1898 - Coalmininghistorypa.org

452 REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF MINES. Off. Doc.Mine Maps.Previous to the law of 1885 anything approaching a perfect minemap could rarely be found. In very many cases there were no mapsfrom which any information whatever could be derived regarding thedevelopment or general condition of the mine workings. With fewexceptions the services of an engineer or surveyor were seldom calledinto requisition, and in very many instances money spent for the servicesof an engineer was then looked u])on as a useless investmentfrom which no returns could be derived, and, as a natural result, therewere few men possessing ambition to become conversant with thescience of mining, and competent mining engineers were not sonumerous as at the present time. While the conditions as abovedescribed do not speak well for the past, I am in a position to reportthat present and future prospects are encouraging. The mine mapsare now made complete and kept up to date, and at large operationsespecially, the engineer is now .ihvays called in consultation regardingthe best methods to be adopted for the proper development andsuccessful operation of the mines. The importance of engineeringwork cannot be over-estimated, and money spent for this purpose isnow properly regarded as a profitable investment, and only in thecase of a few small operators is there any difficulty experienced inhaving the provisions of the law complied with relation to mine mapsand engineering work in general.Mine Foremen of Former Years, and Mine Foremen of To-day.When I first became acquainted with the Pittsburg district Ifound a number of competent mine foi'emen employed, I also foundvery many who were incompetent, who did not understand and couldnot intelligently discuss the science of mining as applicable to theproper methods of working and ventilating of coal mines, and theproper way to deal with and render harmless or expel from the minesthe noxious and dangerous gases generated therein. It can nowtruthfully be said that there has been a great improvement in thisrespect. The clause contained in Ihe act of 1885, requiring that allpersons aspiring to the office of mine foreman or fire boss shouldundergo an examination and obtain certificates of competency beforebeing eligible to either position, had an instant effect in stimulatingthought on mining subjects among the practical miners; and menof ability but whose intellectual faculties were lying dormant havecome to the front and are to-day numbered among our most successfulmine managers, and as a rule there are at this time in charge of themines men capable of either offering or receiving suggestions onmatters relative to healthfulness, safety and other subjects pertainingto successful mine management. I do not wish to be understoodas saying that all persons who pass an examination will make