The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1907-11-08

fitted to superintend of the work of
others who knows precisely what
constitutes a fair days work in each
of the departments under hin!. 1t
is by no means necessary that he
should be able to compete in skill
with the workmen, but he should be
able to judge as to the quality of
the work turned out.
A recent writer upon the, subject
of college and apprentice training in
commenting upon the movement in
connection with the various profess
sions, says: Probably of ali tn
professions, that of mining has
Jagged behind most in demanding
highly educated officers" Is this ac-
cusation against the mining indus
try warranted by the facts?
In all of the states of the United
States where coal mining is an i'm
portant industry, with the exception
of two, as well as in Canada, no one
can serve as a mine foreman, assist
ant foreman or fire boss who has not
served a number of years in the
mines, and in addition has passed an
examination in the essentials of
mining theory, especial attention be-
ing given to the subjects of ventila-
ton and accidents about mines. In
many states hosting engineers are
also required to pass an examina-
ton before being granted certificates.
So far, SO good, and as regards this
particular class there is probably no
industry which requires a more
rigid training. These regulations do
not, however. apply to any positions
of responsibility about metalliferous
mines, nor do they in most cases
apply to the position OF superintend-
ent or manager of a coal mine.
Consequently, the anomaly is fire.
quently e e of a thoroughly COM
petent certified mine foreman com
PEELED to obey the orders of his
superior officer, the superintendent,
who may have little or no knowl-
edge of practical mining and often
not even a theoretical training. A
mine superintendency has too Of
ten, especially in the past, been used
as a good berth for a wild Sol or an
impecunious relative who is less
troublesome when out of the way at
the mine. This condition, we be-
lieve, however, is rapidly changing
for the better.
How is the graduate in mining
engineering to secure the best pos
sible training to fit him for a posi-
ton of responsibility about a mine?
At present the usual course of pro-
'cedure is for the graduate to be
placed upon the survey corps, in the
drafting room, or in the laboratory,
but neither of these positions offers
the best opportunity for becoming
familiar with the detailed operations
carried on by the workmen around
a mine and which are so essential to
a successful superintendent. A
superintendent need not be able to
compete with the miner or timber
man, but he should be thoroughly
informed upon every detail of the
work under him.
Is not an apprenticeship similar
to that carried on in connection with
electrical and mechanical pursuits
practicable about the mines? A sys-
TEN by which the graduate from the
mining school should serve a short
period with the track gang, another
period with the timber gang, and so
on through the various duties of the
mine would, we believe, turn out
much better mining men at the end
Of two or three years than the pres
ent method. If it pays the Pennsyl-
vania railroad to put college grad.
yates through the rigid apprentice
ship of its Altoona shops, why will
it not similarly pay the mining com
panies? The consolidation of min
ing companies in recent years has
given a systematic and extended sys.
TEN of operation which renders such
an apprenticeship system possible
now where it might not have beer
possible a few years ago, before thi:
better organization had taken place
The unskilled labor now SO commo1
in mining makes it. especially import
ant that those directing this worl
shall be familiar with the detail
of 1T. The saving of a few cents pc
ton in the cost Of operation nova
days may determine the success o
failure al a. minnie e~nterDrise. Th,
saving of a cent here and a cen
there requires a familiarity with de
tails upon the part of those hav
ing the general supervision Of til
work. Surely the experiment Of sue,
an apprenticeship is worth the try
ing.-Editorial in Mines and Min
erals for November.
Receivers Appointed.
Upon a proper showing made b
the H. H. Westinghouse and Ath