The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1908-05-23
the difference between the laws tc
prevent accidents?

prevent accidents?
Mr.. Wilson of Pennsylvania. Mr..
Chairman, the laws themselves vary
considerably, the powers to enforce
them vary considerably, and there are
various conditions existing In the
various countries concerning the COM
position of coal and the natural gases
that are produced in the mines; and
by the information secured by the
governments Of those countries they
have been able to formulate their
laws in such manner as to protect
life. In our country we have had no
informant ton produced by experiment
or otherwise as to what extent coal
dust accommodating in dry mines will
cause explosions, and as to the extent
Mr.. Crumpa cker. Will the gentle
man allow a question?
Mr.. Wilson of Pennsylvania. Ger
tainly.
Mr.. Crumpacker. If the states
should enact laws making employers
responsible for all risks incident to
the service in mines, would not that
do more than anything else, more
duce the percentage Of mortality in
the mines?
Mr.. Wilson Of Pennsylvania. Mr..
Chairman, it would do a great deal TO
reduce the mortality in the mines, but
take 1t that no gentleman will assert
that the coal operators, or other en-
ployers deliberately create conditions
in the mines by which the lives and
health Of their employees are en-
dangered. If they do, it is through
lack Of knowledge as to what creates
the dangerous conditions.
Mr.. Nichols. Is it not true that
this bill provides for an investigation
and the securing Of necessary infor-
nation and the disseminating of that
information for the use Of the states,
so that they may intelligently make
laws to safeguard the miners?
Mr.. Wilson of Pennsylvania. It
does.
Mr.. Gaines of Tennessee. To what
extent, say in your state or mine
because I want to help you to get at
the evil if I can and get a remedy
are the owners Of coal mines COM
PEELED to examine into and investi-
gate the causes of these explosions
and accidents?
Mr.. Wilson of Pennsylvania. In
each Of the states where coal is pro-
duced a system of mine inspection is
provided. In addition to that sys-
tenn Of ventilation is provided, and a
certain minimum Of air is required
for each man engaged in a particular
mine. That is provided by the laws
as they exist now; but notwith stand
ing that provision we have these
dreadful accidents where hundreds Of
men are destroyed in a second
Mr.. Prumm. Will the gentleman
allow me?-
Mr.. Wilson of Pennsylvania. Ger
tainly.
Mr.. Brumm. Is it not true that in
Pennsylvania the law requires exam
nations to be held of all bosses, SUI
perintendents, and overseers, and that
they must have certificates pursuant
to that examination before they are
eligible to the various positions?
Mr.. Wilson Of Pennsylvania. That
is true.
MIR. Brumm. Now, having provided
that by the state laws, is it not also
true that the greatest difficulty is
that these educated men, who have
passed a. thorough examination, have
in almost every instance of large ex-
plOsions or a great number of deaths,
been unable to account for those ac-
cidents, and in many instances could
not give any reason why those large
explosions had occurred, showing a
want Of knowledge in the very line
toward which this bill is directed?
Mr. Chairman, it is true that in the
State Of Pennsylvania and a number
of other states the law requires that
men in charge of mines shall pass ex-
aminations showing that they are
qualified to take charge of those
mines, but it is frequently the case
that the courts hold that the en-
ployer, having employed man certi-
not responsible for any damage that
dent, thus relieving the employer Of
all responsibility.
Mr.. Madden. You have reference
now to the mine inspectors, have yor
not?
Mr.. Wilson OF Pennsylvania. No;
the mine foremen.
MIR. Madden. It is a fact though
that in all states they have laws re-
quiring competent mine inspectors
have they not?
Mr.. Wilson of Pennsylvania. It is
true that they have mine inspectors
and they require a minimum amount
of air circulating through the mine
and they require other conditions; bu
the fact IS that Notwithstanding thai
inspection, and Notwithstanding the
requirements Of the law at the present
time, the death rate in the mines i:
continually increasing in the United
| States.
Mr.. Madden. I would like to ask
the gentleman one question more
Are these men employed as mining
inspectors supposed to be familiar
| with the mine work? -.
Mr.. Wilson Of Pennsylvania. Yes:
l do not know a. state in the Union
where the mining inspector is not re-
quired to be a practical miner, and In