The Forrest City times., 1914-07-03
Mining Board) ACT No.4 PROPOSED BY INITIATIVE PETITION
 ACT No. A.
LAW CREATING STATE MINING
 BOARD.

Bill for an Act to Be Entitled An Act
 to Create and Establish State Min
 ing Board, to 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 (
 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 higher and more equitable standard of qualification in the service of mine in- specting. and in persons who handle machinery appurtenant to coal mining ana who conduct mining operations 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 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. a 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 succes- sors shall be appointed and qualified unless sooner removed for adeauate 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 mem ber as Secretary, after which the mem hers and Secretary shall be sworn ns State and County officers are sworn to the faithful performance of their duties
 Sec. 3. majority of said Board shall constitute a quorum and the Board shall be fully empowered to adopt such rules conditions and regulations. not incon- Et Rtant ySit ha la fl,afr 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 it shall make formal inquiry into. and pass upon the qualifications of. the applicant to fin the position indicate1 l by his application
 Sec. B. It shall be unlawful for any person to engage h mining coal. or to act as State Mine Inspector Mine Man ager. Superintendent. Pit Boss, Hoisting | Engineer, or Fire Boss without first having obtained certificate of compe- tency, as hereinaft 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 a certificate of competency.
 All persons engaged fin any of the foregoing occupations shall. within thirty days after the adoption of this Act, make application to said Board for l a certificate of competency, and it shall | be the duty of said Board to fix 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 i where such examination is to be held
 Sec. 6. All applicants for the positio 1 of Coal Miner must submit to, and sa tis- | factorily pass, an examination as tu 1 their practical knowledge Of mining | coal.
 1 Applicants seeking certificates of | competency as State Mine Inspector l must procure evidence satisfactory to 1 the Board. that they are citizens of the State of Arkansas; at least twenty five l 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- | torlly pass an examination as to his l experience in mines, generating danger 1 ous gases. their practical and technical | knowledge Of the nature and property
 Of fire damp, the laws of ventila tion
 the structure and uses of safety lamps l and unders tandng of the laws of this | State governing the conduct and opera | ,ion of coal mines.
 | All applicants coming before the Bo