another district at frequent intervals so as to broaden his knowledge of all phases of mining operations in different localities.

It has been contended that to authorize mine inspectors to order the withdrawal of men, in the case of imminent danger, is unreasonable on the grounds that the inspectors may misuse the authority or may err in judgment to the extent that great injustice or irreparable damage would result. Testimony submitted would lead to the belief that the authority proposed for Federal inspectors is extremely drastic whereas the facts are that it is a mild provision for which there is ample precedence. In practically all of the coal mining States similar authority is vested in the State mine inspectors by State legislation. Most State mine inspectors now have the power to order the withdrawal of men in the event of imminent danger.

The adoption of H. R. 3023 would impose serious responsibilities upon Federal inspectors in determining the existence of imminent danger in coal mines but they would not be any more likely than the State inspectors to misuse authority or err in judgment.

It has been contended also that to give Federal inspectors authority to close mines or portions thereof in the event of imminent danger is unnecessary and would result in duplication of effort in view of the fact that such authority is now vested in the State mine-inspection agencies.

In reference to this point of view, the proposed legislation merely gives the Federal inspectors power to act in case of an emergency wherein human life is endangered. To grant such power to the Federal inspectors would not jeopardize the prerogative of the State inspectors to close mines when they discover imminent danger, but it would, in a large measure, supplement the efforts of the State inspection agencies in maintaining the mines in a condition free from extraordinary hazards.

The coverage thus afforded by having the Federal inspectors supplement the State inspectors would be far from excessive because of the limited personnel in Federal and State inspection agencies. While the head of at least one State inspection agency has registered vehement opposition to the adoption of the proposed amendment, I am sure that many State inspection heads would welcome the added impetus to safety that would be afforded by the granting of increased authority to Federal inspectors. As evidence of this I submit the fact that the heads of many of the State inspection agencies have not registered opposition to the adoption of the proposed amendment despite an organized effort to induce them to do so. It is also noteworthy that very few operators have personally appeared in opposition to the proposed legislation and only a few regional operators' associations representing a minority of the coal production of the United States have objected on behalf of their memberships.

It has been affirmed that the granting of even limited police powers to the Bureau of Mines would destroy its effectiveness in safety research and educational work. At present the Bureau is engaged in the most extensive educational program in its history. Whereas the extent of activity of the Bureau of Mines has decreased somewhat in first aid and mine-rescue training it has increased greatly in accidentprevention educational work. The Bureau's accident-prevention course for mine officials is being presented throughout the coal-pro

during regions of the Nation; it is of 40 hours' duration consisting of lectures, demonstrations, and discussions covering all phases of coal mining that affect mine safety. A course for mine-safety committeemen also is being presented extensively; it is of 20 hours' duration and covers instruction in mine safety and the Federal Mine Safety Code. Twenty-two mining engineers have been assigned to teach the accident-prevention course for mine officials. Up to the present time about 3,000 persons have completed this course of training and about 2,500 are in training. During the month of May 1949, 2,068 mine officials and 443 persons aspiring to become mine officials were taking such training in the coal fields of the United States.

During the fiscal year ending June 20, 1948, 4,862 men completed the Bureau's accident prevention course for mine safety committeemen, and during the first 10 months of the fiscal year 1949, 3,695 men completed it. Currently, approximately 1,500 men are in training. Evidence has been presented indicating clearly that educational measures alone are not sufficient and that something more than voluntary action is needed. The Bureau has been face to face with the safety educational problems of the industry and it is doing a creditable job in this direction. However, where the means for establishing reasonable safety standards are not provided it is difficult to attain the effective action that should result from the Bureau's training. There is not much to be gained from safety education at mines where the management does not demonstrate its sincerity by providing reasonably safe working conditions. Safety education is an important adjunct to a well-rounded safety program but the sooner we stop thinking of it as a substitute for the maintenance of reasonable safety standards, the sooner we will achieve our objective in the prevention of accidents.

