The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1911-12-07

VII Il OIL luOAI ILLS Week one OIL In(
biggest and best meetings eve
held by the West Virginia Minin1
Institute was conducted and men O.
prominence In the coal bushes.
were present, including a number
OF experts who are thoroughly
acquainted with the technical mat
tiers In connection with the impor.
tant industry. Among the experts
present was Chief Mine Inspector
John Laing, Of this state, who was
by the way, hOnored by the election
to the third vice presidency of the
Institute for the next year. Mr.
Laing was one Of the speakers at
the meeting. and he had one sub
ject which is OF interest to every
one In the mining business. He
read paper Of some length on the
subject ''The Mine Foreman" II
proved splendid instrument and
shows that MIR. Laing is thoroughly
acquainted with the subject, for he
conveyed to all his hearers many
new ideas on the matter Mr..
Laing's paper is as follows:
--------------- The Mine Foreman
This subject has been selected by
the writer as topic, for the rea-
son that he is often asked by man.
ayers, directors and presidents of
coal companies to explain the most
Important requirements Of coal
proposition, and what is needed to
operate coal mine satisfactorily to
the State, it's employees and it's
owners. Experience teaches us that
the efficient mine foreman is the
bone, sinew and muscle of the
operation. 1t matters not what
money has been spent for equipping
the mine in modern manner, viz,
electric plants, electric locomotives,
mine machines, Ventilating appara-
fuses, etc, If the man in charge Of
the mine is not endowed with com
mon sense, good knowledge OF
human nature and trained in dis
ciplinc, the operation cannot make
the success it should. There are
many different opinions even among
the mine foreman themselves as to
what should constitute the efficient
mine foreman. If l were asked to
give the qualifications Of first
class mine foreman, l would say,
that he should be a man of good
morals, interested in the welfare
of the community in which he lives,
and show by his actions, conduct
and demeanor that he was deser-
wing Of the highest respect, both
from his employer and employees.
1t has been truly said that man is
largely the product of his environ
ment, and it is in the power Of the
efficient mine foreman to create to
a certain extent the proper environ
ment. AS he works this environ
ment, or in other words, the condi-
tions, or whatever the influence he
has exerted among the wOrkmen, So
will be the atmosphere about the
operation, and any workman who
has had experience in mining knows
ing the atmosphere about every
mine operation, that is either
exhilarating, or depressing.
Moral Power Most Effective.
The initial management (WhO is
the mine foreman) must be respon-
sible for the one or the other Of the
effects indicated, and Just why it
is so, we may not be able to fully
explain to the satisfaction Of each
Of you gentlemen. Personally, We
have come into contact with some
of the atmosphere surrounding the
coal mines that has been developed
by men versed moro or less in min
ing, and yet, because Of their prln-
ciples, being Of such low moral
character, their services could not
be effective, simply because OF the
fact they so contaminated the at
mosphere about them that it nulli-
fed their efforts. We have seen
men who were not as we'll versed in
mining as the former, but because
Of their good influence, example
and attention to business, made
them the more desirable character
for the citizens Of their community
to initiate, which gave them in
creased SJISISJh LII GIL N'NSSN' - =
way, and we have seen these two
initial forces put to test, where g
man having the qualities, first en-
unerated, made q complete failure
and the man with the latter forces
aDDointed in his stead. and little BY
little his better influence crept II
and displaced the Obnoxious odol
that had been shed by his predeces
sor, and this proposition, which mas
been complete failure under th'
management Of the former proved
a complete success under the man
asement Of the latter. And 1t II
the duty of every owner Of Goa
3rcrcrty. n ny judgment t. m"F'
a study os tho nan that he = hco'
to employ and ascertain his charact
er and fitness for the responsloll1