Chapter 240. To establish in the Department of the Interior a Bureau of Mines
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CHAP. 240.— An Act To establish in the Department of the Interior a Bureau of Mines. May 16, 1910.[[H. R. 13915](/us/bill/61/hr/13915).][[Public, No. 179](/us/pl/61/179).] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, That there is hereby established Bureau of Mines. Established in Interior Department. Director to be appointed. in the Department of the Interior a bureau, to be called the Bureau of Mines, and a director of said bureau, who shall be thoroughly equipped for the duties of said office by technical education and experi-370ence and who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and who shall receive a salary of six Experts, etc. thousand dollars per annum; and there shall also be in the said bureau such experts and other employees as may from time to time be authorized by Congress.
Sec. 2. Duties. That it shall be the province and duty of said bureau and its director, under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, to make diligent investigation of the methods of mining, especially in relation to the safety of miners, and the appliances best adapted to prevent accidents, the possible improvement of conditions under which mining operations are carried on, the treatment of ores and other mineral substances, the use of explosives and electricity, the prevention of accidents, and other inquiries and technologic investigations pertinent *Post*, p. 883. to said industries, and from time to time make such public reports of the work, investigations, and information obtained as the Secretary of said department may direct, with the recommendations of such bureau.
Sec. 3. Secretary to furnish offices, clerks, etc. That the Secretary of the Interior shall provide the said bureau with furnished offices in the city of Washington, with such books, records, stationery, and appliances, and such assistants, clerks, stenographers, typewriters, and other employees as may be necessary for the proper discharge of the duties imposed by this Act upon such bureau, fixing the compensation of such clerks and employees within appropriations made for that purpose.
Sec. 4. Transfer of investigations from Geological Survey. *Post*, p. 743. That the Secretary of the Interior is hereby authorized to transfer to the Bureau of Mines from the United States Geological Survey the supervision of the investigations of structural materials and the analyzing and testing of coals, lignites, and other mineral fuel substances Appropriations transferred. and the investigation as to the causes of mine explosions; and the appropriations made for such investigations may be expended under the supervision of the Director of the Bureau of Mines in manner as if the same were so directed in the appropriations Acts; and such investigations shall hereafter be within the province of the Bureau of Mines, and shall cease and determine under the organization of the United Employees, etc., transferred.
States Geological Survey; and such experts, employees, property and equipment as are now employed or used by the Geological Survey in connection with the subjects herewith transferred to the Bureau of Mines are directed to be transferred to said bureau. Sec. 5. No authority over mines, etc., in States. That nothing in this Act shall be construed as in any way granting to any officer or employee of the Bureau of Mines any right or authority in connection with the inspection or supervision of mines or metallurgical plants in any State.
Sec. 6. In effect July 1, 1910. This Act shall take effect and be in force on and after the first day of July, nineteen hundred and ten. Approved, May 16, 1910.