The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-21
CHOOSING NINE INSPECTOR.
Why 1t Would Re Foolish TO Urge
Their Selection by Popular Vote.

Engineering and Mining Journal.
The United Mine Workers of America
in convention at Pottsville, Pa, re-
Gently passed the following: Re
solved. that we favor the election of
one inspector to each ten collierles, and
when the term of the present inspector
expires that the next be elected by the
voters of the district
That the first part of this resolution
Is step in the right direction must be
evident to every one familiar with eX-
istng conditions in the anthracite
regions. The inspectors there have
without a doubt more than can be ac-
complished by one man, II the work of
ispectiOn is to be done in anything ike
thorough manner. But the second
part OF the resolution appears to US to
be a long step backward.
The anthracite mine law of 1891 spe-
ciliJs the minimum age of an inspec-
tor, requires him to have had a certain
number Of years experience as a min
er, and obliges him to pass an eXamina-
tion with IA percentage greater than
90 before he can be recommended for
appointment. Nothing can be mere
essential, it seems to us, than the two
specifications required of such an Of
fetal by the present law; namely %,
the knowledge of how a mine should
be conducted, gained by actual eX-
perience, and t2) the knowledge why
the affairs should be conducted in
certain manner, learned from the the
ory of mining. Above all else, there
fore. mine inspector shouiu be a
thoroughly practical man and also
Versed in the science of his calling.
The resolution above quoted may not
necessarily mean that the years of
experience are not essential, and that
the examination shall be done away
with. but i'm case they are to- be re-
tanned the number of applicants eligi-
BILE for election would be extremely
small This would undoubtedly not
meet the intent of the resolution as
by these preliminaries the field would
be narrowed down before the voters
could indicate their choice. 1t would
be similar to the nomination Of q DO
ltical candidate for office by delegates.
when such nominee is not the choice
of the mass Of the party.
The resolution. as we understand it,
would make all men eligible for the Of
flee. and all the voters within the in
spcction district entitled to voice in
the selection. The eligibility rules are
needed and that they should require
the prospective inspector to be an eX-
pCricnced miner in the anthracite coal
field, ana also a resident of the an
thracite region is now apparent. But
how about the voters? Shall the gro
Ger, the baker, the carpenter. the ma
son, the saloonkecper-evcn the farm
er-say who shall be mine inspector?
Certainly not Then who shall be en-
titled to assist in the choice, mining
men only? If this is the case then the
Workmen on the surface, most OF whom
are practically beyond the jurisdiction
Of an inspectors powers, may help
their fellow employees To selection III
which only the latter are flshtfully IN
tercsted. The restriction 10 all EN-
ployes at the mines not being lalr
either, the line must De dfaWn sun
closer. ana we VIII say mat oniy uh-
deiground cm9loyes shah De entitled
to vote ior the hllhe inspector.
ihat seems lust lor al, Withih tne
mine are equaliS oNershiiuoWeu py ils