The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1906-11-15

not seeking to keep those men out
oi the mine; but We believe that
mere are enough practical men in
t"at iihe without taking in with them
q NUMBER OF impractical men. and
y { cannot see where there is a hard
snap 10 anybody but a benefit TO
nose Who are working in the mine.
ana the only answer l desire to make
10 mat is this: hat there is NOT an
Company. to my knowI-
eoSe, that Will take a miners risk,
| nave measured the necessity or
enforcement OF the law. do not
Nant TO be misunderstood as convey
ing the impression that the Mining
department. is not competent to en-
force the law. because they are en-
.nently SO. The laws are not being
enforced and ] am prepared to say
mat the responsibility for the lack
d enforcement is on the Department..
u course l believe 1t rests there bnt
l 90 Dei.eve II IS because of the In.
'uInclent neuaItIeS and the method
or enforcement of the mining laws
We have in this State.
we beiIeve the miners believe,
hat there should be a larger force
d. inspectors to properly inspect
mines. But the miners believe this:
mat II the Commission has in mind
IN revising the laws to increase b
NUMBER or inspectors. provided with
proper salaries and the necessary
means for them to travel from place
to place, In the way of expenses, We
believe that is all right, but the min
ers believe that in addition to that IL
h mining laws are not revised that
the protection of the inspectors will
not bring us the results.
The idea expressed, as we under
stand 1t in h Governors letter to
The members of the Commission
the mtnnrC Of Mast -
iieve. and the people of West Vir-
GINA are largely aroused on this
question. We believe that they are
willing to supply any funds for the
protection of life and the protection
of property. We believe that IL will
be the purpose of the members of
this commission to look at these
questions from every standpoint.
re Ave no desire that you accept
our statements without an investi-
satlon; In addition, We have no de.
"lre that you VIII recommend the en-
actment of law of such measures as
are incorporated in the suggestion,
Ia we make. unless You are thor
oughly convinced that they should
oe enacted. All we ask as mine rep-
r~esentativeS, is that you give these
questions your very best considera-
tion. unbiased and unprecedented. ba5
lore arriving at a decision, by the
.aclS as you nnu them. -
OF course the people OF West Vir!
Slnla VIII finally pass judgment on
he work OF the Commission. We
believe you are sincere In your de-
sire to do what is best for the pro-
lection of life in this State, We
-hink 1t is the desire of everybody.
1T Is only q question of arriving at q
question OF the best method.
Mr.. Chairman, and Gentlemen
| DrR9anf Il daSfra tn fhanH UNp f1r
he kind attention you have given
me this morning.
MR.. w. PAUL:
am satisfied that the gentlemen
Of the Commission have been very
much interested in the statement
that Mr. Lewis has made. AS he
says, 1t is my firm impression ana
belief h a the Commission is work
ing along the lines with the purpose
of accomplishing the result which
Mr.. Lewis claims the men employed
lesire; and h a is suggest such leg
Station that is practical, LEGISLATION
hat can be enforced.
If there are any further mark
hat any member may wish to make,
he Commission will be glad to hear
hem.
1 will say further, the Commits
sion wants TO advise with all mem
oers and learn everything It can that
may be beneficial to it, / under
stand a number of the operators who
desire to appear here are engaged
his forenoon and they will be ready
this afternoon to say something to
The Commission. In the absence of
any desire being expressed to make
further remarks. l move that we ad-
journ until two o'clock this after
noon.
On this motion being made the
meeting was adjourned until two
o'clock.
Meeting called to order at two
thirty O'Clock. by Chief Mine Inspec-
Tor, j. w. Paul., Chairman, all mem
Ders of the Commission being pres
emf.
Secretary ]. S. Cunningham, read
he folio wing resolutions:
70 the Honorable Members of the
Commission on the Revision of
the Mining Laws of West Virginia.
Charleston, West Virginia.
Gentlement:
The following resolutions, express
ing our desires with reference to
mining legislation, were unanimous
~ adopted by a special convention
of the mine workers of West Vir-
Sinia. held in this city October nth
18th.
1t is a we'll known fact that tho
inera of West Virginia
will be a factor in making this State
one of the foremost Industrial COM
monwealths OF our country.
Tho rand IaunIDr-n-t 80 A. 1~-y