Birmingham state herald., 1896-12-13

Hon. J. J. Altman, speaking of the min ing bill, said to a reporter yesterday that on the 18th of November a general min ing bill was introduced in the lower house by himself, an abstract of which was published a few days later in the State Herald, that on the night of the 4th of December the coal miners and oper- ators appeared before the mining and manufacturing committee, and discussed the bill that had been introduced, that after such discussion the introducer of the bill made some changes by way of a substitute. This substitute will be in- sisted on by the author of the bill. The bill as substituted being as follows
 A BILL
 To be entitled an act to regulate the min
 ing of coal, iron and other minerals
 in Alabama.
 Section l. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Alabama, That there shall be appointed by the Governor of Ala bama an inspector of mines whose term of office shall commence at the termina- tion of the term of the present inspector of mines, and who shall hold office for term of two years and until his success sor is appointed and qualified. The sal ary of said inspector of mines shall be $1,500 a year, payable quarterly out of any funds in the state treasury not oth- erwise appropriated.
 Sec. ?. Be it further enacted That no one shall be appointed to the office of mine inspector who is not a practical miner of at least five years experience; nor shall any one be appointed to the office of mine inspector who-or the wife of hom-owns or operates in whole or in part mining property.
 Sec. g. Be it further enacted, That the inspector of mines, who shall be chair man of the board of examiners, together with two practical miners and two oper- atorS of mines Ca majority of whom may acD shall constitute a board of exam iners to examine and give certificates of fitness of persons as mine bosses in any coal and iron mine in this state. A fee of $5 shall be paid to the inspector of mines by each person examined, to be used as an examiners fund.- before the examination is begun. Out of the ex- animation fund there shall be paid to each member of said board, except the inspector of mines who shall serve with out extra pay. & per day. Said board shall meet once every six months, at the office of the inspector and shall remain in session not longer than three days. The said members of said board except the inspector of mines, shall hold of flee for two years from the day of -, 1897. and shall be appointed by the Governor
 Sec 4. Be it further enacted, That all coal mined in this state shall be weighed before being dumped or screened; and shall be paid for by the ton. the full of such coal. Two thousand pounds of coal mined shall constitute ton.
 Sec. 5. Be it further enacted, That the owner or operator of any coal mine shall provide such mine with suitable scales, of standard make, for the weighing of coal.
 Sec. 6. Be 1t further enacted, That in all mines, the miners employed and working therein may furnish check weighman, who shall at proper times have full access and examination Of such scales and see all weights and accounts kept of the same; provided that not more than one person, on behalf of the min- CTS collectively, shall have such right of access, examination and inspection of scales, weights and accounts for the same period of time.
 Sec T. Be it further enacted, That the mine inspector shall procure from the state at the states expense, full and complete set of standards, balances and other means of adjustment such as are necessary in the comparison and ad- justment of scales, beams and other nec- essary apparatus to be used for just weighing of coal at the mines according to the state standard of weights; that it shall be the duty of said inspector to examine, test and adjust as often as oc- casiOn may demand all scales and other apparatus used in weighing at mines.
 Sec. S. Be it further enacted, That the operator or superintendent of every coal mine whether shaft, slope or drift, shall provide and hereinafter maintain am pie means of ventilation for the circula- tion of air throughout the main entries and all other working places to an ex- tent that will dilute, carry off and render harmless the noxlous gases generated in the mine, affording not less than one hundred cubic feet per minute for each and every person employed therein, and as much more in either case as the mine inspector may deem requisite.
 Sec. g. Be it further enacted, That the mine inspector be furnished by the state