Washington telegraph., 1914-07-03
mining Board
ACT No.4
LAW CREATING STATE MINING
BOARD.
PROPOSED BIZ INITIATIVE PETITION.
ACT No. 4.

A Bill for an Act to Be Entitled AN Act
to Create and Establish a State Min
Powers. to Define the Qualifications
of Miners and the Qualifications
Duties and Powers of the State Mine
Inspector.
FOR ACT No 4.
AGAINST ACT No. L.
Be IT Enacted by the People of the State
of Arkansas:
Section /. . To secure efficiency in the
work of mining coal in this State and
higher and more equitable standard of
"ualifi ication in the service of mine in
specting. and in persons who handle
machinery appurtenant to coal mining
and who conduct mining Operations for
me production OF coal. State Mining
Board is 1ereby created. which shall
consist of five members: one OF whom
shall be a practical mining engineer
three of whom shall be practical miners
qt the time of appointment. actually en-
gaged in digging coal. and one of whom
Shall be mine operator. Each mem
her of said Board shall be a citizen of
the State. qualified. elector thereof. of
good repute and temperate habits and of
the age of TIVE st''-five years. The mem
hers of said @rar1 shall be appointed
ny the Govci~' for term of two
E9ars29! E9aF f g' = EespsStivs est success
unless sooner removed for adequate
cause.
Sec. 2. Immediately upon receipt of
their appointment. said members shall
proceed to organize. by electinE one of
their number chairman. and some compe-
tent and suitable person. not a mem
ber as Secretary. after which the mem
hers and Secretary shall be sworn as
State and County officers are sworn II
the faithful performance Of their duties
Sec. 3. A majority of said Board shall
constitute a quorum and the Board shall
be fully empowered to adopt such rules
conditions and regulations not inc0n-
siStent with the law. they may deem
proper to govern its 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 its discre-
tion may be deemed advisable
Sec 4. Before any certificates OF
competency shall be issued by said
Board it shall make formal inquiry into
and pass upon the qualifications of. the
applicant TO fill the. position indicated
by his application:
Sec. g. 1t shall be unlawful for anv
person to engage in mining coal. or to
aEer. Superintendent, Pit Boss Hosting
Engineer. or Fire Boss without first
having obtained a certificate of compe-
tency, as hereinafter provided
1t shall also be unlawful for any per
son to engage in any occupation in coal
mines not herein enumerated without
first having obtained certificate of
competency.
foregoi1rg occupations shall. within
thirty days after the adoption Of this
Act make application to said Board for
a certificate of competency and il shall
be the duty of said Board to fix a time
and place for the examination of APP
plicants, and give due notice thereof by
publication in some newspaper having
a bonafide circulation in the county
where such examination. o. - Ne kA51
sec G. All applicants for the position
of Coal Miner must submit to. and salts
factorily pass, an examination as to
their practical knowledge of mining
coal.
Applicants seeking certificates OF
competency as State Mine Inspector
the Board. that thay 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 satisfac-
torily pass examination as to his
experience in 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 understanding ef the laws of this
State governing the conduct and opera
ton OF coal mIhes-
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 fi-'e years practical mining ex-
peftence, and that they are men Of good
repVte and temperate habits; they must
also submit and satisfactorily pass such
an examination as to their experience in
mines. and in the management of men,
tnelr knowledge Of mine machinery and
appliances. the use of surveying. and
other instruments. the property of mine
eases the principles of mine ventila-
non and the special duties and response
biiities of Mine Managers. Superi2tend-
ents and Pit Boss. es the Board shall
deem reasonable
All persons seeking certiricates OF com
potency as Hosting Engineers must pro-
duce satisfactory evidence to the Board
that they are at least twenty-one years
or 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 In
handling hoistinR machinery, and as to
their practical and technical knowledge
of the construction cleaning and care
OF steam boilers. the care AID 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.
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 in 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. Z. 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 a rating above the
Board; such certificate shall contain
full name, 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 a 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 entitle the hold
er Thereon to accept and discharge the
duties Tor which they are declared qua
lifted, at any mine in this State, where
their services may be desired.
Sec. g.. Nothing in this Act shall be
construed to prohibit persons from
learning the occupations herein enurne-
rated. II working under the imme liate
guidance and direction of a certificata1
person; provided that no certif4es te1
person shall have under his immediate
guidance and direction more than one
person learning any occupation herein
enumerated. And IL shall not be con-
strued to In ohibit any person entering
the state and accepting employment in
any Of the various occupations mention
cd herein, provided such person shall.
within ten days after accepting such
employment, make application 20, said