692 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 307

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 conserve the
minerals of the State. The reasonable cost of such report shall
be provided by the Governor in the Budget

SEC. 25. The Bureau shall assist and encourage all reason-
able efforts to improve mining methods and conditions, with a
view to discovering better ways of protecting life and health,
extending the serviceable use of instrumentalities, and pro-
moting 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 avail-
able data regarding coal or other mining processes and opera-
tions and advise persons engaged in such industry.

SEC. 26. The Chief Mine Engineer shall prepare and com-
pile 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
control of the Commissioner. He shall require diligence, and
prompt reports upon all services required of them by law or
regulation.

SEC. 27. The Chief Mine Engineer is hereby authorized to
institute in the name of the State, proceedings to enforce any
provision of this Act 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 ordinary pro-
cess of the courts against violators of the mining laws. In
case any suit or proceeding is instituted by or against the
Chief Mine Engineer or any district mine inspector, regarding
any of the provisions of this Act, such Chief Mine Engineer or
district mine inspector shall have the legal assistance of the
Attorney-General.