Birmingham state herald., 1897-02-24
PUBLIC LAWS.
AN ACT
No. 4se. AN ACT H. sss To Regulate the Mining of Coal in Ala
 bama
H. S3s.

To Regulate the M1hlhS or toal III Ala
 bama.
 Section 1. Be it enacted by the there shall be appointed by the gov ernor of Alabama, three inspec- tors of coal mines within ten days from the first day of May. 1897, ore of whom shall be designated as chief mining inspector and the other two shall be designated as as soeiate mining inspectors The chief mining inspector shall hold his office for three years from said date, one Of the associate mining inspectors shall hold his office for two years and the other as- sociate mining inspector shall hold ms office one year from said date; provided, however, that at the expiration Of said term of office, as above provided, the successors of said inspectors respectively shall hold office for terms of three years. The salary of the chief inspector shall be $1. 300 per annum and the salaries of each of the associate inspectors shall be $l,00o per annum.
 Section g. Be 1t further enacted, That the chief mining inspector shall be practical miner of at least five years ex- perience, and his two associates, who shall be practical miners of at least five years experience. No one shall be ap- pointed mine inspector who, or the wife of whom, owns or operates, in whole or in any part, mining property.
 Sec. 3. Be it further enacted. That the chief inspector of mines, who shall be chairman of the board, together with two practical miners and two operators or mines Ca majority of whom may acD shall constitute a board of examiners to examine and give certificates of fitness to persons as mine bosses in any coal mine in this state A fee of $5 shall be paid to the chief inspector of mines by each person examined, to be used as an examiners fund before the examination is begun. Out of the examiners fund there shall be paid to each member of the board, except the chief inspector of mines, who shall serve without extra pay, $4 per day. Said board shall meet every six months at the office of the chief inspector and remain in session not longer than three days. The said members of said board, except the chief inspector of mines. shall hold office for two years from the first day of May 1897, and shall be appointed by the governor.
 Sec. 4. Be it further enacted, That all coal mined in this state contracted for payment by the ton or other weight, shall be weighed, and the full weight thereof shall be credited to the miner of such coal, and that 1000 pounds of coal shall constitute a ton.
 Sec 5. Be it further enacted, That the owner or operator of each coal mine al which the miners are paid by weight, shall provide such mines with suitable scales, of standard make, for the weigh ing of all coal, when contracted for to be weighed.
 Sec 6. Be 1t further enacted, That in all mines the miners employed and work ing therein may furnish check weigh man. who shall at proper times have full access and examination of such scales and seeing all measures and weights, and accounts kept of same; provided, that not more than one person shall have such right of access, examination and inspec- tion of scales, measures and accounts at the same time.
 Sec. T. Be it further enacted, That the chief mine inspector shall procure from the state, at the states expense, tull 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 and other materials at the mines according to the state stand ard of weights; that it shall be the duty of said inspector to examine, test and ad- just as often as occasion demands. all scales and other apparatus used in weighing al mines.
 Sec. 8. Be it further enacted That the operator or superintendent of every coal mine whether shaft, slope or drift, shall provide and hereafter maintain ample means of ventilation for the circulation of air through the main entries and all other working places to an extent that will dilute carry off. and render harm less the noxious gases generated'In the mines. Provided. it shall be the special duty of the inspector and his assistants to carry out the provisions of this sec tion; and it shall also be the duty Of each and every mine operator and mine boss to assist the inspector and his assistants in carrying into effect said provisions
 And be it further provided, That If ar any time the inspector or his assistants are notified that the ventilation Tn any coal mine within this state is insufficient, the said chief inspector or one Of his assistants shall proceed within hVe days to investigate said complaint or com plainfs by personal inspection of any mine or mines in which the quality or quantity of air Is complained or, and If on Investigation he finds that the air in any mine is insufficient he shall direct the operator or operators of this mine to adopt such measures for the proper ven- tilation of such mine as he deems neces- sary In the event that the inspector or one of his assistants fails, without suffi- cient cause, or refuse to make the 1nves- tigation herein provided for, in addition to the penalty hereinafter provided for in section 37, he may be removed from office by the Governor.
 Sec. 9. Be it further enacted, That the chief mine inspector shall be furnished by the state all necessary instruments for measurement of air in mines, and whatever chemical instruments the said inspector may recommend from time to time.
 Sec. 10. Be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the operator, agent or superintendent of each mine to keep at the mouth of the mine, or at any such other place about the mine as shall be designated by the chief mine inspector, stretcher, properly constructed, and woolen and waterproof blanket in good condition, for use in carrying away any person who may be injured at the mines; provided, That employed. two stretchers and two wooden and waterproof blankets shall be kept in mines generating fire-damp. A suffi- cient quantity of linseed or olive oil bandages and linen shall be kept in the store at the mines for use in emergencies and bandages shall be kept at all mines.
 Sec. II. Be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the chief mine in- spector to require the proper break throughs to be made in all room-pillars, at such distance apart, as, in the judg- ment of the mine inspectors, may be deemed requisite; said break-throughs to be made and paid for according to the contract existing between the said own