The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-05
Hooper Submits Report of
Examination to Gov
ernOr O'Neal
GOOD CONTRACTS
FOR OPERATIONS
Declares Banner Mine One of Best
Laid Out in Country-Hu-
manity in Mine Is
Unexcelled

| Montgomery. April Especial. DE
claring that there is less whipping done
at Banner mine than at any state con-
vict mine, and expressing the opinion that
the state has a good contract with the
Pratt Consolidated Coal company for the
operation of that mine, ]. deb. Hooper,
formerly chief mine inspector of the state,
of Walker county, has submitted to Gov
ernor o'Neal fun report on his exami-
nation of Banner and Flat Top mines. (
| In his report on conditions at these
mines Mr.. Hooper declares that much OF
the inside examination of the mines was
made by j. F. Webb, assistant mine in
spector. who made a separate report to
the governor covering the operation and
safety of the mine at Banner.
Has No Superior
| Mr. Hooper declares that in his opin-
| ion Banner mine is one of the best laid
out and planned mines in the country, and
states that the company claims that when
the new steel tipple. washer and bins have
| been completed it will not have SUI
perior in the United States.
| Two men were killed at Banner mine
dbiiit lit past Ia iiiohtii'f otNio' ~ 49,
| Hooper. The inspector considers this a
| fine record.
| In regard to the docking system at
Banner, about which so much has been
written at first glance 1t appears to oe
wrong. At any rate, / understand that
the usual docking system, with this tenn
porary tipple. would not be convenient,
but will be when the new tipple is COM
pleted. This much is to be said in favor
of it. that there is scarcely any whipping
done at the Banner for task. and none at
all for slate. Therefore, it seems clear
| that for task and slate together there is
| less whipping at the Banner than at any
state convict mine in Alabama.
1.-The other whippnss for fighting and
such michief and deviltry as a lot of
convicts will get into | do not consider
such a serious matter"
Flat Top Mire
| In his report on Flat Top mine, Mr..
Hooper first takes up the water supply at
| this time. This water is distilled, though
| its purity is not particularly recommended
| by the inspector. Fish will not live in
| it, he declares. 1T is deoxygenated
water. In fact, dead water. Better,
of course. than polluted water"
| AS regards safety, Mr.. Hooper said that
| Flat Top and Banner are practically un-
der the same conditions. These two
mines together, having in the aggregate
considerably over half the convicts worked
| in the state, furnishes less than 3 per
cent of the convicts killed in the mines
last year..
The Sloss company is spending $4,000 in
| improvements lpking to better ventilation
| in the mines. said the inspector.
| In commenting upon this Improvement,
! the inspector said:
| an view of the disastrous explosion al
Banner the adjacent mine above and one
| at Palos, the second mine below, the won-
| der is that this has been delayed SC
1 long.
1.-The split air current system should be
put into operation In this mine as in the
| Banner mine. If it is not done there may
| be another sad story to tell In the mining
| history of this state. ! feel sure that
| there is no mining engineer of high stand
| ing. either in or out of the state, but
that will agree with me in the view here
expressed"
Humanity in Mines
Inspector Hooper said with reference tc
humanity in the mines
| Having had considerable experience in
| connection with and observation of con-
| VIII opSid III 'it ~N]ifS VI my iS'
| I desire to say word in behalf of the
| innocent dependents of these unfortunate
men.
"A portion of the earnings of these
men should go to those helpless and in
nocent who were dependent upon them.
'"The objection to this plan, and | read
| lily appreciate them. can be met by pass
| ing a law, authorizing the commissioners
court or board of revenue of the county
| In which the convict was sentenced, to
examine into the facts and report its rec
| ommendation to the governor.
| .It should then be left to the good
| Judgment of the chief executive as to
what extent if any. this charity, if such
| II he called shall be dispensed"