Alabama. Office of State Mine Inspectors

Authorities:

Acts 1890-91, No. 602, p. 1362.

Acts 1896-97, No. 486, p. 1099.

Acts 1939, No. 161, p. 232.

Acts 1911, No. 493, p. 500.

Markley, Anne Ethelyn. Author Headings for the Official Publications of the State of Alabama. Chicago: American Library Association, 1948.

In 1891, the Office of Inspector of Mines was created. The Inspector was appointed by the Governor and served at his pleasure. The "originating act" empowered the Inspector to officially visit every underground coal, iron, and other mine within the state where twenty or more miners were employed. Such visits were required by the "originating act" to occur quarterly. Furthermore, during these visits, the Inspector was legally obliged to examine (in person and in detail) the methods and manners of operation of these mines, and if, in his estimation, any changes were warranted, he was to notify the operator, owner, or general manager of such desired changes. If, however, such alterations were not expedited in a reasonable amount of time, relevant information regarding the complaints were referred to the Board of Examiners for their further expedition. (Acts 1890-91, No. 602, Sec. 1)

Furthermore, the Inspector was legally empowered to give directions to the mine operators as to the method or manner of working gaseous mines. Additionally, the "originating act" contained provisions pertaining to the Inspector's salary and expenses, composition, pay and meetings of the Board of Examiners, duties of mine owners, and grounds for the Inspector's dismissal. (Acts 1890-91, No. 602, Sec. 1-9)

In 1897, the office of Inspector of Mines was reorganized. The newly authorized head of the agency was dubbed the Chief Mining Inspector. To aid him in the expedition of his duties, the "reorganizing act" authorized the designation of two Associate Mining Inspectors. This act, additionally, contained provisions pertaining to the necessary qualifications for the Chief Mining Inspector, composition, compensation, and meetings of the Board of Examiners, mine ventilation, weight regulations, safety/precautionary regulations, qualifications for mine foreman's applicants, as well as various other matters pertinent to the maintenance and perpetuation of safety standards within the confines of the state's mining facilities. Furthermore, the act stated quite emphatically that any person charged with any duty under the guidelines of that act and failure or refusal to discharge that duty shall have been guilty of a misdemeanor. Additionally, during this period the Chief Mining Inspector was informally referred to as the Chief Inspector of Mines. (Acts 1896-97, No. 486, Sec. 1-40)

In 1911, the agency was reorganized, its head being designated as the Chief Mine Inspector for Coal Mines. Additionally, the number of associate inspectors was upgraded from two to four. Despite these minor adaptations, however, the basic previously authorized and allocated duties/functions of the agency remained constant; the "letter of law" was changed slightly, however, the basic "spirit" remained. (Acts 1911, No. 493, Sec. 1-111) The inspector was commonly known as and signed his reports as the Chief Mine Inspector (Markley, p. 22).

In 1939, the Chief Mine Inspector was legally abolished, its previously authorized and allocated powers, duties, and functions reassigned to the Ala. Dept. of Industrial Relations. (Acts 1939, No. 161, Sec. 7)

From the description of Agency history record. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 145408415

Mulga Mine, located 12 miles west of Birmingham, was opened about 1907 by the Birmingham Coal and Iron Company. The Woodward Iron Company acquired the mine through a 1912 purchase of Birmingham Coal and Iron. The mine produced 200 - 300,00 tons of coal during the 1910s and 1920s, with a work force of 300-400 persons.

The mine produced coal throughout the twentieth century. In 1968 Mead Corporation acquired Mulga Mine through a purchase of the Woodward Corporation. Most of the coal that has been recently extracted is exported to Japan.

From the description of Map showing area adjacent to explosion in the Mulga Mine, 1937. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122582322