The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-02-26
STATE WILL BE
DIVIDED INTO A ]
DOZEN DISTRICTS.
Inspector For
Each District

q NJ So.
CHARLESTON; Feb. 2c.-1n the
last few hours Of tlse regular session
of the 2Sth general assembly OF the
State OF West Virginia, some mining
LEGISLATION was enacted that win prove
beneficial to everybody connected with
the mining interests of the state.
While onlytone bill on this important
subject was passed by both houses,
1t Is a large one and thoroughly GOV.
ers the subject for which it was de-
signed.
One Of the most important fea.
TIRES of the bin Is section four,
where the chief Of the department OF
tntues by and with the approval of
the governor shall divide the state
into twelve mining districts and
eqaalizc as far as possible the work
OF each, district mine inspector. The
salary of each OF the district mine
inspectors is nxed at $500 per an,
nun with his actual expenses and for
this sum is 1t the opinion of the
framers of the lsw mat men can be
secured who are capable of thor.
oughly inspecting the coal mines OF
the STATE. The deputies are required
to have a practical knowledge OF
mining and the proper ventilation
and drainage OF mines, together with
a knowledge of the dangerous gases
that Turk in the bowels of the earth.
These deputies may be removed by
the chief inspector TOR .ncompetenc,,
neglect of duty, drunkenness ana
other good causes. They shall re-
port of the chief inspector monthly
the number and condition Of the
mines they have visited during the
month and shall also issue to the
operator a certificate of inspection.
The chief of the department Of
mines wifi have increased powers
under the new law. He will nave
the sole power of the appointment of
deputies. The salary OF the chief
mine inspector has been increased To
$1,000 per year and the first ap.
polntment under the new law must
be made 10 begin July i. 1909, and
the term Of ONCE shall be for four
years. The governor shall have the
power to appointment TO se eonarm.
ed by the State Senate.
One section Of the bill requires the
operator agent Of every coal mine in
the State to make or cause 10 be
made map of the inside workings
Of the mine and supply the inspector
Of his district with the same. The
msp must be renewed twice year
and the operator must notify the
district inspector who shall forwasl
his map and nave the same extended
with a complete survey OF the mine.
The new law requires the mine
foreman or his assistant to furnish
TO every person employed in the mine
a copy Of the mining laws and rules
of such ming and instruct him as to
the particular danger incident to his
work In the mine. Every fnexper.
fenced person so employed shalt
work under the direction OF the
mine foreman. his assistant or such
other experienced miner as shall be
designated by him until he Is famEi.
lar with the danger connected with
his work No changes has been made
in this section in regard to the pro
vision in the old law prohibiting
more than twenty persons to be en-
aloyed In mtne with less than two
outlets.
Metal Tubes must be provided from.
the tor to .ke bottom OF each SHAFT
thropsh wSIeh conversation may be
carried on between persons at The
bottom and Others at the top OF the
saaft: also the ordinary means Ot.
signalling and an approved safety
catch and overhead cover on the
cage and at tho top Of the shan q
safeiy gate
All sio4es, engine planes or moto,
reads ase,f By persons in any mine.
shah he made OF SUFFICIENT width toi
t'c=snlt persons 10 pass moving cars
~iSh safety. or refuge holes Of am
pie Dimensions and not more thaiI
sixty fees asart- shall be made on
one side q said slope easine plane
or MOTOR rs4ris -a,si tbese refasaI
holes mast be lzctg clear OF obstrus-
lsO'as and be kgpt 'rhiteEasaed AZ an
TINES
In regard TO ventilation. -that nos
ssssrIly requisite for mines. The law
relutres ts..s sser,- aunst be MAIN
sA1aed % lsss sAsa ore h1n1res
e,l3se test OF aiF Per minnie In eseaI
asss eEsFss i,ss.su.s .-l-illosle ii III
nine ma Is a1et rao-e s ~ a.
ssSss 81 reusss B,esss
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