The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-12
NO BUSINESS TO Be
TRANSACTED BY THE
INSPECTORS TODAY
Will Go On Excursion to
Bayview Mines of Ten
nessee Company
THREE SESSIONS
HELD YESTERDAY
Discuss Retarding Ventilation in Mine
and Use of Mixed Lamps.
Workmen's Compensation
Act Is Also Taken Up

The meeting of the mine inspectors
Institute today will be given up entirely
to pleasure. No business will be trans
acted during the day. At $3.50 o'clock
the inspectors, their wives and daugh-
ters will leave the Louisville and Nash
Vile station on special train to look
over the properties of the Tennessee
Coal, Iron and Railroad company. Re-
turning the party will reach Birming-
harl about 6 o'clock.
Tonight at the Hotel Hillman there
will be a short business session which
will be for the discussing of detailed sub
jects and perhaps the counting of ball
lots for officers which have already been
mailed to Secretary ]. W. Paul of Pitts
burgh.
Last night at the Hillman the con-
vention held business session which
was the third one during the day. They
discussed the retarding ventilation of
mines at firing time and also the use
of mixed lamps in gassy mines
The subjects under discussion brought
to light many views of importance, and
1t was evident that the mine inspectors
reaped an unusually good result from
that discussion. However. the mine in
spectors institute never goes on record
as a body on any subject. SO after dis
cussing the two propositions the meeting
adjourned at 10 o'clock. The night ses-
sion was the first held so far in the
convention. and while the delegates were
as a rule tired out from the days exer-
tion, yet there was an unusually large
~ 11lo toe ao6
to enjoy the extended debate.
The morning and afternoon sessions
yesterday were devoted to the discussion
of the workmen's compensation act, and
the election versus the appointment of
mine inspectors. The inspectors from
those states that have adopted the COM
pensation act told their fellow inspectors
about the operation of that act which
seemed to be generally regarded as worth
While and an act that has resulted in
considerable good for the working men,
No action. of an official character was
taken upon that proposition.
The compensation laws of Illinois were
discussed by Thomas Moses of that state,
at length He elaborated upon the good
that has been accomplished by the
amendment of the laws, and said that
men felt more willing TO pursue their
hazardous vocation under state protec-
ton than otherwise.
Inspector j. b. McDermott of Mon
tana. also told the assembled delegates
what his state had done in that direc-
tion and also gave some information
about the compensation acts oI the state
of Washington. Mr. McDermott is very
much in favor of a general workmen' $
compensation act. believing that it is
a forward step and one that will assist
in bettering the mining industry as a
whole.
The ''ambulance chaser" came in for a
round of condemnation from the inspec-
tors.
In this state no laws have been en-
acted compensating the mine workers for
the loss of life or limb. However, Ed
ward FLYNN, chief inspector Of the Ten
nessee Coal. Iron and Railroad company
gave some facts of how the miners of
this state were cared for when they
were injured in the mines. The state
ments of Mr.. Flynn were roundly ap-
plauded Nh Flynn paid a glowing
tribute to the local operators who care
for their injured workrnen and the fam
ilies Of those who unfortunately lose
tlieir lives in the mines of this state
Mr. Flynn in his speech did not hold
ont any great hope tkat the state would
pasc any statewide compensation act
soon, but he predicted that those men
who arc accidentally injured and de-
prived OF their life or limb in Alabama
mines would be treated fairly.
The afternoon session of the institute
- L.. "a
therefore the baseball game was lost to
many OF the delegates During the even-
ing tire inspectors assembled again
This morning they will go on the excur-
sion accompanied by some Of the most
prominent mine operators of the district
and tonight it is possible that the last
session Of the institute will be held
So