Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-12-20

also be enacted to cover all mining OPP
erations, quarries, iron and clay mines.
In the state, especially there Is agreat
suffering In our metal mines from lack
Of ventilation, and from the reports
received through the papers. the death
rate Is proportionately higher than in
the coal mines
'The mining law Is enacted TO safe
guard the health and life of the ems
ployes and 10 preserve the property OF
the operators, whatever tends TO pro-
teet the life and preserve the health
OF the coal miners would fulhll the
same purpose with the metal miners.
IT Is not the duty Of the mine inspector
to draw up code Of mining laws, UNI
less instructed to do so by the governor,
but assume 1t TO be my duty to call
this important matter TO the attention
OF the governor, the senator's and the
representatives OF the people, and es-
peclally those representing mining
communities.
"rhe condition OF the mines OF the
State Of Utah will compare favorably
with any state IN the Union, notwlth-
standing the industry is In its infancy.
Having been In n position to know the
condition OF the coal mines In the state
for the past 10 years, the inspector
feels safe In saying that at no previous
time have the general conditions been
as good as they are now, with respect
to ventilation, drainage and general
safety.
HYDRO CARBON MINES.
Il am sorry to say that conditions in
our hydro-carbon mines are not as
favorable as they are in our coal mines,
on account Of the dust being of very
explosive nature. The inspector is in
doubt as to whether II is safe to use
electric light In preference to safety
lamp.
We had an explosion in one of those
mines which caused the death OF four
mon on the 2Sth day Of April, 1906. This
mine ras been closed down since the
explosion occurred, on account OF the
Inspector and the operator having not
decided on safe mode OF working.
The opinion of the inspector is that
they will have to be worked with q
safety lamp.
THE Jurisdiction Of the state coal
mine inspector, under the existing laws
extends only TO the mere start of tho
hydro-carbon mining industry. A great
deal Of thought has been given to the
enactment OF legislation that would
tend to safeguard the hydro-carbon
miner in his hazardous work, and at the
same time treat with justice the rights
and the interests of the operator.
The hydro-carbon mining industry in
Utah Is so vast that II has overshad-
owed a great many other kindred In
dustries, and the result has been that
the INTERROGATION mines have been that
lowed to develop with complete free
dom from legal restraint or guidance.
These interests are now great enough
to demand attention. They have
reached stage of development where
they should be brought within the pur-
view of the law. The operators of these
Industries should be compelled to take
all the necessary precautions to pro-
tect their employees, and the employees
IN turn should be brought under such
statutory regulations as viii insure
careful attention TO the rules necessary
for the protection OF life and properly.
1t Is tn Judgment of the inspector that
the next legislature should be made
familiar with the need of these indus
tries for proper regulations and their
development and operation and to that
end a bin should be prepared and In
troduced at the session OF 1907.