The Forrest City times., 1914-06-19
Mining Board) ACT No.4
LAW CREATING STATE MINING
 BOARD
PROPOSED BY INITIATIVE PETITION.
 ACT No. f.

Bill for an Act to Re Entitled An Act
 to Create and Establish a State Min
 ing Board, to Define it's Duties and
 Powers, to Define the Qualifications
 or Miners and the Qualifications,
 Duties and Powers of the State Mine
 Inspector.
 FOR ACT No {.
 AGAINST ACT No. 4
 Be 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 D higher and more equitable standard of qualification in the service of mine in- specting, and in persons who handle machinery appurtenant to coal mining and who conduct mining operations for the production of coal, a State Mining Board is hereby created. which shall consist of five members. one of whom shall be practical mining engineer three of whom shall be practical miners at the time of appointment. actually en- 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 bers of said Board shall be appointed by the Governor for a term of two years, and until their respective success sors shall be appointed and qualified. unless sooner removed for adequate cause
 Sec 2. Immediately upon receipt of their appointment, said members shall proceed to organize. by electng one of their number chairman. and some comne- tent and suitable person, not mem Der as Secretary, after which the mem hers and Secretary shall be sworn. as State and County officers are sworn, to the faithful performance of their duties
 Sec. 3. majority of said Board shall constitute quorum and the Board shall be fully empowered to adopt such rules conditions and regulations not incon- ~t-f t.ytS
 proper to govern it's proceedings Said Board shall have exclusive control of granting certificates of competency as hereinafter provided and shall meet at tion may be deemed advisable.
 Sec. 4. Before any certificates or 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 in mining coal. or to sger Superintendent, Pit Boss, Hoisting Engineer, or Fire Boss without first having obtained a certificate Of compe- tency, as hereinafter provided
 It 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
 
 foregoing occupations shall, within thirty days after the adoption of this Act, make application to said Board for a certificate of competency and it shall be the duty of said Board to fix a time and place for the examination of ap- plicants and give due notice thereof by publication in some newspaper having a bonafide circulation in the county where such examination is to be held
 Sec. 6. All applicants for the position Of Coal Miner must submit to. and satis- factorily pass, an examination as to their practical knowledge of mining coal
 Applicants seeking certificates of competency 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 satis fac torily pass an 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 lanps and understanding of the laws of this State governing the conduct and opera ton of coal mines.
 All applicants coming before the Bo'