STATISTICS AND INFORMATION. 2783

1922, ch. 307, sec. 60.

61. Every such operator shall assist the Bureau and its officers in mak-
ing any proper inspection or investigation, and shall promptly execute
every proper order made under the provisions of this sub-title; and when-
ever any such operator shall wilfully neglect or refuse to obey any such
order, or shall interfere with or hinder such Bureau or any of its inspectors
or agents in the proper discharge of their duties, such willful neglect, re-
fusal, interference or hindrance shall constitute a misdemeanor.

CHAPTER VIII—Mine Foremen and Assistants.
1922, ch. 307, sec. 61.

62. In order to secure efficient management and proper ventilation of
the mines, to promote the health and safety of the persons employed
therein, and to protect and preserve the property connected therewith, the
operator of any coal mine in this State shall employ a competent and prac-
tical mine foreman for every mine where ten or more persons are em-
ployed, who shall have charge of such mine under the supervision and
control of such operator. If such mine is gaseous, such mine foreman must
possess a first-class mine foreman's certificate of competency, or a service
certificate of equal grade. If the mine is not gaseous, such mine foreman
must possess either a first-class or a second-class certificate of competency
or a service certificate of equal grade.

1922, ch. 307, sec. 62.

63. Whenever the mine workings become so extensive that the mine
foreman is unable personally to discharge his duties, the operator shall
employ a sufficient number of competent persons as assistants, who shall
have like qualifications with the mine foreman; provided, that whenever
any exigency arises whereby it is impossible for any operator to secure the
immediate services of a certified man, he may employ any trustworthy
and experienced man as mine foreman or assistant mine foreman for a
period not exceeding thirty days, and in the event that no person possessing
a certificate of competency, satisfactory to such operator, can be found to
fill the position, then the Chief Mine Engineer may grant a temporary
certificate to some pereon satisfactory to such operator whom such Chief
Mine Engineer may deem qualified, who may fill the position until thirty
days from and after the next meeting of the Examining Board held for
the purpose of granting certificates of competency.

1922, ch. 307, sec. 63.

64. The mine foreman shall devote his entire time to his duties, when
the mine is in operation; and shall, subject to the supervision and control
of the operator thereof, have charge of the inside workings of such mine
and of all persons therein employed; and he shall see that all applicable
provisions of this sub-title and regulations thereunder are strictly obeyed.
For such purpose, such mine foreman shall, personally or by his assistant—