Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-04-15
NINE REGULATIONS.
STATE INSPECTOR PAUL CALLS At
TENT1ON TO RECENT CHANGES
IN THE LAWS.
CIRCULAR TO OPERATORS
And Miners Directing to
the mi Made by he Last Leg
fsIature, and the New Mining Laws
Observation-Disclosures Are import
ant to Operators and Miners.

ant to Operators and Miners.
State Mine Inspector James w. Paul
has issued a circular to the mine oper-
ators and miners of the State, in which
he says that the Legislature in regu-
lar session, during January and Feb
ruary, 1901, enacted some mining laws
of such Importance that the attention
of the coal mine operators and miners
should be drawn thereto. The present
mining law was amended in several
instances and two new laws wee
enacted. The amendments to which at
tention is drawn are;
/. Breakthroughs shall be made in
the pillars every 100 feet, or brattice
shall be used so as to properly ventil-
ate the mine.
2. In mines generating fire-damp all
stoppings shall be substantially con-
structed and made as nearly straight
as practicable. Cautionary notices shall
be posted warning persons against en-
tering abandoned parts of the mine,
and it is unlawful for persons, without
authority, to enter such abandoned
parts.
8. No miner shall take into any mine
a greater quantity of explosives than is
required for any n shift of II hours.
A. At mines generating flre-damp in
dangerous quantity, a fan, or It's equal
thereof, shall be used for ventilation,
and the fan, or other power, shall be
kept in operation day and night unless
written permission be granted by the
Chief Inspector or the District lnspec-
tor; but this shall not apply where it
is necessary to shut down the ventilat-
ing power for repairs.
5. After a miner has exploded as
much as so GU. in. (2h lbs.) of powder
in any one shot in any mine which gen
crates explosive gas he shall not enter
the working place and attempt to re-
sumo work with a naked light il less
than 20 minutes after the blast.
6. A fire boss shall be employed at
mines generating fre-damp or other
dangerous gases. He shall be a citizen
of the State, having a practical knowl-
edge of mine ventilation and a knowl-
edge Of fire damp and he shall have
had at least three years experience in
mines generating fire-damp and dan
gerous gases. The fire boss shall adopt
some intelligent plan to warn and give
notice to all employees when they may
be permitted to enter the mines. In
the performance of his duties the fire
boss shall have no superior officer.
Z. 1t is unlawful for any person to
enter a gaseous mine for any purpose
at the beginning of work upon each
shift until such signal or warning has
been given by the fire boss on the out
side of the mines.
s. On all haulways, at distances not
to exceed 100 feet apart, space not less
than 10 feet long and 2 feet 6 inches
wide between the mine car and the
rib of the coal shall be kept open.
9. On the front car of every trip or
train of cars, when in motion in a
mine, a conspicuous light shall be car
riad.
10. At every mine where so men are
employed underground, the operator
shall keep on hand at the mine a
properly constructed stretcher, a
WOODEN and a waterproof blanket. At
mines employing as many as $50 men.
two stretchers and two blankets shall
be kept.
The new legislation noted comes I'M
der three heads, as below:
Oil.-Chapter 81 of the Acts of 1901
requires that no blackstrap or kero-
sene oil or a mixture OF the two shall
be used in miners torches inside of
any mine, but only such oil or oils as
are free from the evolution of smoke
asa standard c~ottonseed oil shall be
used in miners torches In coal mines.
The standard c%ottenseed oil shall be free
from mineral oil and shall not exceed
"A degrees Tagliabue hydrometer at so
degrees f. To conform with this
oil law each operator should provide
himself with a small quantity Of
the standard cottonseed oil and when
purchasing oil the same should be
sampled and burned in a miners lamp
alongside of a lamp burning the stan
dard ~cottonseed oil. The difference in
the mount of smoke produced will
determine whether the oil complies
with ,ne law.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES 20, Acts
l9Ol, provides that employees may, at
their own cost, station or appoint a
checkweishman at ohe place where the
products of their labor are weighed for
the purpose of determining the amount
or wages due to employees. Such
ch-eckweighman shall in all cases be
appointed by a majority ballot of the