The diamond drill., 1918-03-30

the office in Iron county previous 10
the present inspector was man VINO
was thoroughly acquainted with the
best practices in mining and who was
capable OF advising the operators as
TO the proper way OF carrying on their
operation so as to insure the least
possible danger to their workmen. uh-
fortunately, the present political sys-
tenn does not allow, as rule the eiec-
tion of a competent mining inspector
but the duties OF this position are
turned over 10 the man who Is most
useful politically to the party In pow
er.
"I am not thoroughly familiar with
the details OF the accident at the Am
asa-Porter property and / am not
therefore. prepared 10 say that the OPP
orators did not make every provision
possible for the safety OF their men.
II often happens that an unexpected
accident will occur in a mine which
no forethought could have prevented
and IL Is very possible that such was
the case in the Amasa-Porter. How
ever. | believe that the advice Of an
experienced mine inspector would
have been valuable to the Amasa-Po'- :
ter as well as to all other operators
I'm the Lake Superior district
"I would suggest instead of making
light OF the duties OF mine inspector.
II would be more to the point to make
an effort TO elect the most capable
man possible TO fill the position.
Yours very truly,
"R. S. ARCHIBALD"
| In the foregoing Mr.. Archibald
practically agrees with the most o.
our editorial on this subject present
ed In last weeks issue OF Iron Ore.
He stands for high-grade mine in
spector, who would, as we interpret
his article be familiar with engineer
ing, and put his knowledge into actual
practice. Could Mr.. Archibald elect
such a man under our present plan
for the selection OF such an officer?
He could not. So, we are led TO in
sist, that. under the present plan of
selection, the inspector will not be
a fkilled engineer, but will come from
the ranks OF the m'nerE who sympa-
tni1e with their fellows, and who, un-
der the plea that the v Vorkingmen be
/ given chance, would not vote for an
engineer. The choice is made under
the primary election law.
To go through a mine, into every
portion OF il, would take much time,
j and to SO inspect all the mines in any
Of the Lake Superior ranges would
necessitate several engineers, follow
ing out the plan suggested. Imagine
one inspector in the copper minas
with their hundreds of miles Of open.
ingsl
We have knowledge OF no mine IN
which the safety of the miner is sacri-
feed because OF high mining costs
Accidents certainly add greatly to the
cost of mining
And we do not agree with the pre-
sentation that our mining men know
only Of the methods employed at their
own properties because we do know
that there is general interchange oI
ideas, exchange Of visits underground
and exchange Of maps, mine practices
and costs The annual visits at time.
/. OF the meetings Of the Lake Superior
Mining institute have furnished op
portunity for visits to any mine, anr
any mining man is welcome to go int.
, any other property II being the prac
tice here Experts of the various com
panies all visit the principal mines o
the district to note systems OF opera
tion.
And we do not believe that Mr. Ar
chibald can make his statement goo,
that accidents frequently happen.
! because OF a mine having only on,