Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-01-21
MINING BILLS IN
THE LEGISLATURE
Substance of the Four Measures
Now Being Considered by
Utah Law Makers.
STATE DEPARTMENT OF MINES.
Establishment of Office Would Entail
A Large Salary Mr. Curtains
Proposed Hydro. Carbon Law.

There have been four mining bills in
troduced IN the Legislature during the
present session. but, as yet, none have
been enacted into laws. Three Of these
measures have been introduced by Rep
resentatiye Joseph and the fourth one
by Representative Curtain.
The public has heard great deal
about Mr.. Josephs mine inspection bin,
but any moro than It provides for n
general inspection Of mines, further
understanding Of the proposed mea-
sure Is limited 10 very few outside a
half-dozen legislators. This measure
IS known as II B, No, Is and is an act
To establish state department OF
mines; defines its purposes and au-
thority and provides for the appoint
Inent Of chief with salary OF $1,000
and expenses, per annum and two as
sstants at a salary each of 81 500 per
annum and expenses. also clerk at q
salary OF $1,000 per annum. As a quail
iRcation for the position Of chief in
spector the appointee must have had
at least 10 years practical experience
in Utah mines. His term Of office is
through the governor The assistant
inspectors must be residents OF the state
and will be required to give evidence
OF having had at least Eve years eX-
perience IN practical mining, and must
have thorough knowledge of mining
IN all tie details. one of the assistants
is 10 have inspection Of coal mines ana
the other TO perform the Same duty IN
fuetalllferOus mines. An Inspection
Of all mines In the state Is
required at least once every quarter
and an inspection fee Of $40 Is supu-
lated
II. b, No, 20, also introduced by JOS
eph, requires mine owners to look after
the health and safety Of employees by
providing proper ventilation, timherlng.
etc. The bill also fixes fine OF not less
than $500 nor more than $1,000 as PEN
atty for revealing any information con-
corning the character Of the under
ground workings OF any mine by the
chief Inspector Of mines or his assist
ants, Mining companies are required to
notify the officials mentioned of any ia
tai accident Immediately after the oc-
currence OF the same.
II, -. No. 9, by Joseph, provides for
the taxation o fall mines and their net
proceeds, amending section 1904 Of the
revised statutes,
II. B. No. 49,, by Curtain, prohibits
the use of explosive oils In hydro-car-
carbon mines for lighting purposes.
only when diluted with non-eXplosiye
animal or vegetable oil, and then IN
not to exceed fve gallons at time, In
approved tight cans. The oiling or
greasing OF cars inside mines is for
hidden unless the place where this In
done IL cleaned out at least once a day,
10 prevent accumulation Of waste oil or
grease IN the roads or in the drains,
Not TO exceed one barrel OF lubricating
oil will be permitted In mine at one
time.
The state mine Inspector Is empow-
cred TO regulate blasting when he dis
covers the air is becoming yitlated by
unnecessary blasting of coal
For the purpose of properly ventl-
latlng rooms In mines where coal IL
over eight feet high. cross-cuts In rooms
shall not be as than 100 feet apart, nor
more than i25 feet apart.