The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-12
NOT A SINGLE EXPLOSION.
Report of Frank A. Burns, State Boiler
Inspector.

Special Dispatch TO the Standard.
| Helena, Dec. 10.-Frank A. Burns.
state boiler inspector, to-day presented
his annual report to Governor Smith.
showing that during the year ending
Nov. 80. 1885. there a not been a sim
gle explosion in this state. a record that
Is most gratifying to the inspector as
well as TO the general public. Mr..
Burns says:
In compliance with law I have the
honor to submit herewith the 10th an
nual report of the boiler inspection de-
partment, setting forth the money coll
lected within the year from all sources.
the disbursements, the number inc
grade OF licenses issued and to whom:
together with such recommendations
as at this time seem to me most essen
tial. In pursuance of law further De
inning my duties, 1t is gratifying that
1 have no boiler explosions to report.
The chief purpose of the law reating
this department was to prevent thi
character OF accidents. so destructive
to life property. When IL Is shown
that outside of Montana the past year
mas been or unusual disaster in this
respect, the wisdom of the act would
seem to be completely INDICATED. For
while we apprehend that because some
thing does not occur i'm the face of an
applied remedy. that the remedy is the
cause thereof does not necessarily fol-
ioNs III the HttttSllN Tor "A reme0Ns
arising, the wisdom Of its selection
rests on the n-on-occurrence of that
sought to be obviated. And further.
there Is abundance of evidence i'm the
correspondence on file from stationary
engineers in not less than a dozen
states. which contain requests for in
formation as to the conditions which
they might be examined under the pro-
visions of Montana's law, at the same
time stating were they in possession
of a license issued from this depart
ment they would be assured of a more
lucrative position.
The expense to the state of the de-
partment Is met land during the two
years Of your excellency's administra-
ton a surplus OF 81. 764.11 has been
turned Into the state treasury by a
mere pittance imposed upon each en-
gineer licensed, supplemented by a
small fee collected from the owner or
from the user Of each stationary boiler
examined. OF the latter II would seem
pertinent 10 state that those who con-
tribute by far the greater portion Of
the boiler inspection fees collected.
yield same with the least disapproval.
In consideration of the above. I am
sorry to report to your eXcellency that
the help n means provided the de-
partment are not adequate To the COM
plete and thorough discharge of the
duties obligated by the provisions of
the law. / would therefore recommend
that an additional assistant inspector
be appointed and that a suitable ppro-
priation be given this department to
cover his salary and expenses. or. If
this be deemed unwise at this time. that
at least an appropriation of not less
than $500 per year be provided for
the office and travelling expenses of the
department: for. were IL possible for
during certain seasons Of the year
TO tlrn nN0r "A mart Of the clerical urnrE
OF the office to a competent clerk. IL
would perhaps afford the relief neces-
sary at this time.
From a monetary standpoint, the
state would be benefited by the in
creased appropriation I'm the additional
amount of fees IL will enable the de-
partment to earn. n what is of great
err moment. the prosecution of the du-
ties imposed by law could be more eff
GENTLY and completely accomplished.
i would also recommend that section
Sol of the political code be amended so
as to read as follows:
Section sci. When complaint is made
gains an engineer holding a license
from the inspector, that he. through
negligence, wan of skill. or inattention
to duty. permitted his boiler to burn,
or otherwise to become i'm bad condi-
ton. or that he has been intoxicated
while on duty. or hat in the operation
of steam machinery. through incompe-
tence, inattention to duty or criminal
carelessness, Injuries life or property, Il
is the duty of the inspector or the as
sistant Inspector to make a thorough
Investigation of the charge and upon
satisfactory proof of such charge to de-
grade or revoke the license of such en-
gineer. The inspector inc assistant
inspector must, as often as convenient.
publish "A notice in some suitable news
paper. stating upon what days they
viii be In certain specified localities.
n that they will at the time and
place specified in such notice. receive
n make examinations
for the purpose of granting engineers
and that they will examine
all boilers subject to inspection in the
vicinity of the place appointed.
Also that section 566 of the political
code be amended so as to read as fol-
% Section 566. That this article does
not apply to locomotives in Montana,
nor to boilers used in heating private
residences, nor to any boiler having a
capacity OF five horse power or less, |
nor are locomotive engineers or per-
operating n of the boilers here
In exempt from the operation of this
article required to procure licenses |
from the inspector or the assistant in
spector.
Also tina section 5sS OF the political
pt dIltuutu DN inserting AFTER the /
phrase when connected" the follow
Provided. that where such boilers are
within the limits of any in
city the fee for inspection
shall be s. for each boiler inspected.
Attaches to this report will he found
tables showing in detail the receipts
and disbursements of this department
and the work accomplished by IL dur
ing the year, as well as a. condensed re-
capitulation of work lone since 1891. as
in the last two annual re-
issued by h department and
down to date.
In conclusion I wish to reiterate the
Acknowledgement made in my last re-
port OF the faithful and conscientious
assistance rendered by James II. Dali
ey, assistant boiler inspector. and also
10 make thankful Acknowledgement to
he owners and users of plants inspect
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