The Geological Survey of the State of Ohio was undertaken during the year 1869 by legislative authority and was actively prosecuted until 1875 by which time the work had been practically completed and a published report made in several volumes. The work was begun under Professor John S. Newberry and completed under Professor Edward Orton, who had been closely identified with its details and practical execution from its inception. The professorship of State Geologist is now attached to the Ohio State University, where the work is continued. The State Geologists have been :—

John S. Newbery, appointed 1869; E. B. Andrews, appointed 1872; Edward Orton, appointed 1875, and Edward S. Orton who succeeded to the position upon the death of his father.

THE INSPECTOR OF BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS.

HIS bureau was created May 1, 1891, by the enactment of the Corcoran law, making the Superintendent of Insurance exofficio Inspector of Building and Loan Associations.

The deputy inspectors, who have at various times been in charge of the bureau, with their residence at the time of appointment, term of service, and politics are:

Roscoe J. Mauck.... Republican. Gallipolis.. June, 1900.

This bureau originated with those who were connected with building associations and who most thoroughly appreciated the necessity of state supervision.

The work of the bureau is largely that of auditing the annual reports of the associations, pointing out to such associations such practices as may contravene the law and requiring their abandonment; furnishing legal and other advice to such associations; examining such associations as may seem to need it and as the resources of the office admit.

If any association fails to abandon any illegal practice within thirty days after being so notified by the Inspector, or if any association is

The Inspector of Building and Loan Associations

found to be in an unsound condition and the interests of the public demand its dissolution, such facts shall be communicated to the Attorney General, who shall institute the proper proceedings to revoke the charter of such association and wind up its business.

All examinations are paid for out of the fees paid by the associations; other expenses are met by the State.

The building association interests of Ohio now amount to more than a hundred million dollars.

The Deputy Inspector, by virtue of an act passed in April, 1898, is also Supervisor of bond investment companies.

E

LMER G. BIDDISON, the present Chief Inspector of Mines, was born in Monroe township, Perry county, Ohio, October 23, 1863. His early life was spent on a farm located in Trimble township, Athens county, Ohio. In the year 1880 the development of the Sunday Creek valley coal fields was begun. The subject of this sketch, being desirous of securing a better education than that afforded in the country schools, engaged in work at the coal mines with a view of being better able to earn means to accomplish his purpose. Enough funds were earned through laboring at the mines, and in other vocations, to defray his expenses for three years' schooling at the Ohio University at Athens, Ohio. In 1887 he engaged in mining engineering and surveying, and followed that vocation until December 1, 1891, at which time he was elected County Surveyor of Athens county, Ohio. He served in this capacity for a period of six years. At the expiration of this time he was elected Treasurer of the county, holding that position for four years. On May 1, 1900, he was appointed Chief Inspector of Mines by Governor George K. Nash.

The Inspector of Mines.

A REVIEW OF THE OHIO STATE MINING DEPARTMENT.

In the year 1871, owing to a catastrophe occurring in the Avondale Mine, located in the anthracite region of Pennsylvania, in which onehundred and nine persons lost their lives for the want of a second opening, the miners of this state held meetings and signed petitions requesting. that laws be enacted to regulate and ventilate mines, and that an authorized official supervisor be appointed. These petitions were presented to the Senate by Senator Woodworth, of Mahoning County, and were referred to a select committee of seven senators from the mining regions of the state. This committee authorized Senator Daugherty to prepare a bill on the subject. Six of the seven senators recommended the passage of the bill, but it was met with persistent opposition from interested parties.

Senator Woodworth thereupon introduced a joint resolution in the Senate, authorizing the Governor to appoint a commission of three competent persons, one or more of whom should be practical miners, to inspect the leading coal mines of the state in regard to ventilation, means of ingress and egress, and all other matters affecting the lives and health of the miners; and also to inquire into the cause of strikes and report to the Governor, for the use of the Legislature, the facts found in the premises, recommending such legislation as in the judgment of the commission the facts might demand. Governor Hayes appointed a board composed of the following members: Charles Reemelin, of Cincinnati; B. F. Skinner, of Pomeroy; and Andrew Roy, of Glen Roy, Ohio. This board was on duty four months. In the month of January of the following year (1872) the report of the commissioners was laid before the Legislature. Senatór Jones, of Trumbull County, chairman of the Committee on Mines and Mining in the Senate, introduced the bill for the ventilation and inspection of mines at this session, which, although passing the Senate by a unanimous vote, failed to secure a constitutional majority in the House, and a substitute by Representative Conrad, of Portage County, was made a law. This substitute contained all the provisions of the Senate bill, except as to the official supervision of the mines by the state. Owing to the fact that it failed to provide for the inspection of mines, its precepts and provisions were disregarded by nearly every mine owner in the state. Accordingly Governor Hayes, in his next annual message to the Legislature, called attention to its defects, and urged the Legislature to so amend the law as to provide for authorized official supervision; otherwise it would continue to be for the most part inoperative. Mr. Sterling, of the House, introduced a bill supplementary to and amendatory of the law, as enacted, providing for a state inspector of mines, and prescribing his duties, but this failed to become a law.

However, during the early part of the session of the Legislature, two bills were introduced in the House of Representatives for the inspec