The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1910-08-02

Immediately after the tdenonstra.
tons at Pittsburg were given, and
when the mining people were In re.
ceptve mood. to receive recommends
tions that would tend toward prevent
ing explosions from occurring. a rul-
ing was issued by the department Of
mines. forbidding the use OF any high
flaming powder in the mines OF the
state unless competent shot firers
We're employed. whose duty 1t is to
see that all coal is undercut, shot
holes properly placed. charge Of pow
der tamped with incombustble mater
ial. and the working places in wet
condition before any shots can be
fired. u
1t is very pleasing to record the
fact that the operators OF the state
showed a hearty willingness to com.
ply with this ruling. and they tmmed-
lately began 10 cooperate with the
department Of mines to puti 1t. into
effect. The result Of this cooperation
has been to bring about a far greater
degree of safety to life, and limb, than
was ever before maintained.
Permissible explosives are nowi.be-
ing used in about all OF the mines OF
the state that are considered gaseous
or dusty, and in compelling the miners
to cut and shoot their coal properly,
the result has beeen that they have be.
come more efficient and skillful min.
ers, who acknowledgement
coal for their employers; that nets
them a greater earning in return
along with promoting a greater de.
gree Of
Safety Within the Mines.
For some years, West Virginia has
been the only coal mining state OF i'm.
portance in which there were no cert
He'd foremen. Section 15, of our mine
law reads: I'm order to better Sc
kcure the propreyenti.ventilation OF
every mine and promote the health
and safety of persons, employed there
in the operator and agent shall EN-.
ploy a competent and practical inside
overseer, to be called mine foreman,
who shall be q citizen Of the state
and experienced coal miner, or any
person having five years experience in
a coal NINE"
| While this law does not say that a
mine foreman shall be certified. the
department of!mines has inaugurated
a system Of examining mine foremen,
and fire bosses, and II found compe.
tent, They are .grantedsa certificate.
In holding these examinations and
granting certificates to those Who are
considered competent, we think there
Is enough law on the statute books, to
warrant US to do what we have done,
throughout the state during the past
year
Having an incompetent mine fore
man or fire boss employed in mine
Is considered most dangerous prac.
| tice. The department OF mines has
a right under the law to see that dan
gerous practices are not tolerated, and
they have taken this means OF deter
mining whether or not manis
Competent for the Position.
The examinations which were held
have been taken by all the mine fore
men and fire bosses in the state and
the operators are showing a desire to
employ only those who can success
fully pass the examination as mine
foreman and fire boss.
The holding OF these examinations
has also set up a great educational
movement within the state, and as
education is one of the greatest pre-
Ventives of mine accidents. the good
that this alone will do is easily fore
seen.
The inspectors of our state have
been very much benefited by meet
ings that are held every three months
with the chief and governor of the
state for the purpose Of going oyel
with them any trouble which they
may be encourtering in the discharge
OF the official duties it also enable!