In conclusion, H. R. 3023 is a mild form of legislation conferring upon Federal inspectors a limited degree of authority to obtain correction of conditions in cases of imminent danger. The legislation will not affect those operators who are making a sincere effort to maintain safe working conditions but it will strengthen the hand of the Federal inspectors in bringing about the elimination of conditions in coal mines that result in injury and death to miners. The proposed amendment will not make law enforcement officers or "policemen" of the Federal inspectors except in cases where imminent dangers are found to exist, and, if the amendment is adopted, the Federal inspectors will continue their efforts to secure compliance with ordinary recommendations by means of education, persuasion, and salesmanship, as in the past.

Now, gentlemen, that concludes my formal statement. But I wish to refer to several statements that were made this morning by Hon. Richard Maize, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Mines, in order to give my position and my feeling on some of the statements. Secretary Maize stated:

They taught first aid and the use of mine rescue apparatus to mine workers and mine officials, assisted at mine fires and explosions, and in so doing, performed the functions for which they were created, as well as advise operators, mine workers, and mine officials in all technical matters. They taught mine safety classes, and in carrying out all the functions for which they were created, rendered invaluable service to the mining industry. However, when they were given the right to inspect mines, under the Federal Safety Code, and require the operator to comply with their recommendations, they stepped out of the field for which they were created.

He continued:

The first Federal code, when written, did not consider the requirements of the various States and asked no one's advice as to what should be in that code, with the possible exception of the United Mine Workers of America.

Now, that is a statement that is not factual. When the code was written as a result of the agreement between the United Mine Workers of America and the Coal Mines Administrator in 1946, the representatives of the United Mine Workers of America and representatives of the operators were called into conference and participated in the formulation of the Federal Mine Safety Code.

Another quotation from Mr. Maize's testimony:

Since the adoption of the Federal code, the United States Bureau of Mines has discontinued its safety and educational program as far as teaching first aid and mine rescue is concerned.

Mr. KELLEY. In Pennsylvania.

Mr. ANKENY. He amended that to say Pennsylvania.

Mr. KELLEY. He amended it later on.

Mr. ANKENY. I want to submit for the record the training records of the Bureau of Mines, which indicate that, in the State of Pennsylvania, the mines coming under the Bureau of Mines office at Pittsburgh, Pa., during the month of May, had a total of 43 men trained, but during the entire fiscal year, a total of 1,046 men were trained in mine rescue and first aid by representatives of the United States Bureau of Mines. Mr. KELLEY. In Pennsylvania?

Mr. ANKENY. In Pennsylvania.

Mr. KELLEY. From the Pittsburgh office?

Mr. ANKENY. That is only from the Pittsburgh office. From the Johnstown office, a total of 1,458 men have also been trained during the year.

Mr. KELLEY. Why would he make such a statement as that?

Mr. ANKENY. I beg your pardon?

Mr. KELLEY. Why would Mr. Maize make such a statement as that? If he were not acquainted with what you are doing?

Mr. ANKENY. I do not know, sir. But these are the facts. Pittsburgh and Johnstown are the two offices of the Bureau of Mines operating in Pennsylvania.

(The documents referred to are as follows:)

Bureau of Mines summary of training in coal mine accident prevention course for mine safety committeemen and miners, Jan. 1, 1947, to June 1, 1949

Bureau of Mines summary of training in coal mine accident prevention course for mine safety committeemen and miners, Jan. 1, 1947, to June 1, 1949-Con.

Includes 2 classes totaling 67 men in district 1, Progressive Mine Workers of America. 2 Includes 1 class of 24 men in district 1, Progressive Mine Workers of America.

Bureau of Mines summary of training in coal-mine accident prevention course for mine safety committeemen and mines, Jan. 1, 1947, to June 1, 1949

Record of first-aid and mine-rescue training May 1949 and fiscal year