The Sentinel=record., 1914-06-27

A Bill for an Act to Re Entitled "An Act
 to Create and Establish a state Min
 ing Board, Co Define It's Duties and
 Powers. to Define the Qualifications
 of Miners and the Qualifications.
 Duties and Powers of the State Mine
 Inspector.
 FOR ACT No. i
 AGAINST ACT No {.
 5e it Enacted by the People of the State
 of Arkansas
 Section l. TO secure efficiency in the work of mining coal in this State, and . higher and more equitable standard of qualification in the service of mine in- epectinR, and in persons who handle machinery appurtenant to coal mining and who conduct mining opera tons for the production of coal. State Mining Board is hereby created, which shall consist of five members, one Of whom shall be a practical mining engineer, three of whom shall be practical miners. at the time of appointment, actually on gagged in digging coal and one of whom shall be mine operator. Each mem Der of said Board shall be a citizen of the State, qualified elector thereof. of good repute and temperate habits and of the age Of twenty-five years The mem. bers of said Board shall be appointed by the Governor for term of two years, and until their respective success sors shall bs appointed and qualified. unless sooner removed for adequate cause
 Sec 2. Immediately upon receipt of their appointment, said members shall proceed to organize, by electing one of their number chairman, and some compe- tent and suitable person. not a mem Der as Secretary. after which the mem hcrs and Secretary shall be sworn. as State and County officers are sworn, to the faithful performance of their duties
 Sec 3. A majority of said Board shall constitute quorum and the Board shall be fully empowered to adopt such rules conditions and regulations. not incon- Ntqfg ant rrftt hA lDr proper to govern It's proceedings. Said Board shall have exclusive control of granting certificates Of competency as hereinafter provided, and shall meet at such times and places as in it's discre- tion may be deemed advisable.
 Sec 4. Before any certificates of competency shall be issued by said Board 1t shall make formal inquiry Into. and pass upon the qualifications of. the applicant to fill the position indicated by his application.
 Sec 5. It shall be unlawful for any. person to engage Tn mining coal or to act as State Mine Inspector. Mine Man acer, Superintendent Pit Boss Hosting Engineer. or Fire Boss without first having obtained a certificate of csmpe- tency, as hereinafter provided.
 It shall also be unlawful for any per non Co engage in any occupation in coal mines not herein enumerated without first having obtained certificate of competency.
 All persons engaged in any of the foregoing occupation shall, within thirty days after the adoption of this Act make application to said Board for n certificate of competency. and 1t shall be the duty of said Board to fix time and place for the examination of ap- plicants, and give due notice thereof by notification Tn some newspaper having e bonafide circulation in the county where such examination Is to be held
 Sec. S. All applicants for the position of Coal Miner must submit to- and satis- a aNn tttaf fff.t, their practical knowledge of mining
 Applicants seeking certificates of eomnetency as state Mine Inspector must procure evidence satisfactory to the Board. that they are citizens of the State of Arkansas; at least twenty-five years of age, and shall have had five years practical experience as an actual coal miner. and of good repute and tenn perate habits: such applicant for Mine inspector must submit to and satsfac- torly pass an examination as to his experience Tn mines, generating danger ous gases their practical and technical knowledge of the nature and property of fire damp, the laws of ventilation, the structure and uses of safety lamps and unders tandlng of the laws of this State governing the conduct and opera tion of coal mines
 All applicants coming before the Board for certificate of competency as Mine Managers Superintendents and Pit Boss must produce satisfactory evidence to the Board that they are at least twenty five years of age: that they have had at least five years practical mining ex- perience. and that they are men af good repute and temperate habits: they must also submit and satisfactorily pass such an examination as to their experience Tn mines. and In the management or men, their knowledge of mine machinery and appliances, tine use of surveying and other instruments, the property of mine gases, the principles of mine ventila- N thn atat l,,+ta al bilities of Mine Managers. Superiatend- ents and Pit Boss. as the Board shall deem reasonable.
 All persons seeking certificates of com potency as Hoisting Engineers must pro- duce satisfactory evidence to the Board that they are at least twenty-one years of age. that they have had at least two years experience as firemen or engineer of a hoisting plant. and are of good re- pute and temperate habits, They must be prepared to submit to and satisfactorily pass an examination AS to experience Tn handling holsting machinery, and as 10 their practical and technical knowledge of the construction. cleaning and care of steam boilers the care and adjust ment of the hoisting engine. the man agement and efficiency of pumps. rope and winding apparatus, and In and about the lowering of men Into the mines.
 All applicants for certificates as Fire Boss shall be at least twenty-five years of age and shall have had at least five years practical experience as a coal miner, and shall possess a general knowledge of ventilation. mine gases and safety lamps. and shall qualify in all other respects as the Board deems proper.
 All persons seeking certificates to engage fin occupations in coal mines not herein enumerated, shall appear before the Board and submit to an examina- ton as to their knowledge of coal mines and such other requirements as the Board may deem proper.
 Sec. T. The certificate provided for in this Act shall be Issued under the sigma ture and seal of the State Mining Board. to all who receive rating above the minimum fixed by the rules Of the Board: such certificate shall contain full nama age. and place of birth of the recipient and the length and nature of his previous service in or about coal mines and the Board shall make and preserve record. of the names and ad- dresses of all applicants and of all per sons to whom certificates are issued. The certificates issued under the pro visions of this Act shall enttle the holi- CT thereof to accept and discharge the duties for which they are declared qua lified. at any mine in this State. where their services may be desired.
 Sec. 8. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit persons from learning the occupations herein enume- rated. If working under the imsaediate guidance and direction of certificated person: provided that no certificated person shall have under his immediate guidance and direction more than ore