The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-05-03
SCOTT BILL PASSES
Provides for Bureau of Mines
to Protect Men.
SUCCESS AFTER THREE YEARS
West Virginia Senator Meets with
Intellectual Opposition When He
Senator Root Opposes IL Because 1t
Interferes with state Rights.

Senator Nathan Bay Scott. Of West
Virginia Yesterday succeeded in passing
through the Senate a bin for which he
had been laboring In season and out of
season for several years. The measure.
provides for the establishment of a bu-
reau OF mines.
Senator Scott explained that the most
benefcent result would be a study of
actual conditions in the mines. with a
view OF affordlng greater protection to
the men
The Senator called the bill up yesterday
and. although he met with some opposi-
ton, he had the satisfaction Of seeing his
bill passed by practically a unanimous
vote.
The debate covered a wide range and
resulted in numerous amendments. Sen
ators generally expressed themselves in
sympathy with the purpose OF the meas
ure. though Senator Root, of New York.
registered his opposition. taking the posi-
ton that IT imposes on the general gov
eminent duties that pertain TO the vari-
Gus States. The Senator from New York
in a hopeless minority, but he wanted 10
take advantage Of the opportunity 10
register protest against this effort
toward the usurpation Of State functions
and prerogatives.
Rights Belong To states.
I'VE are undertaking in this bill, said
Senator Root. TO control the mines of
the country. which right belongs to the
States, and not 70 the Federal govern
ment We have enough 20 do by dis
charging those functions without embark
ing in new fields"
Senator Burkett. Of Nebraska, said this
argument against government usurpation
Of State functions is used every time
an effort is made 10 have the govern
ment take up a new field Of work Sen
ator Burlett declared that the United
States is the only civilized country in the
world that has not established a bureau
OF mines.
Senator Johnston. Of Alabama. said
there was nothing in the bill that gives
the Federal government the slightest ex-
cuse for invading the rights and pre-
negatives Of the various States.
Senator Money said there is a TOO gen
eral disposition on the part Of Congress
to increase new departments and bu-
reaus Of the government. He said hr
would not be surprised should Congress
in the near future provide for a general
assembly OF trades unions.
Senator GallnEer. OF New Hampshire
objected. without success. to the provl-
sion making the salary Of the Director
OF Mines $500.
Il have no doubt that a man has al
ready been selected for this position
said Senator Gallinger. but II we make
the salary Of a chief OF bureau $1,000
every other chief Of a bureau Will be here
demanding the same amount. We create
new bureaus. employ experts and clcri-
cal forces. but we never decrease the
force where the work has been Iessened. '
Senator Guggenheim. of Colorado, said
that the United States is far behind the
countries Of Europe in the supervision
Of mines.
Senator Scott. Of West Virginia, made
an appeal for the unanimous passage of
the bill. contending that the sole pur-
pose is TO increase safety in mining OPP
erations