The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1913-03-08
is BENDING EVERY EFFORT TO SAFE
GUARD THE MINERS or COUNTY
SAFETY NOW THE WATcHWORD
Mining Compsuiss Are More Alert Than
Ever TO Protect Their Men From
Accidents While at Work.

w. II. Jobe. mine inspector elected
at the last election, has shown by his
work since taking hold of the Office
that he don't regard the position as a
sinecure He is working as hard In
his Office az he ever worked while at
the head OF a number OF big mines
His efforts are bringing results. too.
for the mining companies are stirred
as they never were before to attend To-
the small things that bring about nc
cidents Tne mining companies never
did like accidents. There Is nothing
as detrimental to property as fatal
mining accident and the mining super
intendents have always striven to re-
duce the number to the minimum.
The new inspection law, however.
has been big spur towards greater
effort in that direction and with an &C
tive and fearless inspector at the helm
much good is going 10 result from the
law both TO the men employed at the
mines and to the companies operating
them.
Mr.. Jobe made study of accident
prevention while with the Verora peo
pie and in his new position he IS laced
so that he can exert his knowledge to
assist those who need assistance and to
prod along those VINO lag He has
spent several months since taking hold
tf,f hn In. -.
knowledge of how the land lies IN each
property in the county and now that
he knows just how things are he is
turning his attention TO remedying
things that he finds amiss.
The law provides for the appoint
ment of deputies and Mr.. Jobe nas
one deputy at work on the west side
of the county. His deputy over there
is Frank Cominskey, an Austrian miner
who has a good knowledge Of the worK
and can be depended upon 10 carry ont
any orders given. Mr.. Jobe had selec
ted Martin Wallin as his deputy on the
east side and Mr. Wallin was consider
ing the position but his employers
thought Mr.. Wallin too valuable a man
TO let go and they m,de him induce
ments that the county cannot give him
so there is no deputy for this side yet.
A report has been devised by Mr.
Jobe which these deputies are supposed
TO make 10 him showing exact condi-
tions in the mine in which the deputy
IL at work. For instance ib q certain
mine in the county Mr. Jobe noticed
that there were powder conditions that
brought about grave danger to the life
of the men and 60 the properly OF the
company. His deputy was stationed
therein with instructions 10 see that
certain things were not done. The dc
putty goes down with the men In the
morning and comes mp with them at
night ana his report 10 the inspector
shows every day or week the advance
ment made IN rectifying the troubles
In another property numerous small
accidents are occurring. The deputy In
stationed therein to study the condi
tions. carry out the instructions Tor
their eradication and report progress
The mining companies have learned
that they hava 70 walk the chalk line
in the way Of arranging conditions t.
eliminate accidents for Mr.. Jobe bas
taken strong positions with few OF
the careless ones so that IL il now
race 10 see how quickly ana securely
things may be reetihed instead OF pul
/ ling back in the harness.
But, mining companies, as rule.
are more anxious tc lead than TO fol
low. The new employers liabiIit, law
lakes cognizance OF every little accl
dent and many small things that were
lost sigh OF before now show up in all
their ugliness. Every accident, No
matter how trivial, must be reported
10 the state accident board The min
ing physicians have lot OF report
work 10 do as well as the companies
and the mine inspector 30 that the state
board gets full account Of every slip
that occurs.
The men injured draw compensation
under certain restrictions all OF which
show mp In the accident expense ac.
connt The fatal accidents are bnt
small item in this accident list. The
accidents from which tho victims 70
cover frequently total more cost thar
the fatal accidents.
Thus. the race for safety devices
safety regulations and safety commit