Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-05-08
MIME INSPECTORS.
The Laws Relating to Their appointment
and Duties Should BE OverhauIed.

The Laws Relating to Their appointment
and Duties Should BE Overhauled.
In the Philadelphia Press of Friday
last appeared a communication from one
of our townsmen, and in his treatment
of the subject under discussion the writer
makes number of suggestions that,
if acted upon, could not prove otherwise
than beneficial to the parties most inter-
ested in mining coal. The communica-
tion, which is as follows, explains itself:
Your editorial few days ago on the appoint
ment of legislative commission to investigate
the ventilation of coal mines was quite right as
far as it went. 1t is not an investigation into
the ventilation of the mines that is needed, but
an entire overhauling and change in the law
relating to the duties and appointment of mine
inspectors that is wanted. Representative
Coyle of course, means well, but evidently
fails to comprehend the situation.
| There are eight mine inspectors in the an
thracite region of this state, to inspect some 400
| seperate mines, which are scattered over an
area of over 1000 square miles; to attend and
investigate whenever any serious accidents
| happen; to make extra calls and investigation
when any one makes an individual complaint.
Besides that, they have their office work and
reports to attend to.
Each mine inspector has thus on an average,
| about fifty separate mines under his charge, or
say about one for each week in the year, if
only one inspection is made in each place. But
| it must be remembered that most of the mines
| have very extensive workings, with miles and
miles of main gangways, without considering
| the individual chambers where the coal is cut
where the foul air and powder smoke is princi-
pally made aud where the distribution of fresh
air is most necessary but generally most defec-
tive. 1t will thus be seen that it is impossible
for the mine inspector to travel to each place,
| attend each call and inspect each mine as often
| and as carefully as he ought or the circum-
stances require.
The ventilation machinery and circulation of
air in the main entries is generally good and
| fully up to the requirements of the law but the
the individual distribution at the face of each
miners wOrking place is often miserable and
| defective. suppose the mine inspector orders
| the mine foreman or superintendent to do this
or do that for the safety and health of the
miners? Their answer is generally favorable,
| with promise to attend to it, If it suits the
management to attend to it they will do so, if
not, it is left alone. They argue the mine in
oISNtOl 10 Llpt llhcly W Dt uTOuIu sew
eral months; by that time the place complained
of is finished and past further complaint
Hence no heed is often taken of his orders.
Should he happen to come again too soon and
renew his orders a ready excuse is never want
ing. If the management is obstinate and differs
with the mine inspector what can he do? BY a
cumbersome and costly legal method he can ap-
ply to the court for an injunction. Suppose af-
TOW. Loo, 1aI.,
favor, what is gained? He can stop that
mine from working until his order is complied
with, but then he will likely throw 500 or eC0
men out of work until it is done. No mine in
spector would do that except in extreme cases.
All the different mine inspection districts in
the anthracite and btuminous coal fields ought
to be unified and brought together under one
head and management. The inspector chief
ought to be an eminent geologist and mining
engineer. He should also be required to inves-
tigate, tabulate and map out all the latest I'M
provements and discoveries in mining and geol-
ogy, and publish them in the annual reports.
A great deal of valuable information in regard
to the geology of the mineral resources of the
state is now lost to the public because no COM
petent and authorized agent of the state now
exists who can collect and publish them.
Each mine superintendent ought to be re-
quired to take out a license or possess certiH-
cate similar to what is now required of the mine
foremen. Each mine inspector should be pro-
vided with deputy, whose duty it should be
to investigate minor complaints, watch that
the inspectors orders were obeyed and to
furnish the inspector with daily reports about
the condition of the mines and nature of COM
plants he is investigating.
The mine Inspector instead of being compel
led to apply to the court for power to compel
obedience to his ORDERS should have power to
suspend the certificate or license of the mine
foreman and superintendent, if necessary, to
compel obedience.
If the legislature would amend the mine law
in some manner as previously indicated they
would confer far greater favor and benefit
the miner far more than any commission can
or will do. JAMES BoHIIN.