Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-05-17
MINING ENGINEERING TAUGHT
IN w. VA. UNIVERSITY

University in the Educator
The board OF regents, through its
committee on mining engineering has
appointed Prof. Edward Nathan Zern,
of the University of Pittsburgh. to
fll the chair Of mining engineering at
the West Virginia University Prof.
Zern graduated from the school Of
Mines Of Pennsylvania State College
in 1903, and remained with his alma
mater as a teacher in mineralogy and
mining engineering from 1903 to 1905,
when he accepted position as min
ing engineer for the West Kentucky
Coal Company, at Stugiss. KY. From
1906 10 1911 he was successfully min
ing engineer for the Pitcairn Coal
Company, at Clarksburg w. Va; SUI
perintendent of the H. c. Frick Coal
and Coke Company's plant at Sheaf
and Brownsville, Pa, and superin-
tendent of the Pennington mines of
the Jamison Coal and Coke Company
al Pennington, w. Va. His expert
ence has covered almost every detail
ordinarily encountered in bituminous
installation of tipples, fans, boilers,
compressors, electric plants, machine
shops haulage systems, etc. besides
the laying out and surveying Of Mines
shaft sinking and experimenting min
ing operations In the art of coke
making he has had experience with
both the beehive and rectangular
ovens.
During the past year he has been
assistant professor of coal mining in
charge Of that branch of mining at
the University of Pittsburg where
he has had splendid success He is
widely known throughout the State,
through his articles on coal mining,
which have appeared in the coal and
Coke Operator, and has q large per-
sonal acquaintance among the opera
tons and many engineers of the
Clarksburg and Fairmont districts.
He Is strongly endorsed by the dis
trict mine inspector, who has been in
a position to know the quality of his
work. and comes highly recommended
by his alma mater, the dean of the
School of Mines of the University of
Pittsburgh and his former employers.
The position which Prof. Zern has
accepted is one of great responsibility
and is of the greatest importance to
the State. West Virginia stands sec
ond among the States in the produc-
ton of coal, first in the production
of gas and first in the production of
oil and gas combined. Her extensive
deposits of sands, clays, limestones,
and cement making materials have
been scarcely touched. ITO him will
come the opportunity, not only of
building up and Strengthening the four
year course in general mining now
offered, but of adding the means of
specializing in the certain branches
of the mining industries demanded for
The development of the States resour-
ces.
Elementary courses will be offered
at the university for the training of
mine foremen. operators and inspect
ors, and through the cooperation of
the State department of mines it is
hoped that extension courses can be
given in the various mining districts
of the State to the end that the engi-
neering in the mines of the State shall
be of the highest possible class and
the greatest possible safety to life
and health.
Has Cooperation.
Prof. Zern Is assured in advance of
his coming of the cooperation of the
West Virginia mining institute the
State department of mines, the faculty
of the college of engineering, and the
president and faculty Of the universi-
ty.
1t must not be assumed that in the
past the university has contributed
nothing toward the development Of
the States mining industries, for such
n statement would be manifestly I'M
fair to the university and to n large
number of graduates who have gone
into the mining field From a fourth
to a third of the graduates of the col
lege of engineering, besides a large
percentage of former students, who
took special courses in engineering.
are engaged wholly or partly in min
ing enterprises. AmonG this number
are some of the ablest and most eff
cient mine operators ana superintend-
ents, mining, structural mechanical
and electrical engineers to be found
anywhere, besides those engaged in
gas and oil engineering and as mas
ter mechanics and electricians at min
ing plants. However, the university
has been able to supply only a small
part of the demand ami the success
of those who have entered the field
of mining only emphas yes the need
of specialized effort