The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-30
Mine Inspector Nesbitt

NlIue NSSDltt
 Charles H. Nesbitt, chief mine in. | spector, said:
 The new mining law of Alabama and it's enforcement is too broad a subject for short paper; therefore l il will be my purpose to speak brief ly of some of it's principal provisions, and try to tell you how they are work ing out.
 Tn the first place, let me say that the new law has not been laid on the
 shelf. Everyone directly interest cd seems to be earnestly contributing lis 1 part toward it's observance. While it 1 is somewhat early to announce results all the way down the line, yet it may be stated considering the brief period the law has been in operation. that We are beginning to excellently realize upon ii. and with surprising rapidty: and it seems each week are ia vored with opportunities to better
 grasp the general situation ana be enabled to lend our endeavors toward continued improved conditions.
 There are no more important sec i tions of it than those which call for the rigid and conscientious inspector | of gaseous and dusty mines. The neg l lect of dangerous mines, even in the slightest detail, has only one and the
 same average result in every case.
 While compliance with the new law 1 may seem expensive 10 some operators who have mined coal in the days past.
 the real facts are just the opposite and l I feel secure in making the statement i that this expense is many times offset by the benefits derived under the new methods. and in the long run large revenue is actually preserved by rhe
 safeguards of the new statute.
 ITO my mind. this law is not par
 tial. but is fair to all who are re-
 quired to obey it. The miner is called i upon to do his full part. the same as l is the operator. If under the new pla ma jority of the miners are not im- | pressed with their obligations and
 sometimes it is difficult to teach an old dog a new trck-then the young mir o1 1 coming along almost every day will
 at least start out right and receive the benefits. The results even thus far l have been so prompt and effective as to be both a surprise and gratiiiea- tion
 All of us-Superintendents, mine | foremen and fire bosses, also the mine inspector and his district insp pectors- have a great and, we might say. an equal responsibility in the enforcement of the mining law. A considerable DOT tion of it deals with the chief mine in- spector's duties My first step was 10 organize the six districts in which the inspectors pursue their work. There
 
 which are under our supervision, and subject to the new law. Many of these mines require special attention and careful inspection, necessitating from three to five days time for eacn visit. This class of mine usually is a gas eous or dusty mine. which we designate as the '3O-day mine;' the others are inspected every 60 or 90 days.
 At all events, when it is over with I sincerely trust, so far I an con- cerned, that your consciences will per- init you to inscribe upon my tomb stone the localism: He seen his duty and he done it; and here he lies"
 Flynn Last Speaker
 In addition to the talk of Edward Flynn on enforcement of mine laws the Pratt No. 2 division, First Aid corps | of the Tennessee company, gave a dem | onstration of first aid work. They set ]! a dislocated shoulder and made several demonstrations which were very inter | esting. About 1000 industrial men were at | the early speaking, which convened at | Il o'clock but it is estimated that at l least 1500 were present when the din- l ner was served. The officials were very 1 profuse in their congratulations to Sec retary J. V. Allen and J. w. Mcqueen | for their excellent management of the affair. MT Mcqueen, Henry B. Gray, | Charles Simmons, w. Asa Gibson, c R. i Mccormack, Frank H. Crockard and other operators were busy around the | barbecue boards, seeing to it that all | their guests were properly provided with food.