drilled. The Commission also has the power to promulgate and enforce
such rules as may be necessary to conserve the State's water resources
and its oil and gas resources (Code 1951, Art. 66C, sees. 15-17,
666-701; Acts 1953, ch. 613).

Appropriations 1963 1954
General Fund.. $107,362 $110,441

Staff: 24.

BUREAU OF MINES
Frank J. Powers, Director
Mine Examining Board
Chairman: Frank J. Powers
Ellis Ellifretz, Miners; James H. Close, Operators

City Building, Westernport Telephone: Westernport 4031

The first Mine Inspectors were appointed by the Governor in 1878
serving in Allegany and Garrett Counties. These inspectors, func-
tioned independently, reporting only to the Governor, until 1916 when
they were placed within the Department of Labor and Statistics. The
inspection powers became a function of the Bureau of Mines upon its
organization in 1922 as a unit of the Department of Labor and Statis-
tics. Upon the organization of the Board of Natural Resources in
1941, the Bureau was transferred to the newly-created Department of
Geology, Mines and Water Resources. The director of the Bureau is
appointed by the Governor from a list of eligible persons certified by
the State Employment Commissioner. The Bureau of Mines is respon-
sible for the inspection of all mines within the State in order to
maintain proper sanitation, ventilation, and safety standards in all
mining operations. All persons or corporations engaging in open-pit
or strip mining operations are required to register with the Bureau
previous to the beginning of their operations and to report periodically
during such operations. The Bureau of Mines examines all applicants
for certificates of competency as mine foremen, assistant mine fore-
men, and fire bosses. The Bureau of Mines in cooperation with the
University of Maryland and the Boards of Education for Allegany and
Garrett counties conducts classes in mining operations throughout
the western part of the State. The Bureau, under an Act of 1949, is
required to furnish gaseous training to men applying for first-class
certificates and fire boss certificates of competency. This work is
being done in cooperation with the United States Bureau of Mines
(Code 1951, Art. 66C, sees, 478-497).

Mine Examining Board

The Mine Examining Board consists of the Director of the Bureau
of Mines, who also acts as Chairman of the Board, and two persons
appointed by the Governor, one representing the Miners and the other
the Operators. Each appointee serves until his successor is appointed
and qualifies. The Board examines applicants for the rating of first-
class mine foreman and fire-boss and issues "certificates of compe-
tency" to each successful applicant upon payment of the stipulated fee
(Code 1951, Art. 66C, sees. 478-497).

Appropriations 1953 1964
General Fund $46,541 $44,871

Staff: 8.