STATISTICS AND INFORMATION 3243

title or of any regulation pursuant thereto; and to that end to institute
actions at law, suits in equity or prosecutions; but such power shall not
exclude any right of any person interested to invoke the usual and ordi-
nary process of the courts against violators of the mining laws. In case
any suit or proceeding is instituted by or against the¹ Chief Mine Engineer
or any district mine inspector, regarding any of the provisions of this
sub-title, such Chief Mine Engineer or district mine inspector shall have
the legal assistance of the Attorney-General.

TITLE II—INSPECTORS AND INSPECTIONS.

CHAPTER III—Mine Inspectors.
An. Code, 1924, sec. 29. 1922, ch. 307, sec. 28.

28. The Governor shall, upon the recommendation of the Chief Mine
Engineer, appoint from a list of eligibles previously established by the
State Employment Commissioner, such number of district mine inspectors,
not less than two, as may from time to time be authorized by appropriation
or other law. Before entering upon his duties, each such district inspector
shall take the oath prescribed by the Constitution. Each district inspector
shall be reimbursed his necessary traveling expenses upon monthly accounts
properly supported by vouchers approved by the Chief Mine Engineer,
within such amount as shall not exceed such allowance as may from time
to time be provided therefor by appropriation or other law.

An. Code, 1924, sec. 30. 1922, ch. 307, sec. 29.

29. Such district mine inspectors shall be reputable citizens of Mary-
land, of temperate habits and known integrity, who shall each have at-
tained the age of thirty years, and shall have had at least five years' practi-
cal experience as a working employee in the underground operations of coal
mines in this State; who shall have passed a mine foreman examination
before the Examining Board hereinafter provided for, and obtained a
certificate of competency with a passing grade at least equal to eighty-five
per centum, and shall have satisfied the State Employment Commissioner
that he has such theoretical and practical knowledge of the working, venti-
lation, drainage and operation of bituminous coal mines and of all noxious
and explosive gases found therein, and of the mining law of this State,
and such personal fitness and ability as to be suited for the duties of such
district mine inspector; provided, that four years after the passage of this
sub-title, such district mine inspector shall be required to pass the first-
grade mine foreman examination with a passing grade at least equal to
eighty-five per centum.

An. Code, 1924, sec. 31. 1922, ch. 307, sec. 30.

30. Each of such district mine inspectors shall be assigned by the
Bureau, and at need reassigned, to a prescribed inspection territory. The
districts, covering the mining area of the State, shall be divided and from
time to time redivided so as to be approximately equal in extent of labor
and expense of inspection imposed upon each of such district mine inspec-
tors. Each of such inspectors shall reside and maintain his office within
the territory to which he may respectively be assigned. Each of such
inspectors shall devote his entire time to the duties of his office, and shall
have no interest, direct or indirect, in any mining operation or mining
investment in this or any contiguous State.