The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1908-01-29
s244,154,G93 81

take their eVlueHSe1 anu oi'S 4
ed to discuss with them the Monongah
explosion and other matters relating
to mining legislation. 1 spent several
hours with them in review of the Mo-
nongah accident, aided by maps and
other drawings. They were unanimous
in opinion that It was I'm explosion OF
dust. but there was difference among
them as to the exciting or immediate
cause thereof. Two of the inspectors.
being those having the largest expert
ence in coal mining, and including the
Inspector in charge OF the district in
which the Monongah mines are, believ.
ed that the cause was the runaway
trip OF nineteen loaded coal cars,
Which.&. broke loose at the top of the
slope from the main halfway Of No. 6
mine, and descended with fearful
force and velocity to the bottom OF the
slope, where, running into other cars
loaded with coal, they were wrecked.
breaking up two OF the standing load
ed cars, and piling the wreckage al
most or quite up to the roof OF the
mine. Chief Paul and the other In.
spectors, except one, were Of opinion
that the immediate cause. or the cause
OF the ignition of the dust, was "a
practically blowout shot on head
ing in mine No. s. ut is assumed that
you know that the explosion involved
two mines, No. 6 and No. 8, which
were connected.) The remaining in
spector thinks the cause was the ex-
ploston of two fve-pound powder cans
full of powder In room not far dis
tant from the heading where the 9th.
ers place the starting point OF the ex'
plosion. The two French experts
agree with the two inspectors who be.
lieVe that the runaway trip" was the
cause. transmit herewith the re-
ports of the district inspectors, the re.
ports of the Ohio and Pennsylvania
experts. and the recommendation OF
changes in the mining laws made by
Chief James W. Paul. The joint com.
mittee Is still hearing evidence, and,
OF course, have not formulated their
report. In its absence l fell some EN-.
barrassment in referring to additional
Legislation.
Enforce the Laws.
1t is impracticable for the State to
keep at each mine an inspector, which
would be necessary II entire depend.
ence is to be placed on the work Of
the States inspectors. The cost
would be too great to the treasury;
the expense to the state of the pres.
ent department is very considerable
amounting to about $4,000 year; an
expense for which 1t would be entirely
just and proper that the coal mining
industry of the State should reim-
burse the treasury. There is not need
ed so much more law, us are needed
means for the enforcement of the
present laws, and their strict enforce
ment. Perhaps Shooting off the sol.
Id" should be prohibited: supervision
of firing shots should be enjoined;
instruction OF inexperienced miners
should be made obligatory: the boss
es which the law provides shall be EN-.
ployed at a mine should be examined
and their competency witnessed by a
certificate revokable for any viola
ton OF duty, and their duties should
be set out in the law in general, and
set forth particularly. especially with
respect to any individual mine having
peculiar conditions, in rules and regu.
lations prescribed by the State bu-
reau of mines. The law makes the
employment of such men obligatory
upon operators: therefore, the law,
as construed by our Supreme Court,
relieves the operator from damages.