The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1907-12-31
$3.50. DEoEMBER q. zoo.
aIlne Horrors and I.aw.


A member Of the house Of dele
gates, whose name is suppressed for
come reason, rushes into print at
Chariesto1is through bhe agency of
the Charleston Gazette, about the
mining laws OF West Virginia and
makes some cracks so raw that they
show ignorance, prejudice, or lack
OF desire to be just to any one. The
trend OF dis remarks convinces one
that there is q deeper design than to
be square with any one-mine in
spector. operator or miner. He
talks like he is wiser, rather thinks
he Is, than other people. His very
frst sentence condemns his position.
He does not wa my one to find the
cause Of the Monongah explosions.
Every one who has any regard for
human life does want the cause
found. Every miner, every opera
tor, every citizen wants the cause
found. But, that this wise" sage,
a member OF the legislature, may not
be misunderstood or msiquoted, the
Telegram gives at some length what
he has to say on the subject, as fol-
lows:
"The work which the experts
should now seek to do said the legis-
lator, is not to find the cause of the
explosion at Monongah, but to find
and point out wherein If at all, our
mining laws are defective, and If they
are, as L believe. not defective, find
where and why the laws are not be-
ing enforced. The Monongah ex-
plosion is now history and the cause
OF that is only important insofar as
the knowledge of it might prevent
future disaster.
II believe that the law passed at
the last session of the legislature, If
enforced to the letter, would prevent
mine explosions entirely. The law
is complete, covering the ground
thoroughly, think, and If this pro-
vision, there he read section 16 OF the
mining law) be enforced, there would
be no disasters"
Section 16 of the mining laws, is as
follows: The operator or agent of
every coal mine shall furnish the in
speetor proper facilities for entering
such mine and making examinations
or obtaining information; and If any
inspector shall discover that any mine
does not in appliances for the safety
of the persons employed therein con-
form to the provisions OF this act, or
that by reason of any defect or prac-
tice in or at such mine the lives or
health of persons employed therein,
are endangered, he shall Immediately
in writing notify such operator or
agent thereof, stating In such notice
the particulars in which he considers
such mine to be defective or danger
GUS and If he deem 1t necessary for
the protection of the lives or health
of the persons employed in such mine,
he shall, after giving notice of one
day to the said operator or agent, in
writing notify the chief of the depart
ment OF mines, who shall Immediately
examine the mine reported to be I'M
safe and IL upon such examination
the mine reported to be unsafe Is in
fact found TO be in an unsafe condi-
ton, the chief OF the department OF
mines shall forthwith order the mine
to be. closed until it Is placea N safe
and proper condition for mining OPP
erations.
Now" continued the legislator,
"the Question which remains to be
solved Is: Is miner, operator, or the
department OF mines responsible Cor
the non enforcement of the Iaw?''
The mine law Is doubtless good as