Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-02-24
COMPLIMENTS AND CONDEMNS
THE INSPECTORS IN SAME
MISREPRESENTATION LACKS
VITALITY AND ENERGY. But
MEN ARE BRAVE AND FEAR
LESS.
EXPLOSIONS CONSIDERED
Some OF the Operators Are Con-
demned for Working Mines in vio-
lation Of Law.

The report OF the mine investiga-
tion committe submitted to the leg
islature. though called partial re-
port, is a voiuminous and rather pc
culiar document 1t both crlticises
severely and praises highly the min
ing department of the state. At one
point IL says the department lacks
vitality and energy. and in another
that Chief Paul and assistants are
conspicuous for bravery and defiance
OF death. Another section says that
the reason the mining laws were not
enforced was because the DEPART
ment did not display enough energy
to enforce them and still another
makes the statement that none of
the recent serious explosions was
the result OF any negligence or in
efficiency on the part OF the depart
ment.
Ii is alleged that one reason for
the criticism OF the mine depart
ment is that Sam Dixon, the Fayette
county political boss, desired the
dismissal of Chief Paul and the
whitewashing OF the operators. The
committe drafted one report which.
1t is said would have lead to that
result. This repoyt was revised, the
criticisms oE tho miRei department
were modined and the eeiisure OF the
operators added. Il was this modI-
fed report that was presented to the
Legislature.
REGARDING EXPLOSIONS.
The committee in the report took
up the explosions OF the past eigh-
teen months in detail. having inves
tigated all. Regarding the disaster
at the Stuart mine In Fayette coun-
ty, II reported that 1t found the
mine was being operated in direct
violation OF law by having only one
opening, the law requiring that only
twenty men can work I'm one hav-
ing one opening, whereas 81 were
killed. This violation was probably
not the cause OF the accident which
seemed to be ignition OF gas from an
open lamp. The mine boss was cen
sured for not noticing the gas in the
mine. The Stuart Is Dixon's mine.
The committee. in its report. said
the Thomas mine explosion was
probably caused by a lamp ignitlng
the gas, and that the employers we're
grossly negligent In not having the
mine inspected and ventilated pre-
vious to the explosion which fol-
lowed a shut down. and that the
miners were careless in entering Il.
The Whippie explosion was probably
from dust caused by blowout
shot.
The Monongah was a dust explo-
sion caused either by a blownout
shot or runaway cars, both prevent
able causes. The committee said the
mine department was not as active
as Il should be and lacked vitality
and energy. It should have known
the stuart mine was in operation I'm
violation Of he law. The report
also said that Deputy Mine Inspector
Absalom was either negligent or
careless.
LAWS SHOrLD BE ENFORCED.
The committee believed the blne
department could close down mine
without resortlng TO legal process
when the laws are being violated. re-
also says tina. many operators tre
disobeying the law now and mat.
the department should get after.
them and be more active. The use
Of steam locomotives and shooting
from the solil are against the law
but are still practiced. The mine
department has had great difficulty
enforcing these laws. but it should
institute prosecution The mine de-.
partment, however, the committee
says. has been sorely tried. being
vexcd with the hostility or certain
operators and "a the same time be-.
Ing Handicapped by trying to get ln
operation ihc nov laws passed al
year ago.
Chief Pau and his men are COM
Dlimented for heroic work and c0ur-
age in conlsG ing the rescue wo4k
az JT.-s-fsah, showing him 10 be a
man not OILY OF suDrcme courage
but Of Lpowledge OF mining
con9N - mas done much work
at frightful rersonal hazard The