Ifa mine Is unsafe the law does not pun^^ish the owners by destroying the profits of^the mine, but holds the superintendent or^agent responsible In severe penalties.^Should the inspector find some portion of a^mine unsafe and so notify the superinten^^dent or agent, the latter might not be able^for want of materials or other means to^make that part of the mine safe at once;^but instead of stopping the work, he might^continue it in parts which were safe until^such time as all parts could be made safe,^thus continuing the work of the mine to^the advantage of both owners and work^^men and at the same time accomplishing^the objects of the law, the safety of all^parties, and making the profits of both^owners and workmen more certain.
Butthere is one defect in the law which^may prove very serious. The compensa^^tion t r inspector is by far too small and^that provided for the deputy inspector is^still less. No man qualified to fill those^offices can afford to accept them and faith^^fully discharge all the duties required of^him by the law for the compenssilon pro^^vided, the 92,000 appropriated for travel^^ling and other expenses will be exhausted^before half the mines are Inspected, unless^some means cheaper than the ordinary^ni(Hies of travel are discovered. Mine own^^ers pay nisny times as much for much less^service, and service less burdensome and^dangerous. The Inspection of a mine is no^pleasure trip.G. C. Swallow.
HccobqIiikInsan* Through Idl^es.
