1898 - Coalmininghistorypa.org

X ANNUAL REPORT OF THE OfE. Doc.merely for otieuces that actually result iu aecideuts, but for tlios^ethat are conducive to accideuts, the miue boss or foreman wouldeAperieuee no difficulty in maintaining discipline after a few applicationsof the rule, liespect for the law is the beginning of civilization,and it is the foundation of all government. Although the betteiclass of men in an enlightened country recognize the obligationsoi morality and righteousness in their dealings with each other, noi-.ationhas ever yet risen so high that the fear of the law was notthe corner stone of social order and security. Honest faithful enforcementof law is to-day the supreme necessity for a reduction ofthe number of accidents in and about the mines. The present lawcovers the idea mentioned of tiuing the men for infractions, but thev»eakness in its clauses lies in the fact that a negligent guilt mustbe proved and that no accident must have resulted therefrom beforepunishment is possible. The machinery which must be set in motionis too complex for the numerous cases that might and do ariseunder the act. All violations, such as interference with or neglectin closing doors, or malicious obstruction of air ways, using nakedlights where such are prohibited, should be amenable to a specificpunishment, notwithstanding that an accident might not immediatelyensue in consequence of this act. The carrying of lucifermatches, playing with signals, riding on cars, withdrawing miss-firecharges, opening boxes of explosives in proximity to a lamp or pipe,and the shortening of fuse or its saturation with oil, are all of themcriminal acts which should be specifically provided against and consistentlypunished, \Nhetlier or not an accident should ensue. So,too, is the failure to observe orders regarding the proper placing oftimber equally amenable to the law. It may seem a hardship toimpose a tine for apparently trivial offences, and yet fatal consequencesare invited, and it would be an insult to the intelligence ofthe miners to pretend their ignorance of this fact.If the accidentsare due to ignorance, then the offending party should be dischargedand the skilled miners will have occasion to rejoice over the bettermentof the grade of laborers. The large companies and many ofthe individual operators are taking advantage of every improvementwhich conduces to the safety of their workmen, and are anxiousto prevent accidents. In some mines a rig-id