1044 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 437

defective, and require it to be remedied, suggesting such
changes as the conditions described may require. If the
operator contends that the matter, thing or practice is not
in fact dangerous, nor likely to become dangerous, such
inspector shall refer the subject matter to the Chief Mine
Engineer for his examination and determination; provided,
that if the matter, thing or practice involve the safety of a
mine or any considerable portion of a mine, and the oper-
ator after receipt of such order neglects or refuses to take
immediate steps to remedy such matter, thing or practice,
the inspector shall notify the Chief Mine Engineer, who
shall with a district mine inspector immediately make a
full investigation, and provided further, that if the Chief
Mine Engineer and district inspector agree as to the
• danger and confirm such safety order, or modify and con-
firm such safety order as modified, the Chief Mine Engi-
neer shall have power to institute proceedings before the
Circuit Court of the county within which the affected mine
is located, to restrain such operator from further operating
such mine until compliance with such safety order. Such
court, or if not in session, then a judge thereof in cham-
bers, shall immediately proceed to fully hear and deter-
mine the case, and may make such orders therein, confirm-
ing, modifying, correcting and enforcing or vacating said
safety order as may appear just and proper; and the costs
thereof may be awarded as the court may think just.

(b) Provided, however, that when the District Inspec-
tor discovers or learns that there is an imminent danger
existing in a mine or portion of a mine, he shall imme-
diately notify the person then in charge of the mine and
request said person then in charge of the mine to imme-
diately remove all persons from the mine or that portion
of the mine wherein the danger exists, and should the
person in charge of the mine fail to comply with the
request of the said District Inspector, the District Inspec-
tor shall personally take whatever steps he deems neces-
sary to remove or have removed all persons from the said
mine or that portion thereof wherein the danger exists,
and the persons shall remain out of the mine or that por-
tion thereof until the said danger has been removed there-
from.

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 pre-
serve the property connected therewith, the operator of
any coal mine in this State shall employ a competent and
practical mine foreman in every mine where eight or more