Evening star., 1947-04-13


A move to equip the Federal
underway once more In Congress,
Federal mine boss, has indorsed the
idea. However, he also would allow
the States to retain their inspection
and police powers, thereby giving
both the State and Federal Govern
ments the right to enforce regula-
tions and close mines either held
dangerous.
The whole situation in regard to
mine safety has been pretty much
lost amid the vengeful charges Of
John l.. Lewis. chief Of the United
Mine Workers, against Secretary
Krug, along with the congressional
investigations OF the Centralia disas-
ter and the general hysteria induced
by many issues in the entire coal
industry.
Mine experts say that the dis
couraging truth is that regardless
OF what steps are taken, the mining
of coal will still remain the Nations
most hazardous occupation. They
explain that after you get beyond
a certain point the mines can be
made safer only by sacrificing coal
production and proceeding to raise
the cost of the fuel far above
present levels.
Record Has Improved.
Coal mining used to be much
more dangerous business than 1t is
now. For example. in the flve-year
period from 1906 to 1910, inclusive,
there were "a major disasters, kill
ing 1886 men, or nearly 500 year.
In 1945 there were four such dis
asters. These cost the lives of So
men.
In 1910 2,220 men lost their lives
in the soft coal mines from accidents
Of all sorts. Last year there were
300 deaths from accidents, the year
before 936.
Beginning in the last century, the
States started taking hand and
in making the mines safer.
Their safety standards and inspec-
tion laws to enforce the standards
have shown gradual improvement
up to the present time. 1t cannot be
said today that all OF the States by
any means have adequate laws or
means OF enforcing them. Some
States do good job, others do not.
Others have plenty of regulations,
but fall down on the enforcement
end. There Is an understandable
lack Of uniformity among all.
Bureau Of Mines Set Up.
The Federal Government entered
the picture in 1910 with establish
ment Of the Bureau of Mines, in the
Interior Department. The bureau
was set UP as a scientific advisory
agency to all mining, gold as well as
coal, although the latter being the
largest industry necessarily requir-
ing most attention. The bureau was
supposed to aid in development OF
better ways of mining, including
safer ways, and to keep a watchful
eye on our mineral resources. It's
experts lent assistance in time of
disaster and performed numerous
helpful jobs. Their work was largely
educational.
However, during the first 81 years
Of its existence, the bureaus task
was one Of giving advice and edu-
eating where such was wanted, and
it still Is that way, generally speak
ing. There was no power to examine
the condition of mines.
In 1941, on the heels of four big
disasters which killed 254 miners,
Congress after long consideration
passed the Federal mine inspection
law. It gave the bureau authority
to send its inspectors into the mines
at least once a year and to make
public their findings. The power to
enforce inspectors recommendations
was not included. It was thought
that the throwing the spotlight of
publicity On unsafe practices would
have a salutary effect, and was as
far as the Federal Government
could 60.
Fight Over Responsibility.
A battle to have the Federal Gov
ernment assume the responsibility
for setting safety standards and
enforcing them has been going on
sporadically for long time. Mr.
Lewis and the United Mine Workers,
naturally. have led the fight.
Bills providing for Federal in
spection and enforcement Of safety
recommendations were introduced
in the House and Senate early in
1899. A year later, the Senate passed
the measure, but with enforcement
teeth extracted. The bill, similar to
.1o of Thar