Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1902-04-12
\ Comparison of the New with the
Former Mining Law

Former Mining Law.
In talk with Hon. David T. Will
liams, Frostburg's representative i'll the
House of Delegates, the JOURNAL learned
of changed provisions of the mining law
as follows:
|, Under the old law the printing of
the Inspectors report rested upon the
caprice of the Legislature. The result
is-no report of his work has been made
during the two last years.
Under the new Act he is compelled to
make report to the Governor biennially;
the report must be printed, published,
and one thousand copies distributed i'll
Allegany and Garrett counties. This
was deemed just to both operators and
miners.
2, 1t is the duty of the Inspector,
made compulsory, to tour each mine at
least once i'll every period of two months;
to test the volume of air at inlet and out
let, and i'll sections of mine where men
are at work; make accurate statement of
air circulation at each place measured
and post same i'll some conspicuous place,
protected from the weather, for reading
by all concerned. The men can thus see
whether or not they are receiving the
amount of pure air provided i'll this Act.
3, The Act makes it the duty of the
judges of this circuit to call the atten
ton of grand juries of Allegany and
Garrett counties to its provisions, and of
the latter bodies to compel, if necessary,
the attendance of the Mine Inspector to
make answer to such questions as may
arise.
This is deemedan important provision,
the Senator and Delegates believing it
will result i'll much good to both en-
ployers and employees.
1. The duty of mine superintendent or
foreman to report without delay any
fatal or serious accident to any employee
or employees is mandatory.
), Under the former law the Mine In
spector was an Inspector Of Weights and
Measures, but not provided with the
proper means to make tests.
Under this Act it is provided that the
State shall furnish the Inspector every
thing needful to test scales and measure
cars where they are loaded without
weighing. He is amply authorized, i'll
short. to ascertain by any means he may
find necessary to ascertain whether coal
is properly and accurately weighed or
measured. He has power to take the
daily statements, sum them and com
pare with the monthly aggregates as
made out for shipping by the operators.
All mine cars must be uncOupled on
scales before weighing.
6, The majority of miners at any mine
may have check-weighman without
seeking consent of the operators.
:, Anew provision makes it mandatory
upon each operator to have i'll the local
office for use of the Mine Inspector a
map of the mine or mines Hereunder
operated, said map representing all the
excavations made i'll said mine or mines
such as headings, cross-headings, rooms
and crOss-cuts, and all the extensions,
and to be renewable once at least
i'll every period of six months.
s, Each mine shall be provided with
two openings.
Q, For each employee there shall be
provided 100 cubic feet of air Il minute
at the place of work.
10, CroSs-cutS must be driven at in
tervals not exceeding 81 yards; when
through other croSS-cuts must be closed
by trap-dOors or brattices, the doors to
be in the headings to conduct the air to
each room.
II, A separate "split' of air must be
furnished for each body of - men work
ing in any one section of mine. All
trap-doors must be hung SO as to close
automatically, or an attendant must be
in constant charge of such doors.
-, The mine foreman shall once each
week measure the air at or near the
faces of excavation and keep a record of
same for the inspection and Use of the
Inspector, and said Inspector shall
verify same by measurement on each
visit and inspection of the mine.
10, This addition provides that the
employing company, firm or individual
shall provide at each mine for each body
Of one hundred men employed a stretch
er, covered with proof and
wooden blanket, for the conveyance of
anyone who, mourning injury, may re-
quire its use to his home.
The penalties for each violation of
this Act by anyone whose duty it is to
respect and obey it is IA fine not exceed
ing $500, imprisonment not exceeding
six months, or both in the discretion of
the court.