Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-02-09
PROVIDES
FOR MINE
INSPECTOR

Miners of the state are interested
in bill by Representative Moore, of
Baker county, creating the office of
inspector of mines, providing for the
appointment of deputies, defining the
duties and fixing the salaries of
both.
The bill creates the Office of inspee-
tor of mines and authorizes the ap.
pointment by the governor of that
officer who shall be a qualified and
practical miner with thorough
knowledge of underground workings
in which he shall have been engaged
for at least five years and his APP
Ipointment shall be for term of four
years. The appointment shall be
made from among those who are rec
omended by both the working miners
and the mine owners. The salary of
the inspector shall be $4,000 per an
mum and ten cents a mile will be al
lowed him for each mile actually
travelled in the discharge of his OFF,
Gil duties, as well as all necessary
expenses, printing and compensation
of deputies, but the amount of such
mileage and expenses shall not ex-
ceed $1,000 per annum. Before enter
ing upon the dlcharge of his duties
he shall file bond in the sum of
$500.
The appointee must not be an en-
ployer or in any way interested in
any mine in the state. At least once
each year the inspector is required
to visit each mining country in the
state, and to examine all such mines
for the purpose of determining the
condition of such mines as to safety
and to collect information and statis-
tics relative to mines and mining and
the mineral resources of the state.
The inspector under the law will
have the right to enter and examine
thoroughly every mine with in the
state at his pleasure. II he finds any
mine or any part thereof in an un-
safe condition IL Is his duty to
promptly notify In writing the own
ers of such property who shall forth
with proceed to place the defective
part of the mine in safe condition
and within FIVE days after receiving
notice of its faulty condition or be
liable to a fine of not more than
$500. The inspector shall be re-
quired TO keep an Office at the capi-
tai building at Salem and keep rec
ord of all mines examined and the
condition OF the same. owners OF
mines are required not later than
June /, of each year, to forward 10
the inspector a detailed report show
ing the character of their mine. the
number OF men employed and an esti-
mate of the maximum number OF men
that will be employed for the COM
ing year.
The unsafe condition of any mine
within the state may be reported In
writing to the inspector by three or
more persons and on this informa-
ton that officer shall visit the prop
erty so reported and II he finds the
mine In the condition that has been
represented he shall formally notify
the owners in writing and they will
be required to restore their property
to a safe condition. Pending compli-
ance with his instructions In this re-
gard, the inspector is empowered to
close the mine until the repairs are
made. IL the owner or owners OF the
mine so found to be In an unsafe
conditions shall refuse to make the re
pairs so ordered by the inspector.
that officer shall report the fact to
the attorney general of the state who
shall Immediately commence an ac-
tiOn against the owners SO notified
who shall be liable 90 a fine not to
exceed $500 for such refusal.
With the consent of the governor
the inspector is authorized TO ap.
point such deputy inspectors as may
be considered necessary, they 20 re-
ceive in full for such compensation
for their services IS a day for the
time actually engaged In the per-
formance OF their labor.
Upon conviction OF any charge OF
bribery or wilful neglect of duty, the
inspector shall be Immediately dis
charged by the governor and VIII
also be liable TO fine OF from 1900 to
$4,000 or by Imprisonment In the
state Denitentiary not less than one