Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-09-24
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PEOPLES PULPIT.
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Keb, Sept. o. 1908.
Editor Courler:-lt certainly Is good news
to the Iowa miners to learn of the renom-
nation of Hon. n. p. Kendall of Monroe
county to the lower house of the thirtieth
general assembly of Iowa as his nomination
IN mat county means an election to his
third term The writer has been a resi-
dent of Iowa since 1882 and during those
years has been interested in every mining
Dill that has been before the legislature,
having been counseled in regard to them,
In some Instances assisted in drafting them
and worked for their passage In person,
and through the press, thus forming the
acquaintance of many of the leading mem-
bers OF both houses. However. I am not
reluctant in saying Mr.. Kendall is one of
the best friends the Iowa miners ever had
In the Iowa legislature His work In their
behalf shows that he introduced and secured
the passage of more bills for them in hia
four years than was passed in ten years
up TO the twenty -eigL,h general assembly.
-Four years ago when he was nominated
for his first term the writer was then Q
resident of Foster. Monroe county Mr.
Kendall made one of his first speeches
there during the campaign and ut the close
of his remarks / asked him II he was elect,
cd whether he would favor the passage OF
bill creating state board of examiners.
lie answered he would and this is the
first instance this bin was mentioned in
Iowa to my knowledge. What is the re-
suit? Mr.. Kendall was elected and the
above bill became law and the Iowa
| miner now feels the benefit of it both in
ventilation and sanitary conditions of the
mines, as previous to its passage men held
those positions that had no practical
knowledge as to what was required Of
them.
Now they have to reach a certain Stans
dnrd before they can enter upon theiI
n Ynr nv. M Inn n fhaA
must obtain certificate of competency bes
| fore they can get a position.
| Another bill of Importance to Iowa min.
ers was that providing for a shot examiner
and tirer. Up to the passage Of this law
| in many instances the miner would finish
| his work from one to three hours before
| time to fire his blast and as it had to ba
done at the end of the days work fixed
| by the company. he would have to wait.
Then the careless. reckless miner could
drill his hole regardless of the safety OF
! himself and his companions. Under the
| Kendall bill the examiner must first SCI
| cure certificate of competency. When he
| begins his duties he enters every mans
place of working, examines every shot and
/ if drilled according to the practical rule
| of mining he will approve of them, Ii not
| he will reject them. This fact Is we'll
known to all men where the shot examiner
| is employed and the miner will
strive to do his work in prac.
! teal manner, for he we'll knows
I if otherwise done the examiner when he
comes around will condemn his work. This
| one measure shortens the day of the miner
| in the mines from one to three hours fOf
he can only load the loose coal He has to
{, timber his rooms, prepare his blast for the
next day. then he is done. When this is
done and the shot examiner has come
around and passed upon his driiings he
has To tamn his nowder in, then he Is