1898 - Coalmininghistorypa.org

No. 11. SEVENTH BITUMINOUS DISTRICT. 449mining, sbowing to the satisfaction of ilie oxaminors that tlieypossess both practical and theoretical knowledge fitting them forthe position. All of which qualifications are absolutely necessarybefore they can efficiently perform the duties required of them. Toillustrate this more fully, I might say, that because certain methodsmight be successful in overcoming ditliculties and removing dangersat one mine on any particular occasion, is no criterion that thesame tactics will prove successful in the removal of the same classof dangers and difficultiesat another mine, but attended with dissimilarconditions, requiring dillerent; merhods of action, that canonly be determined after an examination of the surrounding circumstances,hence the reason why a varied experience in diiferent classesof mines operating under dittei'ent systems of working becomes anecessary part of the qualifications which an Inspector should possess. Of course every one will agree that the most urgent duties tobe performed by an Inspector is that of tlm inspection of the mineworkings, and as much of his time as possible should be devoted tothis particular duty. Any new or additional labor placed upon himwhich curtails the actual inspection of the mines will detract fromthe efficiency of the service. The benefits to health and safety tobe derived from mine inspection will largely depend upon the mannerin which the Inspector perforins his duties. When he finds that thelaw is being violated, either wilfully or through carelessness, heshould not hesitate to prosecute all such cases; but difficulties areoften encountered in mining operations which no law may be competentto deal with, and such difficulties may produce conditionsdangerous to health and life, unless skillful management and soundjudgment is displayed by the officials in charge; in cases of thisnature the Inspector should not stand by, awaiting an opportunityto prosecute any infraction of the law, that may result throughmistakes or lack of judgment in dealing witli such conditions, buthe should rather act as an adviser, and give what assitance hecan to overcome the difficulty and so avert the necessity for prosecution.An official co])y of the maps of all mines in the district are now furnishedto the Inspector to be kept in his office, and he can spendconsiderable time in the study of such maps to good advantage, asby so doing he can familiaiize liiuis^li'with all details of the s^'stemsof ventilation, drainage and other uiatters relative to healthfulnessand safety, and thereby be in a position when visitiug the luines toknow just where defects are likely to be found, and (he nature ofsuch defects. In previous years I spent suffici.nt time in studyingthe nmps to have, at all times, a good, geneial idea of the methodsbeing pursued at the diiferent mines, but during the past year thismatter has been somewhat neglected, for reasons before mentioned.29—11—98