3242 ARTICLE 89

servation of property within, about, or in connection with bituminous coal
mines or strippings in this State, and for that purpose shall make, publish
and enforce necessary rules and regulations after due notice given. The
duty heretofore imposed upon the Commissioner of Labor Statistics by the
third paragraph of Section 2 of this Article to collect information in regard
to the mineral products and the output of mines of this State, is hereby
limited to the Bureau.

An. Code, 1924, sec. 24. 1922, ch. 307, sec. 23.

23. The Bureau shall compile, publish and distribute to persons inter-
ested the mining laws and rules and regulations pertaining thereto. The
Bureau shall carefully keep a record of all inspections and investigations,
and copies of all official communications and records of all work done; and
preserve all reports, statistics and information received relating to the
development of coal or other mining or to the enforcement of this sub-title.

An. Code, 1924, sec. 25. 1922, ch. 307, sec. 24.

24. The Bureau shall annually, to the 31st day of December in each
year, prepare, publish and distribute a report showing the development of
mining throughout the State, setting forth statistical and operative facts,
with information as to the development of and progress of coal and other
mining, including care to protect and promote the health and safety of
mine employees, the methods used to conserve the economic value of the
minerals of the State, and the work accomplished during the year by the
Bureau and its officers; and may make recommendations for such changes
or improvements as may tend to protect persons engaged in mining or con-
serve the minerals of the State. The reasonable cost of such report shall
be provided by the Governor in the Budget.

An. Code, 1924, sec. 26. 1922, ch. 307, sec. 25.

25. The Bureau shall assist and encourage all reasonable efforts to
improve mining methods and conditions, with a view to discovering better
ways of protecting life and health, extending the serviceable use of instru-
mentalities, and promoting the prosperity of the industry by reducing
waste of natural resources and promoting economy in mining; and shall
diligently compile, statistically analyze and compare all available data
regarding coal or other mining processes and operations and advise persons
engaged in such industry.

An. Code, 1924, sec. 27. 1922, ch. 307, sec. 26.

26. The Chief Mine Engineer shall prepare and compile all blanks,
forms or other uniform methods employed for obtaining data or to be used
in making out reports, necessary in the proper 'discharge of the duties of
the Bureau. He shall direct and supervise the field and office work of the
Bureau and of all inspectors or other employees thereof, subject to the con-
trol of the Commissioner. He shall require diligence, and prompt reports
upon all services required of them by law or regulation.

An. Code, 1924, sec. 28. 1922, ch. 307, sec. 27.

27. The Chief Mine Engineer is hereby authorized to institute in
the name of the State, proceedings to enforce any provision of this sub-