The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-06-10
TO GUARD AGAINST
DANGEROUS MINES
Hillhouse Will Take Steps to
Close Them
LETTER FROM GOVERNOR
State Mine Inspector Issues Statement
Saying That Care VIII Be Taken
to Have the Recommends
lions Carried Out
LETTER FROM GOVERNOR

waite secretary, has instructed James Hill
house, chief mine inspector, TO report to
the executive at once when coal operators
fail to carry out the recommendations of
the inspector. Mr.. Hillhouse yesterday
issued a formal statement in which he
points out that the inspector himself has
not the authority to close a dangerous
mine, but in future he proposes to take
such mine is closed
The inspectors statement was given out
following the receipt of this letter:
Montgomery, Ala. May "a, 1910.
James Hillhouse, Birmingham, Ala.
|. Dear Sir: The governor directs me to
say to you that he has read your report
on the Palos mine disaster He thinks
that the inspectors should see to 1t that
their recommendations are carried out
by the operators. Whenever an operator
neglects or declines to adopt the sugges-
tions and recommendations made by the
inspectors, the governor would like for
you to make a report of same to him and
he will see If he can have the recommen-
dations put into full force and effect. ]
am, very truly yours,
JOHN D. M'NEEL,
Private Secretary"
The formal statement issued by Mr..
Hillhouse yesterday Is as follows:
Having had many inquiries personally,
also by letters, and hearing of criticisms
in regard to the last explosions. namely,
Mulga and Palos, / deem 1t my duty as
chief mine inspector to answer In brief
as near as L can.
"A great many people are under the
impression that should the inspectors
made a request for any change which
they think necessary. and said request
should not be complied with that they,
as inspectors, have the authority to close
the mine down. However, such Is not the
case. Here l wish to say for the infor-
nation of those who thought so, that
should | have had such power, as chief
mine inspector, l would have stopped the
Palos mine. l would have done 1t, re-
CARELESS of whom 1t displeased, had
known the conditions.
Il have. when | saw it was necessary
| for the changes TO be made in any mine,
recommended same; not only that, out
took pains to explain and show why
such changes were necessary. and, at
anv time, when | thought the changes
were not fully understood by the super
intendent or mine foreman, | have made
special trips to see If, or II not, my in
structions were being carried out.
II made it a rule when l was appointed
inspector eight years ago, that Wouio
| fulfill said position to the best OF my
| ability, showing no favor to operator OF
miner.
/ .'I never held position of trust al
Superintendent or mine foreman, for tn
| last SO years, that | did not do my ou,,
| to the men who | employed. l am SURE
I have tried to do the same while was
associate mine inspector. and l Will con-
| tinue to do the same while | am chlel
mine inspector of this state. Said position
T was appointed to on April 1, 1910, 20 days
before the Mulga disaster and 30 days be-
fore the Palos; and l may say that there
is no one but those who lost their nearest
and dearest in those disasters that felt II
any worse than / did, and | assure you
| that my predecessor. Mr.. Flynn, and as
sociate, Mr.. Nell, feel the same, as
know both men did their duty to the
best of their ability.
This office for the last two years has
made a fight against the using OF dy4ia-
mite in blasting coal and has requested
the companies to use nothing but permis-
sible explosives. | am glad to say that
| the majority of the companies have as
sisted us in our fight.
ut Is also well known fact that
| there Is not another state In the union
that has made more progress in this line
with the cooperation of the operators
| than we have done.
Every mining man in this state knows
the fight / have made against the dust
problem. | have fought it for years
as it was dangerous element in min
ing, that it would cause an explosion, re-
CARELESS of fire damp. and l am glad to
say that / am proud of the position
took, as the majority of my critics at
that time are with me now, as they see
| was right
II am very glad to see by the news
papers that the Operators association
sees the necessity of new mining law,
which will be a better protection for the
lives of the miner and the property of the
| operators and will say that this office will
be glad to assist them in framing a new
law.
Hereafter when any of the associate
mine inspectors of the chief mine in
| spector makes any recommendations for
changes in Mines where danger is APP
preaching or likely to cause the loss OF
life, after such time has been given as
| is necessary by the said inspector that he
| thinks such repairs or improvements
should be made. the said inspector will
make a visit and see that such recon-
mendations have been carried out"