Sec. 919. [Appeal and hoard of examiners.] After such appeal from the decision of the chief inspector of mines, or after charges have been filed against the chief inspector of mines with the governor, and the result of the investigation made by him, or at his instance, is unsatisfactory to the complainant, and notice thereof is given to the governor in writing by said complainant, accompanied with a bond in the sum of five hundred dollars, payable to the state, conditioned for the payment of all costs and expenses of the investigation of such charges, in the event such charges are not sustained, and signed by two or more responsible freeholders, the governor shall convene a board of examiners, consisting of two practical miners, one chemist, one mining engineer, and one mine operator at such time and place as he directs, giving ten days' notice thereof to the inspector against whom the charges are made, and also to the person whose name appears first in the charges.
[Duties of board.] When so convened, and being duly sworn truly to try and decide upon the charges made, the board of examiners shall summon any witnesses desired by either party, and examine them, on oath, administered by a member of the board. Depositions may be read on such examination as in other cases. The board shall examine fully into the truth of such charges and report the result of its investigation to the governor; and, according to its finding, award the costs and expenses of such investigation against the inspector or the persons signing the bond. The costs and expenses of such investigation shall include a compensation of five dollars per day for each member of the board, for the time occupied in the trial, and in traveling to and from his home, together with all legitimate expenses which shall be paid from the state treasury on the certificate of the president of such board. The attorney general shall proceed to collect such costs and expenses, and pay them into the state treasury.
Sec. 920. [This act shall not create new office or displace any officer.] No change herein made in the name of an office existing when this act takes effect shall create a new office. The incumbents of offices when this act takes effect, the duties of which are herein defined, or the filling of which is herein provided for, shall hold their respective offices for the full term for which they were severally elected or appointed, the same as if this act had not been passed.
[RELATING TO COUNTY RECORDER AND COUNTY CORONER.]
Sec. 921. [Duty of Recorder.] The recorder of the county, when presented with a map of an abandoned mine, by the owner, lessee or agent thereof, as provided for in this act, shall properly label, file and preserve the same as a part of the records of the land upon which said mine is located. ([Sec. 937].)
[Duty of coroner.] Upon receiving notice of a death occurring at a mine, as provided for in this act, the coroner shall hold an inquest forthwith upon the body of such person, inquire carefully into the cause of his death, and within ten days after such inquest, return a copy of his findings, with a description of the body, and all the testimony before him, to the chief inspector of mines. Upon request of the owner, lessee or agent of the mine where such person was employed, shall furnish a copy thereof to such owner, lessee or agent, for which such coroner shall be entitled to a fee of ten cents per legal cap page, but in no case more than five dollars for any one inquest, for copy furnished owner or lessee. ([Sec. 940]; Penalty, [Sec. 976].)
[RELATING TO OWNER, LESSEE OR AGENT.]
Sec. 922. [Ventilation of mines.] The owner, lessee or agent of a mine, shall provide and maintain the necessary artificial means of capacity and power capable of supplying the required ventilation, and shall maintain a sufficient volume of air, not less per minute than one hundred and fifty cubic feet for each person, and five hundred cubic feet for each animal working therein, measured at the intake, and distributed so as to expel or dilute and render harmless, explosive, poisonous and noxious gases.
[Additional requirements where fire-damp is present.] The owner, lessee or agent of a mine generating fire-damp, so as to be detected by a safety lamp, shall, in addition to the foregoing, provide and maintain not less than fifty cubic feet of air per minute for each person working therein. ([Sec. 923], [924], [952]; Penalty, [Sec. 976].)
Sec. 923. [Ventilating appliances.] In each mine, the doors used in assisting or directing the ventilation thereof, shall be hung so that they will close themselves, and shall be kept closed except while persons or cars are passing through same. Each door, not operated automatically, through which cars are required to pass, shall have an attendant, whose first duty shall be to open it for transportation, and prevent it from standing open longer than necessary for cars to pass through, and, persons in charge of cars passing through automatic doors shall be required to keep a close watch over such doors, and if any such door fails to close, they shall promptly close same and report such fact to the mine foreman. This shall not prevent the attendant from performing other duties, provided the door is not kept open longer than is necessary for cars to pass through. Where necessary, a refuge place shall be provided at each door for the safety of the attendant. ([Sec. 943], [958]; Penalty, [Sec. 976].)