The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-03-13
BY THE INSPECTORS
Reports Of More Than Ordinary Inter
est Regarding the Mines.
A LARGE FIELD COVERED
Suggestions and Recommended
tions Submitted to the Cover
nor-The List of Accidents
Fatal and Non-Fatai

reports of Capt. c. s. Shoemaker, state
mining inspector, and John II. Miles.
his deputy. Montana Is above every
thing else a mining state. and while
great interest is taken in all other re-
sources, mining is the life of the state
and all matter pertaining to progress
in mining and the development of
mines commands interest in every cor
ner of Montana
1t has been customary at the begin
ming of each year to publish in pam
phlet form these reports of the min
Ing inspectors, but these reports were
not published for the past year owing
to the fact that no funds have been
appropriated for that purpose. The re-
ports have been submitted to the gov
ernor but have not been given out for
general Information because no funds
were appropriated to defray the cost of
publication in pamphlet form. The Ie
ports of these officers have been pre-
pared with greater care than ever be-
fore and the Standard is in a position
TO publish the results of their labors of
the year of 1895, which are too valuable
to be pigeon-holed.
Captain Shoemaker begins the sew
enth annual report of the state mining
inspector with these observations:
1T is gratifying to note that as the
mining Industry increases throughout
PRODUCED, work is made easier, greater
facilities are readily forthcoming, the
cost OF extracting ores is reduced and
the science of mining is becoming so
systematized that properties carrying
low grade can be worked profitably.
More care for the safety of the min
ers Is being exercised, as noticed I'm The
greater number of precautionary meas
ures adopted; also in the careful in
structions given TO employees and In
the rules adopted in many mines.
The Improvement In ventilation
throughout the state is noticeable and
/ am glad to note that managers gen.
orally are looking after the health of
their underground employees, and fur
nishing them with fresh air so far as
can be consistently done.
am indebted to the Butte Brother
hood of Stationary engineers for valu-
able suggestions which assisted in the
completion OF the state code of mine
signals.
The very low price Of silver has re-
tarded the mining interests of Montana
TO an extent that Is almost incalculable.
III silver were quoted to-day at 100 and
would remain at these figures the in
crease In mining interests and devel-
opment would undoubtedly swell the
output to three times the present pro-
duction.
There are hundreds of good silver
mines In Montana already opened
which would be worked ait once and
hundreds of others which would be
opened and worked could the owners
be assured of a steady paying market
L IND very many gold properties and
small mines are being worked now that
silver is so low Old gold mines that
nave lain idle or been abandoned for
years are now being developed and
1nanX of than with
peotors during the past year have
made many new discoveries and their
search for the yellow metal will con-
tinue. While Lewis and Clarke county
Is good gold producer. jefferson
county Is also rich I'm the same treas
ure. Gold has been discovered in every |
county In the state in both placer and |
gold formation.
with one exception the fullest cour- |
tesy has been extended me at all |
mines which i have visited in my off, |
cial character. / wish to thank all |
managers, superintendents, minor Of |
metals and many of the employees for |
the able assistance rendered me while |
inspecting the mines in which they |
were directly or indirectly interested
EXITS.
Il would recommend that all mines |
working below the 200 foot level should
have not less than two exits. This / |
deem an absolute necessity as / con-
slider that a valuation cannot be set
upon the lives of those who work at
such great depth. Two or more exits
supply the necessary fresh air and
also means or ways of escape should a
mine be flooded or on fire or a serious
nishap occur in the working shaft
POWDER.
Il find the law governing the hand
ing and storing of powder is fairly
we'll complied with. This is a matter
II the gravest Importance wherein the
ives OF many miners may be endan-
sered by violation. The law should
be respected and not i'm the least evad-
"a. With one single exception 1 have
ound no cause for complaint so far as
material violation of the law is con-
,erned. In this one case / had the
natter corrected at once and found
ipon inquiry the fault was solely at
TO ignorance of the law.
INDICATORS.
L would recommend the use of chair
Indicators in all hoists. They are at
present scarcely known among mining
men. Their great value and usefulness
an hardly be estimated until after
heir utility has been demonstrated.
These chair indicators will show the
n or when the shaft is clear for the
'assage of cage. For more particulars
would call attention to the report on
Drum Lummond mine. Lewis and
,larke county.
CROSS HEADS
There have been no accidents from
alling cross heads during the year. |
this fact must again
insist that cross heads should be done
way with in all shafts. II they must
e used they should be made as long
S possible as accidents are less liable
D occur than with the use Of short |
mes. The law is faulty i'm permitting |
heir use at all but IL a law governing
hem is still TO exist. IL should be 50 !
as not TO allow them to be /
'orked below the 200 foot level where /
mine is 10 be worked permanently. |
he law should also apply 10 shafts ,
aving a greater incline than A. de-
rees. as there is equally as much