Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-01-26


to have and maintain at least two avail
able openings 10 the surface from each
seam or stratum OF the coal worked, IN
such mine, one of said openings to be
known as a manway or escape-way In
case of an accidenA Said manWay or
escape-way shall be kept in good con-
dftion and shall be at all times reasona-
bly, safe for entering and leaving the
mines: reasonable time, however, snail
be given to said OPERATOR owner or gem
eral manager to prepare the second open
ing In no case exceeding one year from
the time such order is made; unless, In
the opinion of the chief mine inspector,
a longer time is required in which case
they shall allow the additional time nee
essary and SO ordered.
s Sec. I5 Be 1t further enacted, That
not more than twenty men shall be al
lowed to work in any mine hereafter TO
be opened until an escape way is proVlo-
ed for.
Sec. is. Be it further enacted, That APP
plicants for first and second class mine
foreman's certificates shall be at least
twenty-three (23) years of age, and shall
have at least five 90 years practical ex-
perience after having attained to the age
of fifteen Q5) years as miners, superin-
tendents at or inside of any coal mine,
and shall be citizens of this state and men
of good moral character, and men or
known temperate habits. The said board
shall be entitled to grant certificates OF
competency of two grades, namely: Ger
tificates. of the first class to persons who
have had experience in mines general
ing explosive gases, and who shall nave
the necessary qualifications to fulfill the
duties of mine foreman in such mines,
and certificates of the second class 70
persons who give satisfactory evidence OF
their ability to act as mine foreman In
mines not generating explosive gases.
Sec. IT,. Be 1t further enacted, That no
person shall act as foreman in any coal
mine in this state generating explosive
gases. unless he is In possession or a
first class certificate of competency.
But ninety days will be given to those
now acting as mine foreman to perfect
themselves for examination. That the
fee for examination and issuing first
class certificate shall be $500, and for a
second-class certificate $500.
Sec. 49, Be 1t further enacted, Tnat on
or before the 25th day of January in each
year, the operator or superintendent or
every coal mine, shall send to the cmef
inspector of mines correct report II re-
.quired, specifying with respect to the
year ending the 31st day of December,
preceding, the name of the operator and
location of office of the mine, and the
quantity of coal mined. The report shall
be in such form and give such informa-
tion regarding such mine as may be from
time to time required and prescribed by
the chief inspector of mines. Blank
forms Tor such report shall be furnished
by the chief inspector of mines.
Sec 10. Be it further enacted. That
the owner, agent or operator of all under
ground mines in this state shall make
or cause to be made by competent en-
gineer an accurate and exact map OF
such mine, showing the exact position
of such mine in reference to the section
lines which shall be connected with
some known boundary corner OF the sec
ton, or ub-division of the section. That
said map shall show accurately the
position Of any branches creeks or rivers
under which said mine may extend; also
as near as possible the position af any
old mine near by, and that said map
shall be sworn to by the engineer making
same. That the new work inside OF
mines must be added to said map or a
new map filed at least in every twelve
months. That said map shall be filed in
the office of the chief inspector OF mines,
who shall provide a suitable and saIe
place for keeping it. That the chief in
spector of mines, with the approval OF
the board of examiners, may refuse to
receive maps made by persons claim
ing to be mining engineers, VINO are not
known to be such and of good standing
and character in their profession. That
the mine boss in charge of such mine
shall certify to. the. correctness or SAID
map. The map shall be made on uni
form scale of not less than 200 feet to
the inch; any person may secure copy
OIL map on HE III lue lHSpcStci
by paying reasonable charges for making
such map-and such copy, when certified
by the inspector, shall be evidence In
any court in this state.
Sec. 90 Be It further enacted, That the
chief inspector of mines shall give oil
rections to the mine operators, owners
and general managers as to the method
and manner of working gaseous mines,
and the manner of working and prop
ping the roof in any and all mines, and
shall examine the machinery and appli-
ances used in working the same. All
such directions shall be given in writing,
subject however, to the approval of the
board of examiners, as herein provided.
Sec. 81. Be 1t further enacted, That the
doors used in a system used in ventllat-
ing or regulating the ventilation of mines
be so hung and adjusted that they will
close themselves, or by supplying them
with springs and pulleys so that they
cannot be left standing open.
Sec. %. Be Vt further enacted, That ap-
proved safety catches shall be attached
to the cage used for the purpose of hoist
ing and lowering persons into and out of
the mines An adequate brake shall be
attached to every drum or machine for
lowering and hosting persons into and
out of the mines, and also props and indi-
Gators which shall show to the person
who works the machine the position of
the cage or load in the shaft or on the
roadway.
Sec. 49, Be 1t further enacted, That
when a place is likely to obtain dan
gerous accumulation of gases or water,
works, when approaching such places
shall not exceed eight feet in width, and
there shall be constantly kept at suffi-
cient distance ahead, not less than three
yards In advance, one bore hole near the
center of the workings, and sufficient
flank bore holes on each side, six feet
apart and six feet in depth
Sec. "a. Be it further enacted, That the
owner. agent or operator or agent of any
coal mine shall place in charge of any
engine used for conveying into and hoist
ing out of said mine, none but an expe-
rienced, competent and sober engineer.
No engineer in charge of such an engine
or machinery shall allow any person ex-
cept such as may be deputized for that
purpose, by the owner, agent or operator
to interfere with 1t, and no person shall
interfere with or intimidate the engineer
in the discharge of his duty.
Sec %. Be 1t further enacted, That the
mine Inspector, miners employed in the
mines, and the owner of the land or per-
sons Interested In the rental and royalty
of such mines. shall at all proper times
have full right of access to scales used ait