The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1910-08-02
Makes COAL MINING
"a safe I'm WEsTlVIRGINIA.

it.ls: 49,.
ASSISTANT. CHIEF OF THE STATE
DEPARTMENT OF MINES, CHAs.
E CONNER, TELLS WHAT is BE.
b ING ACCOMPLISHED BY THE
STATE AUTHoRlTIES-NoT AN
EXPLOSION DURING THE PAST
YEAR.
Charles Conner, assistant to John
Laing. chief Of the department Of the
mines for West Virginia, writes as
follows on the method adopted by
the number OF fatalities in West Vir.
ginia. Mr.. Conner Is recognized ex-
pert on mining in this country. Pre-
Vious to associating with the West
Virginia department OF mines at
Charleston, he was at the head OF the
big Pocahontas operations, in the Nor.
folk & Western territory Of that state
and had charge OF the opening up OF
the Dominion Coal company's opera.
tons in Canada, and for many years
a consulting engineer in various sec.
tons OF America.
Mr.. Corners article has especial
reference to the recent ruling Of the
department Of mines In West Vir.
ginia that required that those In
charge OF mines should first pass an
examination. That states good for
tune in not having an explosion dur.
ing the present fiscal year ending
June 80, 1910 is also referred to.
West Virginia, since coming to the
front as a coal mining state, has had
an unenviable precautionary meas.
ures which have been thrown around
the miners to protect their health and
lives. The number OF, lives that have
been lost during the past years has
been appalling to the whole world.
In the early stage of the coal devel-
oRment in the state, those engaged in
the operations of mines, did not fully
realize the Importance of the char
acter OF the dangers that were to be
associated with the coal mining bust.
ness, and consequently. their equip.
ment was of crude and rudimentary
character. due in large measure, to
the fact that the coal was easy to &C.
cess and required no great expendi.
ture In mechanical appliances, or, abil.
| ity In mining methods. As "a, result
of this people entered In to the, deyel.
opment Of the coal RESOURCES of the
state With n limited knowledge either
as to1the requirements Of coal or the
dangers that are to be overcome to
give adequate protection to the lives
and health of the persons employed
In the mines. To these two causes,
one can, In large measure attri.
butte large percentage OF accidents,
both fatal and non-fatal that have oc.
Cured in the state.
AS the mining industry increased in
magnitude and the number OF fatill.
ties kept pace with the growth It be.
came evident to the general public
that some protection should be af.
forded to.
Safeguard Health and Lives
Of persons engaged in the mines. This
duty fell upon the state, and in in.
spection system was inaugurated with
view to the enforcement of rules
and regulations which were formu
lated for the purpose OF securing q
greater degre OF safety to life and limb
in the state.
The mining law and system of in
spection however. at the time was like
the system of mining oeration, in the
state-of crude and rudlmentary
character-and to large extent was
dominated over by political influence
and because of this fact, 1t failed tc
accomplish the good it was intended
to accomplish. Mine inspectors, who
were appointed to enforce the law
were bound by political affiliations
and obligations that hampered ant
impeded them in the discharge of theil
duties.
After some years of experimenting
along these lines, 1t was found thai
not much better security of life ant
health was obtained. 1t was ther
found necessary, in order to keep the
pace with the increasing develop.
ment,. and with the greater dangers
that were encountered in the mine!
by the more extensive application o.
! modern methods, along with the large
number OF disasters that had occurred
. with the resulting loss of life, to
Change the System Of Inspection.
and its mode of application, and dl
vorce It from all political domination
and bring the standard of efIicienc.
of the inspecting force, up to such {
degree as would guarantee that IT.
personnel were men Of ability. expert
ence, and perfectly competent to cop,
with any or al OF the various phase:
of dangers that might arise from an!
) cause whatever.
To secure this standard OF efficiency
1t was deemed necessary to hold ex
aminations at which candidates fol
the office of mines inspector woulC
qualify and show by reason of theil
experience. technical knowledge an,
mining ability, that they could BIZ
given certificate certifying that b!
had the requisite qualifications to dis
charge the duties OF an inspector eli
ficiently, and give assurance, that b.
reason Of these qualifications, that tn
health and lives of persons engage,