results
When a man feels that he doesn't hold his
position, as he should, by the force of sheer
merit, but because he has certificate from
an examining board he becomes careless.
In the selection of mine boss charac-
ter and sobriety are as important as ability,
and all these points should be carefully In
quired into"
Then switching off to the Mammoth mine
horror, the Colonel continued:
New Laws Must Be Practical
"The insane cry has gone up in some quar-
ters that the inspection laws are at fault, and
that these unfortunate victims were made so
to crafty selfish greed and ayarice. This cry
and this claim seem to me to be most unjust.
express this opinion In the interest of no one,
but simply IN the interest of common justice.
human life is most sacred and should be
protected and guarded in mines by every pos
State are believe more rigid and more COM
plete than in any other State in the country.
II the presentlaws are carried out all VIII De
DONE in my Judgment. that legislation can pos
sibly do to aid in guarding the life OF the miner.
If State or other legislation can do any more
toward making mines safer and toward
diminishing the risks to human life. then, as a
coal operator, would welcome such legisla-
tion. Other operators, believe, feel the same
way, but any additional laws enacted should
be of practical character and should be Just
In their nature.
mo one feels deeper interest in guarding
against explosives and disasters like thi, recent
one than the mine owner. To him the pnssibil-
ity of such calamity is source of constant
concern. especially where dangers from explo-
sive gases are supposed to exist. An explosion
means to him a heavy loss of property. 1t
means to him terrible ordeal of public odlum
where any carelessness on his part can be
proven. 1t means claims of damages for loss OF
life, that may involve him in pecuniary
ruin. Above all, it means to him the
terrible remorse of conscience that would hunt
him to his grave and make his life of
misery in case he can accuse himself of being
the cause of sending to eternity men in his
employment and bringing to grief and destitu-
tion the HELPLESS wives and children of these
men, But no laws that have ever been enacted,
no human care, that has ever been exercised,
has ever. or will ever, wholly prevent accidents
TO life and occasional calamities in certain
dangerous occupations"